Kitchen Trends For London's Busy Lifestyles

At home in the city, it’s no secret that space is a valuable commodity - we often wish we had more! Designing a kitchen for a studio, flat, or smaller home that is practical but still shows personality becomes trickier with limited storage and space. 

In our London kitchen showrooms,we bring every type of kitchen to life, whether you’ve got ample space or are a little more restricted.  Whether you’re redesigning, updating or revamping a city kitchen, understanding how to make the most out of  your space and make it look good is a creative challenge. 

Read on to discover our essential small kitchen ideas and designs that are perfect for any smaller space.

Small Kitchen Layouts: How To Make the Most of Your Space

Keep Kitchen Zones In Mind

When we design a kitchen, we designate different zones for each individual task: 

• Food prep zone - home to chopping boards, knives and other tools to prepare ingredients when cooking.
• Cooking zone - the oven, hob, microwave, kettle, and any other appliances you may have.
• Cleaning zone - your sink, dishwasher, bins, and storage for any cleaning products.
• Non-consumables storage zone - where you stash your plates, cups, mugs, and other eating and cooking utensils.

A kitchen designed with zone layout in mind stops you having to run around your kitchen and reduces stress whilst cooking. These zones are flexible, just like our kitchen design, and act as a good starting point when considering small kitchen design, as they help you maximise efficiency.

Consider The Kitchen Triangle

The kitchen triangle rule exists to encourage productivity and streamline your kitchen processes. It connects the cooker, sink, and fridge. A clear understanding of how your kitchen will be used needs to be at the core of your design decisions. Your kitchen's features will be determined on your household’s requirements -for example, worktop height or storage options would be based on what you use most in the kitchen, what activities take place there, and your height. 

If you find yourself baking or preparing food in your kitchen, then we’d strategically place the counter tops at a comfortable height to eliminate any strain on your back or shoulders and place your most used tools nearest to your preparation station. Ergonomics are essential when considering small kitchen ideas and designs, so your space is not only functional, but enjoyable to use.

The Best Small Kitchen Designs

Narrow Kitchen: Small Galley Kitchen Idea

If you are looking for inspiration for a small galley kitchen, opt for your wall cabinets to be tall and slim, and choose compact or built-in appliances. This not only maximises the space you have, but creates the illusion of a bigger space in general, which you can then make look even bigger with a mirrored backsplash.

In a compact galley kitchen, the ideal layout is the triangle, ensuring that the oven, fridge, and sink are evenly spaced from each other. Make sure to consider where your other zones will fit, and potentially opt for glass-fronted cabinets to create an airy feel while displaying plates and glasses.

One Wall Kitchen: Compact Kitchen Idea

The one wall kitchen, or single wall kitchen, stands out as the smallest option of kitchen layout, but it doesn't need to be limiting when it comes to design. This cosy small kitchen idea cleverly plays with cabinet colours, layering two-tone cabinetry, and to create a bigger impact, go big with a statement wall. 

The brilliance of the one-wall kitchen is that it perfectly aligns the fridge, sink, and oven into a single area. To avoid overwhelming the room, you could leave some space between wall cabinets and introduce open shelves for a lighter feel. For additional storage, make sure you utilise tall cabinets, and potentially opt for a pull-out pantry for dry food storage.

Small Kitchen Ideas: L Shaped Kitchen Layouts

L-shaped kitchens are simple, flexible, and adapt easily to practical needs and design preferences. L shaped kitchens are not limited to space - they can be used for large open-plan kitchen layouts as well as being ideal for more compact spaces. 

The L-shape is perfect for smaller kitchens, concentrating storage and appliances neatly, making the entire kitchen seem more spacious. Light-coloured cabinets and well-placed lighting team up to give the illusion of a more open space, so your kitchen space doesn’t feel too enclosed. And you don’t have to go with white either - pale neutrals and a complementary colour can accentuate parts of your space to draw attention to.

Compact Kitchen Storage: Add Pull Out Organisers

Smart storage isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity for compact city kitchens. Each cupboard, cabinet, and drawer is carefully planned to be a useful space, kept out of sight from busy everyday activities but filled with practical features. 

An organised kitchen is an easy-to-use one, it’s why storage is a large factor in your kitchen’s design. Our expert storage partners—Kessebohmer, Gollinucci, Konfigure, and Blum— understand that it’s about turning the constraints of smaller city kitchens into opportunities for clever design. 

Corner pull-outs, oil and spice pull-outs, integrated wine fridges, and dedicated wine pull-outs aren’t just conveniences, but smart ways to maximise the utility of every inch in your kitchen. If you don't have room for a big pantry, try a pull-out larder. It's a smart way to get enough storage without needing a whole pantry room. A roll-out pantry cabinet works well for storing dry goods. Check out our article to help you organise your pantry space for more helpful tips!

Choosing Easy-Clean Finishes that Withstand Wear and Tear

Easy clean kitchen finishes have become a staple in modern interior design. The search for solutions that offer functionality whilst being aesthetically pleasing has led to a range of options, especially in small kitchens.

Non-porous surfaces remove the fears of stains in your kitchen. Quartz and marble repel liquids and make certain that spills and accidents aren’t a worry and can be wiped away easily. These finishes are scratch and dent resistant, they will stay vibrant long after your kitchen has been installed. 

Investing in superior materials gives homeowners the potential to own a kitchen that mesmerises with its beauty whilst providing the most important aspect of all, durable function. To discover more about these easy-clean finishes and other finer details of our kitchen designs, get in touch with our team, or book a consultation in one of our stunning kitchen showrooms.

Sleek and Innovative Appliances for Modern Living

We live in a world of technology, and that doesn’t stop at kitchen design! So what better way to upgrade your small city kitchen than with intelligent, space and time saving appliances?

Smart appliances, such as smart fridges, offer features like inventory tracking or expiry updates, reducing your food waste. Similarly, some dishwashers can be set to run in off-peak energy hours, encouraging energy efficiency in your home. 

The ability for your kitchen to connect with your phone offers a wealth of new capabilities in modern kitchen design. Integration with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant gives more opportunity of control in your home, making multitasking a doddle. The ability to preheat your oven whilst in the bath, or getting a notification when your roast is cooked to perfection, undeniably gives the essence of a high-tech future of kitchens.

Storage For Small Kitchens

Pull-out larders trump cupboards for accessibility, ensuring every inch of your kitchen is put to good use. Pull out bins are practical for recycling, and can be conveniently stashed in a base cabinet near the backdoor for regular and easy disposal. 

Deep, wide drawers are the no-nonsense answer for cookware, letting you tuck away bulky pots and pans. The double drawer design keeps lids separate in a shallow drawer, and the deeper one accommodates pots flat to prevent damage. 

Use either horizontal or vertical cabinet dividers to store baking sheets and narrow pans. You can simply slide each one out of its individual slot instead of having to sort through a haphazard stack.

Compact Kitchens: Install Integrated Appliances

Living in the hustle and bustle of the city calls for a kitchen design that match the fast-paced lifestyle. Integrated appliances are making waves for their multitasking features, vented hobs, Quooker taps, air fryers, and steam cookers - they're changing how we cook at home. Upgrade your kitchen experience with integrated appliances, including ovens, hobs or ranges, fridges, washing machines or dishwashers, and more from our trusted partners: Bosch, Miele, Neff, Siemens, Sub-Zero, and Wolf.

Imagine having a hidden dishwasher in the base cabinet, keeping your kitchen counter tidy and making it look neat. A modern extractor fan can be hidden in the worktop, to keep the air clean without messing up your kitchen's look. Match your ovens to the same height as your cabinets for a smooth and put-together look, even in small city spaces.

Hide your fridge and freezer behind cabinet doors at the end of your kitchen, adding open shelves for dishes – it looks nice and catches your eye. Create a tall wall of cabinets that hides your fridge-freezer and boiler, a smart way to keep things in order and make your kitchen look tidy.

Small Kitchens: Connected Kitchen with Smart Appliances

We live in a world of technology, and that doesn’t stop at kitchen design! When you’re considering small city kitchen design ideas, step into the future with a connected kitchen that harnesses the power of AI. Smart appliances redefine kitchen technology; preheat your oven from anywhere and even livestream your cooking - the opportunities are endless. 

Smart appliances, such as smart fridges, offer features like inventory tracking or expiry updates, reducing your food waste. Similarly, some dishwashers can be set to run in off-peak energy hours, encouraging energy efficiency in your home. The ability for your kitchen to connect with your phone and integrate with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant gives more opportunity for control in your home, making multitasking a doddle. 

Still Unsure about Kitchen Design Options? 

Ensuring you get everything you want out of your small kitchen is essential, so for extra inspiration and help with your new kitchen design, get in touch with Life Kitchens today. 

We’re experts in designing kitchens big and small, and would love to chat about your small kitchen design ideas over a relaxed cup of coffee. 

Request a brochure or book an appointment at either of our Wimbledon or Waterloo showrooms to speak to one of our friendly and hard-working kitchen design team.