Having limited space in a property is a common occurrence and can require you to think outside the box in order to make the most of every square inch. This is especially true with kitchens, which can be quite complex due to the many aspects that need to be considered such as the sink, appliances, cupboards, worksurface and more.
This is where compact kitchens help to create a functional, cost-effective and modern solution that can be tailored to fit your exact needs and requirements. Whether it’s for an office, residential property, student accommodation, hotel, leisure facilities or something else, these innovative mini kitchens are a great option.
Designing a kitchenette or a small-scale kitchen is not always as simple as you may think, and simple mistakes can be costly and time-consuming. Here we take you through some of the dos and don’ts to consider when creating your own compact kitchen.
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Don’t – Opt for a Standard Kitchen
Often, people will choose the style of units they like and attempt to make them fit their kitchen. However, the cabinets, cupboards and drawers used to create ‘standard’ kitchens are going to be larger in size and not suited to compact spaces.
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Do – Consider a Prebuilt Mini Kitchen
Mini kitchens are specifically designed for smaller rooms and areas that require kitchen facilities but don’t have the square footage of a full-sized kitchen. Available in a wide range of styles, colours and configurations with various appliance options, mini kitchens can be tailored to your exact needs.
Developed by experts who work to utilise every single inch of available space, these high-quality kitchenettes come ready assembled and are easy to install, taking around just 30 minutes.
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Don’t – Create Clutter
Clutter will make a kitchen feel messy and overcrowded, so the less stuff there is on the surfaces, the bigger your kitchen will look. Your cupboards and drawers are your biggest storage resource so maximise their space with things like plate racks, organisers, cutlery trays and stacking shelves to name just a few.
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Do – Accessorise Your Space
There’s clutter, and then there’s accessories! Just because you don’t want cups, utensils and appliances on display everywhere doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for some cool little accessories which will bring the kitchen to life. This could be some nice plants, eye-catching wall art, a vase with flowers, a modern wall clock or even a suitable rug or runner for the floor.
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Don’t – Forget the Lighting
With so much focus on units, colour and appliances it easy to forget about something like lighting, but it has the ability to completely transform the room if done right. Integrated spotlights on the kitchen plinths and under cabinets, feature ceiling lights and modern wall lights are all options that can be used to add style and elegance to your kitchen.
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Do – Prioritise Appliances
Depending on where the kitchenette is for, appliances are important and so should take priority when designing and making decisions.
- For offices and staff rooms for example, a microwave and fridge are likely to be all that is needed.
- If it’s for leisure facilities or accommodation such as hotels, glamping sites and cabins, a small oven or hob as well could be beneficial.
- Those adding a mini kitchen to a residential property such as a flat, house or apartment, then all of the above plus a dishwasher might be a great addition.
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Don’t – Be Boring
Just because your kitchen is going to be small does not mean you can’t have some fun with it. Whether it’s choosing some patterned wallpaper, bright coloured units, a quirky splashback or a cool tiled floor, you can still make your mini kitchen full of character.
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Do – Be Careful with Colours
Whilst having a small kitchen doesn’t mean you need to have white everything, colour is something you should be careful with. Lighter colours are better at reflecting both artificial and natural light which can have a huge impact on the way the kitchen looks and feels. Opting for simple, light colours such as pastels, gentle greys and nudes is a stylish yet clean option that works brilliantly in small spaces.
