My objective here was to maximise space in a multi-functional space by making the kitchen portion of the room as compact as possible, yet without sacrificing functionality.
The space itself wasn’t small, but it was the first room off the street in this ingeniously-designed townhouse. Not everyone wants a kitchen/diner where the table is an afterthought and certainly not this owner. He wanted the antique oak table to be the hero in the room and the kitchen to be secondary.
It was to be a surprising entrance, a party space, a place to dine in comfort. A multi-functional space without compromising a fully-functioning kitchen. All in 20 square metres which also included the stairs.
How much space did the owner need? What did ‘maximise space’ even mean?
The location of this townhouse was very important in nailing down the design. It was literally a 2-minute walk to the nearest shop which was open 7 days a week, with an artisan bakery next door and a weekly farmer’s market, plus the pretty town boasted 14 restaurants, so it was pointless to factor in a large freezer or a giant pantry.
I took my inspiration from an old-fashioned dresser with glass-fronted china cabinets at each end.
All the base units were set 300mm away from the wall and topped with an extra deep granite worktop with an under-mounted sink – much better for maximising usable work surface! At the right hand end, there was space for a woven basket for recycling which also doubled as the shopping basket – take out the recycling on the way to the shops and bring back the shopping in the same basket. The same space concealed towel hanging too.
The clients wish list
His wish list included a gas hob – no mains gas meant I had to ‘hide’ that cylinder. Plus, a wine fridge and a full-size dishwasher. Not to mention a wall-mounted TV. This cricket fan wanted to sit in the courtyard watching a match!
He also wanted the bin out of sight and as far as possible the work surfaces to be clear – including forgoing a toaster. He felt toast was irrelevant with an artisan baker around the corner and I agreed with him.
Bespoke cabinets
In a tight space like this I often go for bespoke cabinets, so that maximising space means using every centimetre. In fact, here the units were high street DIY standard and all the white goods came from the local electrical shop on the next street. It was satisfying to buy from a local retailer for a change, instead of online!
The client was delighted I demonstrated how to maximise space in a kitchen. The solution isn’t for everyone, it is precisely for his needs in creating a ‘wow’, a wonderful indoor/outdoor party space as well as a comfortable dining experience. The courtyard is integral to the kitchen design and functionality too. I’ll cover that in another post.
How does your kitchen work for your lifestyle and individual needs?
I’m Eileen and I help busy professionals to love the home they are in by making the space really work for their individual lifestyles. I love being challenged by tight spaces and an unusual brief. Check out my other blog posts here.
