Small Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen is typically the most used area in any home, even for people who don’t cook that often. Making the most of a small kitchen remodel will require some planning. By comparison, it is pretty easy to remodel a bedroom because it may only require some new paint, bits of trim and window coverings. More complex kitchen remodels can require plumbing and electrical work, lighting changes, appliances and cabinetry. Remodeling a smaller kitchen is often a blessing. A skilled DIYer may not have too much trouble laying 80-100 square feet of tile for a small kitchen remodel. Small layouts are often simple squares or rectangles. Larger kitchens of 300-400 square feet can be challenging even for some professional carpenters because islands and unusual shapes can add extra time and effort to the project.
Small kitchens are often easier to renovate than large kitchens.
Small Kitchens Save Money
Larger kitchens will almost always be more expensive. The more space you have, the more it costs to dress it up. Additional cabinets, lighting, floor coverings, countertops and specialty appliances will cost more. In small kitchen remodeling, the owner can often splurge to get better grade materials or equipment, selecting quality over quantity. It is not uncommon to see upgrades in tile, cabinets and appliances for these smaller spaces. Installing 400 square feet of travertine marble in a large kitchen may cost $5,000, while installing that same tile in a 100-square-foot kitchen can cost just $1,250. The large kitchen owner may choose to install cheaper porcelain tile instead, while the small kitchen owner may stay with the marble.
A smaller kitchen allows for investment in higher quality materials.
Optimize the Workflow
There are 3 key areas to a kitchen: a food storage area (refrigerator/pantry), a cleanup area (sink/dishwasher) and a cooking area (stovetop/oven). Some old-school designers may only use these three in the implementation of “the work triangle.” I like to add in a fourth area. Space to roll out some pie dough, chop or slice veggies, mix cookie batter: what I call “the work area.” Very rarely can you go straight from the fridge or pantry to the cooking area. After all, that can of beans for the chili needs to get opened somewhere, right?
I’ve seen the dimensions of this work triangle range from just a couple feet on each side to upward of 8-10 feet per side for some really big kitchens. If your kitchen is only 4 or 5 feet wide, this triangle can be very efficient with just a step or two between stations. Try to add a work area into your triangle; the most functional place is between the storage and cooking area.
Try to include a preparation area in your “work triangle.”
Bigger Is Not Always Better
Small kitchen remodeling requires balance. A 36” wide pro-grade range and a 29 cu-ft. fridge should be avoided in a small kitchen. These large appliances will overwhelm a small space. A 30” standard range and a 16–18 cu-ft. fridge will provide more balance. If you save a little space on each item, you will have more space for something else. A smaller single basin sink that fits in a 24” or 30” base cabinet may be the alternative to allow space for a dishwasher. One new trend is a style of sink that allows for an integrated work surface, which sets inside the bowl area. This can be used as a cutting board or other work area, freeing up more counter space nearby.
You may be envious of your neighbor’s dedicated wine storage fridge and that copper sink in the corner of the 4-foot wide island. But in your small kitchen, you can go from fridge to stove to sink in just a handful of steps while they need to hike halfway around the block to do the same task. With all the money you will save on your small kitchen remodel, you can treat your neighbor to a nice bottle of wine for his dedicated fridge — and keep a few cases of wine for yourself.
Choose the right tile for your small kitchen remodel, and plan the layout carefully. Hire a kitchen remodeler with experience renovating small kitchens.
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Author Kevin Stevens moved to Colorado from Michigan in 1991. He has been a woodworker for over 30 years, and has also worked as a biotechnology engineer. Kevin now runs a remodeling business where he practices green technology and sustainability. He is currently building an off-grid cabin in New Mexico.
