Kitchen/dining dilemma

3 years ago

We moved into the house two years ago, and although square footage wise we have a lot space we're struggling to organise kitchen diner... The kitchen itself (not my type but we can't afford a new one at the minute) is very limited in space - 4 cupboards are taken over by appliances. I have two small children so storage is very important!
Recently we rearranged furniture and the dining part of the kitchen looks really bear... I'd be very grateful for any ideas on how to increase the storage, on the budget whilst keeping the space open and airy...?
(we used to have a sideboard there but it quickly became a dumping ground so we moved it)
Please ignore pictures on the wall, they are waiting to be relocated :)

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just_ka
Original Author

3 years ago

I know but in my defence they all house the stuff I use on a regular basis but still too big to fit anywhere else in ;)
I think we might get some cupboards from IKEA and paint them (similar to picture below)... they can actually fit quite a lot of stuff ( I checked as got one in a garage ;) ) and hopefully that will help us declutter the worktops and get rid off those boxes... plus we'll have space to turn the wall into something more interesting ;)

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Comments (14)

Daisy England
3 years ago
Have you got space for a couple of larder units? You could even reduce the depth from the normal 600mm to less so it suits your space. I have all my tins and packets stored in one larder unit. Can’t believe how much they hold.
just_ka
Original Author
3 years ago
I never thought about larder units to be honest. I dismissed them as always presumed that they wouldn't go with the rest of the kitchen. Might be something to look into though, thank you :)
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arc3d
3 years ago
Hard to tell how much space you have without a floor plan, but I would say you have enough space to pull the table towards the kitchen and then have floor to ceiling units across the whole corner, from the radiator to the opening.
Ellie
3 years ago
I would pull your table out so that you can access all chairs freely, possibly turn the table round 90 degrees.
just_ka
Original Author
3 years ago
It usually is like that but at the minute I have a desk in the corner (working from home) and I completely forgot to move it as it was...
Sonia
3 years ago
You have a similar kitchen to me so I understand your pain about lack of storage! Mine is galley style but even the units are similar. I have a small pantry which has a sharply sloping roof under the stairs, so not ideal but it holds a lot. I too have a sideboard which stores all my baking and “entertaining stuff”. I think you could fit in more storage where the table is. It could me more units or it could be a stand alone pantry unit. I think a navy or graphite grey one would look great or you could carry on with the white/cream of your current units. I think, and please don’t be offended, you have too much stuff out on the worktops which increases the feeling of clutter, sorry! Here’s some ideas of possible standalone storage. Even budget companies like Howdens are doing them.
just_ka
Original Author
3 years ago
Not offended at all Sonia :) Pain of my life but lack of storage space means that it's just handy to have some stuff, especially now when I'm stick at home. We haven't got utility so that's a pain as well, I keep some stuff in the garage but not really practical at the minute.
I don't think those tiles help (hate them), but the colour and a style of my kitchen units are quite limitating... Plus we have an extension so it's very dark in there :(
I love the larder. units (especially blue ones) but never thought they'd go with the style of the kitchen.
I also started to think about bench/storage combination (see photo attached) but it's finding the matching cupboards on the budget that I'm struggling with.
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi, I don’t think you have to match the extra storage to the kitchen exactly. My sideboard is natural country pine and my units are glossy pale cream but I think it still works. Re your tiles, you can get stickers to put over your tiles to take away the stark black and white. Not sure how hardwearing it is but probably okay for a while. Etsy sell loads of them.
PRO
Sara Slade Interiors
3 years ago
Forgetting about storage for a minute. I think your wall behind your dining table and chairs you could make a feature of. Take down the two pictures and clock that are currently there. Purchase some bigger artwork around 50 x 70cm, and get a bigger clock. It'll make a huge difference. Desenio sell cheap art prints.
just_ka
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Sara, funny you say that I have already got few posters ready to be hung, just didn't want to do anything until I have a clear picture in my mind... These pictures are only there to hide screws after the previous owner and since we got them after we moved in, it was just easier to out them on an empty wall, sad and embarrassing really :)
PRO
Sara Slade Interiors
3 years ago
Will look great there once you have your prints up. Also I know you said you are short on space but the boxes you have on top of your kitchen cabinets make the space feel cluttered, I'd consider removing them off the top and keeping that space above your cupboards clear :)
Sonia
3 years ago
Great idea!
just_ka
Original Author
3 years ago
I'm glad you like it :)