Whether you choose to have a small kitchen, or your home came with a small kitchen, you know that there are several pros and cons of small kitchens. There are ways to make your small space look and feel better as well as many organizational tips that can make use of the space you have. However, if you are currently looking to buy a home and you think you can live with a small kitchen you should probably keep a few things in mind. In this article we are going to look at the cons first, because in the pros you will also find some things you can do to make your kitchen feel bigger.
Cons of Small Kitchens
- No Counter Space
Having no counter space is a drag when you are trying to make a big dinner for your family and even friends. Small kitchens do not account for cooking space and placing dishes out for people to graze on while they wait for dinner.
- No Room to Hang Out
Most times when you have people over the kitchen serves as the hub of the activity. Snacks are put out on the counters and your family will mill around as you are cooking. Small kitchens do not accommodate many people and it could start to feel claustrophobic.
- No Storage
You have more pots and pans then your kitchen can accommodate. A smaller kitchen is made to feel smaller when there are not enough cabinets. If there are a lot of dark cabinets then the kitchen feels like it is creeping in on you.
Pro of Small Kitchens
- Clutter
Kitchens with a lot of counter space usually become a drop off point for clutter. If you have a place for everything and keep everything where it belongs you will not have to clear out the clutter.
- Have Just Enough
If you have too many pots and pans having a small kitchen could actually make your life a little easier. Less pots and pans mean less dish washing. If you have a kitchen stocked with several pots and pans you are more likely to grab a new pan rather then rinse out the pan you are using. Side Note: If you use the same pan to cook different dishes for a meal, the pan will be seasoned and make the meal more harmonious.
- Bring People Together
If you do not mind having someone standing next to you cutting vegetables while you cook the main course, a small kitchen can actually bring the family together, or create romantic evenings. Everyone in the kitchen goes from you cooking and everyone hanging out to everyone doing something in the kitchen to prepare the meal.
Make Your Small Kitchen Work for You
If you have a small kitchen you can make the best of it by adding more storage options and accessories to make your life easier. There are several ways to make your space work for you even if that space is smaller.
- Island
If you small kitchen can fit a small island, or roll away island this could be a real storage opportunity. You can get a custom made island that has several storage options to add to the storage in the kitchen. If you are worried about it not aesthetically matching the kitchen, consider topping it with a slab of granite countertop that will tie the room together. If you have a stationary island you have also opened up the top of the island for storage and you can hang your pots and pans from a pot rack and give yourself even more room. If you get a roll away island keep a space clear, be it in the kitchen or just off the kitchen in a dining room for storage.
- Shelving
A big problem for a small kitchen is not having enough space. For some reason many small kitchens do not have shelves or cabinets on top. This is wasted space and you can quickly fix this issue by installing shelves. Having open shelving actually frees up space and can look great in a small kitchen as long as you have nice looking dishes and items to place on the shelves. Keep all necessary but cluttered looking items in the closed shelves to keep the kitchen looking neat and tidy.
- Paint
The color of paint that you choose for your small kitchen can make all the difference in the world. If you choose a cheery yellow the kitchen will not only look bright and clean it will open it up. For this same reason many people go with white cabinets in small kitchens.
Small kitchens do not have to be the bane of your existence. If you organize your kitchen to work for you and not against you then you will be enjoying having a small kitchen and getting a little closer to your family.