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 Mumbai's land crunch allows for only a bare average of 8x10 feet to innovate with. Thus, space-making for a dream kitchen becomes a daunting task for Mumbaikars.

Small 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 cabinets.

"The complexity and diversity of Indian cuisine and the need to cook multiple meals daily escalates the dilemma of kitchen design," 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 cabinets.

However, 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, midday.com spoke to Rahul Mistri along with Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera, the principal designers and co-founders of Quirk Studio based in Bandra West.

7 kitchen design hacks to prove that less is more
Designers lay down a comprehensive guide that not only counters space and cabinetry issues but also makes you wish you stayed longer in the kitchen

Open Floor Plans
Modern 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 multi-functionality to different sections. Additionally, they make the kitchen feel light and versatile.

Incorporating 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 bonding.

Unlocking Vertical Space
Mumbai's 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 space.

In order to attain this, Mistri suggests installing wall-length 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 doesn't look bulky and out of place.

Optimising Storage
Small 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 pull-out drawers are coming to the fore which occupy a narrow footprint and offer ample storage for homeowners.

From 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 utensils.

Multi-Functional Appliances
Choosing appliances that can perform multiple functions is essential when working with limited space. Additionally, modern kitchens can feature built-in appliances integrated into the cabinets and countertops, such as refrigerators, ovens and microwaves. This helps save space and create a seamless, streamlined look.

Some of the multi-functional 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 multi-function oven which also serves the purpose of toasting, baking and heating up food.

Installing Sliding Doors
Today, our multidimensional lifestyle demands modular, flexible and well-structured yet trendy kitchen designs. On top of that, new-age families prefer an open kitchen, which opens up the space allowing sociability and fluid movement. However, visually opening up this service space has a downside.

It 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 needed.

Sliding 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 kitchen's aesthetic.

Reducing Clutter
Clutter 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 rarely-used appliances, utensils, and cookware in cabinets or drawers can free up valuable counter space.

Utilising 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 clutter-free.

Curated Display
While reducing clutter is essential, it doesn't 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 wall-mounted 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 personality.

Curated displays in kitchen offer intriguing possibilities. For example, suspending pots and pans for an attractive and practical arrangement, utilising wall-mounted 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 kitchen

How to obtain the perfect Kitchen Triangle
The 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 it's the designated space for major cooking activities. Designing a kitchen triangle requires careful planning and unobstructed access.

Of 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 aren't compromised in any way.

Regardless of the size or layout of your kitchen (L-shaped, galley, U-shaped 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 it's too large, food preparation could be a tiring task.

In terms of space management, allocating a proper space for your appliances while keeping them easily accessible can be tricky - think food processors or stand mixers or any containers that may require that extra space. Installing extra-long 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 cabinets.

Maximising 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, multi-functional spaces, and minimalist design, modern kitchens can meet the needs of today's homeowners and families.