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, acting as a place to cook, eat and socialise.

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When you have a small kitchen and plenty of mouths to feed, it can sometimes be difficult to find room for all the appliances and storage space you need. But, there are some ways you can use your space more efficiently, so you can get the most of your kitchen without the need for large renovations.

So, whether you think your cluttered surfaces are the problem, or your sink is taking up too much room, I’ve rounded up my top five tips to help you to save more 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, having a family can mean valuable surface space is taken up by their belongings.

But, you don’t need to throw your kitchen gadgets away just yet. Integrated cabinetry is a great way of keeping everything compact and organised, and modern styles will keep all of your larger appliances, including the microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, hidden out of sight.

However, if your chosen cabinetry doesn’t integrate your smaller appliances, it’s worth adding a free-standing shelf to display these on. This will ensure everything is in clear view while keeping your worktops clear, so you can spend less time re-arranging things to make more space, and more time preparing food for your family.

#2. Invest In A Pull-Out Pantry

When you have a family of mouths to feed, you can accumulate quite a stash of food — some that remains untouched if it’s in hard-to-reach places. So, a pull-out pantry can be the answer to your storage woes.

A slim, tall pantry cupboard that is extendable can be a great way to store all of your tins, dried food packs, and sauces, while making them easily accessible for everybody. This’ll even help you to reduce the amount of waste in your household, as you’ll clearly be able to see what you have in your cupboards.

#3. Choose Slimline Appliances

A small kitchen can really benefit from stripping back on the amount of bulky appliances it has, as this will open up the space and clear the countertops. But, this doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all your useful machines. Try shopping around in slimline ranges that’ll slot seamlessly into your kitchen without taking up excess space. These collections include appliances like microwaves, washing machines and dishwashers to replace your larger ones.

Not only are these practical and space-saving, but the compactness of them can give your home a sleek modern edge. So, you can bring practicality and style to your family kitchen as well.

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#4. Choose An Undermount Sink

Your kitchen sink is one of the main features you’ll use and is also an important part of the kitchen work triangle: where the sink, hob and fridge are all within easy reach of each other. But, many traditional and modern models can take up a lot of space on your countertops, so you might want to consider switching these out for more space-conscious designs.

For a simple option, you could trade in your double sink bowl for a single style, to grant you a little extra space. If you want to open up your countertops even more, going for an undermount sink will do just that by concealing the sink edges. Team this with an over-sink dish drainer to free up the counter space next to your sink, so you can use it for more fun things, like baking with the kids.

#5. Stick To A Simple Colour Theme

You don’t always have to completely change your kitchen to save space. Instead, giving it a lick of fresh white paint can create the illusion of a more open area. The minimal colour scheme will not only give your kitchen a more spacious look, but it will also be stylish for years to come. Just be sure to use a washable white paint, so you can easily wipe away the inevitable scuffs, stains and marks from your kids.
This doesn’t just apply for your walls, but you could also look at painting over your classic wooden cupboards with white paint as well. Additionally, using white or frosted glass over cabinet doors can have the same effect, so don’t be afraid to go for a simple, stripped-back look.

When you’ve got a busy family, you can feel restricted by a small kitchen. But, by following my top five tips, you’ll soon be on your way to saving space and giving off the illusion of a larger kitchen.

Over to you now. Do you have any space saving tips for kitchens to add? Please share them in the comments box below.