Open Up a Small Kitchen
/KEEP IT SIMPLE
Remodeling a small kitchen without adding square feet can be frustrating; too many tasks to fit into a limited space.
However, a small kitchen can function well and include interesting elements if you open the kitchen to larger spaces and
keep the layout simple.
Make It Feel Spacious
The first step toward making a small kitchen feel larger and more open is to improve its relationship with any adjoining rooms and outside spaces.
A kitchen surrounded by four solid walls can feel downright claustrophobic. To improve space, you can open the walls between the kitchen and any supporting rooms, such as a dining room, a breakfast nook, or a family room. By opening the wall and allowing the sightlines to expand beyond the kitchen, you create the perception of more space without the cost of creating more square footage.
Pay Attention to the Transition
Depending on the circumstances, the wall between the kitchen and adjacent space might be removed entirely or be replaced with a peninsula countertop, a high counter, or a half-wall. Even a simple pass-through window helps if other options are not feasible.
Once the kitchen is opened up, you can detail the opening depending on how you wish to use the transition from the kitchen to the adjoining room. Sometimes drawing a distinction between the two spaces with a design element at the ceiling – an arch, a beam, a series of lights, a change in ceiling heights – can define the two areas as effectively as a peninsula.
Add Natural Light
Take advantage of exterior walls by adding windows and doors. When you can see the landscaping, it becomes part of your kitchen. If a garden or yard borders the kitchen, add a French door or two to allow access and big views.
If a door isn’t possible, add as many windows as you can. When exterior-wall space is limited and you have to choose between an extra upper cabinet and a window, choose the window. Corner windows are especially effective for opening views and outside relationships. Even if there’s no view, a translucent or stained-glass window can brighten the space with natural light and lend an airy feeling to a tight room.
Simplify the Space
Maximize kitchen square footage by relocating functions not directly related to preparing and eating meals. The more regular or square a kitchen’s floor plan, the more functional its space will be. And remember that small kitchens are more efficient with small appliances: avoid deluxe units and use standard or apartment-size models.
Make sure circulation patterns through the kitchen aren’t disruptive. This might mean eliminating some doorways and relocating others. If you must have multiple doorways in the kitchen, try to group them in one area to confine circulation to one or two routes. The main idea is to direct foot traffic away from work areas.
Finally, enjoy your small kitchen - it's compact and easy to clean so meals are more fun!
