As individuals, we’re inclined to seek just the right amount of something. Never too big, never too small, not too bright and not too dark. It’s called the Goldilocks Principle and refers to the concept of something falling within an optimal – or desirable – range. The principle also crops up in kitchen design, ensuring that a room works ‘just right’ whatever its size.

Small but mighty

The beauty of a more compact space is its ability to work efficiently and have everything needed within arm’s reach. Less time is spent rummaging through drawers and cupboards because everything is (hopefully) organised with precision and space in mind. If you’re after the illusion of a larger room, the key is to utilise vertical spaces and scale upwards. ‘Using the walls efficiently and effectively and adding a ladder rail to reach high cabinetry can look very dramatic,’ explains Jackie, kitchen designer at Neptune Edgbaston. If ceiling height is restricted though, avoid the space feeling boxed in with wall cabinetry by opting for open shelves that can still be used as storage for glass jars filled with ingredients that you regularly reach for.

In small spaces, it can be worth embracing strong colour. ‘Using a darker tone all over can make a room really cocooning,’ says Jackie. If you want to go for bolder colours on cabinetry, Claire, a Neptune Bath kitchen designer, recommends ‘keeping work surfaces and flooring lighter, as they will bounce the light upwards.’ Other considerations such as integrated microwaves and boiling water taps help to reduce the amount of worktop space used. And finally, remember that space saved equals more opportunity for displaying personal touches that will give your room a sense of individuality.

The in-between

Curious configurations and clever storage can help add interest to medium-sized kitchens. These ‘fall-between’ sized spaces will benefit from tall larder cabinetry and deep drawer storage (which often conceals further drawers within) like those found in our Henley collection. These configurations create a streamlined look in a busy room while still maximising storage space. Similarly, an integrated bin drawer installed close to food-prep areas, below-counter slimline chopping block units, and a dedicated breakfast larder which holds the coffee machine, kettle and toaster all reduce the number of excess items on display. If you’re keen to include a dining area within a medium-sized kitchen but are wary of eating into precious floor space, Claire suggests continuing the flow of worktops or an island to finish with a wrap-around bar seating area with under-counter space for stools. By maintaining the flow of cabinetry and work surfaces into an eating area, you continue the unfussy design while gaining additional, sought-after space.

A large welcome

Space to play with? Many larger kitchens work with open-plan living in mind, combining a dining area and maybe a relaxed snug too. When contemplating the layout and flow of a larger room, your kitchen designer can help you consider what Jackie calls ‘traffic management’ – ensuring an easy route to the fridge, for example, to avoid having to cross someone else working in the prep area. For large kitchens to work best, they need zoning with layered lighting, pattern and texture to create pockets of interest. Overhead spots and task lights, pendants above islands, and floor and table lamps in dining spaces help to define different zones and create appropriate atmospheres for cooking or entertaining. Upholstered bar stools, Roman blinds, and patterned rugs under dining tables add textural points of interest. You might even consider zoning the floor – with a hardy herringbone tile or chequered stone around the prep areas, for instance, and warmer wood flooring for the relaxation areas. Finally, when furnishing a larger space, it’s important to consider proportion and scale. Avoid filling every wall with cabinetry as it will feel like living in a wooden box. Instead, mix open and closed shelving and leave space for artworks, plants or bookshelves. When it comes to styling, encompass the room’s sense of generosity with tall vases or urns on a worktop, super-sized fruit bowls, and displayed items shown in multiples. Combining these elements of scale, zones and storage will help the large kitchen look impressive but still feel welcoming. In other words, your kitchen will be ‘just right’.

To get started on your kitchen project book a free design consultation here.