Small Kitchen
My open concept which includes living room, dining area and kitchen.
Remodeling Is
Completed
My now house/2 story duplex was four apartments, with two apartments on the top and bottom floor. My dad started the remodeling process on the top floor. The apartment on the left is now my kitchen, dining room and living room. The other side is now two bedrooms and a laundry/mudroom. The one bath can be entered from the kitchen or second bedroom.
The second, bottom floor is the same, except when I had it remodeled, walls were change to give it an open concept and I added a second bathroom.
I didn’t do a lot of changes like my dad did to the upstairs in regards to the kitchen area. There were things that I wanted to do with the kitchen, but I simply do not have the floor space for it.
Now that I will be moving to the first floor, I need to make decisions as to how to maximize the small kitchen space.
My now house/2 story duplex was four apartments, with two apartments on the top and bottom floor. My dad started the remodeling process on the top floor. The apartment on the left is now my kitchen, dining room and living room. The other side is now two bedrooms and a laundry/mudroom. The one bath can be entered from the kitchen or second bedroom.
The second, bottom floor is the same, except when I had it remodeled, walls were change to give it an open concept and I added a second bathroom.
I didn’t do a lot of changes like my dad did to the upstairs in regards to the kitchen area. There were things that I wanted to do with the kitchen, but I simply do not have the floor space for it.
Now that I will be moving to the first floor, I need to make decisions as to how to maximize the small kitchen space.
Workable space between refrigerator and exit door.
The octagon table measures: 42” x 41” not including that space that would be needed for someone to sit, at the table, comfortably, be able to move away from the table, without being in the primary walkway, making it difficult for others to move around.
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MEASURE AVAILABLE KITCHEN SPACE |
When we purchase or even rent a home, apt, or condo, we walk into what appears to be huge kitchens. However, the kitchen manages to shrink, in size, once we are settled in. Why and how did this happen?
The answer to why that kitchen we saw before we moved in, shrank after we were settled in, is easy to figure out.
We didn't measure the actual open space we would need for our kitchen table, and Baker's rack and so forth. Those items take up space. We should take measurements of all of our furniture, appliances, and so forth, and take them with us when we go house or apartment hunting, simply to see if those big kitchens and other rooms are really as big as they appear to be.
The answer to why that kitchen we saw before we moved in, shrank after we were settled in, is easy to figure out.
We didn't measure the actual open space we would need for our kitchen table, and Baker's rack and so forth. Those items take up space. We should take measurements of all of our furniture, appliances, and so forth, and take them with us when we go house or apartment hunting, simply to see if those big kitchens and other rooms are really as big as they appear to be.
Kitchen Furniture-Where Do I Begin
One of the issues I have is with a new layout, such as the stove being moved over, a dishwasher added, and not only new cabinets, but additional ones along with a new layout, which required the moving of my refrigerator/ice maker combination.
Because of the ice maker, the refrigerator will stay where it is now due to the plumbing that is needed to make the ice maker to work. By moving the refrigerator, from the outer wall by the kitchen door, I was able to provide more floor space for shoes, etc.
Before I can decide on the size of the kitchen furniture, I need to take measurements of the open floor space. I definitely will have to put a new kitchen table in front of the window. My current table is octogon shape, (eight sides), with chairs will eat up my floor space if I put it in the center of my kitchen, taking up a lot of foot room.
MEASUREMENTS:
Kitchen: 14 feet long X 9 feet wide. For the width, I measured from the front of kitchen cabinets to the outer wall. Why? My cabinets are installed, so they have already utilized kitchen space that cannot be changed.
Now that I have my kitchen measurements, after the remodeling has been completed, and large appliances are in place, I can now find remedies for kitchen furniture.
Refrigerator: The refrigerator is a 2 door side-by-side that is 35” wide. The measurements are important because it sits along the wall where they kitchen table will be. It will need at least another 5” on one side to allow space between one wall, and then at least 12 inches clearance for space between the refrigerator and chair when pushed away from the new kitchen table. So that is 52” of the 14 foot length kitchen that will be used, which will also affect the selection of a new kitchen table and chairs.
Because of the ice maker, the refrigerator will stay where it is now due to the plumbing that is needed to make the ice maker to work. By moving the refrigerator, from the outer wall by the kitchen door, I was able to provide more floor space for shoes, etc.
Before I can decide on the size of the kitchen furniture, I need to take measurements of the open floor space. I definitely will have to put a new kitchen table in front of the window. My current table is octogon shape, (eight sides), with chairs will eat up my floor space if I put it in the center of my kitchen, taking up a lot of foot room.
MEASUREMENTS:
Kitchen: 14 feet long X 9 feet wide. For the width, I measured from the front of kitchen cabinets to the outer wall. Why? My cabinets are installed, so they have already utilized kitchen space that cannot be changed.
Now that I have my kitchen measurements, after the remodeling has been completed, and large appliances are in place, I can now find remedies for kitchen furniture.
Refrigerator: The refrigerator is a 2 door side-by-side that is 35” wide. The measurements are important because it sits along the wall where they kitchen table will be. It will need at least another 5” on one side to allow space between one wall, and then at least 12 inches clearance for space between the refrigerator and chair when pushed away from the new kitchen table. So that is 52” of the 14 foot length kitchen that will be used, which will also affect the selection of a new kitchen table and chairs.
Best Kitchen Table For Small Kitchen Space
·One chair takes up 36 inches floor space, considering the space that will be needed for one guest to be comfortable and to be able to move to and away from the table. This would only leave two feet of open floor space from chair to cabinets.
Solutions For Kitchen Table In Small Kitchen
As already mentioned in " Measurements" the placement of the refrigerator and measurements will also affect the choice of a new table.
I can use my current kitchen table in my dining room area. The open concept will provide me with more space for dining room and living room in regards to the placement of my furniture and television, without looking or feeling crammed up.
My choice of a new kitchen table will be either a rectangular shape or possibly a bistro table.
The Perfect Bistro Table My first thought is a bistro table, which is a small round table that is often found on patios and decks. My first thought was that I did not want a wrought iron table in my kitchen on my new tile floor. However, bistro style tables aren't only made in metal or wrought iron. Those that are perfect for a kitchen are made in wood.
Another name for these tables are Coaster tables. Of course there are the round tables that come in various sizes that are large enough for dining room use.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Small
Cons: The round shape, due to the bistro size is not going to provide a lot of room
I found the perfect Bistro Table. Those that can be used indoors, have fold down leafs which adds space whenever needed.
Rectangular Kitchen Table I don't need, but prefer 4 chairs with my kitchen table. A rectangular would work well because I can always reposition it according to my needs. Like round tables, bistro and coaster tables, leafs can be found with rectangular tables as well.
I can place the longer side nearest to the window, and either relocate one or two chairs to another area.
I can place the table with the short end near the window, and again, relocate one chair next to the other chair on the longest side, or simply place it elsewhere, until needed.
Having a leaf is handy. You can use your table without a leaf which will make it small and add the leaf during the times that you need extra table and seating space. Some tables have fold down leafs like with the bistro table that you see below.
·One chair takes up 36 inches floor space, considering the space that will be needed for one guest to be comfortable and to be able to move to and away from the table. This would only leave two feet of open floor space from chair to cabinets.
Solutions For Kitchen Table In Small Kitchen
As already mentioned in " Measurements" the placement of the refrigerator and measurements will also affect the choice of a new table.
I can use my current kitchen table in my dining room area. The open concept will provide me with more space for dining room and living room in regards to the placement of my furniture and television, without looking or feeling crammed up.
My choice of a new kitchen table will be either a rectangular shape or possibly a bistro table.
The Perfect Bistro Table My first thought is a bistro table, which is a small round table that is often found on patios and decks. My first thought was that I did not want a wrought iron table in my kitchen on my new tile floor. However, bistro style tables aren't only made in metal or wrought iron. Those that are perfect for a kitchen are made in wood.
Another name for these tables are Coaster tables. Of course there are the round tables that come in various sizes that are large enough for dining room use.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Small
Cons: The round shape, due to the bistro size is not going to provide a lot of room
I found the perfect Bistro Table. Those that can be used indoors, have fold down leafs which adds space whenever needed.
Rectangular Kitchen Table I don't need, but prefer 4 chairs with my kitchen table. A rectangular would work well because I can always reposition it according to my needs. Like round tables, bistro and coaster tables, leafs can be found with rectangular tables as well.
I can place the longer side nearest to the window, and either relocate one or two chairs to another area.
I can place the table with the short end near the window, and again, relocate one chair next to the other chair on the longest side, or simply place it elsewhere, until needed.
Having a leaf is handy. You can use your table without a leaf which will make it small and add the leaf during the times that you need extra table and seating space. Some tables have fold down leafs like with the bistro table that you see below.
KITCHEN ISLAND Solution
 
 
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I Really Wanted A Kitchen Island One of the things that I wanted was a kitchen island. However, due to the size of my kitchen, if I want a kitchen table, I don’t have the space for a kitchen island, at least not one that is built in. I wanted a kitchen island for food prep and more storage space. Since I don’t have kids that visit or live with me, I really don’t need it to use as a breakfast bar type space. Portable Kitchen Islands While out shopping, with my step-mother, pointed out several portable kitchen islands which is my answer to being able to have one without eating up my kitchen floor space. I have a nice little corner in my dining room where I can store it when it is not needed. Like the built in kitchen islands, you can purchase the portable island with wood, granite, as well as marble tops. |
BAKER'S RACK
 
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Bakers racks can be found in kitchens, or in other rooms for the home. They serve well as a place to sit houseplants, cookbooks, even pots and pans.
I was considering a Baker's rack simply for storing extra pots and pans. However, the location for it is also the area I will use for wet shoes, and boots, umbrellas in the winter time. That same space will be where my kitchen trash can will be as well. There are corner Baker's racks, which are designed to fit snugly in a corner. For my needs, I will purchase the portable kitchen island because it will be more suitable to my needs. I don't use a lot of cookbooks, nor do I have a collection of them. I also try to avoid, what my grandmother called "dust collectors" which is another reason that I my stick with a portable island rather than using a Baker's Rack. |
Storage When You Don't Have A Mud Room
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Storage When You Don't Have A Mud Room When you only use one door to enter the home, especially in bad weather, you are facing a dilemma. What do you do with the shoes and the boots?
When we have holiday gatherings at my step-mothers house, or even visit, we always take our shoes off. The problem is "space." As you can see from my photo, the space between my door and wall is not huge, especially if I have a lot of company. There is a remedy for this problem. |
 
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Lack Of Cabinet Space
I prefer to buy cleaning products, paper products and staples when they are on sale, which is when I stock up. However, I don't have enough cabinet space for everything.
I purchased a tall cabinet that can be used as a pantry, a place for cleaning supplies, paper supplies, as well as towels and other linens. This cabinet is in my second bathroom where the shower use to be. Without the shower, there isn't going to be any moisture to ruin anything. If you prefer to keep your spices, wrap and other extras that you use daily but can't seem to fit everything in your cabinets, there is also another answer for those who lack cabinet space. |
