Kitchen Tour: A Family Space That’s Airy Yet Packed With Storage
Creating an uncrowded feel while ensuring there were plenty of cabinets was the challenge in this modest kitchen-diner
Sarah Alcroft
2 January 2022
Houzz UK Editorial Team
This Victorian terraced house had the classic layout of two reception rooms and a kitchen squeezed into the outrigger at the back, which wasn’t ideal for the family of four. The décor had seen better days, too, with the kitchen units on their last legs.
Extending into the side return and opening up the dining room to the kitchen created a much more useable space, but the owners weren’t sure how to kit it out so it felt airy and Scandi-minimal, but was super-functional at the same time. Read on to see how interior architect Ruth Milne’s design skills and space planning helped them create their perfect family-friendly kitchen-diner.
Extending into the side return and opening up the dining room to the kitchen created a much more useable space, but the owners weren’t sure how to kit it out so it felt airy and Scandi-minimal, but was super-functional at the same time. Read on to see how interior architect Ruth Milne’s design skills and space planning helped them create their perfect family-friendly kitchen-diner.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here? A couple with two young children
Location The St James Park area of Walthamstow, north-east London
Property A small Victorian terrace
Kitchen-diner dimensions Around 26 sq m
Interior architect Ruth Milne of Studio Milne
Architect Matthew Brumby of Pennington Phillips
Photos by Alexandria Hall
Who lives here? A couple with two young children
Location The St James Park area of Walthamstow, north-east London
Property A small Victorian terrace
Kitchen-diner dimensions Around 26 sq m
Interior architect Ruth Milne of Studio Milne
Architect Matthew Brumby of Pennington Phillips
Photos by Alexandria Hall
Before Photo
As well as being small, the old, white kitchen was pretty tatty. “It probably wouldn’t have lasted another year,” Ruth says.
The new kitchen is in birch ply, which kept the pale palette but brought in warmth and natural texture. “We did our garden office (which is on my Houzz profile) in birch ply and we love it; it’s a very relaxing space to be in,” Ruth says. “That’s inspired me to bring ply into other people’s homes.
“I’m doing more and more kitchens [using wood],” she continues. “I think we’re moving towards natural materials and showing them for what they are, rather than covering them up.”
On the left of the sink run is a fridge-freezer, then a dishwasher, an undersink cupboard, and a pull-out bin. “The washing machine was always in the first floor bathroom,” Ruth says. “That was a huge help in terms of space-saving – we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this layout if we’d had to include a washer-dryer.”
“I’m doing more and more kitchens [using wood],” she continues. “I think we’re moving towards natural materials and showing them for what they are, rather than covering them up.”
On the left of the sink run is a fridge-freezer, then a dishwasher, an undersink cupboard, and a pull-out bin. “The washing machine was always in the first floor bathroom,” Ruth says. “That was a huge help in terms of space-saving – we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this layout if we’d had to include a washer-dryer.”
The owners had a limited budget, so the kitchen carcasses are Ikea with standard Plykea fronts. The worktops and splashback are crisp white quartz.
Worktop and splashback, Silestone.
Worktop and splashback, Silestone.
Ruth has kept the area above the sink free of wall units. “Even though we were tight for space, it felt quite important to have the shelf above the sink area, so it felt open,” she says.
The shelves are also made from birch ply. A routed-out channel under each one contains an LED strip for a soft glow at night.
Need some help transforming your kitchen? Find reviewed kitchen designers in your area and see photos of their previous projects.
Need some help transforming your kitchen? Find reviewed kitchen designers in your area and see photos of their previous projects.
A second shelf runs right along the bank of units opposite the sink. “I love the open shelves,” Ruth says. “An open shelf means you can give it your own personality.”
The spherical wall and pendant lights are elegant and unobtrusive, giving the plants centre stage. “They’re lovely, simple lights,” she says.
Pendant and wall lights, Dyke & Dean.
The spherical wall and pendant lights are elegant and unobtrusive, giving the plants centre stage. “They’re lovely, simple lights,” she says.
Pendant and wall lights, Dyke & Dean.
Key to the balance of having an airy, uncrowded space but with lots of storage is this run of cabinets. “It wouldn’t have worked unless we’d banked out that wall with storage,” Ruth says. “The family even use the space under the bench for kitchen things; they like to be quite neat.”
When the plans were first drawn up, there was a bigger nib here (between the old and new sections). Ruth worked with the architect to make that as small as possible, so she could fit in a long run of cupboards. These are wall rather than base cabinets, so they’re slimmer.
“We had to push the nib back as far as we could, so we could sail across it with shallow storage,” she says. “It wouldn’t have worked with 600mm base units – there wouldn’t have been enough space around the island.”
When the plans were first drawn up, there was a bigger nib here (between the old and new sections). Ruth worked with the architect to make that as small as possible, so she could fit in a long run of cupboards. These are wall rather than base cabinets, so they’re slimmer.
“We had to push the nib back as far as we could, so we could sail across it with shallow storage,” she says. “It wouldn’t have worked with 600mm base units – there wouldn’t have been enough space around the island.”
The worktop on the long run is Formica on ply rather than quartz. “It’s a softer option than the Silestone to give this area less of a kitchen feel,” Ruth says.
Worktop, Plykea.
Worktop, Plykea.
Before Photo
The old dining room was ready for a refresh.
The dining area now benefits from the open-plan layout, with plenty of light and a good view of the garden. In this photo, it’s clear how much of a difference building into the side return has made. It’s not a massive extra area, but it’s transformed the flow and functionality of the space for the family.
The flooring is engineered oak herringbone parquet with underfloor heating.
Akari pendant light (above dining table), Isamu Noguchi for Vitra. Engineered oak Zigzag flooring in Nordic Beach, V4 Flooring.
You might also enjoy What You Need to Know About Underfloor Heating.
The flooring is engineered oak herringbone parquet with underfloor heating.
Akari pendant light (above dining table), Isamu Noguchi for Vitra. Engineered oak Zigzag flooring in Nordic Beach, V4 Flooring.
You might also enjoy What You Need to Know About Underfloor Heating.
It’s possible to see from the front of the house right to the back of the garden now, but the team also fitted folding doors between the living and dining rooms. “They’re to make the living room a bit cosier when the family just want to sit and watch TV and feel snug,” Ruth says.
The couple like to entertain and having their record collection to hand was important, so Ruth left space at the dining room end of the long cabinet run for their Vitsoe shelving.
The couple like to entertain and having their record collection to hand was important, so Ruth left space at the dining room end of the long cabinet run for their Vitsoe shelving.
The island isn’t huge, but it still offers both storage and a seating area. “Because of the width of the room, we could only have cabinets on one side,” Ruth says, “but there’s still good storage, including cutlery and spice drawers.” The birch bar stools tie in nicely with the units.
So Ruth could avoid fitting an overhead extractor, which would have blocked sightlines, she chose an induction hob with an integrated downdraft extractor, which has been vented through the floor.
Norraker bar stools, Ikea. Induction hob with extractor, Bora.
So Ruth could avoid fitting an overhead extractor, which would have blocked sightlines, she chose an induction hob with an integrated downdraft extractor, which has been vented through the floor.
Norraker bar stools, Ikea. Induction hob with extractor, Bora.
Before, the house had the classic outrigger layout, which made for a fairly narrow kitchen.
The new layout is a much more functional space.
A patio was laid when the house was extended, with the flush join making it a great indoor-outdoor space. The doors are slide and pivot, which fold back fully and have slim frames. “They’re good for smaller openings, as they slide completely out of the way,” Ruth says.
Unsurprisingly, the family love their new space, remarking that Ruth came up with “designs and ideas for a beautiful home that we could never have created ourselves”.
Slide & Pivot doors, Sunseeker.
Tell us…
What do you like about this kitchen-diner? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Unsurprisingly, the family love their new space, remarking that Ruth came up with “designs and ideas for a beautiful home that we could never have created ourselves”.
Slide & Pivot doors, Sunseeker.
Tell us…
What do you like about this kitchen-diner? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Related Stories
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Home With a Strong Indoor-outdoor Link
By Becky Harris
A nature-inspired renovation has given this ranch house a relaxed mood and a connection to the outdoors from most rooms
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Room Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Bare Roof Terrace Becomes a Pretty, Sociable Space
By Kate Burt
A retired couple got help transforming their large rooftop into a gorgeous, welcoming, multi-functional retreat
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Smart Layout and Genius Storage in a Victorian Home
Flipping the standard layout and carving out excellent storage have turned this tired house into a brilliant family home
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Victorian House Brought Impressively Up to Date
By Jo Simmons
A cohesive layout and warm colours combined with energy-efficiency measures thoroughly modernise this terraced home
Full Story
Kitchen Tours
Kitchen Tour: An Open, Airy Space Made for Entertaining
Combining two separate rooms has improved flow and created a sociable open-plan kitchen, dining and seating space
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Family Home Inspired by its Seaside Location
Coastal colours and practical design combine to create a house that will adapt as the family grows
Full Story
Kitchens
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: An Airy, Scandi Finish for a Tall Victorian House
By Kate Burt
From a tricky inherited bath to a sticky-out staircase, on-site problem-solving led to a seamless update for an old home
Full Story
Little Jem re losing side access. I doubt they lost any access as, apart from an end terrace house, there isn't any in the first place! The side return is just a space between the back living room, kitchen and boundary fence; there is no through way to the front. Yes, this is far from ideal as everything has to come through the house, but that is how a great many people live - it is far from unusual in the UK.
Hats off to the designers on this project - they have created a pleasant, light-filled and practical space.
@moorlikeit: Yes, you're right about the middle-terrace properties, and I've been inside many houses like this. (Not convenient, but there is often a back alleyway, too, giving access to the rear.) When we were house-hunting 7 years ago, we were looking for a detached property, and found many that were perfectly lovely houses, but had been extended so far to the side that there was no way of getting round to the back. And sometimes, there was barely enough room to park a car in the front ! Such a shame ...
Love the light, fresh result - and they actually seem to have greenery in the garden! For some unknown reason I adore that folding door!