PARTNER NEWS
Stephanie Forbes of the Kitchen Specialist Association tells you
how to make the most of a small kitchen.
Making the most of a small kitchen can
be very challenging. How do you store
everything when you have limited space
and how do you stop the space from
looking cluttered and imposing. The
answer, according the Kitchen Specialists
Association is simple: proper planning.
If you allocated your budget to the right
things, choose the right layout and aesthetic
your small space will feel twice its size.
The aesthetics you choose for your kitchen
can enhance or detract from the sense of
space. Opt for colours that reflect light rather
than absorb it. Keep to simple lines. The
fussier the door profile, handles and colour
scheme the smaller the kitchen will seem. If
you are going to combine finishes keep them
neat and opt for combinations that won’t date
and that gel naturally rather than those that
clash.
Your kitchen layout should be as ergonomic
as possible. Good flow in the kitchen will
make it appear bigger while you work in it.
By laying your kitchen out according to a
work triangle (stove, fridge, sink) or in the
five zones (consumables, non-consumables,
cleaning, preparation and cooking) you will
optimise your work flow making it a more
pleasant place to work. You should keep in
mind whether you are left or right handed
when working on the layout and you should
put storage facilities for regularly used items
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at an easily accessible and convenient height.
Worktop area is also important. You should
have a minimum of 900mm free workspace,
preferably between the sink and the hob, to
ensure you can work freely and cleanly. Keep
the work-surface uncluttered with gadgets
and small appliances to give a clean an open
aesthetic.
The one thing you must do is set aside a good
portion of your budget for kitchen hardware.
The only way to optimise your storage is to
make good use of storage solutions. These are
not always cheap but will be the best investment