It's a fact of the modern world: living spaces are getting smaller and smaller. We’re having to get extra creative to figure out how to maximise space in our kitchens, where mixers and other kitchen accessories can quickly take over the countertops. So, in order for you to have a room that is both functional and pleasant to be in, without being overloaded with things, we're giving you six space-saving tips to get the most out of your kitchen space.
Take advantage of the height of the room
It’s a piece of advice that might seem obvious, yet lots of kitchen fitters don't offer units that can be adjusted to different heights. Our partner Santos ensures that each of their product ranges are available in different heights so that you can make the most of your kitchen space, right the way up to the ceiling.
The result: absolutely no space lost, and kitchen accessories tucked out of sight to keep your kitchen neat and tidy. The top box units give the kitchen a clean, sophisticated look, with the added bonus that you'll never have to clean dust off the top of your tall units again.
Choose retractable units
A second idea for maximising space in a kitchen is to choose clever units, such as our retractable unit systems with pocket doors. Just like the rest of the Santos range, the retractable units are available in a range of heights, widths and depths. The system, with doors that tuck away on either side of the unit, allows you to benefit from an extra worktop when the doors are open or to keep the kitchen looking tidy when they're shut.
To note, this system is also available to house your washing and drying machines.
Prioritise having drawers and pull-outs over cupboards
Another top space-saving tip is to opt for drawers and pull-outs in your base units instead of cupboards. This way, everything remains accessible and easy to see.
Your kitchen will be much more organised, and you’ll be able to find everything with a quick scan of the drawer, instead of having to rearrange your whole cupboard.
To get the most out of your drawers, we recommend structuring your drawer units in several tiers:
The first tier is dedicated to frequently used objects like cutlery, knifes and other kitchen utensils.
The second tier is for crockery and/or food. Organising systems can help here, such as those designed by Santos, who have developed modular storage systems for food or dishes.
Bigger items, like pots and casserole dishes, can then be stored on the third tier. The height of the drawer means that even bottles and cartons can be put away.
Add plinth drawer units
We've mentioned traditional drawers for maximising kitchen space, but have you heard of plinth drawers? If you've not, allows us to introduce you to this particularly smart idea, patented by Santos. This pull-out is found under the base units and replaces the plinth found in a traditional kitchen, giving you an extra storage space.
Go for full-capacity base units
In response to the constant need to optimise space, the 55cm-deep drawer has become the standard solution offered by Santos, and is an innovative space-saving solution. The drawers give you 10% extra usable surface when compared to the standard 50cm depth available on the market.
Of course, if this depth doesn't suit your kitchen space, you can still choose to have one of the four other depths offered by Santos. The pull-outs and drawers are available in widths ranging from 30cm to 120 cm, making them one of the most developed ranges on the market.
Organise the interior of your units
To really get the most out of your kitchen space and keep counters clear, every item in your kitchen needs a home inside your units.
Santos has developed a number of different accessories to help with this, such as cutlery holders, spice racks, integrated cutting and bread boards, multipurpose trays and even plate holders that, with repositionable wooden pivots and a humidity-resistant plywood base, enable you to organise dishes of all sizes.
Looking for more advice on how to maximise kitchen space? Take a look at our ideas for fitting out small kitchens, organising your drawers, or even fitting kitchens with islands.
