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As the saying goes, all great things come in small packages. You may believe that because you have a smaller footprint to work with, your kitchen design will never have everything you need, but this simply isn’t the case. A small kitchen can be just as functional and beautiful as a larger one; it’s all down to how well the space is planned.

Your local independent Second Nature specialist will be happy to help you plan the perfect tailored kitchen design to suit your smaller space, but if you’re searching for inspiration in the meantime, here are our tips and tricks for making the most of a smaller footprint.

           

Consider your layout

The key to a great design for a smaller kitchen is excellent planning, and the first thing to consider in your plan is which layout will best suit and maximise the potential of your footprint.

When examining this, it’s important that you keep in mind your requirements in terms of features- such as seating, storage, and appliances- as your layout will need to accommodate for these.

L-shaped, U-shaped, and Galley/Double Galley layouts are very popular with smaller kitchens, as they allow ample storage and worktop space, whilst preventing an overcrowded look. However, it depends entirely on the dimensions of your room as to which will be the best suited. For more information on layout choices, check out our advice piece which lists the most popular kitchen layouts and which styles of room they are generally best suited to.

           

Take Advantage of Clever Storage Solutions

A common misconception of smaller kitchens is that they will undoubtedly be less effective when it comes to storing your kitchen essentials, however, at Second Nature we believe that you can maximise the storage potential of any kitchen space- all you need is the right clever solutions for the job.

To make the most of the space you have, it’s important that no corner is overlooked. Our LeMans solution allows you to bring the contents of your dark corner cupboards out to meet you, meaning your kitchen essentials are stored away neatly whilst remaining easily accessible.

In terms of storing your foodstuffs, why not consider swapping out a standard lower and wall cabinet for a full-length larder unit? We have a range of larder solutions that allow you to maximise your storage potential, whilst making your cupboard staples easily visible and within reach at all times.

Tip: Swap out a wall cabinet for open shelving to create the illusion of space without compromising on storage.

           

Play with Lighting

It’s important for a smaller kitchen to have good lighting, whether this is natural or artificial, as brightening a room truly helps to make it feel more spacious and can improve functionality.

When planning your space, consider how and where the natural light will be throughout the day, and use this to think strategically about how you use artificial lighting.

Task lighting above workspaces will not only help to improve practically of your kitchen, but will also help to brighten and open up the space.

Soft convenience lighting within glazed display cabinets can also help to give the illusion of a larger space, whilst adding a decorative feature to your design.

           

Consider Colour

White is the obvious choice for colour in a smaller kitchen as it helps to reflect light and enhances space. However, if an all-white kitchen isn’t your style, why not consider a paler shade of grey for a similar effect, or use a light yellow, blue, green or pink on your walls to bring a pop of colour whilst continuing to keep the space bright and airy.

We recommend that you keep the colour scheme of a smaller kitchen quite simple, as too many different colours and patterns in a small area could create a chaotic feeling.

           

Choose Appliances Carefully

Last but not least, it’s important to choose your appliances and gadgets wisely for a small kitchen. We would recommend making a list of the necessary appliances- such as a fridge freezer and an oven- then the appliances you would like if there is room- like a wine cooler or a dish washer. From here, you can start to plan how you can effectively integrate each into your design and make allowances in your layout where required.

For small appliances that you don’t use every day, like a blender, toaster or slow cooker, why not consider storing or tucking them away in cupboards or pantries, and you could even save worksurface space by integrating your microwave into your cabinetry.

Tip: An ultimate space saving idea is to install a boiling water tap so there’s no longer need for a kettle on your worktops.

If you’re ready to take the next step towards bringing your dream kitchen to life, find your closest independent Second Nature specialist today.