Space Saving Tips when Designing a Small Kitchen

By Matt Miller

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had as much kitchen space as we wanted? Well, most of us don’t. It can be a huge challenge to cram everything you need into your small apartment’s cooking area. Here are a couple tips to consider when planning out your kitchen.

Utilize the Corner

Corners in kitchens can be a waste of space. A blind corner cabinet can make items hard to reach. Utilize the corner with one of these space saving solutions for maximum functionality.

Magic Corner                              Lazy Susan                                          Corner Drawers

Two good options are the Magic Corner and Lazy Susan manufactured by Hafele. You could also try corner drawers made by Blum. The prices on these units will vary because they are usually bundled with the entire cost of the kitchen build. To install, you’ll certainly have to hire a contractor or kitchen company.  Check out this guide to hiring a contractor if you’re not already working with one.

Counter-Depth Fridge

Most appliances are 24” deep (the depth of your cabinets). So, why should your refrigerator be any different? A traditional, older fridge is 30-32” in depth. The result is that it tends to protrude past the face of your cabinets into the kitchen space. New counter-depth refrigerators are less deep but taller enabling similar storage capacity. The freezer on most counter-depth fridges are on the bottom, which makes it easier to access the items in the fridge portion which are used more often. Most counter-depth fridges are also able to be integrated into the cabinetry with custom paneling providing a much more seamless look.

These types of units are available in a range of sizes and prices.

Here are some good options:

• Under $1000: LG LRBP1031TCabinet Depth, Bottom-Freezer, Titanium finish
• Mid-range: Fisher & Paykel Active Smart E522B2 Cabinet Depth Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
• Luxury: Sub-Zero 700TCI, 27” Built-In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

All available from AJ Madison (Showroom in Brooklyn)

Microwave Drawer

A microwave above the cooktop detracts from the aesthetics of the kitchen. A freestanding microwave sitting on the counter looks like an afterthought and can lead to clutter. Utilize a microwave drawer when trying to hide the microwave and create a more integrated look.

A microwave drawer can be purchased through any appliance dealer. There are different options in sizes, company and price. Again you will need to contact a contractor to install.

Here are two good options:

• Midrange: Sharp Insight Pro KB6524P
• Luxury:  Viking Professional VMOD241SSS

Both available at AJ Madison

Pantry Pull-Out

Most small kitchens do not have room for a full height, double door panty cabinet. A pantry pullout creates great storage with much less of a footprint, which makes it an efficient use of space and easily accessible. Hafele also makes these kinds of units.

Don’t Give Up an Inch

This is especially true if you live in an apartment where every inch is valuable. Create a custom pullout for trays or a spice rack for example from small spaces that are left over and would otherwise go to waste.

Remember to use some of these space saving design ideas when planning your ideal (but small) new kitchen.

Tags: AJ Madison, architecture, counter-depth refrigerators, Fisher&Paykel, Hafele, kitchen appliances, kitchen cabinet, Lazy Susan, LG, Microwave, Microwave drawer, pull out spice rack, refrigerators, renovations, small kitchens, space saving tips, Sub-Zero, Viking ovens