The kitchen is not just a cooking space anymore, but a lifestyle space and we all dream of a spacious kitchen with sky-high ceilings and tons of natural lighting through massive windows. Here are 5 clever and chic design ideas by Architect Nidhi Vaish on how a differentiated design approach can help you with more room in your kitchen area than you could have ever imagined!
Play with heights of the counters and the overhead cabinets:
A mid-height counter unit can be used to install all appliances at a comfortable working height while unlocking extra counter space above. These higher counters can also be used as breakfast table or partition units. Adding extra height to the overhead unit gives space to store less frequently used items in the kitchen.
Choose your appliances wisely:
Adding built in fridge and a tall unit with combi microwave oven frees up the counter space. One can also look at installing a cooking range to bring all cooking requirement under the hob itself, leaving rest of the area to be planned for storage. Recently, warmer drawers have gained popularity to keep counters clean by tucking away all the utensils once cooking is done. For a small kitchen it makes even more sense since the counters are free with food waiting in the drawer till mealtime. One can check out the Siemens built-in range for smaller kitchen spaces. Additionally, in today’s hybrid working environment, it is essential to manage time well and a sink piled up with utensils would not help at all. Appliances such as dishwashers not only saves water but also doesn’t occupy a lot of space. It gets the utensils squeaky clean and dry in a short span of time saving you sink and counter space too. Bosch’s Serie|4 and Serie|6 dishwasher range are a few options out of the many products in the market which are value for money.
Create a pull-out pantry:
If you’re adding shelves for storage, you don’t want them to look cluttered. Enter a pull-out pantry, which makes use of an awkward nook next to the refrigerator and hides unsightly dry goods behind a super-useful chalkboard door.
Add a prep area:
You may not have space to expand or add a full island, so think about bringing in a slim rolling kitchen cart or bar cart to serve as extra counter space. Even a narrow console can work as a spot to set tools and ingredients on while you cook.
Use light colors to visually expand your small kitchen:
The lighter the kitchen, the larger it can feel. Sometimes, keeping an especially light palette on countertops, backsplashes, walls, and millwork also helps a small kitchen feel more open. If you’re not in the market for a full renovation, consider the cooking tools that you always have out: Cutting boards, pots and pans, and linens can all lift a space if you opt for pieces in light shades.