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Expert Advice: Sebastian Conran’s 11 Tips for Designing a Small Kitchen

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Expert Advice: Sebastian Conran’s 11 Tips for Designing a Small Kitchen

One day I found myself in a Twitter conversation with UK industrial designer Sebastian Conran (yes, of that Conran family; he’s the son of Sir Terence Conran and older brother of fashion designer Jasper Conran and interior designer Sophie Conran). Sebastian has been hosting a Twitter debate on the subject of #beautility, the merging of functionality and style, a concept he is championing.

He got his start stocking shelves at Habitat and currently runs his own firm, Sebastian Conran Associates, which specializes in “user-centric” design, from products to packaging. In 2014 the company launched Universal Expert, Sebastian’s line of cookware, storage accessories, and other housewares.

The upshot of our Twitter conversation? I asked Sebastian to sit down and answer some questions about designing a small kitchen based on the principles of beautility. Here’s his take.

a stylish and well thought out small kitchen. photograph by and courtesy of
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Above: A stylish and well-thought-out small kitchen. Photograph by and courtesy of Denise Lee, from A Tiny Kitchen Made for Cooking: Everything You Need in 26 Square Feet.

Beautility in a Small Kitchen

In most small houses, the kitchen is the central focus for activity. It has to work as a place to entertain friends and catch up on the Sunday news while also being set up for serious cooking. Small kitchens are particularly challenging not only to design but also to work in–designing galleys in boats and aircraft is something I have done in the past, so I know this all too well. Thankfully, with a home you don’t have to worry about rolling seas or air turbulence. To operate efficiently in a small kitchen, you have to consider a lot of functional demands; here are some pointers on each.

Layout: A logical layout helps maximize the use of space. And it should make cleaning and maintenance easier, especially in heavy-use areas. From my days designing boats and airplanes, I learned that the galley kitchen with prep/cook/wash and serve counters on either side of a narrow walkway is a very space-efficient layout.

see kitchen of the week: a before & after culinary space in park slope  18
Above: See Kitchen of the Week: A Before & After Culinary Space in Park Slope for an example of a well-designed galley kitchen. Photograph by Samuel Morgan, courtesy of Gerry Smith Architect.

Accessibility: Easy access to equipment, storage, and waste disposal/recycling helps to encourage good habits.

Equipment: The quality of equipment you use makes a difference over time as well. Choosing multifunctional products and fixtures that save space can reduce the number of tools needed–a chopping board that folds over the sink is a good example.

Materials and finishes: The quality of your materials and finishes are a fundamental consideration to the concept of “beautility.” By using honest materials that age gracefully, such as wood, stone, ceramic, glass, and stainless, your environment can gain character over time. I tend to steer clear of plastics and laminates as they might unpleasantly degrade with time and can harbor bacteria.

Storage: A well-considered storage strategy is also a must for an efficiently run kitchen. Make sure that everything has its place and that no space is wasted.

Expert Advice Sebastian Conrans 11 Tips for Designing a Small Kitchen portrait 6
Above: An ad-hoc modular workspace with custom-built ash shelving that takes advantage of every inch of storage space in this Kitchen of the Week: An Echo Park Kitchen Revived, Budget Edition. Photograph by Nancy Neil.

Beautility Kitchen Must-Haves

Open shelves: Personally, I prefer to keep regular-use items in open shelves rather than cabinets because in small spaces doors can get in the way; this not only means that it’s easier to get at stuff with one hand but also it forces you to keep only the really loved products that you actually use and to edit out all the junk. A well-organized system of cabinets is the preserve of more occasional items and foods.

Walls with hooks: It is good to utilize wall space as much as possible; I like utensils and pans hanging on the walls and use cooking equipment almost as decoration.

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Above: Open shelves and hooks on a kitchen wall. Photograph by Angus Fergusson, from Steal This Look: Toronto Kitchen by Jennifer Hannotte.

Deep and wide drawers with dividers: These store items more efficiently and offer easier accessibility. An added bonus is that their handles can be used as tea-towel and oven-glove hooks.

Built-in units: To provide a clean, uncluttered aesthetic for appliances and recycling bins.

built ins can hide a lot of clutter and unify appliances and equipment. photogr 21
Above: Built-ins can hide a lot of clutter and unify appliances and equipment. Photograph by Frederik Vercruysse, from Dappled Light: A Slim, Poetic Townhouse on a Tree-Lined Square in Ghent, Belgium.

Beautility on a Budget

Go for quality rather than quantity: The quality is long remembered after the price is forgotten. Investing in time-proved materials and methods that suit their purpose, rather than opting for fashionable alternatives. It’s very much about choosing the right tools for the job. Funnily enough, cooking itself is actually all about form follows fabrication–the quality of the materials (produce) and the expertise of the maker (cook) totally affect the outcome–probably more so than any other process.

Consider multifunctionality: Try to buy equipment that can be used for lots of jobs. You can cook and serve from a beautiful pan, and wooden spoons make wonderful salad servers. Flea markets are a good source for previously loved, good-quality cookware (the cheap stuff doesn’t last long enough to make it to the rummage sale).

Expert Advice Sebastian Conrans 11 Tips for Designing a Small Kitchen portrait 6
Above: Designers Jersey Ice Cream Co. transformed Justine Hand’s New England kitchen within a strict budget. Photograph by Justine Hand, from Rehab Diary: Dream Kitchen for Under $3,000.

Interested in seeing more small-space kitchens? Be sure to read:

N.B.: This post is an update. It originally ran on September 23, 2014, in Remodelista. Featured photograph by Nicole Franzen for Gardenista, from Steal This Look: Guest Cottage Kitchenette by Ikea.

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Frequently asked questions

What are some tips for designing a small kitchen?

Some tips for designing a small kitchen include maximizing storage, choosing functional appliances, keeping the color palette light and bright, and designing multi-functional spaces.

What types of storage can be used in a small kitchen?

In a small kitchen, you can use vertical storage solutions, a pantry cabinet, pull-out drawers, and cabinets with built-in organizers to maximize storage space.

What appliances should be prioritized in a small kitchen?

In a small kitchen, you should prioritize appliances that are functional and compact, such as a compact dishwasher, a small refrigerator, and a built-in oven.

How can you make a small kitchen look bigger?

To make a small kitchen look bigger, you can use light and bright colors, install light-colored flooring, use reflective surfaces, and add lighting to the space.

How can you design a multi-functional kitchen?

To design a multi-functional kitchen, you can install a kitchen island with built-in storage and seating, use a convertible table that can be used for dining or as a workspace, and choose appliances that have multiple functions.

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