Apartments
Kitchen Small Space Design for Apartments
Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
- Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
- Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example
A studio kitchen has one short counter shared by coffee making, meal prep and dish drying.
Give the counter a daily prep strip; move drying to a compact rack over the sink and store occasional appliances elsewhere.
How to test it
Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Keep sink, hob and refrigerator on a workable run; place the dining edge outside the main prep aisle.
- Detail
- Use wipeable backsplash and task light over counters, with enclosed bins near cleanup.
- Trade-off
- More tall storage can reduce daylight and make a narrow galley feel closed.
- Measure shaft, appliance and door clearances
- Check counter light and exhaust path
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