How to make a narrow kitchen feel spacious and modern
If your kitchen is particularly narrow, it may feel constricted and lacking in space, especially if units run along both walls, creating a cramped galley effect.
Having a kitchen run along one wall instead, using every inch of space can be a great way to transform a kitchen and give it a more breathable feel and far more flexibility. If your home is a typical Victoria terrace or older home that features a long narrow kitchen space, here’s some inspiring ideas to make a signel-walled kitchen feel much bigger and more useable.
Add a Dining Table
Many older homes do not have a usable dining area yet by removing units along one wall in the kitchen, you can easily create the opportunity to add a spacious dining area making the heart of the home a more practical space.
With some ingenuity, the loss of units on one wall can be compensated by using floor to ceiling units on the single wall or by adding taller wall cabinets, giving you ample storage space.
If a table is simply too large or removes that all important preparation space, try installing a counter-height bench that can double up as a dining and food preparation area.
Never underestimate the importance of having somewhere to dine at home. Eating in front of the TV on your lap is never a great idea over the long term when a family dining table can bring everyone together and make the kitchen a place to cook, eat and socialise.
Use Every Inch of Wall Space
Run the units along the single wall and then add corner units at each end where possible. This “wrap-around” effect will make the single wall feel cohesive but also ensure there’s no wall space wasted. Do not be concerned about this feeling too enclosed as the opposite wall will create the airiness your room needs to allow for walkways, tables and chairs.
Add Eye-Catching Features
If you’re concerned that a single walled kitchen may look a little lifeless then add some splashes of colour. A simple shelf with herbs and plants will soften the look with some natural greens and shrubbery. If a bold pop of colour is your thing, a unique backsplash or feature tiles can give your kitchen areas of added quirkiness and character.
Mobile Kitchen Island
If the lack of utility space or worktop is a concern, why not include a small kitchen island on casters? These great little mobile islands are perfect for serving up food, preparing ingredients or as a simple utility area that can be easily pushed out of the way when not in use.
Deeper Counters
If a single walled kitchen feels like it lacks enough counter space, you can always install your kitchen units with a slight extra gap of an inch or two away from the walls to allow for a deeper counter top to be installed.
It may cost a few extra pennies more but the added depth won’t encroach too much into the room at all and will make a big difference to store jars, containers and utensils on the counter and still leave plenty of worktop space to prepare food and cook.
Lose the Handles
If you’re concerned about handles getting caught or snagged as you walk past them in a narrow kitchen then opt for kitchen cupboard doors that have integrated handles instead. That way, your kitchen will look sleeker and slimmer and there’s no issues of you brushing past traditional handles that stick out and getting bruised hips or thighs.
Don’t Forget the Fridge
An integrated refrigerator set into dedicated wall cabinets is ideal as this will not only hide the fridge, it will make the whole kitchen feel cohesive and flow along a single wall.
If however there’s simply no room for the fridge on the same wall as all the kitchen units, don’t worry. Find a suitable corner on the opposite wall where it can be placed neatly and it will still feel perfectly spacious in your kitchen. As long as it doesn’t block the central walkways, you’re kitchen should still feel more roomy than before.