Mini Living Spaces

James and Lynn Garnett thought about the design of their tiny galley kitchen for almost 10 years before they started to renovate. Their ingenious ideas include a ladder/spice rack combo, a pantry/baking nook and a cabinet that consolidates rolls of plastic and foil wraps.

Every inch counts in a 100-square-foot kitchen. A 1955 janitor's sink salvaged from an old school provides character in this cozy space. The extra depth and width offers lots of extra room for dishes and for food preparation. To utilize every nook, the homeowners built back into walls all the way to the ceiling to maximize space. A built-in wine rack, cabinetry and shelving hovers at ceiling level. Since they didn’t want the track needed for a rolling ladder, James Garnett developed the idea of an inset oak ladder to provide easy access to the upper storage. It conveniently stows away into the wall and features spice racks in the empty spaces between the rungs.