Designed by: west elm
As both an apartment dweller and also as a chronic organizer throughout my entire adult life, I’ve always been fascinated by getting the most out of the space I have to work with.
And I’m not the only one. According to The Freedonia Group, the $7.2 billion U.S. home organization product industry is set to grow at 3.6 percent annually through 2015. (Only a minute percentage will be from me.) When it comes to the home, Americans are increasingly looking to get more out of less. The National Association of Home Builders reports that in 2010 the median size of a new US home declined to 2,169 square feet, off its peak of 2,277 square feet in 2007. Aside from these numbers, small kitchens are garnishing more and more attention in the design world.
So if you’re thinking of downsizing or simply want to increase efficiency in your kitchen, like I do, below are a few ideas that will help you get the most from your kitchen’s footprint.
When it comes to cabinetry, Europeans always seem to have a leg up! Here, Poggenpohl’s Segmento line maximizes space by doing away with the traditional cabinet doors, instead neatly nesting drawers inside the larger pull-out.
Manufactured homes are hitting their stride! This entry model by Connect Homes employs a single-line kitchen design that maximizes space for the 640-square foot home. Note the laundry unit tucked under the counter—a great solution if you don’t have an extra room to spare. Or, check out this kitchen on Cultivate that houses laundry units in a nearby closet.
Not a lot of counter space? Go vertical with storage! These recycled glass vases from west elm can house different oils and vinegars, simultaneously adding a stylish design statement.
If you don’t have room for greenery in your kitchen but want a touch of the outdoors, design an indoor plant wall using modular containers. The space will feel organized and clean, and if the storage system is magnetic, like this version by Urbio, you can rearrange plants at whim.
How have you improved storage space in your kitchen?
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