How to maximise your small kitchen…
It can be difficult to imagine fitting all the essential appliances into your small kitchen. With city living becoming increasingly more popular we find ourselves having to live smaller. When you imagine your dream kitchen you probably picture large work top surfaces, a large dining area and possibly an island in the centre, with plenty of storage for your pots and pans and all the other kitchen utensils needed to create those delicious meals but your small space probably has other ideas…
Things to consider in a small kitchen
- How often do you cook?
- Do you entertain or need to cook for more people? How often?
- Size of the room or kitchen area – can you fit full size appliances? Or do you need slimline or compact appliances?
- Plan your cooking and refrigeration first – where is the logical place for them to be situated? Measure the maximum height, depth and width.
- Do you have space for under counter appliances?
- How much cupboard space do you have? Can you maximise internal cupboard space? What about using additional hanging space
MySmallSpace tip: Search appliances by size to find the appliances which will fit your space
Although your kitchen may be small, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on making it a place that is functional, fits your everyday needs and looks great. Choose the right colour counters and cupboards to create a light workable space, or go vivid and make a style statement in your home. After all the kitchen is meant to be the heart of the home! So why not make it functional and funky too.
Appliances (often known as white goods) come in many different colours from the glossiest black to the perfect pastel. In a small space having complementary colour appliances help to pull the look together, but it can be difficult to find all of the appliances the right size and the right shade, but sometimes function has to supercede style so don’t be afraid of contrasting colours.
Compact kitchen appliances
You may be looking at your small kitchen thinking ‘how am I going to fit a dish washer, a cooker, an oven and and a washing machine in here?!’ Luckily, kitchen appliances are downsizing, allowing you to have everything you need to make your kitchen a practical and functional space. Compact appliances will allow you to make use of the limited space, allowing room for more work space which is vital in any kitchen.
Compact dishwashers
Compact dishwashers are great for small kitchens. They can be placed on worktops or can be incorporated into your kitchen design. They are also great for those of you who live on your own or if there are two of you living together.
Slimline dishwashers
If you’re after something slightly larger than the compact option, slimline dishwashers are also a great way to save space – choose freestanding slimline dishwashers or integrated slimline dishwashers.
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£205.99
White Knight DW1045IA Slimline Dishwasher
Robert Dyas
This slimline dishwasher is >
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£275.00
Russell Hobbs RHSLDW4B Slimline Dishwasher – Black
Robert Dyas
This sleek Russell Hobbs >
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£360.00
Indesit Extra Baby Care Slim DSR 57M96 Z Dishwasher – White
Robert Dyas
This compact, energy-efficient dishwasher >
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£259.00
Hotpoint Slimline Dishwasher
JD Williams
Hotpoint Slimline Dishwasher with >
Space Saving Fridges
When shopping for a fridge or a fridge/freezer, it is important to bear in mind the limited space you have available. Luckily, fridges are becoming more slim-line and less bulky as they have been in the past and therefore are easier to fit into your small kitchen without impeding on your valuable space.
Slimline fridges
Slimline fridges can be freestanding or integrated into your small kitchen. A slimline fridge freezer is a great way to have a combined fridge/freezer to save space.
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£514.99
Swan SR11025RN Retro 250L Slimline Fridge Freezer – Red
Robert Dyas
Combing style and practicality, >
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£607.99
Swan SR11025GRN Retro Slimline Fridge Freezer – Grey
Robert Dyas
Don’t compromise on space >
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£514.99
Swan SR11025BLN Retro 250L Slimline Fridge Freezer – Blue
Robert Dyas
Combing style and practicality, >
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£514.99
Swan Retro 250L Slimline Fridge Freezer – Cream
Robert Dyas
Combing style and practicality, >
Under counter fridges
If you live on your own or there are two of you, an under counter fridge is a great way to save space but supplying you with a decent sized refrigerator.
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£412.66
Miele K12012S-2 A+ Undercounter Fridge with Icebox – White
Hughes
K12012S-2 A+ Undercounter Fridge >
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£89.00
Lowry LUCLF50W Under Counter 50cm Fridge
JD Williams
This White Lowry under >
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£369.00
Indesit 55cm Integrated Fridge + Icebox
JD Williams
The Indesit IFA1UK1 Integrated >
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£129.00
Fridgemaster Undercounter Larder
JD Williams
It’s cool to be >
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£199.00
Beko Undercounter Fridge Freezer
JD Williams
A compact under-counter Beko >
Multi-functional ovens
When in search of an oven for your small space try to look for multi-functional ovens such as compact ovens with micro-wave. This will save you having to buy a microwave as well as an oven and therefore will save you space!
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£999.00
NEFF 45cm Compact Microwave Combination Oven C1AMG83N0B
Wickes
Automatic programmes – Your >
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£769.00
Miele M6022SC Built-In Microwave, Clean Steel
John Lewis
Achieve excellent cooking results >
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£820.00
Bosch CMG633BB1B Black Electric Compact Oven with Microwave
B & Q
Bosch CMG633BB1B Black Electric >
Kitchen Storage
To avoid your work tops becoming a holding space for the foods which can’t fit in the cupboard, adding some extra storage to your small kitchen will maximise your space and it will help you stay organised. Adding shelving units are a great way to extend your cupboard space to allow more storage without adding more cupboards.
Kitchen storage can come in several options: internal shelves (to expand the internal storage space); floor standing storage which can also fit in corners or come on wheels for easy mobility; wall mounted storage or hanging storage. Kitchen shelves can be slimline and are a great way to expand storage in under utilised places.
Floor-standing kitchen storage
Floor-standing kitchen shelving can come in a variety of options – trolley shelves on wheels, corner tiered storage, or fixed shelving units.
Work top kitchen storage
Sometimes it’s hard to fit all of your weekly food shopping in the limited storage units you have available, especially things like spices and herbs. Work top shelving is the perfect solution to place and store your spices. Arranging them neatly will look impressive and decorative and will also leave room in your storage cabinets for more food- which is always an added bonus!
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£14.79
Hartleys Glass 3 Tier Worktop Tidy – Clear
Hartleys Direct
Hartleys 3 Tier Worktop >
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£14.79
Hartleys Glass 3 Tier Worktop Tidy – Black
Hartleys Direct
Hartleys 3 Tier Worktop >
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£14.95
Hartleys 3 Tier Glass Triangular Kitchen Worktop Tidy
Hartleys Direct
Hartleys 3 Tier Triangular >
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£14.95
Hartleys 2 Tier Glass Triangular Kitchen Worktop Tidy
Hartleys Direct
Hartleys 2 Tier Triangular >
Wall mounted kitchen storage
It’s important to make use of as much of your small space as you can without making it look over-crowded.
Kitchen tables
Modern homes often no longer have a dining room, so eating in the kitchen or in the kitchen area (in an open plan space) has become the new normal. Finding a kitchen table to fit your space and to accommodate guests can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Handy Kitchen Accessories
When it comes to cooking and cleaning in your kitchen space you want it to be quick and efficient. Below are some great accessories and gadgets to speed things up and keep your kitchen area clean, tidy and hassle free!
Need more inspiration?
Shop dining tables > Dining tables
Shop Kitchen appliances > Kitchen appliances
Shop Kitchen accessories > Kitchen accessories
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