How we maximized every 95 square feet of this tiny kitchen to make it beautiful and functional.
The kitchen always seems to be too small. No matter what size we have, we can always have more storage and this 95 square foot kitchen is no exception. Here is how we maximized every square inch of this tiny space.
Before
After
Before
After
Going into your project with a succinct and well-thought-out design plan is key. Consider every square inch of your space and how you want it to function for you. This should be done with a floorplan and corresponding elevations. An elevation is often overlooked by contractors but is a great tool to help visualize your vertical space.
In a kitchen every inch counts, so be sure to measure before your renovation and check measurements when the cabinets, tile and drywall come down.
An elevation is designed for contractors and homeowners alike. As a homeowner it serves as almost a vertical floorplan to help visualize the end product. For the contractor, it serves as a guide and should be full of pertinent measurements and installation information.
In this case, we completely transformed the kitchen through layered lighting, so a well-thought-out electrical plan was key. This 95 square feet includes 4 ceiling pot lights, recessed lighting in the open shelves, a pendant light over the sink and natural light from the picture window.
In a small space, tracking your progress is so important. Because this kitchen was so small, we actually had to revise our cabinet order. Once the plumbing and flooring were complete we lost almost 1” in height and about 3” around the perimeter.
Maximizing storage does not need to come at the expense of style. The large banks of closed storage in this space are offset by these light and bright open shelves backed in hand-formed white subway tiles.
A small space can have a huge impact, here are a few designer tips we like to follow in really tiny kitchens
- Tile all the way up to the ceiling. Don’t visually cut your space in half by stopping your tile half way up the wall
- Don’t box yourself in. Filling a space with only closed storage will only serve to make your kitchen feel like a closet.
- Hide some key elements. In this case we installed a panel fronted 18” dishwasher so it would blend in with the cabinetry. The sink is finished in powder coated white porcelain to match the colour of the countertops, keeping the countertops clean.
- Decorate with purpose. Try and keep clutter off of your countertops and shelves and only decorate with pieces that are both beautiful & functional.
If you need any design help with your kitchen, don’t hesitate to reach out to Si & Oui.
