Creative Design Choices to Make the Most of Your Small Space

Heather Bernhard • November 5, 2020

Functional choices are more critical in the kitchen than in any other room of the house.

Creating a beautiful kitchen requires proper planning, time, and effort – and, of course, an eye for design. 

But when it comes to the heart of the home, style isn’t everything. Functional choices are more critical in the kitchen than in any other room of the house, especially when you’re working with a small space. Anyone who’s worked in a poorly designed kitchen knows this. 

When we first met John and Christine Mormile, they were seeking a more functional kitchen. As first-time home buyers, they purchased their traditional Cape Cod-style house knowing it would need renovation. 

Their biggest complaint? With everything jammed onto one wall, the kitchen felt closed-in and suffocating. 

This is what we did: 

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Just because your space is smaller doesn’t mean you can’t have the kitchen of your dreams. In fact, some of our favorite makeovers are smaller kitchens like Christine and John’s. They force us to get creative about making the limited amount of space work. 

“Our new kitchen feels like much bigger room with more space than it actually is.” 
– Christine Mormile

One of the most important things we’ve learned over the years is that lack of space doesn’t have to mean lack of style – or functionality. 

Designing a New Kitchen

When we first meet with a new client or prospect, we start with a series of questions to determine their wants and needs. For example: 

• “How do you use your kitchen? Cooking? Baking? Entertaining? Homework or business?”
• “What don’t you like about your current kitchen?” 
• “What would you want to see in your dream kitchen?” 

Many times, when a prospect contacts us, it’s out of frustration with their current kitchen. They want to know how they can make the space work. 

The Mormiles needed more storage and functionality out of their small space. They didn’t care about having an eat-in kitchen, but they did want to get rid of the outdated appliances.  

Like all clients, our initial discussion was all about finding solutions. 

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Before and after photos that show the drastic changes to the Mormile house.


Determining a Plan for Your Space


Determining a space plan, especially in a smaller kitchen, can be tough. It’s all about the best layout for functionality. When we’re determining the design, we come up with several different options for where everything can go to establish the best layout for the space.


This is the time for big-picture stuff: Are you moving doors? Knocking down a wall? Changing windows? 


It is NOT the time for detailing where the pots and pans will go, or what color the cabinets will be. 


Right from the start, we knew that the Mormiles wanted to close a doorway and add cabinets. Also on their wish list? A pantry, which is nearly unheard of in traditional Cape-style kitchens. 


We were able to make it all happen. 


Small Kitchen Tips


Once the design is determined, it’s time to think about the details. Working in a small kitchen can be fun if you’re willing to get creative. Here are some of our best tips for making the most of your space: 


• Use innovative storage solutions. Clutter makes a small space look even smaller. Organize your kitchen with storage solutions that make the room seem larger. Smart cabinets can be pulled out over a counter to store plates, spices, and other essentials. Lazy Susans, like the ones we installed in the Mormile kitchen, can easily hide pots and pans and small appliances. And little extras, like a magnetic knife strip, can keep the counter mess-free. 


• Use space wisely. For small kitchens, it’s important to make the most of every square foot. If you’re not a person who cooks a lot, you might consider swapping out your traditional four-burner stove for a small option. A double sink might look nice, but takes up a lot of space, while a farmhouse sink adds space by giving you more depth. 


• Use lighting to your advantage. Proper lighting can make any space look larger. Under cabinet lights, high hats in the ceiling, or even more access to natural light can open a space up. 


• Be smart about color. All-black kitchen are trending, but that’s one band wagon you don’t want to jump on if you have a smaller kitchen. Avoid dark colors that can make the room feel closed-off. Instead, use lighter shades and neutrals to open the area. 


Final Thoughts


A remodel is the perfect opportunity to get the kitchen of your dreams. A small space doesn’t mean that you’re limited in functionality or aesthetics. By incorporating the advice of a design professional, you can create a space that looks large – even if it isn’t. 


To learn more about kitchen remodels, call (732) 285-4467 or drop us a line. 

Mission Impossible: Space Planning When Spouses Have Different Styles

By Heather Bernhard • January 11, 2021
For spouses with different tastes, planning your living space may seem a challenge. Find out how by visiting Heart Kitchens of Holmdel, NJ online.

Home (Organization) for the Holidays

By Heather Bernhard • December 17, 2020
With the holiday season in full swing, you might be thinking about how to celebrate. Undoubtably, the holidays will look different this year. No matter what you’re doing, it’s likely a holiday meal is still on the agenda. And even if it’s just with the people in your same household, a large meal can wreak havoc on your kitchen. Even worse? If you’re the one in charge of cooking, you could easily spend the entire day over the stovetop, missing out on the gathering completely! Having a well-organized kitchen can help ensure your holiday efforts are executed flawlessly. In fact, your kitchen can even be a source of comfort and joy when intelligently designed. Getting it ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are our best tips: Maximize Storage When new clients call us, it’s often because they’re short on storage space and unable to work effectively in their kitchen. Finding creative ways to make the most of the space you’ve got is crucial, especially during the holidays. • Store flat items such as baking sheets and cutting boards vertically to maximize space • Place dry goods in glass canisters to make for an attractive display on open shelving • House small appliances, such as the toaster or blender, in the pantry to keep counters clear • Add function to the pantry and cabinets with shelf dividers, spice racks, or pull-out bins to increase accessibility and organization • Upgrade your refrigerator to a model with organization features such as adjustable drawers or a built-in wine rack

Laundry Room Renovations

By Heather Bernhard • November 19, 2020
An organized, expertly designed laundry room can make all the difference when performing this tedious routine. Find out more online at Heart Kitchens of Somerset, NJ today.

Kitchen Islands: The Heart of the Holidays

By Heather Bernhard • October 28, 2020
Whether Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas feast, a kitchen island is an invaluable asset during the holidays. Find out more by visiting Heart Kitchens of Holmdel, NJ online.

Kitchen Design Choices to Make Life Easier

By Heather Bernhard • August 21, 2020
Making your kitchen as functional and user-friendly as possible can significantly reduce stress for homeowners. Find out why by visiting Heart Kitchens of Holmdel, NJ online.

Have The Staycation Of Your Dreams With A New Outdoor Kitchen

By Heather Bernhard • August 5, 2020
Warm weather, a change of scenery, a chance to relax. There’s something irresistible about vacations. Whether you’re lazing by the ocean or dining under the stars, they’re a time of rest and renewal. But if your holiday plans got put on hold this year, you’re not alone. Instead of traveling, many people have chosen to take a staycation and enjoy time at home. This is where home improvements come into play! Jetting off to your favorite city might not be in the books – but recreating its ambiance at home is possible. Keep reading for our best tips on transforming your backyard into an environment that will rival any 5-star resort. Outdoor Kitchens When it comes to creating a relaxed vibe at home, an outdoor kitchen is our number one pick. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy dining alfresco – and creating a space for outdoor cooking is the perfect way to enjoy warm weather gatherings. Even better: Cooking outdoors means relieving your main kitchen (and the rest of the house) of built-up heat coming from the oven and stove. Not sure where to begin? Start with a grill and plenty of counter space for prepping and serving. Add a bar top where people can sit and chat for more of a “resort” feel. If you want to jazz things up a little, consider some unique appliances, like beer taps or a pizza oven. Most importantly, add a big outdoor table and other spots where you and your guests can gather for drinks and food! Here are some other tips to keep in mind: Recreate Your Favorite Destination Do you have a go-to vacation spot? Let it inspire the features and materials you choose for your outdoor kitchen! For example, mountain lovers might veer towards earthy colors and woodsy elements, like wood beams or a stone fireplace. A beach goer, on the other hand, might opt for blues and whites, a natural fiber rug, and some tropical greenery. No matter where you love to spend your downtime, take the time to get your design right for a real vacation-ready vibe. Create Space for Your Favorite Activities Part of a staycation is doing whatever you like to do, right from the comfort of your own home. Incorporate the things you enjoy into your outdoor dining area, whether that’s a tv to watch the big game or a shady nook for reading over a glass of wine. Are there little ones in the household? Consider adding an outdoor playset to the yard so the kids can have fun while the adults catch up. Safeguard Yourself from the Sun No matter where you live, the afternoon sun can be brutal – especially during the summer months. A shady structure, like a custom pergola, can create a comfortable area to sit and relax out of the sun’s harmful rays. Other options include canopies, umbrellas, and retractable shades. Create Privacy Depending on the size of your backyard and how close you are to the neighbors, you’ll likely want to add some privacy-creating features to your outdoor entertaining area. Bushes, hedges, and fences are great options to keep your entire backyard secluded in the long-term. If you opt to install a pergola or shades, those can do the trick as well. Choose Quality Furniture Bargain furniture from online discount retailers may look great on your screen, but if you want to entertain for years to come, it pays to invest in quality fixtures up front. Choose tables, chairs, and other fixtures that are made from outdoor-rated wood or polywood, which can last for decades and is easy to maintain. Final Thoughts 2020 has been a rough year for many reasons. Don’t let it throw your vacation off track! It’s still possible to have the getaway of your dreams, right from your own backyard. Need help deciding what outdoor kitchen options are right for you? Contact us today and let our design specialists help you out.