Big ideas for small kitchens

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House of Nanakuniyama, 株式会社小島真知建築設計事務所 / Masatomo Kojima Architects 株式会社小島真知建築設計事務所 / Masatomo Kojima Architects Cocinas modernas: Ideas, imágenes y decoración
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The heart of any home is in the kitchen – it’s where we go to whip up culinary storms, talk late into the night, and to be both comforted and inspired. Unfortunately, in many houses the kitchen often feels like it was squeezed in last-minute as an afterthought, and it can be hard to know how to decorate a space that's roughly the size of a garden shed. 

If you're stuck in an inspiration rut because of your tiny kitchen, don't get sad – get creative. We're about to prove that what your kitchen needs isn't acres of space, but attention, a little work, and a hefty dose of imagination. By taking a cue from these innovative design solutions you'll be creating a cosy, stylish nook of your own in no time at all.

Clashing colours

You may have been told that putting dark colours into a small room is a big, migraine-inducing 'don't'. Well, we're here to tell you to disregard that advice! Bold, deep tones can ramp up the character and chic-factor of your tiny kitchen – and when it comes to colour matching, the brighter the better.

Choose a base colour, such as a rich plum or fire engine red, and work from there. Paint your kitchen units, or pick a feature wall and use that as the colour anchor for the rest of the space. To find the perfect match, use a colour wheel to find a shade that either sits next to or opposite your original chosen tone. The golden rule is to stick with neutrals for the rest of the walls and kitchen utensils – a splash of clash goes a long, long way.

Helpful hideaways

One of the main complaints of small kitchen owners is that their sideboards always look cluttered. Utensils, ingredients, cleaning equipment – it can be hard to find a place for everything in a modestly sized kitchen. However, lacking a little space doesn't mean that your kitchen has to look a mess. 

Work with the walls and cabinets to add an extra couple of shelves above your main countertop – although not too high, as you still want to be able to easily reach things! Place your most-used appliances and utensils directly above the space you use them, and then hide smaller, less necessary equipment in minimalist white boxes to streamline the overall look and then stack them high! Finish the look with a couple of boho accents, such as a hanging basket or pegged photographs on string, to keep the room from looking too impersonal.

Custom tiles

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Cool pastel and neutral shades really help to add light and the illusion of space to a tiny kitchen, but a pale monochromatic decor scheme can be a bit bland to look at – especially if you're a fan of the big and the bold!

Inject a bit of personality by jazzing up a section of one wall with bright, unique tiles. Search out individual designs at flea markets, home interiors boutiques and online, then mix and match your favourites to create a beautiful tile wall that doesn't overpower your kitchen.

Colour consistency

If minimalism is your jam but all-white feels too cold, try introducing small pops of colour in unexpected places throughout the room. Breaking up a pale room with a contrasting colour scheme creates a sense of coherence and balance within the space, and allows you to easily play with different themes and moods. 

Achieving such a stunning effect is simple. Just pick your desired colour – crisp china blue and vibrant sunshine yellow work especially well – and spend time collecting interesting items in that shade to scatter across your kitchen. A well-placed poster with matching tea towels and mugs might not sound like much at first, but when put in the right place they will tie the room together in a stylish, unobtrusive way.

Retro accents

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When creating a kitchen that's all your own, think outside of the box and consider looking to the past for inspiration. After all, our grandparent's generation were masters at creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in even the smallest houses, so let's follow their example! 

There's no need for a grand overhaul; vintage and retro finds look great when contrasted with modern kitchen fittings. A rug from the 70's, decorative cast iron skillets hanging from an exposed brick wall, or matching 1950's style appliances add a quirky charm and won't break the bank!

All-out luxury

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Of course, you could also choose to disregard the previous point and delve even further back in time for your inspiration – to the French palace of Versailles, for instance! Believe it or not, ornate baroque interiors can work just as well in a small kitchen or studio space as they can in a sprawling chateau

To create a kitchen that would make Marie Antoinette swoon, hang oversized floral drapes at your window, replace plain whitewashed walls with intricately patterned tiles, and remember that, in this circumstance, gold paint and gold leaf can never be overused. A statement lampshade – or if you're feeling brave, a chandelier – completes this luxurious look!

Minimal metallics

Minimalism has been the dominating trend in kitchens for years, so maybe it's time to mix things up and add a bit of Studio 54 pizzazz to our low-key living spaces! Maximalist ideas incorporated into a minimal concept can work like a dream in a small kitchen, especially when teamed with atmospheric lighting and sparse, streamlined details. 

Get the look by covering a feature wall with shimmering metallic tiles, install modern lighting to mimic a disco ball effect, and play with different textures to keep the overall theme looking crisp and up to date. You're aiming to introduce hints of retro glamour, not to recreate a 1950s sci-fi B-movie set!

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