“Need More Space? 8 Most Common Problems Solved”
Need More Space? 8 Most Common Problems Solved
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, Gail Drury, of Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, helps to shed light on how to overcome space constraints in your home’s hardest working room – the kitchen, when planning your kitchen remodel. As featured in the July’s premiere issue of Small Kitchen Magazine pgs. 6 – 11.
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Challenge #1: Too little counter space
When you don’t have enough , how your appliances are arranged is critical. It’s actually critical no matter how many the space is. But, in general, the major work is between the and the cooking ; ideally, you would have 4′ to 5′ in your main work zone. As long as there’s enough room in that , other areas can be scaled back. For example, you might be able to get by with less between the range and refrigerator just a bit for resting a hot pot or a bottle of milk. Or, you might include pull-out work areas placed strategically throughout your kitchen that are built into cabinets and drawers—one near a for cutting vegetables, for instance. Another solution is to have a rolling cart with a top that functions as another work surface, so you can bring it to where it’s needed. Carefully think through how you work: where you like to unload groceries, how you cook and clean up, and how many others will be participating, which also affects the amount of needed.
Challenge #2: Not enough storage space
Use areas that typically aren’t thought of for : rows of drawers in the toe kick space for flat items, high-up areas at the line for seasonal items not frequently used and that can be accessed by using a pull-down rack from Hafele, extra roll-out shelves in a cabinet to maximize space. Carefully check your entire room with a professional for wasted space, including what’s called “air space” between a cabinet and drawers. You often can a of fit thin items like lids and trays in rollouts in tight areas. Another way to maximize space is to use space-saving accessories for awkward areas. Use multitiered chrome pullouts that easily slide out of blind corner areas. Narrow pull-out units can be filled with utensil canisters or shelves that can be used as spice racks; they are a great way to utilize small spaces. Accessories like these are available from Hafele (www.hafele.com) and Richelieu (www.richelieu.com).
Challenge #3: Picking a space stretching palette and materials
Light colors always make a room look larger, and dark colors close up a space. If you want to mix materials, think about putting the lighter colors at eye level and the darker colors toward the . For example, use stained wood on the and possibly on an island rather than on wall cabinets. Glass doors on cabinets will make a room feel more airy, as will a few big windows. Open shelves also help open up a space, and, they are part of the “unfitted” look now becoming popular.
Challenge #4: Too many appliances to fit the space—and budget
Consider a narrower and taller measuring 24″ or 30″ wide by 84″ high instead of a wider side-by-side model. Maybe a secondary refrigerator drawer can be placed nearby to make up for any lost refrigeration ; the same goes for a freezer drawer. A range always takes up less space than a cooktop and wall oven, so rethink that decision. Some appliances are more compact than others, such as a dishwasher drawer instead of a full-size unit; the space saved will allow you to have a traditional drawer below. Check the dimensions to make sure you get the largest interior space available in all your standard-size appliance choices. Also reconsider if you really have the room for bells and whistles you thought you had to have, such as a warming drawer, second and wine cooler.
Challenge #5: Doors or windows take up valuable wall space
Multiple doors and windows can present big challenges when they can’t be moved. Traffic flow may be disrupted and sacrificed. If the windows or doors inhibit having upper cabinets, consider using dish pegs in lower drawers to . Or, maybe you can by a instead of at the . Yet another idea: Try bumping out cabinet areas to keep traffic from flowing in a certain direction so that the cook will gain the space needed to keep guests out of the main work zone.
Challenge #6: No room to squeeze in a seating area
Consider having a peninsula that flows into a small built-in table angle out from a wall. This can double as a work area. Or, take a small island and situate it so it flows into what was once a dining area, and then build a counter off the end and pull up a few seats. Simply by adding that minimal 3′ to 4′ of counterspace to the island, you also have increased your overall kitchen counterspace considerably.
Challenge #7: lighting to make space look bigger and work better
Lots of lighting makes any small space look larger. The best kitchen lighting is layered and provides good illumination for work or tasks, overall lighting, and ambiance. Lights inside glass-fronted cabinets with glass shelves enlarge a space greatly. Indirect lighting shining up on the ceiling or down on the floor also can make a space look larger and will offer good overall lighting. Lots of hanging fixtures add appeal but can close in a space, so limit use. Undercabinet lighting comes in xenon, LED, halogen, incandescent and fluorescent fixtures. LED, xenon and fluorescents are the most energy-conscious fixtures, while halogen and xeon fixtures give off a crisp white light that will opne up a space.
Challenge #8: Not enough room for an island when you really want one
If your kitchen measures 12′ wide or wider, you can fit an island with cabinets on both sides. If the is smaller than 12′, consider making cabinets on one side of the room 12″ deep. Changing the shape of the island also helps. Maybe it can be narrow at one end and become wider at the opposite end. Peninsulas can be used in areas where an island cannot fit. Angle them out and add round areas at the ends.