Most home cooks in Hong Kong have trouble whipping up a piece of toast and a boiled egg in their small kitchens, but there's still a way to apply smart design for those who wish to make gourmet meals.
Even in the tiniest of flats, architects and interior designers say, there's room to create space-conscious kitchens. Roddy Murray from RJ Murray Design in Hong Kong says he once designed a serviced apartment for a client who initially thought there was no room for a kitchen. 'I managed to persuade him that this was probably not a good idea, so the kitchen became as small as possible - the space was tiny and basic but worked well,' Murray says.
Murray installed creative space-saving options, including a small square corner sink with side drainer that incorporated a single domino hob. The fridge was slotted underneath, while the microwave was placed on wall shelves, and a pull-out drawer doubled as a much-needed table and study space.
In their newly released Guide to Kitchen Planning, Italian designers Valcucine say that being mindful of distances and organising logical routes are the starting points to making work in the kitchen creative and fun. 'A simple rule is to connect the preserving area [larder, refrigerator], the washing area [sink, dishwasher] and the cooking area [hob], by means of small triangles,' Valcucine recommends.
Jill Lewis from JL Architecture says the kitchen is the most complicated area of the house, with many functions, appliances and plumbing all competing for space. 'There's no bottom limit to a small Hong Kong kitchen. I've designed kitchens that were carved out of something no larger than a closet space. Anything is possible if well thought through,' says Lewis.
Still, space limitations can be frustrating for a budding chef so designers say it's important to prioritise what's most important to you in a kitchen. 'Think of how a space can serve more than one purpose,' says Lewis. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made to increase the feeling of space and functionality. Considerations include forgoing the size or number of appliances in favour of more countertop space.