Space-saving kitchen ideas | JW McDonald Kitchens & Bathrooms
When space is limited, it can be tempting to try to make every available centimetre count. But when planning a small kitchen, fitting everything in isn’t necessarily the same as creating a kitchen that works well.
Good kitchen design is about more than simply deciding where the cupboards and appliances will go. You also need to think about how those appliances will actually be used, whether doors can open properly and whether there is enough space to move around the kitchen comfortably.
Space-saving doesn’t mean squeezing everything in
In a small kitchen, there will always be compromises. The key is making the right ones.
For example, choosing a slimline dishwasher can be a sensible space-saving solution where a full-size appliance simply isn’t practical. But that doesn’t mean it can automatically be placed wherever there is a gap.
You need to consider the clearance required when the dishwasher door is opened, as well as the door of any appliance next to it. If two appliances are positioned too close together, one appliance door can prevent the other from opening properly.
It can also result in doors or handles coming into contact with each other, potentially causing damage over time.
Appliances on different walls can create unexpected problems
This is particularly important in smaller kitchens where appliances may need to be positioned on adjoining walls.
A kitchen plan might look perfectly workable on paper, but the practical reality can be very different once the appliances are installed.
On a recent kitchen project, for example, a slimline dishwasher was being considered beneath the sink, next to the washing machine. The washing machine was positioned on the adjoining run of units, beneath the hob.
It initially seemed like a sensible way to make the best use of the available space. However, we identified an important issue during the planning process.
The kitchen design needed to allow sufficient space for the dishwasher door to open without hitting the washing machine, while also allowing the washing machine door to open fully without being obstructed by the dishwasher.
This is exactly the sort of detail that can easily be overlooked when the focus is simply on getting all the required appliances into a small kitchen.
Think about how the kitchen will actually work
A good kitchen layout needs to work in everyday life, not just on a plan.
That means considering things such as:
- Can appliance doors open fully?
- Can two neighbouring appliances be opened at the same time?
- Are handles going to clash?
- Is there enough room to stand comfortably when loading the dishwasher or washing machine?
- Can cupboards and drawers be opened without obstructing another appliance?
- Is there enough space around the hob and sink to use them safely and comfortably?
These practical details become even more important when you are working with a small kitchen.
Integrated appliances can help, but they aren’t always the answer
Integrated appliances can be a great option when you want a more streamlined appearance. They sit behind matching kitchen doors, helping the kitchen look more cohesive and, in some layouts, making better use of the available space.
However, integrated appliances still need appropriate clearance and access. Simply hiding an appliance behind a cabinet door doesn’t remove the need to think about how it opens and how it will be used.
The same applies to freestanding appliances. Their doors, handles and surrounding clearances all need to be considered as part of the overall kitchen design.
Good kitchen planning looks beyond the measurements
When planning a kitchen renovation, measurements are obviously important, but they are only part of the picture.
A kitchen designer may be able to show you that an appliance will physically fit into a particular space. What matters just as much is whether it will still work properly once everything else around it is taken into account.
This is why it is important for the kitchen design and installation to work together.
At JW McDonald Kitchens & Bathrooms, we don’t just look at whether something will fit. We look at how the finished kitchen will work in practice and raise potential issues before installation begins.
The best space-saving idea may be leaving some space
A well-designed small kitchen shouldn’t feel as though everything has been squeezed into the available space.
Sometimes, the best solution is to sacrifice a little storage or change the position of an appliance so that everything can open, operate and be accessed properly.
After all, a kitchen that technically fits everything but makes it difficult to open the dishwasher isn’t really making the best use of the space.
Space-saving kitchen design is about making every centimetre work harder, not simply filling every centimetre.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and you’re working with a small or awkward space, careful planning at the design stage can make all the difference.
If you are planning a kitchen refurbishment in the coming months, we can offer a free kitchen design and trade pricing on your chosen kitchen. We work with Magnet Kitchens, Howdens Kitchens and Benchmarx Kitchens, giving you a choice of styles and finishes to suit your space and budget.
Why not use our contact form to tell us about your plans? We would be happy to help bring your dream kitchen to life.