Arranging a small kitchen doesn't have to be difficult. Even in a very limited space, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen. Where to start? How to furnish a small kitchen and what to keep in mind?

The best projects start with accurate room measurements. It's hard to plan cabinet placement when you don't know the exact dimensions of the space they will occupy. Grab a measuring tape and verify:

• Exact room dimensions – measured along the floor.
• Dimensions of each wall – taking into account existing alcoves, installation elements, and window and door openings.
• Height from the floor of elements such as the window sill, electrical outlets, and the like.

To make it easier, you can draw a floor plan of the room and each wall or take photos. Based on the measurements taken, you can start planning your new kitchen.

A small kitchen can be minimalist, but it can also be kept in a rustic or modern aesthetic. Browse inspirations online and decide which aesthetic appeals to you the most. Remember that:

• A small kitchen cannot be cluttered – so organized arrangements based on closed cabinets work better than those where most things are stored in plain sight.

• Arrangements based on two or three colors work well in a small kitchen. They don't have to be light shades at all costs – the important thing is that there aren't too many of them.

Every kitchen can be beautiful and functional – it's a matter of consistency and good planning. If you decide on a specific style, stick to it. Reach for kitchen accessories for a small kitchen from Pepco that match it, not items of a different aesthetic.

One of the most functional principles worth applying when arranging a small kitchen is the work triangle principle and the associated division into three zones:

1. The zone for supplies and storage.
2. The zone for meal preparation and washing up.
3. The cooking zone.

The supply and storage zone should include the refrigerator and furniture equipped with shelves, drawers, or cargo systems that will allow you to store all necessary supplies and items related to storage. This is also the place for all kinds of food and drink containers for a small kitchen and for various types of dishes and accessories. The meal preparation and washing up zone should include a sink and possibly a dishwasher, as well as a worktop for preparing meals. The cooking zone, on the other hand, requires a stove, a worktop, and possibly other appliances such as an oven or microwave.

The work triangle principle states that each of these zones is one vertex of a triangle. The distances between them should be neither too large nor too small. The details depend, of course, on the specific interior.

Depending on the shape of the room and its specifics, you can opt for various furniture arrangements – for example, in an L-shape, U-shape, or a single-row layout. Currently, in kitchen furniture studios, as well as from carpenters, you can order or buy furniture that allows for kitchen built-ins from floor practically to the ceiling or slightly lower.

On the one hand, tall furniture and full wall built-ins might seem overwhelming. On the other hand, full space utilization will provide a huge amount of storage space despite the small kitchen area.

To choose the number and type of cabinets, consider what exactly will be stored in them. Perhaps you have a minimalist approach and use only two pots and one pan? Or maybe you have a lot of dishes and want to find a place for all of them? Choose furniture for a small kitchen, paying attention to its ergonomics and functionality. Try to utilize every inch of space, but without an overwhelming effect – it's a good idea to choose upper cabinets that match the wall color, making them much more subtle.

Although cooking in a kitchen with a window is definitely more pleasant than in a windowless kitchenette, this architectural element can also be an obstacle in arranging the space. If the window is on the wall where you plan to build kitchen cabinets, consider creating a countertop that also serves as a window sill. If the window is on a side wall, you can place a table next to it or plan an extension of the kitchen countertop that will create a space for drinking coffee and eating meals.

Remember that the kitchen window should not be located right next to a gas stove. For other types of stoves, there are no similar recommendations, although during cooking and frying, splashing, steaming, and splattering can occur. If there is a window near the stove, it is easy to get it dirty, as well as any window decorations like curtains, drapes, or blinds.

Arranging a small kitchen can be a significant challenge, but a proper plan will help you avoid mistakes and choose the best style and furniture for your interior.