Small Kitchen Survival

It seems that these days, bigger isn’t always best. Tiny cell phones no thicker than a credit card? Better. Digital cameras small enough to slide into your front pocket? Even better. But when it comes to your kitchen, dollhouse-sized just won’t cut it. In fact, cramped kitchens can be a major red flag for home buyers and also present problems for current owners. So what do you do if your food prep area is space-challenged? Mark Witte, CGR (Certified Graduate Remodeler), CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen and wife/co-owner Debra Witte (certified redecorating specialist) weigh in the solutions.

So where do you begin when you’re ready to update your kitchen?

The first step is not to rush it. You need to know the house and your patterns. Start by collecting pictures and going to design centers to see what you like. It’s worth taking some time and getting it right in your mind.

Any good tips on ways to renovate that won’t break your bank?

Sometimes, when things seem too small in a kitchen, it’s not that there is too little square footage, rather, it is the layout that’s dysfunctional. By reorganizing your major appliances, workspace and traffic areas, the exact same size kitchen can feel much bigger.

How do you determine what should be moved where?

Make a sketch (in scale) of your floor plan. Then take some tracing paper with pencil, and play with the design. Draw in doors and windows, and start putting in things such as an island and appliances where you think they might work. And don’t forget that you can move gas and plumbing lines, even if it’s a little more costly. You don’t want to go with the lesser design for the sake of money. The very thing you think you’re saving on can decrease the value on a remodel.

I’m always running into people in my kitchen – they want to get to the pantry while I’m cooking. How can I redirect traffic?

Islands are great for adding counterspace, but they also congest foot traffic. You need to protect your work station so that you’re not constantly bumped into. At the same time, you should consider access to the fridge or traffic flows to the living area. This usually requires an island being turned or moved. You don’t have to ditch it entirely; just shift it to an area that is work-friendly and has more space.

What if we don’t want to do major construction? Are there still ways to make the kitchen feel larger?

If you don’t want to send a lot of money, one economical thing to do is to change the way you view the space. Most kitchens are poorly lit or have one center fixture. Something as simple as illumination around the room makes it look larger. Recessed or track lighting, which can be made brighter or softer with a dimmer, are your best bests, and adding under-cabinet lights will work well, too. The light will bounce off the backsplash and visually expands the look of the space.

What about paint? That can really help, right?

If you have a small space, put dark colors on the horizontal planes, such as the countertops and floors, and the light colors on vertical spaces, such as cabinets and walls. This ‘visual weight’ effect can make a space look twice as large.

What happens when we’ve tried all of the tips to no avail?

When space is just too tight and no amount of renovations will change that fact, consider switching rooms. Maybe your dining area would really make a better kitchen and vice versa. Daunting as it sounds, it’s not an ordeal. You’ll end up with a much better situated kitchen.

It seems like we never have enough storage space. How can we maximize it, even in a small kitchen?

Always go taller, not wider. Most kitchens have one wall that’s just storage with no appliances. These cabinets often protrude 24 inches because they have a countertop above or below them, so you lose two feet of depth space on your floors. Instead, replace them (and the countertop) with an entire wall of 12-inch deep cabinets. You get the same storage space but gain 12 more inches of floor space. If you still need that extra countertop, purchase a moveable island.
What if our cabinets are already maxed out? Any other helpful hints?

Many times, you can utilize the same storage area but actually gain space. Instead of throwing cans and what-have-you to the back of your shelves and never seeing them again, put in roll-out drawers or add trays to create more horizontal shelving. Utilize these types of hardware and you’ll make the space more efficient without having to expand.

Are some appliances better than others when it comes to saving space?

Smaller Stoves: Double ovens really aren’t used very often. Going with a single-oven creates a more functional workspace. Even better, get a range.
Mini-microwaves: Space-saver microwaves that are installed above your cooktop are pretty standard these days, but you can also look for one that will double as a convection oven.
Diminutive Dishwashers: If it’s just two of you, an 18-inch dishwasher by GE, which fits in next to your sink, works really well. If you can spend more, try one by Fisher & Paykel: it pulls out from underneath your counter like two drawers. It’s really cool.


Tracking (the) Trends

Want to be on the cutting edge?

Here are the latest happenings in kitchen design, according to Mark and Debra Witte, owners of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.

Lightening up: People are tired of darker wood tones, so they’re going for maples and cherries.

Island living: Everyone is incorporating islands into their kitchens so they have more sociable areas, as well as more workspace.

Courting quartz: There’s more interest now in quartz countertops such as Zodiaq or Silestone. It’s more maintenance-free than granite.

Handy cabinetry: With more than one cook in the kitchen (husbands are stepping in), many people are putting in specialty cabinets with deep drawers for pans and skillets or with pull-out spice racks. These additions streamline everything.

When look for a designer or contractor, here are some terms and credentials to know:
CGR: Certified Graduate Remodeler from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)

CAPS: Certified Aging in Place Specialist from NAHB

CR: Certified Remodeler from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry

ASID: American Society of Interior Designers

CKD: Certified Kitchen Designer from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)

CBD: Certified Bathroom Designer from NKBA