30 Tips for Small Kitchens

Small kitchens can be just as efficient and stylish as regular-sized ones, provided they are well-designed and equipped with clever storage solutions. We approach experts who know these compact cookspaces best – food-truck businesses, chefs, and interior designers – for tips on maximising every inch. Plus, we give you a round-up of the best compact and multipurpose appliances around, so you can do more, with less.

- Eliza Hamizah

1. THINK THROUGH YOUR WORK FLOW

Luan Ee of Kerbside Gourmet aims to raise the quality of street food with a menu that includes burgers, pastas and stews – in a 95.8sqf rectangular galley kitchen. To use the space efficiently, she organises the kitchen into two main areas, according to their work processes. The hot cooking area, which includes the grill top, deep fryer, induction stove and baking oven, is on one side of the truck, and the bottom chiller is on the opposite side. “We grill the patties and fry the potatoes first, and then assemble the burger on the countertop above the chiller, where we keep our slaw and relishes,” she explains.

2. CATEGORISE YOUR TOOLS

Minimise walking about the kitchen by categorising tools and ingredients according to usage – keep knives near chopping boards, condiments and seasonings within easy reach from the stove, and baking tools by the counter.

3. OPT FOR BUILT - INS

Instead of using your limited counter space for appliances such as a bulky oven, opt for a built-in oven – even better if it is multifunctional and includes steaming and grilling functions!

4. REDUCE CLUTTER WITH BOXES

A cluttered kitchen not only makes it difficult to find what you need, but also looks cramped. Luan advises: “Pack the items that you would use at the same time in one designated box, so finding them will be faster. Separate items by their size, as you’ll have a hard time spotting a small item that has been packed among larger ones.”

5.SEPARATE YOUR WORKLOAD