Expert space-making guide for kitchens in small apartments

Design for a kitchen summons creative attention Being the house mantle it unites families feeds nutrition and serves respite to languishing souls However the onslaught of Mumbairsquos land crunch allows for only a bare average of 8x10 feet to innovate with Thus spacemaking for a dream kitchen becomes a daunting task for MumbaikarsSmall kitchens can be a challenge to work with especially when it comes to storage and organisation Often the kitchen space in the island city is squeezed in small apartments They exist at the edge of the living room with minimal air conditioning and limited space to walk by To top the distress one has to compromise on the furniture for storage and also throw in a washing machine in one of the bottom cabinetsldquoThe complexity and diversity of Indian cuisine and the need to cook multiple meals daily escalates the dilemma of kitchen designrdquo shares Rahul Mistri founder and principal designer at Open Atelier Mumbai Accommodating larger families and regular guests also contributes to the need for more storage space in Indian kitchens raising a need for concealed cabinetsHowever with creativity and planning one can maximise the space and attain a functional and efficient kitchen To address the issues of kitchen design in small apartments middaycom spoke to Rahul Mistri along with Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera the principal designers and cofounders of Quirk Studio based in Bandra West7 kitchen design hacks to prove that less is moreDesigners lay down a comprehensive guide that not only counters space and cabinetry issues but also makes you wish you stayed longer in the kitchenOpen Floor PlansModern kitchens can be designed with open floor plans to create fluid living spaces This involves the integration of the kitchen space along the living and dining areas Such floor plans not only elevate a sense of space but also add multifunctionality to different sections Additionally they make the kitchen feel light and versatileIncorporating an open floor layout will imply that your worktops and cabinetry will be on display This in turn eases access to utensils and cutlery from the dining table and chairs The absence of partitions and doors will take away the noise clutter and enhance the vision From indulging in culinary experience to dining on it an open floor plan gets the work done in a spacious fashion This amalgamation of designated spaces also makes way for flexible activities like entertainment socialising and familial bondingUnlocking Vertical SpaceMumbairsquos space crunch has bred a resilient lot Instead of brooding over the lack of horizons people tend to think vertically This gives rise to the need of utilising walls to their fullest potential When it comes to kitchen design walls on all sides serve doubly they provide for limited counters as well as bounded floor spaceIn order to attain this Mistri suggests installing walllength shelves and sleek cabinetry These shelves come in handy for placing utensils cutlery and condiments that are required regularly during cooking To take the aesthetics one notch higher one can incorporate a neutral colour palette throughout the kitchen design Sticking to a fixed range of colours ensures that the storage doesnrsquot look bulky and out of placeOptimising StorageSmall kitchen layout calls for the entire gamut of storage which includes cabinets drawers shelves and holders Cabinets are great for storing items out of sight but can also take up valuable space Mistri reveals that skirting and narrow pullout drawers are coming to the fore which occupy a narrow footprint and offer ample storage for homeownersFrom chopping boards that can be pulled out like a drawer to carousel shelving units that take care of the corners within cabinets concealed storage maintains harmony within limited spaces Other elements like smaller partitions within big shelves provide enough room to stash away our collection of reusable water bottles and utensilsMultiFunctional AppliancesChoosing appliances that can perform multiple functions is essential when working with limited space Additionally modern kitchens can feature builtin appliances integrated into the cabinets and countertops such as refrigerators ovens and microwaves This helps save space and create a seamless streamlined lookSome of the multifunctional appliances include Instant Pot which helps in cooking rice and making yogurt It also serves as a pressure cooker slow cooker or warmer Another handy product is a multifunction oven which also serves the purpose of toasting baking and heating up foodInstalling Sliding DoorsToday our multidimensional lifestyle demands modular flexible and wellstructured yet trendy kitchen designs On top of that newage families prefer an open kitchen which opens up the space allowing sociability and fluid movement However visually opening up this service space has a downsideIt requires frequent cleaning tidying up the space and keeping the air fresh especially while hosting events Therefore to tackle this menace homemakers can install sliding doors and partitions fitted with glass This connects the kitchen to other living spaces and provides air ventilation while also allowing the flexibility of privacy when neededSliding doors are an excellent solution for small kitchens especially when space is limited Traditional swinging doors can take up valuable floor space and hinder movement By installing sliding doors you can save space and improve the movement in your kitchen Sliding doors are designed to glide smoothly along a track allowing easy access to cabinets pantry areas or concealed storage spaces They are sleek stylish and can be customised to match the kitchens aestheticReducing ClutterClutter can quickly make a small kitchen feel even smaller and more cramped To maximise space reducing clutter and keeping the kitchen organised is essential The first step is to declutter the countertops and remove unnecessary items Storing rarelyused appliances utensils and cookware in cabinets or drawers can free up valuable counter spaceUtilising vertical storage solutions such as hanging racks to keep frequently used items within reach can sufficiently save drawer space A more spacious and efficient environment can be created for cooking and meal preparation by keeping the kitchen clutterfreeCurated DisplayWhile reducing clutter is essential it doesnt mean the kitchen has to be devoid of curios or display pieces A curated display can be created in the kitchen adding a personal touch to the space A designated area such as open shelves or a wallmounted display rack can showcase attractive cookware colourful spices or decorative kitchen accessories This curated display adds visual interest and serves as a functional storage solution By carefully selecting and arranging items the kitchen can be transformed into an aesthetically pleasing space that reflects your style and personalityCurated displays in kitchen offer intriguing possibilities For example suspending pots and pans for an attractive and practical arrangement utilising wallmounted storage to keep frequently used spices organised showcasing exquisite cookware as decorative accents creating a miniature herb garden for fresh herbs and more These creative approaches not only maximise space but also add visual appeal and functionality to the kitchenHow to obtain the perfect Kitchen TriangleThe trio of sink stove and refrigerator is often referred to as the kitchen triangle in the design language It is a prominent aspect of the kitchen as itrsquos the designated space for major cooking activities Designing a kitchen triangle requires careful planning and unobstructed accessOf the three the sink usually sees the most interaction Although your triangle should also have easy access to the stove and refrigerator as well as your countertop workstations It is also important to have all the facilities integrated in a way that their core functions arenrsquot compromised in any wayRegardless of the size or layout of your kitchen Lshaped galley Ushaped or island the sum of all the legs in a work triangle should not be less than 10 feet or greater than 25 feet If the work triangle is too small people will be tripping over each other If itrsquos too large food preparation could be a tiring taskIn terms of space management allocating a proper space for your appliances while keeping them easily accessible can be tricky mdash think food processors or stand mixers or any containers that may require that extra space Installing extralong upper cabinets for extra storage space as well as cabinets over the refrigerator is a great way These can store seasonal items freeing space on the lower cabinetsMaximising space in small kitchens requires creativity planning and organisation Modern kitchens combine design organisation and technology to achieve this and create a functional efficient and visually appealing space By incorporating smart storage multifunctional spaces and minimalist design modern kitchens can meet the needs of todays homeowners and families