Pick the right layout
In a narrow room, a galley or parallel layout with a clear walkway of about 3 feet works well. A square small room suits an L-shape that uses two walls and a corner. Single-wall layouts suit studios, with a tall unit at one end for storage. Keep the sink, stove and fridge close.
Depth and width
Standard base cabinets are 24 inches deep. In very small rooms, 18 to 20 inch deep cabinets can give back walking room, while wall cabinets stay 12 to 14 inches deep. Narrow cabinets of 9 to 12 inches suit tall pull-outs and are good for oils and tins.
Use the corners
Corner units waste space unless fitted with swing-out or pull-out baskets. A corner carousel brings pots forward. In an L-shape, an angled or diagonal cabinet can also open up the layout.
Go vertical
Run wall cabinets to the ceiling for rarely used items, and keep daily items at hand height. A step stool stored in a cabinet makes high shelves practical. Open shelves at the top of a wall can make the room feel taller.
Colours and finishes
Light colours, high gloss fronts and handleless doors make a small kitchen feel larger. A single colour for cabinets and walls reduces visual clutter. Add under-cabinet LED lights for brightness. See kitchen decor for colour ideas.
Hardware that helps
- Pull-out baskets. Bring items to you.
- Soft-close hinges. Quiet in tight rooms.
- Slim drawer organisers. Fit spoons and tools.
- Bottle and tin pull-outs. Use narrow gaps.
Indicative costs
Costs follow the finish and hardware. Laminate modular cabinets are about PKR 8,000 to 15,000 per running foot and PU or gloss about PKR 15,000 to 30,000. A corner basket unit adds about PKR 15,000 to 60,000 and a tall pull-out about PKR 6,000 to 25,000.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not fill walls with dark cabinets, block the walkway with deep units or forget lighting. Avoid too many open shelves, which become clutter. Do not ignore ventilation, see small fan for kitchen.
Before you decide
Draw the room to scale, mark windows, doors and services and test layouts with paper cut-outs. Ask your cabinet maker to review the plan and show a drawing. A well planned small kitchen can work as well as a big one. Review the plan with everyone who cooks in the house, because small kitchens work best when the layout matches real habits, and note any left-handed users who may prefer different door swings.
A simple planning checklist
- Measure. Walls, windows, doors and service points.
- List. What you must store and how often you use it.
- Sketch. Two or three layouts on graph paper.
- Test. Walk through a cooking sequence on the sketch.
- Confirm. A drawing and a written quote with hardware listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
A galley or parallel layout for narrow rooms, an L-shape for square rooms and a single wall with a tall unit for studios. Keep the sink, stove and fridge close. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Standard base cabinets are 24 inches deep, but 18 to 20 inch cabinets can give back walking room. Wall cabinets are usually 12 to 14 inches deep. Check the warranty terms and who honours them before you pay. Measure carefully and confirm sizes with the seller before ordering.
Fit swing-out or pull-out baskets or a corner carousel so items come to you instead of disappearing. Measure carefully and confirm sizes with the seller before ordering. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise.
Light colours, gloss fronts and handleless doors. Use one colour for cabinets and walls and add under-cabinet lighting. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise.
Laminate is about PKR 8,000 to 15,000 per running foot and PU or gloss about PKR 15,000 to 30,000. Corner and pull-out hardware cost extra. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Send the details and a photo on WhatsApp. We confirm what we can supply and reply with a written rate that lists the model, size, warranty and delivery, so you can compare it with other quotes on the same scope. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit.