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1. Firstly, have an expert designer on board your project!
This person needs to have an understanding about how to maximise the space you have and really make it work for you - their insight will make a big difference!
2. Remember that a smaller kitchen isn't necessarily a liability.
They can often work more ergonomically - with a relatively compact work triangle between sink, cooktop and fridge allowing for efficient use of space during meal preparation. In other words, you don't need to automatically start thinking about cutting down on living space elsewhere to open up space for that grand kitchen.
3. Spend some time thinking carefully ...
... about what you really want from your renovation and the core outcomes you wish to achieve to improve your kitchen. From there, focus on the appliances you need and organise your design around them.
4. Talk to your kitchen designer about the best arrangement of storage space.
They'll be able to identify how much dead space is potentially available and ready to be used. At the same time, you'll want to be careful with how much storage room you put into the space - you'll be cutting down on your preparation area, while potentially making things look and feel a little claustrophobic.
5. Integration.
If you want to create a more freed-up, less cluttered and claustrophobic environment, we recommend putting an emphasis on integrated appliances - creating the overall impression of a streamlined and smoothly ordered environment.
6. Bright Colours.
If you're worried about creating a pokey, claustrophobic atmosphere, opting for generally lighter, brighter colours will help make the space seem larger and more airy.
7. Add a distinctive element.
Use the backsplash behind the cooktop as an opportunity to bring a sumptuous detail to your kitchen - maybe a glass tile mosaic or a bit limestone ... it's a small but effective way to add a distinctive element to the space. Opting for a darker colour in this case (as per below) will make an intense statement!
8. Choose the right appliances.
Look out for appliances designed for a smaller space but maximum functionality. There are plenty of compact options out there ... And we've picked out a few examples from our range.
A manufacturer with a brilliantly intuitive understanding of the demands of the modern Australian lifestyle, Fisher & Paykel are an excellent choice for thoughtful design. This 403L Fridge is a case in point, a medium-sized fridge that offers plenty of space without taking up too much room - along with the benefits of Fisher & Paykel's ActiveSmart™ Foodcare.
Another excellent example of their ingenuity, the "DishDrawer" is perfect for apartment living - with a true half load capacity in its single drawer, therefore ideal for quickly washing up after dinner for two. Highly functional, it's designed to be fully-integrated into kitchen cabinetry - thereby masquerading as another kitchen drawer - sliding away elegantly in a kitchen short on space.
Here's a smart option for a kitchen that's very tight on space - this compact appliance combines microwave capabilities along with fan forced and grill cooking. That's a superb two-in-one solution!
Perfect for investment property apartments, this appliance combines an electric oven and four-zoned ceramic cooktop in the one compact cooking solution.
Not to be outdone, Smeg present this excellent, slimlined dishwashing option. With a generous 10 place setting capacity (given its streamlined 45cm design) it's the perfect functional solution for apartments and homes that can't accommodate a conventional, bulky freestanding machine.
Streamlined and minimalist, this Smeg Undermount Rangehood is so discrete as to be virtually invisible - yet it still manages to be outstandingly powerful with a 750m3 air extraction rate afforded by powerful motors operating at the exceptionally quiet noise level of 44dB.
We'll finish up by returning to Fisher & Paykel - and this excellent example of Induction cooking (pictured below), with another slimline design which will fit in an apartment context where space is tight.
And remember, if you have any further queries about the way these appliances could be integrated into your renovation - please don't hesitate to visit your nearest Winning Appliances showroom or contact one of our product experts.
