Meeting the Challenges of a Small Kitchen Remodel
A small kitchen can be frustrating to say the least, and remodeling it can be much more of a challenge than working with a larger space. And there is no doubt that a smaller kitchen can be a nuisance for those living in the home and a possible negative if you are trying to sell the home.
So what’s the solution? If extending outwards is not an option, either for space or budgetary reasons (and it is most often a combination of both) some homeowners feel that there is little they can do except simply put up with what they have and accept it, or move on, accepting that the lack of kitchen space may be off putting for some buyers and affect the home’s perceived value.
However, with some thought and careful planning a smaller kitchen space can be effectively remodeled to add both form and function, and yes, perceived value at sale time. Here are just a few tips and ideas:
Be Realistic
If yours is a smaller kitchen it is unlikely that it can really serve as the multi function space in the way that a larger one can and its primary function really is food prep. Or is that really the case?
You can save on space when it comes to appliances by taking advantage of things like built in wall ovens and if limited counter space is an issue then a rolling island may be a great solution. In this way you may be able to create a dining area where there really should logically be no space for one, adding even more function and appeal.
Open Things Up
Very small kitchens can feel even smaller, claustrophobic even, if they feature top heavy kitchen cabinetry with overhead units that tower over the cook and seem to close the room in even further.
One way to solve this problem and make things look and feel larger is to get rid of the closed cabinets and swap them out for open storage – things like shelving and hanging pot racks – instead.
Go for Glass
One of the easiest ways to open up a small kitchen visually is to make clever use of glass. Glass cabinet fronts instantly add what designers refer to as ‘negative space’ and make a kitchen appear larger than it is. If your kitchen has a door and you like it that way consider switching out a solid choice for one that is mainly comprised of glass and even the addition of mirrors to a backsplash area can help open up the kitchen as well.
Watch the Floors
When we walk into a room our eyes do tend to head downwards, which means a great flooring choice is essential in a small kitchen. Here however is the one place where the owners of a small kitchen may have a big advantage.
With less square footage to cover you may be able to look at a higher end flooring that would be out of your budget in a larger space. That may mean marble or natural stone if you are going for a rather sophisticated look or you could consider the warmth, charm and downright comfort of cork flooring.
Get the Right Help
For a small kitchen remodel to really work you need to enlist some help. Experienced kitchen remodelers are also almost always experienced kitchen designers as well and having worked on all kinds of different spaces they usually have some ‘tricks’ up their sleeve that you may not even have thought of.