A few adjustments to the kitchen can maximise the space you have, even in a petite kitchen. “Always design the lower cabinets as drawers,” advises Lawrence Puah, director of Akihaus Design Studio. “With deep shelves and cabinets, you usually end up with two layers of wares which is not only difficult to access, but you eventually forget what’s in the back. With drawers, you’ll be able to pull it out and see everything.”
He continues, “Design drawers that can accommodate different types of wares, from pots, to plates & bowls, to cutlery. This way you make efficient use of the space such that even a small kitchen will serve your needs well.” Principal designer Amilia Gani of Facelift Design & Interior proposes using shallow drawers for kitchen tools, medium depth ones for pantry items and deeper drawers for pots and pans.
Design: The Scientist
ORGANISATION TIP #1: Install corner drawers to optimise dead space
Cabinet corners tend to be wasted or not used optimally, because things are usually hard to retrieve. Try something like Blum's Space Corner (pictured), a nifty drawer system specially designed for corners so no square inch is dead space.
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ORGANISATION TIP #2: Pull-out drawer inserts work just as well
If changing the cabinet door to drawers is too troublesome, director of The 80's Studio, Andy Tan, suggests installing pullout organisers or baskets that help you reach items at the back with ease. The next125 Le Mans corner base unit from W. Atelier (pictured) features two pull-out shelves that swivel smoothly and quietly out, letting you stow away and retrieve items easily.
ORGANISATION TIP #3: Opt for pull-out tables
Andy also recommends incorporating a pullout table that cleverly doubles up as extra food prep or dining space. Maximise space with Ewins' ATIM extendable table (pictured) -- either pull-out or two-leaf foldaway -- which can be mounted within a standard size drawer compartment and modified to suit your needs. It can be used as extra dining or tabletop space when you're entertaining large crowds, or as extra prep space when you're doing lots of cooking.
ORGANISATION TIP #4: Or a drop-leaf table
Another space-saving solution perfect for small homes is to incorporate a drop-leaf table, such as the Bjursta by Ikea (pictured) that can be folded away when not needed and is easy to maintain. It's also wall-mounted, so it doesn't take up precious floor space.
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ORGANISATION TIP #4: Optimise the under-sink area
Cleaning products and other small kitchen accessories can create unnecessary cluter. Keep your sink area tidy and your cleaning products at hand with this nifty U-shaped sink drawer from Blum (pictured).
ORGANISATION TIP #6: Increase countertop space with a table extension
Another practical way to add space in your kitchen is with transformable pieces such as a table extension. The Ewins Atim Opla-Top (pictured) can be used as extra food prep surface, such as for chopping food.
ORGANISATION TIP #7: Wall-mounted shelves are useful
A shelf system like Ikea's Kungsfors suspension rail with shelf (pictured) is handy for keeping oft-used items within reach, while freeing up countertop space.
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ORGANISATION TIP #8: A grid-system is a must-have for small homes
A grid system like this stainless steel Kungsfors wall grid from Ikea (pictured) is both versatile and functional. You can add as many hooks and containers as you wih to hang utensils and even an herb like basil.
ORGANISATION TIP #9: A wall-mounted strip keeps your countertop clear
Another way to make use of vertical space is by installing an aluminium strip on your backsplash, such as Cafim's Ribbon from Ewins Home (pictured). This multifunctional solution streamlines and stores all your tabletop clutter as you can hang shelves, hooks, kitchen towel holders and even magnetic knife holders so you can still access them easily.
ORGANISATION TIP #10: Go modular
A modular storage system like the next125 cubes by W. Atelier (pictured) gives you more flexibility in organising your kitchen and keeping all your tools and equipment at hand. Suspended shelves, a spice rack, and power outlet sockets are just a few of the moduler cubes you can choose from.
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ORGANISATION TIP #11: Grow herbs by the hob
Love to row basil, lemongrass and other ingredients in your kitchen, but not sure how to store them? Suspended shelves like this one from the next125 cubes system by W. Atelier (pictured) help keep your herbs in plain sight and away from the countertop.
ORGANISATION TIP #13: Opt for pieces that can be easily kept out of eye
Is a huge dish rack cramping your style? Look out for a compact option that can be neatly stowed away when you don't need it. The collapsible Lift dish rack by Kohler (picture) is one option, and can be expanded to hold a variety of items from wine glasses to cutlery and bigger pots and pans.
ORGANISATION TIP #14: Make use of sink space
If you have a roomy sink, don't let it go to waste. Keep cleaning items organised and at hand with the Kohler kitchen sink utlity rack that expands up to three inches to fit most sinks. It can also double up as a drying rack for coffee mugs.
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ORGANISATION TIP #15: Make use of the inside of cabinet doors
When organising and sorting out pantry items or cooking tools, look to something like the SieMatic MultiMatic by W. Atelier. This interior accessories system combines a host of practical features, from pullout drawers to trays and racks that can be mounted on cabinet doors to even save more space.
This article was first published on The Singapore's Women's Weekly.