1. POOR DRAWER PLACEMENT
It’s vital to get into the detail of a narrow kitchen to avoid errors, including where the drawers are. ‘One of the biggest mistakes I see in narrow kitchens is not taking into account cabinetry drawer placement,’ says interior designer Kara Grimes, principal designer at Haus Grimes.
2. IGNORING DOOR SWING
Another error that comes from not considering how kitchen storage is opened is ignoring the requirements for cabinet doors. ‘Failing to account for door swing creates obstacles and potential collisions with kitchen cabinets, appliances, or people moving through the space,’ says Jay Sanders, a licensed contractor and the owner of Castle Dream Construction, a home remodeling company in Baltimore, MD.
3. FAILING TO ALLOW FOR TWO PEOPLE
Failing to plan for more than one person to use a narrow kitchen at one time can be a mistake. Especially as even if you live alone, it's likely at some point more than one person will be in your kitchen.
4. IMPROPERLY SIZED APPLIANCES
Don’t fall for kitchen appliances that aren’t made for rooms that are narrow – however desirable they seem. ‘If you have a narrow kitchen opt for a counter-depth refrigerator so it is flush with the countertop,’ says Kara Grimes. ‘This will save you several inches and ensure the doors can fully open.’
5. UNDERESTIMATING CABINET DEPTH
For a narrow kitchen that’s easier to move around in and that feels bigger to boot, it’s worth considering cabinet depth. ‘Installing standard depth cabinets in an already narrow space further constricts movement and can create an overwhelming feeling of enclosure,’ says Jay Sanders. ‘It results in cramped working areas, difficulty accessing deeper cabinet contents, and a claustrophobic atmosphere.'
6. OPTING FOR STANDARD HEIGHT WALL CABINETS
Kitchen wall storage is important in a small narrow kitchen, and opting for upper cabinets at a standard height is another frequent error in narrow kitchens. ‘One way to make your kitchen feel bigger is to incorporate taller upper cabinets if you have the height for it,’ says Kara Grimes. ‘This will make your kitchen feel less cramped and draw the eye up, making it feel a little more spacious.’
7. NEGLECTING TO LIGHT EVERY AREA
A good narrow layout can be let down by inadequate kitchen lighting. ‘Relying solely on overhead lighting creates dark corners and shadows, making the space feel even smaller and hindering visibility during tasks,’ says Jay Sanders. ‘It can also create eye strain, difficulty with food preparation, and a gloomy atmosphere.