New trend of urban living: the rise of small space
In the rolling tide of urbanization, the residential landscape of big cities is undergoing profound changes. With the increasing scarcity of land resources, housing prices in big cities where every inch of land is valuable are rising like a runaway horse, becoming a mountain that stands in front of people’s dream of living. High housing prices force people to be thrifty when buying houses, and also prompt the transformation of product forms in the real estate market.
Nowadays, new buildings are springing up like mushrooms after rain, but they are becoming more and more “small and exquisite”. Take Hong Kong as an example. Small “subdivided flats” exist in large numbers in the city. These extremely small living spaces, although crowded, have become the home of many people in this city. Not only in Hong Kong, but also in major first-tier cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and other places, the average area of new residential buildings is gradually shrinking. Small houses are no longer a niche choice, but are gradually becoming a popular trend. More and more young people, when they first enter society, will choose to buy small apartments or rent small houses to meet basic living needs.
Challenges faced by small kitchens
In a seemingly cozy small kitchen, there are actually many unknown challenges hidden, which constantly affect people’s cooking experience and quality of life.
(I) The problem of cramped space
The most intuitive feeling of a small kitchen is that the space is cramped, making people feel as if they are in a small box. In such a space, people often feel restricted everywhere when operating. For example, if you want to turn around to get seasoning, you may accidentally touch the cabinet behind you; when washing vegetables at the sink, a slightly larger movement may hit the stove next to you. According to a survey, in small kitchens with an area of less than 5 square meters, more than 70% of people said that it was extremely inconvenient to move during cooking. This feeling of crampedness seriously affected the fluency and mood of cooking. Moreover, due to the narrow space, it is almost a luxury for multiple people to collaborate in the kitchen at the same time. Family members who want to enjoy the fun of cooking together are often difficult to achieve due to space problems.
(II) Storage dilemma
Storage is a huge problem for small kitchens. Limited space makes it difficult to accommodate sufficient storage facilities, and there is often nowhere to store tableware, cooking utensils, and ingredients. When you open the cupboard, it is packed full, with all kinds of tableware piled up in a disorderly manner. It takes a lot of time to find a plate or bowl. Some larger cooking utensils, such as steamers and stew pots, have no suitable place to be placed, and can only be placed awkwardly on the countertop, further compressing the operating space. There are also various ingredients, such as rice, noodles, oil, and seasonings, which are often piled up in every corner of the kitchen due to the lack of sufficient storage space, making the kitchen look messy and seriously affecting the neatness and beauty of the kitchen.
(III) Layout limitations
Common layouts of small kitchens include one-line, L-shaped, and U-shaped. Although these layouts have their own characteristics, they also have certain limitations. The one-line layout has a simple structure and is suitable for narrow and long kitchens. All its operating areas are arranged in a straight line. Although it looks simple, the operating route is long. When cooking, you need to walk back and forth from the sink to the stove and then to the cutting area, which consumes a lot of time and energy. Moreover, the storage space of this layout is limited, which makes it difficult to meet the storage needs of a large number of items. The L-shaped layout can make use of the corner space of the kitchen, increase a certain amount of storage and operation space, and form a triangular area for washing, cooking, and cooking, with a more reasonable operation process. However, if the size is unreasonable, there may be insufficient operating space, especially in the corner part, which is not very convenient to use and easily forms a blind spot. The U-shaped layout has a larger operating space and strong storage function. It can control “washing, cutting and frying” within the operating range of “turning around to complete” and reduce frequent walking. However, it has high requirements for the kitchen area. If the kitchen area is too small, the U-shaped layout will make the entire space appear very depressing, making people feel cramped and uncomfortable.
Small Kitchen Planning Guide
(I) Layout Optimization
- Layout against the wall: In a small kitchen, a reasonable layout design can maximize the efficiency of limited space. It is a very practical design idea to place the kitchen close to the wall. It can bring many advantages with a straight or L-shaped design. For a long and narrow small kitchen, a straight-line layout is a good choice. It arranges all the operating areas along a wall in a row, which is simple and clear. The sink, stove and cutting area are arranged in sequence to form a smooth operating line. Such a layout can not only make full use of the wall space and increase storage space, but also make the cooking line clearer. Users can easily complete various operations without turning around frequently during the cooking process, effectively avoiding the inconvenience caused by the cramped space. For example, in some small kitchens in single apartments, the straight-line layout makes the originally small space appear orderly. Although the space is not large, basic cooking needs can be met. For small kitchens with slightly larger space, the L-shaped layout is more advantageous. It uses the corner space of the kitchen to divide the operation area into two vertical parts. Usually the sink is set at the top of the L-shape, so that a triangular working area can be formed during operation. The actions of cutting vegetables, washing vegetables, and cooking can be completed smoothly in this triangular area, greatly improving the operation efficiency. At the same time, the L-shaped layout can also add more cabinet storage space, so that there are more places to store kitchen items.
- Reasonable planning of the width of the passage: The width of the passage plays a vital role in the layout of a small kitchen. It directly affects the convenience and safety of users in the kitchen. When decorating the kitchen, the depth of the cabinet is generally about 65 cm. This depth can not only meet the storage needs of daily items, but also does not take up too much space. Although the width of the aisle of 60 cm can meet the normal walking of one person, considering that the space will be compressed after the cabinet door is opened, which will bring inconvenience to the passage, it is recommended to reserve a width of 90-120 cm for the aisle. Such a width can not only ensure that when the cabinet door is opened, people can still pass smoothly without collision, but also allow users to move freely in the kitchen, turn around and take items easily. When multiple people use the kitchen at the same time, a wider passage can also avoid mutual interference between people and ensure the smooth progress of the cooking process. For example, in a family gathering, there may be multiple people in the kitchen cooperating to prepare food. At this time, a wide enough passage can allow everyone to perform their duties without interfering with each other, making cooking more enjoyable.
(II) Storage upgrade
- Wall cabinets to the top: In the storage design of a small kitchen, wall cabinets to the top is a very practical design solution. First of all, it can greatly increase the storage capacity. The space of a small kitchen is limited, and every inch of space is precious. The design of wall cabinets to the top can make full use of the vertical space of the wall, and include the space on the top in the storage range, providing more storage space for the kitchen. Some uncommon tableware, kitchen utensils, ingredients, etc. can be stored on the top of the wall cabinet, so that the overall space of the kitchen can be more fully utilized. Moreover, wall cabinets to the top can also avoid the problem of dust accumulation on the top. If the wall cabinets are not up to the top, there will be gaps between the top and the ceiling. Over time, these gaps will become a gathering place for dust and oil smoke, which is very difficult to clean. When the wall cabinets are at the top, there are no gaps on the top, and dust and oil smoke have nowhere to hide. You only need to clean the surface of the cabinets regularly, which greatly reduces the difficulty and frequency of cleaning, so that the kitchen can always be kept clean and tidy. In addition, from an aesthetic point of view, the design of the wall cabinets to the top can give people a neat and unified visual experience, making the overall style of the kitchen more coordinated and enhancing the overall beauty of the kitchen.
- Use storage tools cleverly: In order to further improve the space utilization rate of small kitchens, some clever storage tools are essential. Hanging trash cans are one of the storage tools for small kitchens. They can be hung on the sink door panel to avoid placing the trash can on the ground to occupy valuable space. At the same time, throwing garbage is more convenient. Just raise your hand lightly to throw kitchen waste into the trash can, and prevent the trash can from being knocked over, avoiding the embarrassing situation of garbage spilling. Drawer-type cabinets are also a good choice. Compared with traditional open-door cabinets, drawer-type cabinets can fully display the internal space, making it easy to take items, especially when the cabinets are deep. The drawer-type design allows users to easily find and take out the required items, avoiding the inconvenience of groping for items in the depths of the cabinets. Multi-layer racks can make full use of vertical space to place various bottles, jars, seasonings and other items in layers, making the kitchen storage more orderly and keeping the kitchen countertop tidy. For example, in some small kitchens in small rental houses, by using multi-layer racks, the originally messy seasoning bottles are neatly placed, which is not only convenient for use, but also makes the kitchen look more tidy and beautiful. In addition, there are some creative storage tools, such as sink drain racks, refrigerator side racks, etc., which can play a huge storage role in small kitchens and make the space of small kitchens more efficiently utilized.
(III) Detailed design
- Choose a suitable sink: For a small kitchen, choosing a suitable sink can effectively improve the kitchen experience. It is recommended to choose a sink with a cutting board. The design of this sink is very clever. It is equipped with a foldable or placeable cutting board on one side or above the sink. When you need to cut vegetables, you can directly unfold or place the cutting board on the sink to cut vegetables without occupying additional countertop space. In this way, the originally limited operating table is more fully utilized, and users can complete a series of food preparation tasks such as washing and cutting vegetables in the same area, and the operation process is smoother. Moreover, the sink with a cutting board is also very convenient to clean after use. Just take down the cutting board, wash it, and then put it back into the sink. In some small apartment kitchens, the advantages of this sink are fully reflected. It makes the originally cramped kitchen space more practical, and even without a spacious operating table, it can easily complete various cooking preparations.
- Lighting design: Kitchen lighting design is very important in small kitchens. It not only affects the user’s operating safety in the kitchen, but also affects the overall atmosphere of the kitchen. In small kitchens, layered lighting should be used to combine ambient light, task light and atmosphere light. Ambient light is used as the basic lighting, and the ceiling light installed on the top of the kitchen is generally selected. It can provide uniform light for the entire kitchen and keep the kitchen bright. Task light is aimed at specific operating areas in the kitchen, such as installing hidden light strips under the wall cabinets, which is a very practical design. During the cooking process, shadows often form under the wall cabinets, affecting the operating line of sight. Hidden light strips can project light directly onto the operating table, illuminating the operation areas such as cutting vegetables and washing dishes, allowing users to clearly see the operating objects, avoiding misoperation caused by insufficient light, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the cooking process. Ambient light can add a warm and romantic atmosphere to the kitchen. For example, some small lights are installed inside the cabinets. When the cabinet door is opened, the soft light comes on, which is not only convenient for finding items, but also creates a unique atmosphere. In some small kitchens of some families, through reasonable lighting design, even if the space is not large, the kitchen can be filled with a warm feeling, making the user more happy when cooking.
(IV) Furniture and appliance selection
- Choose compact appliances: In a small kitchen, choosing the right appliances is crucial to saving space. Compact kitchen appliances such as built-in ovens and microwave ovens are ideal for small kitchens. Built-in ovens can be directly embedded in the cabinets and integrated with the cabinets, which not only saves countertop space, but also makes the overall appearance of the kitchen more neat and beautiful. Microwave ovens can also be built-in or small wall-mounted. These designs can effectively reduce the space occupied by microwave ovens in the kitchen. Moreover, the functions of compact appliances are not inferior to those of large appliances, and they can also meet daily cooking needs. For example, built-in ovens can be used to bake a variety of delicacies, such as bread, cakes, barbecue, etc., bringing a rich dining experience to the family; small microwave ovens can quickly heat food, which is convenient and fast. In some small kitchens, by choosing compact appliances, the originally crowded kitchen has become more spacious, and the operating space has been released, making cooking easier and more comfortable.
- Customized furniture: Customized furniture is a key link in the design of small kitchens. It can be tailored according to the size, shape and actual needs of the kitchen space, ensuring that the furniture fits the kitchen space perfectly and maximizes space utilization. Customized cabinets can reasonably design the size and layout of the cabinets according to the length and height of the kitchen wall, making full use of every inch of space. For example, in some special-shaped small kitchens, customized cabinets can cleverly avoid obstacles such as corners, beams and columns, and make the most of the space. Moreover, customized furniture can also be designed with more user-friendly storage space and operation area according to the user’s living habits and operation procedures. For example, frequently used tableware and kitchen utensils can be designed in an easy-to-reach position; infrequently used items can be placed in a higher or deeper storage space. In terms of the choice of materials and styles of customized furniture, it can also be matched according to the overall style of the kitchen, so that the furniture is unified with the overall decoration style of the kitchen and the overall aesthetics of the kitchen is improved. Through customized furniture, a small kitchen can show its unique charm, which not only meets practical needs but also has aesthetics.
Creative design inspiration for small kitchens
(I) Open and semi-open designs
Open kitchens have been very popular in recent years. They break the closed pattern of traditional kitchens and connect the kitchen with the dining room, living room and other spaces to form a coherent overall space. In a small apartment with a modern minimalist style, there is no partition between the open kitchen and the living room, and the kitchen countertop and the coffee table in the living room are in the same field of view. This design greatly enhances the visual transparency of the space. When people cook in the kitchen, they can communicate and interact with family or friends in the living room at any time, as if the space of the whole house is integrated. Moreover, the open kitchen has no walls to block it, and light can freely shuttle through various spaces, making the originally small space look more spacious and bright. Even in a small kitchen with an area of only about 6 square meters, the open design can give people a sense of openness.
The semi-open kitchen is a compromise design that combines the transparency of an open kitchen with the practicality of a closed kitchen. For example, some semi-open kitchens use glass partitions to separate the kitchen from other spaces. The transparent nature of the glass does not weaken the sense of space in the kitchen, while effectively blocking the spread of oil smoke. In some families, a glass sliding door is installed between the kitchen and the dining room. When not cooking, the sliding door can be fully opened to make the kitchen and the dining room an open space; when cooking, the sliding door is closed to block the oil smoke and keep other spaces clean. Some semi-open kitchens use a half-wall design, retaining part of the wall and installing windows or glass above the wall, which not only increases the sense of transparency of the space, but also plays a certain role in partitioning. In a small Nordic-style kitchen, an openable glass window is installed above the half wall. When the glass window is opened, the air circulates smoothly, filling the kitchen with a fresh atmosphere; when cooking, the glass window is closed to effectively prevent the spread of oil smoke.
(II) Use of color and material
In the design of a small kitchen, the choice of color and material plays a key role in creating a spacious and bright sense of space. Light colors such as white, beige, and light blue are ideal for small kitchens. White is a classic kitchen color. It is pure, bright, and can reflect more light, making the kitchen look more spacious and tidy. In a small kitchen of only 4 square meters, the designer chose white cabinets and white wall tiles, matched with light gray floor tiles, the whole kitchen looks particularly bright and clean, and the sense of space has been greatly improved. Beige gives people a warm and soft feeling. It is not as cold as white. Using beige in a small kitchen can create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. Light blue adds a sense of tranquility and freshness to the kitchen, allowing people to feel the beauty of nature when cooking.
The use of reflective materials such as glass and metal can also make a small kitchen look more spacious and bright. Glass cabinet doors can reflect the surrounding light and scenery, extending the sense of space in the kitchen. In some modern-style small kitchens, glass wall cabinet doors are used, which not only increases the fashion sense of the kitchen, but also makes the kitchen look more open. Metal handles, faucets and other accessories can also add a sense of refinement to the kitchen by reflecting light. In an industrial-style small kitchen, the black metal handles contrast sharply with the white cabinets, which not only increases the visual impact, but also makes the kitchen look more fashionable and atmospheric. In addition, glossy tiles are also a good choice. They are highly reflective, making the kitchen brighter, and easy to clean, keeping the kitchen tidy.
(III) Multifunctional design
Multifunctional design is an effective strategy for small kitchens to cope with limited space. It allows small kitchens to meet a variety of life needs in a limited space. The pull-out workbench is a very practical multifunctional design. It can be hidden in the cabinet at ordinary times and does not take up extra space. When more operating space is needed, just pull it out gently to instantly add an operating table. In some families who often need to make baked goods, the pull-out workbench can provide additional space for kneading dough and placing ingredients when making cakes, bread, etc., making the cooking process easier and more convenient.
The folding table is also one of the magic tools of the small kitchen. It can be unfolded when dining to meet dining needs, and can be folded up at ordinary times to save space. In some small apartments, the kitchen does not have enough space to set up an independent dining room, so the folding table comes in handy. Install the folding dining table on the wall of the kitchen. It can be folded up at ordinary times without affecting the normal operation of the kitchen. When dining, put the dining table down and add a few folding chairs to easily solve the dining problem. Some folding dining tables are more cleverly designed. They can be integrated with the cabinets or kitchen countertops. They are almost invisible when not in use and will only be discovered when needed. This design not only saves space, but also makes the overall appearance of the kitchen more neat and beautiful.
In addition to the pull-out workbench and folding dining table, there are some other multifunctional designs, such as kitchen islands with storage functions and liftable cabinet pull-out baskets. The kitchen island can be used as both an operating table and a dining table. Storage space can also be set up inside the island to store tableware, kitchen utensils and other items. The liftable cabinet pull-out basket allows users to easily take and put items in the wall cabinet, make full use of the space of the wall cabinet, and improve the storage efficiency of the kitchen. These multifunctional designs allow small kitchens to achieve more functions in a limited space, making life more convenient and comfortable.
