How to Design Small U-Shaped Kitchens
Designing small U-shaped kitchens can be a challenge. There is not a lot of space to work with and sitting areas can be limited because of the three-wall element. Although there is not always a lot of space, a U-shaped kitchen is efficient because of the ability to move freely within the space equally. The sink is based in the center of the U-shape, making it a simple focal point, and the stove and refrigerator are all within arms reach. Since the appliances and sink are in a triangle form, an island is important for extra counter space. An effective way to design a small U-shaped kitchen is to use space-saving appliances and simple design elements. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Space-saving appliances
- Mirror or large print wall coverings
- Bold contrasting flooring
Instructions
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Use appliances and cooking supplies made for apartment, condo and city living. These space-saving tools are perfect for U-shaped kitchens because they are compact and able to be tucked away. According to ReadersDigest.com, there are microwave oven/toaster and microwave oven/coffee maker combinations available. This saves money as well as space by combining two appliances into one. These modern space-saving appliances are just as stylish as their full size counterparts with stainless steel designs available along with the traditional black and white.
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Dining on bar stools is a cool way to save space in a kitchen. Place bar stools around the island in the middle of the space or around the counter. This is the perfect area to arrange your sitting area using stools. Stools are a great space saver. They come in a range of styles and decors and are stylish yet functional. They also create an eating area that is warm and inviting. The stools need to match the décor of the kitchen. A modern designed kitchen should contain steel or birch wood stools. Stools need to be comfortable, sturdy and preferably cushioned for comfort.
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Cover a large wall with a mirror to make an impact on the room. A mirror can instantly make any room appear larger and more spacious. The mirror should be simple without ornate details. Only cover large wall areas with the mirror or else this kitchen design will turn the room into a tacky disaster. The same rule applies with certain types of art and wall coverings. A big print that's covering a wall in the kitchen will trick the human eye into thinking the space is bigger than it actually is. Cover any large wall in the kitchen with a dramatic print or cityscape photograph cut to size, with no part of the utilized wall peeking through.
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A checkerboard design floor makes a room appear larger. Install diamond shaped flooring to achieve a modern, spacious feel. A simple diamond print in black and white or red and white is an easy way to achieve a look of space. The flooring sets the tone of any type of room and when space is an issue, flooring is of utmost importance. A stark-patterned floor will make the room seem as though it never ends with the use of shapes and contrast.
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Tips & Warnings
A clean space is a spacious space so get rid of all clutter and put everything out of sight to make your kitchen appear larger.
Beware of using too many prints and bold designs. Stick to a color scheme of two or three colors.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit kitchen image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com bar stools image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com black-and-white pattern image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
