Be Creative With Space

Compact and convenient, the ideal positioning of these appliances makes full use of a small area.

Especially in small kitchens, the challenges of unusual spaces can lead to interesting opportunities. Creative placement of appliances can maximize a room's livability.

A plan to renovate their home meant decreased wall and countertop space in Donna and Jim Patilla's Tuscaloosa, Alabama, kitchen. While the result opened up the cooking space to surrounding rooms, it cut valuable workspace almost in half.

Out of necessity, the couple looked for a more efficient arrangement of their appliances. A bit of logistical brainstorming led them to place the stove in one corner and to conceal the microwave on the wall above, behind a hinged wood panel.

Armed with precise measurements to ensure a good fit, the Patillas selected a microwave with a built-in vent and placed it directly over the cooktop. Instead of taking up counterspace, it is tucked neatly behind a cabinet door. "We were looking for space-saving options," Donna says. "When we found a microwave that is designed for placement over stoves, our cabinetmaker, Tom Rigney, made it work by securing it to the wall and top of the cabinet, instead of resting it on a shelf."

Like a domino effect, one efficient solution led to the next. They used every nook and cranny of wallspace for additional storage, with open and concealed shelves, display racks, and stylish glass doors on the cabinets. "Donna gets an idea, and at first I think, 'That's crazy!' " Jim admits. "But I've learned over the years to trust her judgment." (For sources visit southernliving. com/features.)

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2004
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