Small and Mighty White Kitchen

HGTV Magazine took a look at this cleverly planned-out space that puts every square inch to good use.

By: Jessica Dodell-Feder

From: HGTV Magazine

Related To:

©Lisa Romerein

Work With What You Have

When Danielle Balanis, a part-time designer, and her husband, Nic, remodeled their Birmingham, AL, kitchen, they had about 80 square feet to work with. This meant using smart design moves like a U-shaped layout, open shelves, and an almost-all-white color scheme to create a hyperfunctional cook space. “It may not be a huge area,” says Danielle, “but it’s so efficient that we never feel short on space.”

Find the Right Layout

"A U-shaped layout was the only one that made sense for our space,” says Danielle of her kitchen redesign. Because there are cabinets and counters on all three sides, Danielle never has to reach far when she’s cooking or doing the dishes.

Customize Your Cabinets

Five roomy cabinets and three deep drawers were all the Balanises needed to store kitchen essentials. Danielle decided on under-counter cabinets only and used the space above the counters for floating shelves to give the room an airy look. The knobs and pulls are from HGH Hardware Supply

Tiled Walls

Classic white subway tiles, outlined in gray grout, go from countertop to ceiling, making the room feel bigger. They also turn most of the kitchen’s walls into one giant easy-to-clean backsplash. “It’s low-maintenance but also has a clean, industrial look,” says Danielle.

Big Sink

The Balanises had room for only a small dishwasher, so they made up for it with a deep, 30-inch-wide farmhouse sink from overstock.com. The stainless steel finish matches the appliances.

Peninsula as Dining Spot

A 6-foot-long peninsula takes the place of a kitchen table. The Carrara marble top extends 18 inches from the base, leaving room for three wood and metal stools ($149 each from Wisteria) to tuck under.

Colorful Cookware

Glasses, utensils, and pots in shades that pop look cute, so it’s OK if they stay out.

Floating Shelves

Painted 3-inch-thick wood shelves hold everyday dishes and pretty glassware.

Small and Mighty White Kitchen

Related To:

Work With What You Have

Find the Right Layout

Customize Your Cabinets

Tiled Walls

Big Sink

Peninsula as Dining Spot

Colorful Cookware

Floating Shelves

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