Small Kitchen Ideas Start With Landing Space and an Exhaust Fan That Vents Outside

The best small kitchen ideas make working counter space and vent the cooking air outdoors, so decide where food lands and where the fan exhausts before you request quotes. This is general information and not design or mechanical advice, and Good Haus is a free matching service and not a contractor.

Where does food land in a small kitchen?

The HUD USER rehab guide says it is sometimes believed that a work surface on either side of the sink is sufficient. It says, however, that counter surfaces should be available for use as a landing for items removed from the cooktop, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher. It adds that by planning additional and flexible counter space, food preparation, serving, dining, and dish cleaning areas can be created in a rehabbed kitchen without adding space, and the function of the space is improved. Walk through making a meal in your kitchen and mark every place a hot pan or a bowl needs to land, then ask the contractor which of those places have a surface.

Can appliances move off the counter?

HUD USER says small appliances clutter the counter and minimize the work surface, and that installing under-cabinet appliances at their point of use will also improve function. Ask the contractor which appliances could sit under a cabinet and what that does to the storage you have now.

Where should the exhaust fan go?

The Building America Solution Center says the exhaust fan is typically located directly over the kitchen stove and is installed in a range hood or cabinet, integrated with a microwave oven, or mounted on the wall. It says to install the fan to vent outdoors, not into an attic, crawlspace, or space between floors. It says to choose a smooth metal duct with the diameter specified by the fan manufacturer, and to install the duct with the most direct route to the outside with as few bends as possible. In a small kitchen the route to an outside wall can decide where the stove goes, so ask the contractor to trace the duct route before the layout is final.

Which ideas are realistic without moving walls?

Landing space, under-cabinet appliance spots and a better fan route may be possible within the existing footprint, while moving the stove to a wall with no outside route changes the scope, so ask each contractor to price the small changes separately from anything larger. Ask how long the kitchen will be out of use for each idea and what each one needs from you before the work starts.

What should you ask before you request quotes?

1. Ask which surfaces serve as landing space.
2. Ask which appliances could move under a cabinet.
3. Ask for the duct route and where it ends outside.
4. Ask for each idea to be priced separately.
5. Ask how long the kitchen will be out of use.

Put the Landing Space and Duct Route in Every Quote Request

Give every contractor the same landing space and duct route questions when you request kitchen remodeling quotes, so each bid prices the same small kitchen changes.