You don’t have to spend much money or have a large kitchen to create your own café corner.
All you require is some effective planning, as well as a few smart selections, to achieve the same warmth and output as a larger, costlier café.
This article describes a simple, easy-to-follow process for designing and constructing a functional, efficient, and comfortable café in a limited size kitchen environment.
Selecting The Right Area
Finding a portion of your kitchen countertop that is underutilized is the first thing to do.
Most kitchens have an area in one of the corners, at the end of one of the cabinet sections, or along a narrow wall directly next to the refrigerator.
You will want to take accurate measurements to determine how big it should be.
In addition to measuring the available countertop area, you also want to measure how much vertical clearance you will need for any shelving and cabinetry above the countertop area, to ensure that lids and/or doors cabinet appliances do not hit anything when they are opened.
Taking proper measurements for both the horizontal and vertical areas on your countertops will help prevent excessive clutter later.
Make Sure You Have the Right Power Source
After finding out where your new appliances will be placed, it is also important that you determine where you will place your electrical outlets.
Many café type appliances require more electricity than would be found in an average home and it is best to have them close to an outlet for convenience.
Ideally, you would want to place your electrical outlets either above the counter or underneath the kitchen cabinets to keep the cords off of the counters.
However, if you cannot add a new outlet, you could use a wall-mounted kitchen rated power strip.
Counter Setup: Depth, Heat, and Workflow
When creating your counter space plan, think of how you will use your workflow based on appliance type and location.
You should designate one area of your counter for heat-related appliances, and another for light prep tasks.
Provide a small space for setting hot cups or dishes down when they come out of the oven/espresso machines.
You may also want to use some sort of mat that is designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
This provides a protective covering on surfaces while also visually defining your work areas.
If your kitchen is very small, or you simply do not have enough counter space, a pull-out or fold-down section can be helpful.
In some layouts, a compact café table built with diy wood table legs can also provide flexible surface space without overwhelming the room, while adding a custom, handcrafted feel to the kitchen corner.
Vertical Storage Is the Way to Go
The most efficient way to store kitchen items in a small kitchen is to use vertical storage.
Instead of installing large cabinets that take up valuable counter space, use open shelving that will allow easy access to mugs and jars, and a few small tools.
Install an open shelf above the countertop at approximately 14-16″.
This will allow you to have all of your appliances and shelving in one area.
The shallow nature of the shelving will also keep your vision clear and free from clutter.
Using similar-appearance storage containers will help create a sense of unity in your workspace.
Plumbed vs. Non-Plumbed Gear
When considering whether to use plumbed or non-plumbed equipment in a home modern kitchen, consider how flexible you need your equipment to be, and your current infrastructure.
Generally speaking, non-plumbed equipment with a built-in water reservoir is the best option for compact kitchens or for those looking to install an appliance that is easy to install.
Plumbed systems require immediate access to a waterline, and professional installation, which can limit your ability to place an appliance in a smaller kitchen.
Space-Saving Layouts That Work
For an efficient layout, it is critical to create a vertical-stacked layout with a shelf above an appliance.
It maximizes counter space, while also using corners that are usually empty.
Many kitchens benefit from having appliance garages, where equipment can be stored out of the way when not in use, and having a slim rolling cart, which adds more storage capacity to the kitchen without making permanent modifications to the space.
Café-Style Warmth Without the Bulk
Compact high-speed ovens are a great alternative when you want to warm up leftovers and pastries fast, without losing valuable counter space.
TurboChef models from Restaurant Supply demonstrate how you can achieve bakery-style results in the tightest of spaces.
When you review the model collection, you can find the dimensions, power requirements and cooking capabilities of different options to determine what would work best for your kitchen.
Finish with the Details
A few small finishing details will bring together your café corner.
A small tray for holding spoons or sweeteners, a potted plant or framed menu, and cleaning supplies nearby will help make your café corner functional and inviting.
The placement of each item will help to create the impression that the café corner was thoughtfully created instead of thrown together in haste.
Endnote
When creating a café corner in your kitchen, measure carefully to provide enough space for the tools you typically use.
Plan for sufficient power, vertical storage, and the use of compact equipment that fits the way you currently work.
With these points in mind, a small kitchen can be effective and efficient in creating a café corner you will actually use daily.
