Who hasn’t dreamed of an open-plan kitchen, complete with a large central island and a fully equipped wall? The reality, however, is quite different.
More and more often, we have to deal with cramped and cramped spaces; especially when dealing with studios or one-bedroom apartments, where the distribution of functions and space utilization must be carefully planned.
Furnishing a small kitchen is no child’s play, but it’s not an insurmountable problem either if designed correctly, balancing functionality and aesthetics.
The best solutions for furnishing a mini kitchen
By leaving aside the design and layout of a kitchen, a topic we’ve already covered in another article, and temporarily ignoring the room’s shape and dimensions, it’s almost always possible to let your imagination run wild and achieve excellent results.
Here are some of the considerations to consider when designing a mini kitchen.
Making Kitchen Space Functional
When designing a kitchen, it’s essential to keep the functionality of the space in mind and consider it. Emphasizing functionality and how you want to use the kitchen is the first step. If you don’t consider ergonomics in a small kitchen, you risk having trouble not only cooking but also moving around freely. For this reason, the first element to consider is the well-known “work triangle,” or the positioning of the stove, sink, and oven/fridge.
Furnishing a Mini Kitchen with Custom Cabinets
To create a truly impressive kitchen, the best solution is to commission a carpenter to custom-design it to your needs. If you’d prefer a more basic and smart solution, cabinets with casters are very useful. Their vertical orientation and ease of transport allow you to better organize the kitchen. Furthermore, if you have a larger kitchen, they can be reused.
Space-saving solutions
Another factor to consider is maximizing space. For example, it’s a good idea to keep the countertop free of appliances and other clutter, creating an immediate sense of order. To achieve this, choose furniture with as many drawers and shelves as possible to accommodate everything. Another option is to utilize the walls with shelves and hooks for spices, plates, and cups. Taking advantage of the full height of the room is essential in these cases to maximize storage space.
Introducing mini appliances
Mini kitchens often evoke small homes, which implies a smaller family. Therefore, it’s possible to opt for smaller appliances, which not only free up space for other cabinets or drawers, but also ensure a pleasing aesthetic in keeping with the kitchen’s dimensions. This prevents an overly large refrigerator from making the kitchen appear disorganized and disharmonious.
Peninsulas and pull-out tables for a mini kitchen
A popular solution in recent years is the peninsula. This element, often associated only with large kitchens, is an excellent ally even for small kitchens. It can be used both as a dining table and a worktop. Its dual function is a versatile tool that allows you to free up space in the rest of the kitchen while simultaneously increasing its size.
If the kitchen is truly small and there isn’t room for a peninsula, another useful ally is the pull-out table. In this case, it can serve both as an additional worktop and a dining table. Furthermore, the mechanism that allows it to be pulled out when needed makes the kitchen more open and livable.
Shapes and layouts for a mini kitchen
Among the most common layouts for mini kitchens is the linear kitchen. The linearity and simplicity of this kitchen frees up considerable space in the living and dining areas, becoming a key feature of the open plan. All essential elements can be concentrated in just two linear meters.
A second solution is the L-shaped kitchen, which, thanks to its linearity and ease of composition, also ensures the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.
The third solution is the peninsula kitchen, already described above.
The last two types of kitchens are the least commonly used and most common in homes, but are probably the most innovative. We are talking about the kitchen cabinet and the compact kitchen.
The kitchen cabinet is a solution that completely conceals the kitchen cabinets inside a cabinet. It is primarily used in very small spaces where the kitchen unit is closed off by traditional sliding or folding doors. Even in this case, just a few meters are enough to have a fully equipped kitchenette.
The compact kitchen, on the other hand, is a design solution—somewhat daring, we might say. With their unusual shapes, they emerge like sculptures from a central block that cleverly utilizes the surrounding space. A single block houses all the appliances in miniature form. The minimum size of a compact kitchen includes a sink, a stovetop, a small refrigerator, and a mini-dishwasher. Depending on the size, ovens and any open compartments or storage cabinets can be included.
Five tips for furnishing a mini kitchen
To summarize: even if a kitchen is small, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice taste and comfort. With a few simple and easy-to-use elements, you can have everything you need in style and with minimal space:
Multifunctional space-saving cabinets. These are cabinets with a narrow depth, excellent for storage and accessory storage;
The essentials. Because of a limited space, it’s impossible to have the same elements as a traditional kitchen, so it’s best to include only the essentials, such as appliances, both large and small. They should also have a designated place, to avoid having to constantly move them around;
Light and bright colors. Of course, the color of the kitchen and walls is subjective, but for small kitchens, it’s recommended to create an airy feeling by using light and bright colors. For example, you could opt for a white and beige color palette and light wood tones;
Open shelving and cabinets. To make the kitchen even more airy and avoid a claustrophobic feeling, you can replace traditional closed cabinets with open shelves or shelving. Of course, it should always be tidy.
Minimal style. A small kitchen is also a question of style. Avoid ostentatious and ornate styles, opting instead for simple furnishings with clean, simple lines. Minimal style is definitely the most suitable.
As with all aspects of space and furnishing design, it’s always best to rely on professionals in the field.