A small kitchen doesn't have to be a disadvantage

By Carsten Gruen Dec 1, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Anyone who has ever cooked in a small kitchen knows that it can be frustrating.

Preparing a three-course meal or making cookies quickly becomes a challenge as mixing bowls, baking sheets and the finished cookies start stacking up everywhere. The stress only mounts when there's no space to roll out the dough and the utensils always seem to be in the wrong place.

It can be hard to keep on top of things, but there are solutions. The available space in a small kitchen, even as limited as it often is in a city apartment, can be used wisely.

'A kitchen's array of appliances is not necessarily a function of its size,' said Frank Huether, director of a modern kitchen consortium in Germany. Huether recommends dual purpose appliances such as induction cook tops. The space lends itself for chopping or other food preparation when all the burners aren't in use.

Elke Wieczorek of a German home economics association sees dual-purpose appliances as a good opportunity to use small spaces.

'I recommend integrating the cook top into the workspace and having a microwave that also has regular oven functions and is fitted under an upper cabinet,' she said. 'I can also bake in it and it eliminates the need to have a large appliance in the kitchen.'

Another good idea for small kitchens is a dishwasher that measures 45 centimetres wide. This is about two-thirds the width of standard dishwashers. Experts also recommend that the refrigerator and the oven stand apart to conserve energy.

When planning a new kitchen or remodeling an old one it's important to distribute the appliances in the room and ensure that water pipes, drains and electrical connections are in the right place.

Storage also is very important. High cabinets should be the place where appliances that aren't used often are stored. These can go all the way up to the kitchen ceiling, while things that are frequently used must be stored in drawers and lower cabinets. These should be completely extendable so that it's possible to see everything that's in them - all the way to the furthest corner - when they are pulled out.

Another useful idea is to hang spatulas and other utensils on a metal strip or wire running horizontally in the space between the upper and lower cabinets. These frequently used items are then always within easy reach.

'Track systems for the niche between the upper and lower cabinets look good and help the cook maintain an overview of where things are,' Huether said, adding that the drawers near the bottom of the lower cabinets are a good place to store cutting boards, baking trays and cake platters.

Kitchen experts also prefer well-made cabinets, noting that they have many functions.

'Cabinets are used to store food, pots and pans and tableware,' said Huether. 'They also can be designed for separating trash and to store cleaning products.' He added that corner cabinets make wonderful storage space.

Nevertheless, not all kitchen items will fit into a small kitchen. Oversized ceramics, fondu sets and small electrical appliances such as raclette grills should be stored in the basement.

While small kitchens don't leave many decorating options, the type of countertop can add a nice detail. There are countertops made of glass, metal, wood and natural stone.

'Workspaces made of high-quality ceramics can create a very pleasant and soft feel,' said Huether. 'High-tech materials made of a mixture of minerals, pigments, acrylic and quartz are also eye-catching.'

Ursula Geismann of the German furniture industry association warns consumers about the difficulty of maintaining some materials. One of the most demanding is wood because it can quickly show signs of use.

'Countertops with a thin layer of synthetic material over wood are usually the cheapest solution. They are available in many patterns and colours,' said Geismann. 'Steel countertops are chic and they are available in standard sizes. They also can be made to match the cabinets.' But they also can be scratched.

Kitchens that open onto a living room or family room are more and more popular. It helps make the space look larger. In the last several years the walls between kitchens and living rooms have been disappearing from the blueprints of new homes. In older buildings architects are often at pains to find a way to combine the rooms.