Narrow kitchens are often inevitable in both small modern homes and older period properties alike. While people often choose to knock down the walls of a narrow kitchen to create an open-plan living space, separate kitchens are now coming back into fashion.
Whether you have a narrow kitchen due to choice or necessity, there are many ways in which you can create a less claustrophobic feel to it.
The following ideas show you how you can enhance the kitchen you have, whether you are renovating your home or just want to make your kitchen feel more spacious.
If you have a narrow kitchen, always think about how you can maximise space. A cluttered countertop immediately makes a room feel smaller and more confined than it really is.
A kitchen with clear countertops immediately looks more airy and spacious. Resist the urge to pile clutter on kitchen surfaces such as letters, keys, mobile phones and cables. Relocate any small appliances and items such as pots of utensils and tea and coffee canisters to cupboards.
You can also invest in appliances which are integrated into your kitchen. Instead of having a kettle on a work surface, fit a steaming hot water tap. You can then remove your kettle from the kitchen counter and enjoy the ease of instant steaming water for tea, coffee and cooking straight from the tap.
The latest innovation from electronics company Sharp is a microwave drawer which integrates into your kitchen. Not only aesthetically pleasing and space saving, but the drawer is also safer for children as you can lock it.
You can also hide away your standard surface top microwave - Ikea sell cupboards and drawers which are designed to keep your microwave off the kitchen countertop and out of sight.
Another space-saving idea is a waste disposal unit. Increasingly popular in environmentally friendly British kitchens, with a waste disposal unit fitted in your kitchen sink, you will no longer need an unsightly compost bin on your kitchen surface.
People tend to think they can only choose between an open-plan kitchen design or a separate space, yet you can create the feeling of more space in a narrow kitchen by creating small openings or partially opening up the area.
For example, you can just open up a corner of your kitchen to add a corner cupboard or shelving, creating a curved line which gently allows one space to flow into another.
You can also knock down half a wall, creating more light. This keeps the kitchen separate from any living or dining areas, yet still visually connected to another space. You can utilise the wall by creating a breakfast bar area and if you need more cupboard space you can add shelves that hang from the ceiling.
Glass bricks or shelving units can also be used to replace internal walls to separate the kitchen yet still open it up and bring light into the narrow space.
If you have a narrow kitchen you need to aim to bring in as much light as possible, with as little clutter as possible. While you need to make use of any storage space you can, the higher the kitchen cabinets, the more cramped the narrow space is going to feel.
Ideally, look to reduce the number of tall cabinets or cupboards that you have in your kitchen, or consolidate all your tall storage units into one area.
You can also use open shelving, as long as it doesn’t become cluttered. If you have a particularly attractive set of plates, bowls or mugs, you can use open shelving to display them.
You can also downsize your fridge so that it is at a lower height and doesn’t block the line of vision.
Another way to reduce the feeling that you are in a dark narrow hallway is to break up the materials and incorporate dark and light within your kitchen space.
Use a lighter colour material or paint for the upper cupboards to connect them to a lighter coloured ceiling and a darker, heavier material for the lower cupboards. Use a lighter colour wood or paint for any open shelving.
You can also use reflective materials so that natural light reflects off the surfaces and into the room. Glossy subway tiles are on-trend and often look at their best in a narrow kitchen, as these tiles were made for narrow subway tunnels. Glossy white, blue and grey tiles all reflect natural light back into the kitchen.
Likewise, mirrored tiles also reflect the light and making surface areas appear wider. If you have a spare wall, put up as large a mirror as you can and then make sure the reflection is attractive by placing some objects such as green plants or a vase in the line of vision. Mirrors simply trick the eye into thinking there is more space, making narrow kitchen appear considerably wider.
Any kitchen needs task lighting, but you can also incorporate design lighting into a narrow kitchen to give the illusion of a larger space.
Create a ‘jewel box’ look in your narrow kitchen by choosing some decorate lights for the ceiling which you can repeat down the centre line of the room for a stylish, glamorous look.
Geometric copper cage light shades are on trend and will really stand out in a narrow kitchen.
Check out more space saving tips for your kitchen.
