Small homes and studios
Kitchen Storage Design for Small homes and studios
Plan storage around frequency of use and the route between use and return. Measure the actual items, including handles and cases.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Sort items into daily, occasional and surplus stock, then measure each group's largest pieces.
- Place daily items at the point of use and reserve a separate area for overflow or refills.
- Choose shelf spans, pull-outs and closures only after checking how items are loaded and removed.
Worked example
Tall oil bottles and a countertop mixer do not fit the shallow drawers planned beside the hob.
Measure the actual bottles and mixer with attachments; reserve a tall pull-out for oils and a reachable shelf for the appliance.
How to test it
Put the largest item into a mock-up and remove it with the adjacent doors or work surfaces in use.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Group cooking and cleanup together and reserve a clear landing surface beside the refrigerator.
- Detail
- Use compact, full-extension drawers and continuous under-cabinet task light.
- Trade-off
- Open shelves make a small kitchen feel lighter but expose visual clutter.
- Measure appliance doors when open
- Check counter landing space and task light
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