Jane Rylands is from kitchen appliance manufacturer Belling. Here, she shares her top five space saving tips for family kitchens — the beating heart of every home, and the place where cooking, eating and everyday family life all happen at once.
When you have a small kitchen and plenty of mouths to feed, it can be tricky to find room for all the appliances and storage you need. The good news is there are ways to use your space more efficiently without a full renovation.
So whether your cluttered surfaces are the problem, or your sink is taking up too much room, here are five tips to help you save space in your family kitchen.
#1. Choose Integrated Cabinetry
If you have lots of appliances in your kitchen, your surfaces can quickly become cluttered. Whether it’s the microwave, coffee machine or a smoothie maker, family life has a way of filling every worktop with gadgets.
You don’t need to throw your kitchen gadgets away. Integrated cabinetry is a great way of keeping everything compact and organised, with modern styles hiding larger appliances — including the microwave, dishwasher and washing machine — out of sight.
If your cabinetry doesn’t integrate your smaller appliances, add a free-standing shelf to display these instead. Everything stays in clear view while your worktops stay clear, so you spend less time re-arranging and more time getting food on the table.
#2. Invest In A Pull-Out Pantry
When you’re feeding a family, food storage can quickly get out of hand — and things tucked away in hard-to-reach places often go untouched until they’re out of date. A pull-out pantry can solve this.
A slim, tall pantry cupboard that extends out is a great way to store tins, dried food and sauces while keeping them easily accessible for everyone. It also helps cut down on food waste, since you can see exactly what’s in your cupboards at a glance.
#3. Choose Slimline Appliances
A small kitchen really benefits from stripping back on bulky appliances, opening up the space and clearing the countertops. That doesn’t mean giving up your useful machines — just shopping around for slimline versions instead.
Slimline ranges of microwaves, washing machines and dishwashers slot seamlessly into a smaller kitchen without taking up excess space. As well as being practical, the compact look can give your kitchen a sleek, modern edge — bringing style and function together.
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#4. Choose An Undermount Sink
Your kitchen sink is one of the most-used features in the room and a key part of the kitchen work triangle — where the sink, hob and fridge all sit within easy reach of each other. Many traditional sink styles take up a lot of countertop space, so it’s worth considering a more space-conscious design.
Swapping a double sink bowl for a single style can free up a little extra room. For even more space, an undermount sink conceals the sink edges entirely, opening up your countertop. Pair it with an over-sink dish drainer to free up the counter beside the sink — leaving more room for the fun stuff, like baking with the kids.
#5. Stick To A Simple Colour Theme
You don’t always need to overhaul your kitchen to make it feel bigger. A fresh coat of white paint can create the illusion of a more open space. A minimal colour scheme not only makes a kitchen feel more spacious, it’s a look that stays stylish for years. Just choose a washable white paint so you can easily wipe away scuffs, stains and marks from busy little hands.
This isn’t limited to walls — painting over classic wooden cupboards in white, or using white or frosted glass on cabinet doors, has the same space-opening effect. Don’t be afraid to go for a simple, stripped-back look.
When you’ve got a busy family, a small kitchen can feel restrictive. But with these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to a kitchen that feels — and functions — bigger than it is.
Over to you now. Do you have any space-saving tips for kitchens to add? Share them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to save space in a small family kitchen?
Start with your countertops. Integrated cabinetry for larger appliances and a tidy home for smaller gadgets makes the biggest visual difference for the least effort.
Do slimline appliances really save much room?
Yes — slimline microwaves, dishwashers and washing machines are designed to fit tighter spaces without sacrificing much capacity, making them a good option for compact kitchens.
Will painting my kitchen white actually make it feel bigger?
A light, washable colour scheme reflects more light and reduces visual clutter, which does create the impression of a larger space — even though the room’s actual size hasn’t changed.
What’s a pull-out pantry and is it worth it for a family kitchen?
It’s a tall, narrow cupboard that extends outward so you can see and reach everything stored inside. For busy households it’s a handy way to keep food organised and cut down on waste.
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