Great Kitchens Come in Small Packages

Kitchen Myth 101: You can’t create a gourmet kitchen in a small space.

In fact, you can design and build a luxurious, professional quality kitchen within a very limited footprint.
Basic components of your kitchen will be appliances and storage. While the images you often see in magazines lead you to believe that a great kitchen equates to a big kitchen, that is not the whole story.

Many of us live in (and love) older classic homes or condos. The challenge is frequently the kitchen area, which was not built to accommodate generous size cabinetry and appliances. The good news is that there are just as many great options and strategies for more modest rooms.

The Bearable Lightness of Seeing
Light expands space visually. So as you plan your new space, select elements that will create, reflect and encourage light.Chose light furnishings and paint the walls in pastel shades. Use the reflective quality of mirrors and stainless in your backsplash. Light your kitchen elegantly and strategically with under-counter lighting, recessed ceiling lights and free-standing lamps.

Storage Solutions
Instead of closed, over-counter cabinets, use floating shelves to store and display dishes and glasses. When you want closed storage, use narrow, tall cabinets, or narrow under-counter pullouts to house spices and canned goods. If appropriate, glass panes in cabinet doors will add to a feeling of openness. Rail systems are another good choice. They can hold everything from bread to condiments to baking essentials like flour and sugar -- off the counter and right at hand.

Gourmet Cooking in Small Quarters
One concern of homeowners with smaller size kitchens is that they won’t be able to take advantage of the new cutting edge, professional-grade appliances. Not to worry! Small and professional are not incompatible terms when it comes to appliances. Luxury appliance manufacturers have solutions for the space-challenged kitchen.

What could be more luxurious or more state-of-the-art than the Thermador 30" All-induction Silver Mirrored Cooktop with 11”, 9” and 6” induction elements?

The 24" Gaggenau combination steam and convection oven will cook a turkey or turn out a perfect soufflé.

When it comes to a refrigerator for a small kitchen, think columns. Thermador and Gaggenau offer state-of-the-art refrigeration columns in widths under 30.”

The exciting thing about home design today is the number of options available. Neff of Chicago believes that the size of the space doesn’t have to limit the outcome. A smaller kitchen can be beautiful, functional and fit for a gourmet cook!