The Single-Wall Kitchen: How to Make It Work for You
They are disconcertingly compact, but with a few easy tweaks, single-wall kitchens can be surprisingly functional
As living spaces continue to shrink, architects and designers have been forced to create new layouts for the home that make the most of the limited space. One such layout gaining popularity, especially in apartments and flats, is the single-wall kitchen.
The name says it all: an entire kitchen jam-packed into the length of a single wall. Of course, this space-saving layout may work in theory, but it can be tricky to fit everything you need into such a small area, and can also tend to make the room feel more open-plan than you may desire. But the good news is that there are lots of easy and inexpensive ways to improve the function of the space to suit your needs, and have it work just as well as a kitchen double the size.
The name says it all: an entire kitchen jam-packed into the length of a single wall. Of course, this space-saving layout may work in theory, but it can be tricky to fit everything you need into such a small area, and can also tend to make the room feel more open-plan than you may desire. But the good news is that there are lots of easy and inexpensive ways to improve the function of the space to suit your needs, and have it work just as well as a kitchen double the size.
A simple solution to the ‘studio apartment’ problem is to place a dining table parallel to the kitchen wall. Not only does the table provide a physical barrier from the rest of the space, it also automatically locks in the cooking and eating zone of the home.
Sometimes it just isn’t possible to place the dining table, or any other piece of furniture, parallel to the single-wall kitchen. In this case, you’ll have to rely on other tricks to delineate space.
Fortunately, rugs are an easy and inexpensive option to create a distinct dining area zone. These photos show two options. In the first image (above), the rug placed directly under the dining table visually separates the prep area from the dining area. In the second image, a runner rug is placed right by the kitchen wall, acting as a dividing line between the kitchen area and everything else.
Increase flexibility
GREAT FOR: entertainers
Install a kitchen island and voila! Not only do you have an extra surface area to prep food, you also significantly expand your storage space. This area is particularly handy for storing the kitchen utensils you use most often.
GREAT FOR: entertainers
Install a kitchen island and voila! Not only do you have an extra surface area to prep food, you also significantly expand your storage space. This area is particularly handy for storing the kitchen utensils you use most often.
The great thing about kitchen islands is that they come in a huge variety of finishes and price points. If you’re on a budget, check out the options at stores like IKEA. If you have a little more to spend, consider going custom, and install an island that perfectly coordinates with the rest of the kitchen.
Create an eat-in kitchen
GREAT FOR: busy families
Incorporating a thin bar table and some stools into a single wall kitchen opens up a lot of possibilities.
GREAT FOR: busy families
Incorporating a thin bar table and some stools into a single wall kitchen opens up a lot of possibilities.
First, like the dining table, it can serve as a physical delineation of space. Second, it’s a practical option for a dining area, especially if you prefer a more casual setting for eating. And finally, it also make an ideal spot to entertain family and friends while prepping food or drinks.
Boost storage
GREAT FOR: small-space living
Open shelving is an incredibly effective storage solution, keeping everything close to hand and easily visible. And because you don’t have the option of shoving things into a drawer, it can also help to streamline your wares, and encourage you to only keep what you really need and use.
GREAT FOR: small-space living
Open shelving is an incredibly effective storage solution, keeping everything close to hand and easily visible. And because you don’t have the option of shoving things into a drawer, it can also help to streamline your wares, and encourage you to only keep what you really need and use.
It’s also a relatively inexpensive way to double your storage space, as opposed to having extra custom cabinetry installed.
Living in a home with only a single-wall kitchen may seem like a daunting idea, but as these examples show, with just a few simple alterations and additions, you can transform a tight space into a supremely successful cooking, dining and entertaining area.
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What are your tips for making the most of a smaller kitchen? We’d love to hear your ideas and advice, so let us know in the comments section below.
TELL US
What are your tips for making the most of a smaller kitchen? We’d love to hear your ideas and advice, so let us know in the comments section below.
GREAT FOR: studio dwellers
The single-wall kitchen layout is usually found in loft apartments or rooms that are designed to serve multiple functions. The downside is that there is no real separation between ‘rooms’ and the whole space can feel like a studio apartment.