Our Small Cool Kitchens 2011 contest may be over (did you see the winners?) — but we're still enjoying the entries, looking through them again and again to find fresh inspiration and ideas.
Here are 10 pieces of kitchen design wisdom we found in Small Cool Kitchens 2011, trends and patterns that we noticed. Some are new observations; others are classic ideas, still going strong. From the power of pegboards, to the best improvement you can make in a kitchen — rented or owned — here are 10 smart things we learned from this year's smallest, coolest kitchens.
10 Things We Learned from Small Cool Kitchens 2011
1. White subway tile never, ever goes out of style.
White subway tile is a clean, classic kitchen choice, and this year's contest proved that it is still in vogue. Katherine, Kat, and Anisa all used it to great effect.
2. Sometimes, a place to sit is better than storage.
Both David and Kathleen could have squeezed a little extra storage into their kitchens, but instead they both opted for a petite dining space next to the window. What they sacrificed in storage they gained in coziness, and a little more time enjoying the kitchen.
3. Spend money on sunlight.
"I chose to spend my money on sunlight," said Christa in Berkeley, and we think that's just some of the best advice in kitchen design. Look for the place with sunlight. Natalie in Arizona also got a kitchen full of light, and she is smart enough keep it simple and just let all that light in.
4. Some sinks look good in a skirt.
Some sinks, like Lynn's Rental and Stephanie's Cottage, showed off cute sink skirts. A soft skirt can be prettier and feel more cozy than a cupboard, in some small kitchens.
5. When in doubt, go black and white.
In a bare, boring rental? Can't paint or tile? Go black and white — instead of looking bare, your kitchen will look chic, French, and minimalist. Christine and Caitlin did this to great success. James and Marguerite demonstrated this idea on a larger scale.
6. Never underestimate the power of the pegboard.
Need more storage in a tiny kitchen? Use the walls to their full potential. Julia Child popularized the utilitarian pegboard, and Brenna owes her and so does Christine.
7. Need more storage? Look up.
It's not just pegboards, though; the small kitchens in this contest worked hard to find more space. Lots of people used their walls very effectively. Caterina and Sylvia are just two of the people who used their walls to maximum advantage. I love Kristina's pot lids stored on the wall, too!
8. Look beyond the kitchen for storage.
Still not enough storage? Look outside the kitchen. Add a pretty cabinet to the dining room, like Lindsay, or wrap your cabinets all the way out into the living room, like Johanna.
9. Go glam! A chandelier or a splash of red can be sexy.
Look, it's a kitchen, and tomato sauce may be flying around, but let yourself enjoy a beautiful space. Who cares if you have to clean grease off a chandelier from time to time? These contestants showed us how enjoyable and sexy a glammed-up kitchen can be: Saundra, with her glittery tile; Preethi's sexy red and white Chennai kitchen; Ali's chandelier; Wendy's sleek, red-floored Vancouver kitchen.
10. It's all about the island.
Last but not least, let's get serious here. If there is just one major improvement to be made to a kitchen — owned or rented — it's got to be the island. Poorly laid out kitchens and bare kitchens alike can benefit from a creative, modular, movable island, chock-full of storage, and offering a little more counter workspace. My favorites this year were Alessandra's reclaimed bowling alley, Amanda's Southern-style butcher block (so perfect for her rental kitchen!), Grace's ultra-narrow island, and Amanda's custom piece for her rental kitchen.
Did you have any favorite tips or details from Small Cool Kitchens this year?
Related: Practical Solutions & Inspiration for Kitchen Improvement
(Images: All images via Small Cool Kitchens contestants)
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My kitchen is too small even for an island! The floorspace is 5ft x 5ft.
Some of these ideas are great though. I definitely want to try and use the up space in my kitchen, and as my kitchen is tiny but its window is huge, I know how much of a difference sunlight makes.
This is great. I love the black and white (we did our country house AND city apt in black and white. I'll definitely use the storage ideas as we continue fine tuning.
Great timing for us as I'm in the middle of the planning process for a kitchen reno. And white subway tiles has been my choice for a while - but lately I was doubting it's 'chic' factor ;) And yes, black and white always looks good - that's where we're heading ;)
What I learned is that you must be a neatnik and super organized if you have a small kitchen, especially with open shelving and pegboards.
If you are a slob, you'll need to hide all your stuff behind closed doors. Or, get rid of most of it.
11. Don't be afraid of bright colors in the kitchen.
@ synesthesiac
You could run glass shelves across the front of the windows and store glassware there. You will keep the light coming in and get extra storage. This idea was used in a retail space and worked great.
Oh my goodness, I LOVE the wall storage for pot lids... simple and brilliant.
I have a small kitchen, but my advice is this: If you aren't much of a cook and you live near grocery stores, don't feel bad for using kitchen space to store other things. I use my kitchen to store books and tools. It isn't wasted space if you use it for what you love.
Pegboard rules!! even in a garage. I swear that when we bought our second home, the wall to wall, floor to ceiling pegboard in the two car garage was the big selling point for my husband. He loves his 'man cave pegboard'.
Islands are a MUST. I will definitely need one when I purchase my first house. Also liked the pegboard idea!
Also, drawers, drawers, drawers for all lower cabinets, rather than standard hinged doors.
Fabulous post! We love the white subway tile, but as you can see here, the ones with the most bang are the smaller-sized-tile and the 3x6 with darker grout. We are seeing more and more of this - homeowners who want that timeless look, but with a bit more interest. Non-standard sizes and grout contrast are great ways to do that.
It looks fabulous right now but I'm betting you'll pronounce subway tile is dated before ten years have gone by, and it will be on to the next thing. Love your winning small cool kitchen BTW--it's just a great mix of elements.
I love subway tiles because I can still keep the tons of white look I love but add some different texture and shine to the wall but the BF is a carpenter/contractor guy and can't understand the appeal. He thinks it's somewhat cheap, rather do natural stone all the way.
I recently did new construction and opted for more storage and a huge kitchen island. I was very aware that I was giving up the option for an eating nook. It was a touch decision that I don't regret but I find myself drooling at lovely little eat in tables all the time.
My most important move was to get rid of or relocate items that are used infrequently.
I love slow cooked meals, but rarely make them -- so I banished the slow cooker to my storage closet.
I adore my matching red ramekins, but only really bring them out for dinner parties -- off to the laundry room, along w/ the extra wine glasses, cheese serving platter and fondue pots.
If you're a regular cook and have an item you don't use on a weekly (or monthly) basis, it probably doesn't need to be in the kitchen.
Cant understand "real" curtains in the kitchen. What about the grease, unless you have a very powerful exhaust system.
I don't have an exhaust system and have curtains. They are white, cotton and several years old. They've held up remarkably well.
Great recap post. Love the island, glam kitchen and subway tiles.
I feel like "real" curtains are much easier to clean than blinds or other window coverings for the simple reason that I can throw them in the wash.
I don't have an exhaust system and mine are fine but my windows aren't right above my range. I also don't deep fry or other things that may create my grease than usual and don't make dinner every night (but do make breakfast every day).