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Small Kitchen Installation NZ: Everything You Need to Know

Posted November 14, 2024

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One interesting endeavour is making a little kitchen work in a small space. Whether your house is modest or flashy, a well-designed small kitchen will maximise space and enhance your cooking experience. Recent times have seen many New Zealand homes concentrating on little kitchen upgrades. Let’s investigate whatever you need to be totally educated about this amazing journey!

Understanding Your Space

Before you start to plan your small kitchen installation, you have to be aware of the space you have. Take some time exactly sizing your kitchen. Knowing the measurements can help you choose the layout, appliances, and storage in line with your needs.

  • Length and width Measure: Your kitchen’s width and length to better understand your accessible space.
  • Height: Do not ignore the height of your walls. This will help as you consider cabinets and shelving.
  • Windows and doors: Note the locations of windows and doors; these will affect your choices of arrangement.

Additionally, measuring and planning for cabinet space is crucial. Maximising cabinet space can make your kitchen more versatile and efficient, especially in small areas.

These measurements will equip you to be ready for your planning!

Making Plans for Your Small Kitchen with Limited Space

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Small kitchen design requires both ingenuity and careful planning. These concepts can help you to create a stylish and functional space:

It's important to consider various kitchen renovation ideas to optimise the small kitchen space.

1. Choose an Open Layout First.

With an open concept, your modest kitchen can feel bigger . Think about, if at all possible, removing useless barriers or walls. This will help to create a seamless flow between your living areas and kitchen, therefore making them look larger and more welcoming. Additionally, an open layout can provide a versatile dining space, enhancing both functionality and modern design.

2. Opt for Light Colours.

Worktops, cabinets, and walls in light colours will help your kitchen look nicer. Reflecting light, white, cream, and soft pastels provide the room with an airy and open feeling. It's advised to maintain milder tones since dark tones could make a small kitchen look packed.

3. Maximise Vertical Space

In a compact kitchen, every inch counts! To fully utilise vertical space, install tall cabinets to the ceiling. This gives greater storage and points the eye upward to provide the feeling of height.

4. Incorporate Multi-Functional Furniture

Look for appliances and furniture that will be used for numerous purposes. A breakfast bar can provide more counter space and serve as a cosy dining area, enhancing both efficiency and style in your kitchen. For example, a kitchen island can be a dining area and additional counter space supplier. Foldable tables and extendable countertops are excellent space-saving devices as well.

Selecting Appliances

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The choice of appliances is critical in a small kitchen installation. These rules should help you decide the appropriate course of action:

Choosing the right appliances can also help save space in a small kitchen.

1. Choose compact models.

Many businesses offer small kitchens with particularly designed compact appliances. Look for smaller refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers that would fit your space without sacrificing use.

2. Imagine built-in appliances.

Built-in appliances save room and let your kitchen look classy. Although you have all the conveniences you require, a built-in microwave or oven can clear helpful counter space.

3. Choose Energy-efficient Solutions

Apart from reducing space, energy-efficient equipment helps to cut running costs. Look for reasonably energy-rated appliances to ensure your ecologically conscious choice.

Storage Solutions

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Small kitchens could make storage challenging, but you can keep things tidy with clever design. Pull-out racks are an excellent solution for maximising storage space in tall and narrow cabinets, enhancing accessibility to pantry items and kitchen utensils. Additionally, the functionality of a storage unit in utilising space cannot be overstated, as it serves as both a storage option and a dining table.

1. Use Open Floating Shelves

On open shelves, dishware and cookware look fantastic and remain conveniently handy. It also leaves your kitchen feeling open. Just be sure you keep things neat to avoid clutter. Alternatively, you can use upper or lower cabinets to complement open shelving, maximising storage while maintaining a functional and aesthetically pleasing layout.

2. Install pull-out drawers.

Pull-out drawers in cabinets allow one to quickly access pots, pans, and other items kept towards the rear of cabinets. They optimise storage capacity and keep everything tidy.

3. Hang Pans and pots

Consider hanging pots and pans from wall or ceiling hooks or racks if your cabinets are filling up. Apart from being space-saving, this adds some decorative appeal to your kitchen.

4. Floating Shelves for Added Storage

Floating shelves are a great way to add storage space to a small kitchen without taking up too much floor space. These shelves can be installed above the countertops or on a wall, providing a convenient place to store frequently used items, such as cookbooks, spices, or kitchen utensils. To create a focal point, consider installing a decorative shelf or a shelf with a unique design element, such as a built-in lighting system. This not only enhances the functionality of your kitchen but also adds a touch of style and personality to the space.

Creating Your Budget

Any renovation project, including modest kitchen additions, is essentially based on budgeting. Here is a guide to efficient planning:

It's essential to budget for a dining table that fits the small kitchen layout, considering options like round or tall dining tables that can save space and serve dual functions.

1. Create an Appropriate Budget.

Find out how much you have for your small kitchen renovation. Estimate realistically for materials, appliances, work, and any unexpected expenses.

2. Sort Your Priorities

List the most crucial items for your new kitchen—such as elegant cabinets or top-notch appliances—and budget for those.

3. Get Quotations From Experts.

Get a complete design and quote from our team of experts, so you have an accurate idea of costs, we can talk you through your options to ensure you are aware of where you can save and where you can spend to get the small kitchen of your dreams.

Hiring Professionals vs DIY

If you're not experienced in renovations or if your project involves plumbing or electrical work, hiring professionals is often the best choice. They have the expertise to ensure everything is done safely and correctly.

1. Hiring Experts

Hiring experts is usually the best option if your project calls for plumbing or electrical work or if you have no expertise in renovating. Their knowledge guarantees proper and secure execution of everything.

2. Do-It-Yourself Installation

If you prefer do-it-yourself projects and are handy, think about helping with some of the installation! While letting you personalise your environment, chores like painting and demolition can save money.

Final touches

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It's time for those last details to make your small kitchen installation seem like home once it is finished.

1. Add Personal Styles

Add personal touches with décor that captures your style, such as artwork, plants, or matching dinnerware.

2. Think About Lighting.

Any kitchen needs good lighting! Create a welcoming environment by combining task lighting—like under-cabinet lights—with ambient lighting—like ceiling lights.

3. Keep it Neat and Organised.

Once everything is set up, keep things orderly by routinely cleaning counters and proper storage of stuff.

Loving Your New Kitchen

Your new compact kitchen may become a useful haven where cooking becomes a delight with careful planning and intelligent design decisions! Accept the process of designing a place that reflects your style and suits you.

Ultimately, building a small kitchen in New Zealand calls for careful study of design features, appliance choice, storage options, funding, and whether or not to use experts or do it yourself. Following these guidelines and considering your demands will help you to be on your way to appreciating a lovely new kitchen that makes the best use of every inch of space!

With Ezy Kitchens, you can achieve your small kitchen dream. If you are looking for a kitchen company to help with the whole process of kitchen installation, Get in touch right now to set up a meeting and take the first step towards improving your small kitchen.

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