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New build Kitchen Dilemma

7 years ago

Hi guys,

I'm building a house with open plan living / dining / kitchen. The space is very limited (see attached).

My dilemma is: should I go with a minimalist style (floor to ceiling units, integrated appliances, etc) so it's not too obviously a kitchen and helps open up the space?

OR

go for a statement piece with open shelving, appliances on display, nik-naks etc.

The kitchen will be in plain sight constantly from the lounge area so it has to be easy on the eye one way or another!

I don't want an island as I wish to keep the eating & seating areas as flexible as possible.

The lengths of the kitchen walls are 5m, 2.5m & 1m.

Thoughts please!

Thanks a lot,

Colin.
Belfast.

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Comments (4)

Danielle Garber
7 years ago
It all depends on your style really.

Open shelving can look great if you carefully curate the space but from experience small spaces tend to benefit from clean lines and clever storage ideas. Open shelves look great in all the styled photos on here but in real life (from experience) they can end up looking messy very quickly and glass jars need to be cleaned all the time as they get dusty and greasy in the Kitchen.

I'd spend some time researching small kitchen spaces and make a list of things you'll need to store or make space for - pots/pans, kitchen gadgets, crockery, cutlery, tupperware, baking items, food stuffs, spices etc. Understanding your needs first is a good place to start.

Tall cupboards are a godsend for brooms and mops etc and if you find a good carpenter they should be able to help you make the most of the space by adding door storage as well.

Drawers can also provide useful storage although I'm not sure I agree with those who say they are a more efficient use of space - I've always found cupboards to be a bit more flexible but it's easier to get to things in drawers.
PRO
Parker Bathrooms & Kitchens
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Colin McMaster, we think these 3D apps are great, gives you a good impression of the space, just looking at what you've got looks similar to a design we've recently done. With those large format windows we think a minimal kitchen would suit the space most, consider putting a tall back in the recess to utilise that area. Have a look at the below image, hope it helps, let us know if there's anything we can do, good luck!
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Daisy England
7 years ago
That minimalist kitchen above looks great. Very similar to mine. I love the tall units. They hold and hide so much.
Jonathan
7 years ago
I think you choose cabinet doors that also compliment other things you have.... So if your other furniture is all painted and up cycled junk shop finds then handle less white kitchens won't work as well as a Shaker style kitchen in a homely colour.......So you need to say what else is going in the room.
Which ever kitchen style you choose you might want to get a design done early as it might influence window position.
I agree that in the absence of storage cupboards, tall cabinets will accommodate a vacuum and ironing board. Drawers are great as you can access the contents far easier than a cupboard so suggest you plan them in especially for crockery and pans- plus the horizontal lines help the space feel wider. You should also make decisions on appliances based on noise intrusion since this is an open plan room.

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