Internal kitchen in tenement flat- how to improve?
Hello everyone, I have a pretty common situation of an internal kitchen that’s been created to be adjacent to a living room in a tenement flat. I’m saving up to make improvements, which I have some ideas for but I feel there may be a genius idea out there I haven’t thought of or seen before.
Given the size of the kitchen, storage is obviously one issue, but I’d also like to make it feel less of a dismal cooking warren.
The improvements I’ve thought of:
- removing the lowered ceiling so cabinets can run higher up the right hand wall and there’s more of a feeling of space
- installing a bi-fold windowed door (in similar style to original Victorian doors in rest of flat)
- relocating the washing machine to a cupboard in the hall
- widening the doorway (I’ve seen some unconvincing cases of this so err on the side of not..)
In terms of decor, I like light and bright anyway so plan to get a Plykea (or similar) kitchen, bright flooring. Not sure what the best lighting is for internal kitchens, again to avoid dismal warren feel..
Any suggestions gratefully received!
Comments (14)
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Comments (16)My 2¢ worth: first of all replace the dark blinds with translucent cordless single cell blinds in ivory or off-white--they let light through and provide privacy + some insulation from cold or heat. Clean, crisp look.That alone will brighten up this space. #2: clear the counterspace!--so much clutter! Where to put all these appliances that get little daily use? Get yourself a ss 24x20 or larger cart on wheels (see Amazon.com--Seville classic ss cart) and store little used, bulky appliances on its shelves--and roll the cart into a nearby coat closet--out of sight and way-- to be wheeled back when needed or individually carried back as needed. 3#gorgeous blue tiled walls.Don't touch them. #4:Walls: keep as is if off-white--not same as trim white white.Just a fresh coat needed.To make it "disappear," paint the radiator the same color as the wall behind it. #5Keep the white trim white--looks bright and clean.Keep kitchen door white. You might want to stop here and make no further changes #6Cabinets: I like Gast pic above on right, but too much blue for your blue-tiled kitchen...IMO. I'd go cooler and lighter...consider the light gray of the beadboard in the Gast pic above right. Beautiful hue. Don't go for the white white everyone clamors for these days.Too stark for your kitchen and too contrasty with the blue tile, too country kitchenish. #7. cabinet hardware: Look like glass knobs in pics. Go for knobs/pulls like in the Gast pic above--or similar in pewter or ss, my preference. Those "modern" ss bar handles don't work with your cabinets. #8 the round table is not a good fit against the wall. Get a small sq or rectangular ss or butcherblock-top table for that spot. Chop off the top tier of your chairs to shorten....and match their tops as they are now so's won't appear to take up so much visual space and still remain comfy--don't replace w/ uncomfortable stools.Keep white. #9. Do away with wood valance over sink window.Too country. #10 Countertops--solid color Corian type or laminate--depends on budget--don't want busy stone textures of quartz, etc. Consider a medium value cool gray. (Or maple butcherblock?). Can't see color/texture of floor.... hope some of this helps. Good luck! lisianthus' pic tho nice is too busy-cutesy for your minimalist aims IMO...See MoreNeed help with stone wall
Comments (8)Well we live in a flat on the 4th floor in Edinburgh city. So we loved the thought of being able to expose the original stone walls of the flat. You can see from the pictures that we had it done for the kitchen and lounge. Since everything of ours are modern, the stone wall really brings an edge to the design. And in the lounge, we painted it the Farrow & Ball Downpipe which we think really sets it off next to the stone. Especially with the mouldings on the window, the lounge has become quite a grand looking space even without any furnishings. And we didn't even get to varnish the walls as we liked the way it looked now. There doesn't seem to be any problems with the dust coming off the walls....See MoreIs this kitchen to minimum or just right ???
Comments (37)It looks very good James. Even though as you say it was a clients design build, it works fine. Once the Island has stools it will fill it out better. Has that naked look at the moment. The position of the wine rack might cause issues but overall it looks like a really clean and fresh kitchen. Plenty of natural light and the colours compliment each other. The extractor is a nice feature too. Everyone has different opinions as I see on here but if the client is happy with it then job done. Looks really well fitted too.....well done :)...See MoreWin a design consultation at The permanent tsb Ideal Home Show!
Comments (74)Hello Houzz Ireland, We are currently renovating a 1960's build - so as you know, there is a lot of decisions to be made!! So it would be nice to get some gems of advice from the experts to help us through this daunting task. Areas where we would really like some inspiration for - small bathroom downstairs. I would really like to do something fun with this room and although small, I think it could work really well with some funky wallpaper or possibly tiles?! I'm just not sure what to do with it. Also - pulling a whole house together?! Where do we start? We have the bigger pieces of furniture but how do I know what nest of tables goes best with a suite? Or what accessories will bring a room together? I'm due a second baby in 2 weeks time so any help at this stage would be so amazing - to guide me on the right interior design path for our new house. Thanks, Laurie...See MoreBetty Pea
2 years agoIn case it's more helpful, this one shows the renovation that was done and where the stud and loadbearing walls, windows are, etc.
Betty Pea
2 years agoBetty Pea
2 years ago
rinked
2 years agoOh my, that's a lot of (upper) cabinet heights! One height would definitely help sooth the eyes, only the one with the extractor a bit higher up (pullout extractor).
I'd probably place the fridge in the livingroom, built in model, pullout larder next to it. And a slightly deeper countertop on the sink side, so the washing machine could have a door in front. Sink in 45cm unit, then corner unit with 45cm front, 60cm oven and then hob on a 80/90cm drawer unit. This will leave plenty space inbetween sink and hob for food preparation.
katlucy
2 years ago
kazzh
2 years agoWhen considering your upper cabinetry, it certainly looks like you would get more cupboard space by going to the ceiling. Sometimes the concern about doing this in a small space is that it could be more enclosing and visually crowd and shrink the space. A thought would be to have to the ceiling cabinets but a little slimmer so they aren't so deep that they close in the bench area.
Bench space is of a premium so maybe the upper cabinets could be made bespoke so that you could have an open shelf in the corner above the microwave, not square into the corner but angled to run across that corner, so you can lift the microwave off the bench. Keeping the bench clear could also be of benefit in your new kitchen, so hanging racks for utensils and spices that are close to the wall could be worth considering.
Others have suggested moving the fridge out but hmmm, not a fan of how that would go living with a kitchen half in the living area. Certainly search small kitchens for some design ideas and tips, sometimes it's amazing how well a well thought out kitchen can work in a small space with all the neccessary elements.
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