Sometimes, your vision of your ideal kitchen can seem like it’s limited by the amount of space you actually have available. But we prefer to think of it another way – it’s these kind of challenges that can breed the best kind of creativity! You don’t necessarily have to have a galley kitchen – if you’re looking to redesign your kitchen and you’re struggling with a couple of ideas, we’ve provided some great jumping-off points in this week’s post. Even when space is at a premium, it’s our mission to get you the kitchen of your dreams!
We’ll be dealing with three main aspects of your kitchen:
Right then – let’s get right into it!
As with most things to do with ergonomic kitchens, choosing the right appliances for your space is all a matter of efficiency, which means that appliances with dual roles are truly going to shine. Double ovens make a great example – exactly like those featured in this ultra-modern kitchen for Mr and Mrs Redmond – as are compact microwaves. (Here at Kitchen Design Centre, our kitchen appliances are all sourced from industry-leading supplier Neff, which is internally renowned for the flawless aesthetics and effortless functionality of their appliances.)
When it comes to your kitchen worktops, choosing a single rather than a double bowl sink could save you as much as a few feet of counter space. Double bowl sinks are wonderful if you’ve got the space for them, but if not then you may well find that a farmhouse style is perfectly spacious enough! In fact, a single-bowl undermount sink is often ideal – the edge of the sink itself is concealed so that you can benefit from marginally more space, which might make all the difference to the available elbow room! A Quooker tap can also save you valuable counter space that might be taken up by a kettle.
In fact, if you’re redesigning your kitchen from scratch (or outlining your requirements to one of our own amazing kitchen designers), it’s worth looking at the your layout to see if there are any other appliances or utensils, such as toasters for example, that you could do without. When it comes to designing an ergonomic kitchen, every square inch counts.
If you’ve got the luxury of space to have a kitchen island in the first place, it presents another prime opportunity to refine the design of your ergonomic kitchen! An all-in-one island can make your life easier by both housing storage containers underneath and preparation space on top, freeing up valuable room elsewhere in your kitchen. You can even integrate appliances onto your island such as a sink or a stove, for additional functionality, or use bar seating to make a miniature dining area – not a luxury afforded in many ergonomic kitchens!
It can be easy to fall into the trap of overcrowding your walls with storage units – eventually, rather than being helpful, the constant opening and closing of doors can often end up getting in the way. If you need extra storage, it’s often best to stick with a single wall of cupboards, and some open shelving. In fact, speaking of wall-mounted storage, S-hooks for your utensils are always a brilliant idea. Not only is it useful, but it also looks fantastic, and gives a real flair of personality to your contemporary kitchen.
You can also explore built-in storage options such as pull-out pantries, which can be tucked into even the tightest of spaces while still providing easy access to pots, pans and other utensils. If you’ve only got cutlery in your drawers, it might be worth considering whether you can place another layer of removable internal shelving within a single drawer. You can put your most frequently-used utensils on the top layer, removing it occasionally to access your posh cutlery or less frequently-used utensils underneath. Being able to pack several sets of cutlery into one drawer can then free up valuable space elsewhere.
Tall kitchen units are also your best friend – as you can see in several of our previous case studies – both for the Redmonds (whom we mentioned above) and the Social Kitchen Diner. Kitchen cabinetry that reaches to the ceiling can provide you with the maximum amount of storage without taking up extra floorspace, and as an extra bonus, ceiling-high cabinets can help visually expand the space.
On that note, modern handleless kitchens are often the best option for ergonomic kitchens, as their clean lines and minimalist look can also help to give the kitchen a spacious feel. This is exactly the approach our designer John Crosby took when designing this modern ergonomic kitchen for Mr and Mrs Glacy.
You can click the link above to explore how his design made maximum use of the space – or alternatively, stop by any of our designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Blackburn or Barrowford, where our talented kitchen designers will happily discuss their creative ideas on how to make your dream kitchen a reality!
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
Book A Free Design Appointment
