Are you currently living in a property with a tiny kitchen that you can’t swing a hamster in, let alone a cat, and dreaming of the day you move into a home with a large space that you can really make use of?

3 Simple Ways You Can Make the Most of a Small Kitchen

Storage, Storage and More Storage

There are few rooms in the house that require effective storage quite in the same way as the kitchen. Food, utensils, dishes and other accessories all need to be accessible, and if you have a small space, avoiding an overwhelming level of clutter can be difficult.

This is why getting the storage in your kitchen right is so important – and there are a number of things you can do so.

Firstly, take your cupboard storage right up to the ceiling to make sure that you’re making the most of all the space available to you, however only put items up there that you aren’t going to need to use on a regular basis. Alternatively, you could look to store rarely-used items away from the kitchen in other storage areas around the house.

You can also turn the walls into storage areas as they are perfect for hanging up pots, pans and utensils that you use frequently.

Colour & Lighting

The biggest issue with small kitchens is not having the space you need for getting the most out of them – but their appearance can also go a long way in affecting how you feel about the room.

The wrong use of colour and lighting can make your kitchen feel more cramped and oppressive than it is but with the right design scheme you can help small spaces appear larger. Clean colours are best for this, while natural light can also make a big difference, so emphasise the windows if possible.

If your kitchen only has small windows – or none at all – then clever use of lighting can create the illusion of spaciousness as well as engender a warm and cosy mood.

Make it Efficient

Just because there isn’t an abundance of space in your kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t make sure it is efficient, and by embracing the ‘Magic Triangle’ you can organise it in such a way that makes preparing food easier.

Make sure the cooker, sink and refrigerator are within a couple of steps of each other to allow you to move between the three of them quickly.

By taking into account these factors when designing your small kitchen you can transform it from cramped and impractical to an efficient and stylish little space that you will be proud to call your own.

This guest blog was written by John Rooney on behalf of the Online Kitchen Store - suppliers of units, worktops and other accessories for creating a practical and stylish contemporary kitchen.