

Mark the exact location (to scale) of internal and external doors and windows, so you have the best flow possible between your kitchen, outside space and the rest of your house. You'll need to factor zones into your plan if you're designing an open plan kitchen too for example. When you design a kitchen, it’s important to understand the space you’re working with. Ask a kitchen company, an architect or architectural technologist – or use graph paper and do it yourself – to carefully make scale drawings of your kitchen's floorplan. With your list done, you can begin to work up a floorplan. Keep scrolling down the page to the section that best suits your kitchen shape. These are galley kitchens, U-shaped kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, curved kitchens, and open plan kitchens. What will work best with your kitchen's shape? Think of the triangle imposed on the possible layouts a kitchen can take.


The three points should be near enough to each other to make meal preparation efficient but each workstation shouldn't feel restrictive. The three points are the fridge, sink and hob with imaginary lines between these forming the triangle shape. To plan the preparation and cooking space, use the design concept of the working triangle of the kitchen.

Finally, add fewer rather than more directional ceiling lights, positioned closer to the walls and angled away from the centre of the room to create a feature glow on, for example, a piece of wall art.’ How do you decorate walls in a small living room? The lowest level might be lamps on side tables the next would be lamps on a desk, console or chest. 'However, I think atmosphere and dimension can be added to small spaces with different levels of controlled lighting. ‘Some people feel the need to flood small spaces with ceiling lights to make them feel brighter and therefore larger,' says Claire Sa, director, De Rosee Sa (opens in new tab). Henry also explains that clever small living room lighting ideas can not only make a room lighter, but feel larger too: 'A lighting scheme that includes light sources at varying levels enhances the room and helps to create mood at different times of the day.’ 6. 'Sophisticated artwork and eye catching accessories can be displayed to provide lots of interesting little vignettes throughout.' A scheme featuring cleverly selected furniture pieces layered together with textured rugs and tactile fabrics can create a really inviting and comfortable space even if square footage is compromised. Henry says, ‘Don’t be afraid to go for bold color and pattern in a small space. He wanted Henry to bring a flavour of ‘the English country in the city’ to his London residence. This small, yet perfectly formed living room in a stucco fronted townhouse in London’s Chelsea was created by interior designer Henry Prideaux (opens in new tab) for an American client.
