Kitchen Design/Small Spaces

As we look at places to live, mind you we live in 1,028 square feet with a laundry room, kitchen, dining area, living area, office area, bedroom, bath with tub and shower and two sinks, and large master closet.

We’ve a lovely skyline view and our loft is on the top floor. When I look at other places, however, condo-sized, I find different kitchen preferences so wanted to state mine as a cook and not a designer.

If you’re in an urban locale and have a small family or are w/o kids or are empty-nesters a loft may be the way to go.

I generally prefer a galley kitchen as it narrows my triangle and steps to get meals done. I prefer the sink(s) and prep area to have the view and the stove/oven to not have one if that’s what’s available. So many places have the stove facing the view with a big (inefficient as it only recycles air) vent above that impedes the view.

Prep and dishes suck up most of my time in the kitchen. Plus we have no pantry so I have to go to the laundry room for that extra bottle of olive oil or can of whole tomatoes. And the dog eats garbage so that is in the laundry/pantry as well.

Jim’s mother Margie has a large TX kitchen and hates islands so there’s a lot of room for her to bake her cakes and such but it takes more effort to move in her kitchen triangle.

In a very small kitchen without cohesive pantry access, I find it great to have high counters and a bar that hides the kitchen sink (i.e. dirty pots and pans) from guests in the dining room. It also allows guests on high stools to chat (or help, in a pinch) with the cook without interfering in a small space.

It’s especially good with kids because they’d like a job to do and if they’re old enough to sit on stools I can do that and get them juice without having them underfoot, for example turning the crank on a Donvier ice cream maker. Likewise the dog, who has learned more – is not perfect – at lying where she can see everything I’m doing without interfering. Jim eats his breakfast there (two eggs over medium, bacon or sausage, toast with pear butter, juice and tea). I stand and eat yogurt on the other side. Sorry love, to put you after the dog, this is free association.

Hope this helps. I’ve another few photos of essential equipment to get to you later on today or over the weekend. Happy Labor Day! Have a wonderful weekend grilling and getting ready for school. Dee