Smart Solutions to Overcome the Challenges of Narrow Kitchen Spaces
A narrow space for cooking in the kitchen is very unpleasant and this is a problem that will often be found anywhere, we can find many things related to this out there, we can even see a lot of data related to this matter
1. Space Efficiency Study: According to a study conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), 61% of homeowners feel that they are not maximizing their kitchen space properly. The main difficulties faced were a lack of storage and problems with kitchen layout which made cooking and accessing ingredients less efficient.
2. Small Kitchen Size: Many people who have small kitchens find it difficult to maintain neatness and organization. A survey by Houzz shows that 49% of kitchen renovations are done because the space is too small or there is insufficient storage. Homeowners often complain about the difficulty in finding efficient storage solutions to maximize limited space.
3. Storage Issues: Storage issues are also identified as one of the major issues in kitchen design. A study from IKEA found that 57% of people are frustrated with a lack of efficient storage, which makes their kitchen feel cluttered. Solutions such as hanging shelves, additional cupboards and multifunctional furniture are considered important to help solve this problem.
4. Difficulty Organizing Utensils and Groceries: According to another survey by Apartment Therapy, many people have difficulty storing kitchen utensils and groceries efficiently. 48% of people report that they often run out of space to store kitchen utensils, while 32% admit that they often can't find the items they need when cooking due to poor layout.
From the 4 existing studies, we can even see that the main problem that arises from this is related to the storage and arrangement of equipment in their kitchen which looks so full that it is difficult for them to carry out their activities in the kitchen, so what can be done to can overcome matters relating to problems regarding storage and arrangement of equipment. we overcome this by doing these things
1. Use of bright colors
Using bright colors can be one of the factors that can make the kitchen a wider, cleaner and more structured place because every item in there will be very visible. Choosing bright colors on the walls and cabinets can make a kitchen space that previously looked small feel more spacious. White or pastel colors can also be an ideal choice. Thus, use light colors in your kitchen so that it can make the room look more spacious.
2. Use of High Cabinets
use cabinets that reach the kitchen ceiling to take advantage of vertical space. This can allow us to have more storage for items, especially those that are rarely used, and this can also be a place to store small things such as kitchen spices and so on. and we can also use hanging shelves to store cooking tools such as pots, pans or knives which are things that sometimes fill the kitchen space.
3. Multifunctional Furniture
Using a folding table or furniture that has many functions, such as a table that can be used as storage at the bottom, a chair that can be pulled out and inserted into the table, this will really help to save space without sacrificing the functionality of these objects.
4. Addition of a Lighting System
Poor lighting can make the kitchen feel more cramped and uncomfortable and can make the atmosphere when cooking less good, because in the kitchen we should have good lighting, adding lights under the cabinet or hidden lighting in the work area can make the kitchen look brighter and can help when cooking in the dark and can avoid unexpected things happening.
After this explanation, can you make a kitchen even more spacious? If you still can't do it, you can follow the methods below.
1. Change the color of the kitchen to a bright color
First choose light colors for the walls, floor and kitchen cupboards. Suggested colors such as white, cream, or light gray can give the illusion of a larger space. The reason why light colors can be the recommended color is because light colors reflect light better, so the kitchen can look more spacious.
2. Take advantage of the vertical space around you
Then install and use a tall cabinet that reaches the kitchen ceiling. Tall cabinets can also allow for additional storage without taking up floor space, thereby reducing the possibility of a kitchen becoming full due to the large amount of items scattered around. Open shelves or wall hangings are also needed to be able to store kitchen utensils and can also be a solution to save storage space for items such as pans, knives, Teflon, etc.
3. Choose multifunctional furniture
After you have done the two things above, the next thing you have to do is start by changing an ordinary kitchen table into a folding kitchen table or multifunctional table with storage space underneath. This can help maximize storage space and can also provide flexibility to use and store furniture when it is not in use, thereby providing free space or space.
4. Maximize Corner Storage Space
Use corner cabinets or pull-out drawers to make use of corner space that's usually unused. Solutions such as fully retractable drawers or corner cabinets with swivel mechanisms can provide easy access to hard-to-reach areas and can take advantage of corner locations in rooms that are usually out of reach or even unused.
5. Use Proper Lighting
Don't forget to use the right lighting. You can install lights under the cabinet to provide additional lighting in the kitchen work area and provide good lighting around the kitchen work area. Because good lighting will make the kitchen look wider and more comfortable. Then also add lighting in the ceiling area which can illuminate the entire room from the kitchen.
By implementing the above steps, a previously small kitchen can be transformed into a more functional and comfortable space, addressing key issues related to storage and layout. If the above solutions are still not sufficient, then homeowners can consider additional solutions such as maximizing corner space with corner cupboards or pull-out drawers to optimize the use of every part of their kitchen. By making improvements to this, it can be an encouragement to create a comfortable cooking place.
