Cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, the toaster, the blender, the coffee maker… if we stop to think about all that we use in the kitchen, it might seem like we’d need a 100 m2 kitchen. Not at all. If the space is well laid out, all the equipment from a 30 m2 kitchen can be stored in the cupboards, drawers and cabinets of a 6 m2 kitchen. The secret is to organise every corner well and choose the most suitable furniture.
By kitchen equipment, we mean all the utensils needed to carry out the different functions: preparing food, cooking, cleaning, etc.
The key issue is to select what we actually use, as we often keep items that take up unnecessary space. Once the equipment is defined, the designer can organise the kitchen well based on the use of the utensils: whether it's frequent (like plates, glasses, cutlery) or sporadic (like food processors, fondue or raclette pans). The golden rule? Keep the things we use most readily accessible and the rest in the hardest-to-reach corners.
Some open shelves for food
They are always very effective for storing tableware, and they also make use of wall space. Furthermore, being open means they are easier and more practical to access.
On an upper shelf, we can take advantage of the space to store food like pasta or rice. The solution of open shelving in small kitchens also has an aesthetic dimension to consider.
This charming, light-coloured kitchen features metro tiles on the side, matching the white tableware. The result is functional and not at all visually obtrusive.
A 13x60x60 drawer for cutlery
No more is needed. It can hold all the cutlery for eight settings. In this case, we have two 30 cm drawers in a display cabinet at the top and with doors at the bottom, which can be used to store tablecloths and napkins.
The dividers for the cutlery can be made of steel, wood or plastic. Here they are made of grey-painted wood, which looks very elegant in contrast to the cream tone of the furniture. The handles are shells. In this kitchen, the cutlery is located near the dining area for added convenience.
3. Cleaning supplies: in a drawer under the sink
When it comes to cloths, rags, detergent, and brushes, the ideal location is a drawer underneath the sink. In this case, we have a large drawer that's 1.2 metres wide, but it can also be solved with a smaller 60cm unit. A tip for making the most of the space is to install a small rail for hanging damp cloths.
4. A small 20-centimetre piece of furniture for the broom
To store the broom and mop, we can always look for dead space. In this kitchen, the side of the fridge is used, along with a narrow cabinet of about 20 centimetres. Jars are kept on top. It's important to remember that since we use the broom often, it should be stored in an easily accessible place.
5. Display cabinets for storing crockery
Display cabinets always lend an elegant touch to the kitchen and are a good way to store crockery. It's estimated that a set for eight people (with its 16 dinner plates, 8 soup bowls, 8 dessert plates, 8 large bowls, 8 small bowls, as well as 8 water glasses, 8 wine glasses, and 8 champagne flutes) can fit into two wall units, each sixty centimetres wide, or into a tall unit with a depth of between 35 and 40 centimetres.
In the case of tall furniture, it is advisable to make use of the space up to the ceiling by placing items that we use less often in the most inaccessible part. In a 60-centimetre wide cabinet, we can store food.
A piece of furniture with drawers for pots and pans
In a 90-centimetre space, a large part of the preparation equipment can be stored, such as knives, saucepans, corkscrews, shovels, and spatulas. Leave the lower part for larger items: pots, casseroles, etc. It is advisable for the drawer unit to be near the gas or ceramic hob, or even better, underneath it, as this is more practical.
7. A roller shutter cabinet for the kitchen robot
Find space for a 60-centimetre wide piece of furniture. Why? You will have easy and quick access to the appliance and at the same time it will be hidden from view when you are not using it.
Furthermore, this way it will be to hand without taking up too much space in drawers and cabinets. In the case of the Thermomix (if you have one, of course), it's best to place it on the countertop next to the cooking area and always plugged in. When it comes to appliances we don't use as often, an option to consider is storing them in corner base units: an ideal solution when the kitchen is small.
And you? What do you think of these ideas for making the most of space in small kitchens?
