The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. It's where we cook our meals, gather around the table with our family and friends, and store our food. So it's no surprise that many people choose to renovate their kitchens when they move into a new apartment.
But renovating a kitchen can be a daunting task, especially if you don't have much space to work with (shrinking apartment sizes in Kuala Lumpur!)
There's no denying that there are additional space and utility constraints (positioning of Kitchen sinks for example) that exists in apartments (compared to landed homes). Below are things I considered in order to overcome or minimise these constraints.
When renovating my kitchen, the first thing I asked myself was: How often do I cook? The answer: Not often. In fact, I'd say I cook maybe once a week. So the first decision I made was to get rid of the built-in oven, replacing it for a loose one for flexibility and additional countertop space.
When I do cook, it may well be when I'm hosting or entertaining. Therefore the hob/ stove location may also be more visible from the common space like Dining area or even Living room.
Looking at the meals that is prepared in my Kitchen also removed the need the age-old need for separated Dry and Wet Kitchen.
I know what you're thinking – I don't have the space to renovate my kitchen into two separate rooms, one for dry goods and one for wet goods. And you're absolutely right – you don't. But does that mean that you can't have a dry and wet kitchen in your apartment? Absolutely not.
Even if you have sufficient space for 2 Kitchens, it's not all positive from there. Having to delegate where different types of washing is going to happen, or designate where certain types of kitchenware are kept requires additional organisation (and memory), which could also mean additional clutter and areas to clean.
Moving on, it's time to choose between a kitchen island, peninsular, or no kitchen island at all. For those who are unfamiliar with these terms, a kitchen island is a piece of furniture that sits in the center of the kitchen and has cabinets and/or drawers on it. A peninsular is similar to an island, but it sits against one wall of the kitchen and atypically has a sink and stovetop.
There are pros and cons to each option. A kitchen island can provide extra counter space, but takes up more space as you need walking room on all 4 sides, and may not be big enough for all your appliances.. A peninsular can be more convenient, but it can also be a hassle to move around. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference.
If you don't want to commit to a bigger renovation, a peninsular allows easier access to utilities (since it's next to a wall) which means you can have a sink or more electrical sockets.
When it comes to renovating kitchen in a small apartment, the kitchen work triangle is essential. It basically outlines the path between your refrigerator, stove, and sink; this triangle should be free of obstacles to ensure that you can move freely around the room.
My rule of thumb? Pick two out of three; if you’re limited on space, then you need to prioritize which two features you want in close proximity and place them at each point of the triangle. Sure, it’s not as glamorous as your dreams of two refrigerators and a dishwasher in your kitchen—but hey, it’s better than having to do a crane-style spin every time you whip up your signature breakfast omelette.
After all, they're just a couple of footsteps away from each other and not end of the world even if all of them are on there same row.
For a lot of people, the kitchen is the heart and soul of their home. It's a place to nourish and nurture, but also to have fun and be creative. Sure, it needs to have all the necessary tools for cooking, but it's also good to leave some room for frivolity. Don't forget that this room is where you create culinary masterpieces, so give yourself permission to get creative with details.
Whether it's an epic tile backsplash or bold paint colors, don't be afraid to bring out your inner artist while renovating your kitchen. There are plenty of materials in the market that looks pretty and yet durable to sustain the workload that goes on in the kitchen.
As with everything else in the apartment, practicality is important but how it looks it also not mutually exclusive. It can co-exist and I've also certainly seen Kitchen or apartments that are not practical and looks bad at the same time.
