October 10, 2022

Big or small, it’s a space for gathering, entertaining, and, most importantly, eating. Everyone has different needs when it comes to the kitchen. Some desire maximum storage, others are looking for the ultimate chef’s kitchen, and some need to fit a lot into a little. A kitchen should reflect your lifestyle and design taste. Here we share our tips for optimizing a kitchen space.

The Apartment

For the most part, apartments have a smaller footprint to work with; therefore, utilizing every inch of the space is a top priority in optimizing the kitchen space. Upper cabinets are not always an option, but they provide much-needed storage if they are. In this kitchen, the island doubles as the sole eating area common in apartment living. Compact stools offer a lovely design aesthetic without taking over unnecessary space. Photo: Jared Kuzia

The Space Saver

On a smaller scale, this L-shaped kitchen incorporates warm woods and a few modern touches. When designing a kitchen that’s not an open floor plan, windows provide abundant natural light, creating a more open and airy space. Open upper shelves also make the space feel less confined. Photo: Shelly Harrison

The Gathering Space

If your goal is a large kitchen that functions as an ultimate gathering space, an open floor plan design with plenty of seating options is key. In this kitchen, we opened the space and took advantage of the home’s breathtaking views. The appliances reflect the large kitchen design – a double fridge, and a state-of-the-art range. To fully optimize the kitchen space, the oversized island provides additional seating and rounds out this perfect gathering space. Photo: Shelly Harrison

The Storage Savvy

When designing kitchens, ample storage is a common request, but when you also like clean and modern spaces, getting that storage without it seeming overcrowded can be challenging. As seen in this kitchen, creative storage solutions, such as adding cabinets under the island, can provide the additional storage needed without taking away from the space’s overall aesthetic. Photo: Greg Premru

—By David Cohen, principal and owner, Hampden Design