Form must follow function closely in small kitchen design. Kitchen designer Dee David shows how to make a small kitchen appear larger and function more effectively. Create an Illusion of Spaciousness Full-height cabinets, recessed lighting, diagonal tiles on the backsplash, light-colored cabinets with glass doors and under-cabinet lighting all help to open up this kitchen and make it seem larger than it is. Extending the hardwood flooring into the kitchen from the living room provides continuity. Running the flooring perpendicular to the cabinets gives the illusion of a wider space between the countertops. Keeping the color of the flooring similar to that of the cabinets helps keep the space feeling wide and open. Make the Best Use of Space The corridor approach of a galley kitchen lengthens the space in a kitchen, making much more area for countertops without having to deal with corners. The galley arrangement provides lots of counter space around the sink and the cooking areas. Every inch of storage space in a small kitchen must be used efficiently. Roll-out shelves in lower cabinets double the storage space and are easy to reach. A built-in trash unit keeps the limited floor space open. A tilt-out drawer in front of the sink hides sponges and scrubbers, keeping everything out of the way but within easy reach. Be Aware of Traffic Patterns Traffic patterns and congestion were taken into account when planning this kitchen's work areas. The microwave was moved out of the main working area, keeping the family's kitchen congestion to a minimum.
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