| Planning for a tiny kitchen can be a headache as | | | | go somewhere and this requires wall space to house |
| opposed to a restricted and small area. Good design | | | | it when open. A better choice may be concertina- |
| and good planning can make the smallest kitchen a | | | | style doors that close back on itself so that it takes |
| pleasant and attractive room to work in. However, | | | | up much less space than a standard door. |
| squeezing in enough working and storage space can | | | | The style of a small scale kitchen should keep to |
| pose a real ingenuity test. All major appliances are | | | | sleek and streamline. Use light colors to increase the |
| essential yet come in fixed sizes and the other basic | | | | feeling of space. Decorate the walls to blend rather |
| utensils are fighting for spaces. | | | | than contrast with worktops and units. Since the |
| Now sit down and make out a checklist of priorities | | | | walls tend to get dirtier in a confined space, use of |
| to make the best use of every single inch of space | | | | wall tiles is much more easy to keep clean. Avoid tiles |
| for you. | | | | with strong patterns and laid rectangular tiles |
| Ask yourself how will you use your kitchen? | | | | vertically on wall can create height. |
| Do you prepare mainly simply or pre-packed meals? | | | | If your list of priorities includes the need for |
| Or you enjoy doing most of the cooking? | | | | maximum worktops for food preparation, covers for |
| How many people you normally catered for? | | | | sink and cooker hob can add vital work space. Install |
| Do you entertaining guests very often? | | | | wall units to ceiling make the most of the height of |
| Next, list the appliances and utensils your already own | | | | the room. To maximize your space, start by choosing |
| and those you intend to buy. Stand back and check | | | | units with pull-out racks, carousels and door-mounted |
| if your current space can accommodation all the listed | | | | storage racks. Assess the height of items to be |
| items with the least alteration. If you really run out of | | | | stored in wall unites; extra open shelves can almost |
| space, go through your list again and keep in mind | | | | always be added to increase storage capacity. |
| that those items in list must have a purpose in the | | | | Consider a waste disposal unit in the sink to do away |
| kitchen. | | | | with bulky rubbish bins. Hanging utensils on |
| When you come up with the most optimal list and a | | | | wall-mounted racks in that midway space is another |
| clear functional purpose of your kitchen, you can | | | | space-saving idea, leaving cupboards free for |
| start planning your in a different approach. Some | | | | less-frequently used items. Ceiling racks are fine if |
| people will like to get ideas from kitchen catalogue. | | | | ceilings are high enough not causing bumped heads. |
| But the truth is those pictures are dreams and not | | | | Fitting in all the basic equipment and finding space for |
| providing much practical help. Everything is just a bit | | | | a well-stocked larder is a real challenge! Consider to |
| too big for tiny kitchen. You will have to order | | | | use a multi-function microwave convention oven to |
| specially-designed and built units, but this is an | | | | save time and mount on wall at a convenient height |
| expensive solution. | | | | to free valuable worktop space below. The latest |
| Try to get some kitchen design ideas from boating | | | | fridge model has many space saving features and if |
| and caravanning magazine. Professionals have working | | | | carefully loaded, can store a surprising amount of |
| out great solutions to these compact cooking areas | | | | food. If you have to share your tiny kitchen with a |
| and you will find some inspiration from them. | | | | washing machine, buy a combined washer/drier and |
| One of the most first and effective way is to plan | | | | fit it beneath the draining board. Keep only essential |
| for an open-plan kitchen. Remove all or part of a wall | | | | small appliances like food processor, electric kettle |
| so that the kitchen opens on to the dining area. | | | | and toaster, other time-saving appliances are only |
| Hinged doors, by nature, take up space when open. | | | | time saving but occupy valuable worktop space. |
| Get rid of the door if you can, or install a sliding door | | | | Above all, avoid clutter. Keep only what is absolutely |
| or folding doors to save vital floor space. | | | | essential near at hand. Try out the hints above and |
| Sliding doors is a compromise, but the door must still | | | | your tiny kitchen will serve you well. |