Small kitchen remodel in New Haven

Where the room comes from

You rarely gain square footage in a small kitchen. You gain usable space, and it comes from five places:

• Storage that uses the whole wall. Cabinets that run to the ceiling, drawers instead of doors in the base run, and pull-outs for the awkward corners.
• Appliances sized to the room. Narrower dishwashers, ranges and counter-depth refrigerators exist, and a smaller one can free a full cabinet of counter.
• Lighting that makes the room read larger. Under-cabinet lighting clears shadows from the counter, and light surfaces bounce what you have.
• Doors that do not swing into the work. A pocket door, a sliding door or a door re-hung to open the other way can recover a surprising amount of floor.
• Counter where you actually work. A short stretch of clear counter beside the range and the sink does more than a long stretch no one can reach.

Layouts for compact rooms

A galley or a single-wall kitchen with a short return is the efficient answer in a narrow room. The NKBA guidelines suggest at least 42 inches between facing cabinets for one cook and 36 inches for a walkway. A narrower aisle can work in a tight room, but it is a trade-off to make on purpose, with the plan in front of you. Layouts and clearances has the plans.

Condos and apartment kitchens

• Ask the condominium association or building management for its rules in writing before you plan: approved work hours, elevator reservations, insurance requirements and whether plans must be approved.
• Plumbing stacks and shut-offs may be shared. Moving a sink is harder than in a house, and shutting off water can affect neighbors.
• Flooring changes may have sound-control requirements. Ask before choosing a hard surface.

Two- and three-family houses

Many New Haven houses have a kitchen on each floor, stacked above one another. That helps with plumbing, which often lines up, and complicates the job when water, gas or power has to be shut off for the units above or below. Coordinate with your neighbors or tenants early and ask the remodeler how long utilities will be off.

Living through a small-kitchen remodel

There is less room for a temporary kitchen, so plan it before demolition. Living at home during a remodel covers what to set up and what to expect.

Permits and your town

Finish work such as tile, painting, flooring, cabinets and countertops that does not involve structural changes is listed as exempt in the state building code. Any new wiring, plumbing or gas line is not. See permits in New Haven.

Common questions