I'm bookmarking this post for my own small kitchen. The last line means "Many thanks and a great big hug," right, Clau? Good luck with your new apartment!

I would be tempted to put the fridge (at least) in the dining room in order to get more space in the kitchen... and some counter space in particular.

You are passionate about cooking... are you as passionate about entertaining? If no, then sacrificing the dining room for more kitchen space might be just the ticket.

Could you post some pics of inside the kitchen?

Definitely get rid of the pony wall. It's just odd and not actually serving a purpose.

Could you fit two under-counter refigerator and freezer units there next to the sink with a countertop on top of them for workspace? Then the stove on the wall to the right? I'd try real hard for something L-shaped that could use up that entire vacant space in your kitchen

I have a feeling that putting your appliances on the other side of that little wall is going to infringe on a living room space that's not much bigger than the kitchen.

If space allows I might plan on using the wall that leads into the kitchen proper as my "butler's pantry"...adding upper and lower cabinetry and countertops. Or perhaps a pair of armoires. MC has incredible artisans that could even build something in-between kitchen cabinetry and a piece of furniture so you could have the best of both worlds.

The concrete floor will be painful to stand on after a while. You'll either need some really good cushiony mats, or maybe the wood floor would be good (I would use a mat on that too!).

I would totally knock out the wall and make the kitchen an eat-in. I would add cabinets to the dinning area and open shelving in the kitchen area. I would also match the floors in both areas to make them cohesive. Good luck I live in a tiny little house with 2 kids and 4 dogs! It can be done;)

Definately an under the counter fridge. The pony wall could be potentially more counter space. And is that a light on the ceiling or a sprinkler head?

This will close it off a bit, but I was thinking you could get a bunch of shelving units, with finished-looking backs, and have one pushed up against the half-wall with the shelves facing in, and then "fill in" the wall to the right of the half wall with additional shelves of the same unit (facing the other room, of course) so it looks like flush, built-in shelving rather than one shelf you've put in backwards....

It would be a waste of the space on the bottom of the shelf facing in, though, unless you can find a shelf about the height of the wall to face out, and another on top to face in?

(I hope ppl understand what I'm trying to say even if it's a stupid idea....)

restaurant-style metal shelves

Hi Clau,

Do you have a picture of the kitchen and dining room layout that you could post? It would be great to see the layout and also the kitchen dimensions.

There are some cool products like tall vertical tower fridges or fridge/freezer drawers that you could probably incorporate to make the most of your space. And you can find a high quality 24-inch range, if you're really short on wall-space.

I can't tell what the room's total layout is, but if there's space for a set of bottom cabinets where the little pony wall is - then I'd try to fit in a combo counter and bar space there so you can work inside the kitchen and interact with guests at the same time or layout food for parties. If there's enough space, then you can avoid taking out that wall and utilize as much space as possible for cabinets.

If there's more kitchen space to the left of the door on the wall adjoining the dining room, then you might be able to open up the top of that, too (like the right-hand side), to create more openness and bring light and air flow into the kitchen.

Best wishes and congratulations on your new home!

In the kitchen itelf, open-shelving seems to be the only way to go to me. Keep it very visually clean, and if your kitchenware is colorful, all the better. I can only do this for a limited amount of space, so I don't think it will really address all of my needs; I also enjoy cooking alot.
For a real storage/pantry and work area solution, though, I would build a counter at the height of the half wall that extends into the dining room; it would run into the corner of the dining room. The surface would serve as a prep space, breakfast bar, serving area, etc. Beneath that surface, I would have as much storage space as possible. Don't even make it a bar to sit at; think of it more as a counter-height buffet!

I would do open shelves. Shelves with invissible hardware/floating shelves. On the half wall I would put a small countertop, just for cooking purposes.

Maybe even put a small, beautifull fan on it? In some old apartments it could get very hot, especially if you love to cook. Otherwise it's a I would use the same floor as you had in mind for the dining area, otherwise the tiny room would look even tinier.

Depending on budget I would also replace the countertop of the current kitchen and would make it go from the back wall, to the right wall

I'd go with counter depth refrigerator and a 24" stove to make it all fit against one wall. If you're renting, I would consider free-standing cabinets you can re-use later.

Then I would use the opposite wall (the half wall) for a large storage piece that's 12" deep on the kitchen side and put a 24" deep counter top on top of the wall. That way you can have bar seating or open shelving on the outside of the half wall.

I'd also do a lot of high up storage, preferrably open, especially pt racks against the right side wall.

Hi! From the looks of your picture, I think you little kitchen is about the same as mine. This is what I did. I bought a tiny frdige and gas stove. The funny thing is that I bought the gas stove in a store in LA that you buy appliances for people in mexico. Anyway. I would put those in that empty space. I put close cabinets on either side with open shelves in between. On the other side, I installed small cabinets with enough over hang to use as a bar, but you don't need to do this. Here are pictures of my kitchen:

http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/la-josehousetour-bethanyn/item/227794

http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/la-josehousetour-bethanyn/item/227793

I just realized to that our walls even have the same opening: http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/la-josehousetour-bethanyn/item/227791

I'd probably leave the half-wall and fill the L-nook with cabinets - that should give you a reasonable amount of counter space. I don't think the half-wall takes much space away from the kitchen, rather it just hides the mess a bit.

The only other advice I have is that you can "save" on kitchen cabinetry space by storing dishes, cutlery, etc., where you eat, e.g. in a credenza by your dining table.

The kitchen ceiling is lower than that of the room it faces by a considerable amount. What is in it? Empty space? If so, what about knocking it out and building taller shelves and/or closed shelves high up. There might even be room to build shelving or closed storage over the kitchen entryway.

Without knowing what the dining room looks like, what about building an island starting 3' in front of the entry. Maybe have it extend to the wall on the right. You could put storage under the island - or a low fridge and freezer - and maybe build a pantry at the right in the space between the island and the wall. You could also build storage over the island. This plan would, in effect, extend the kitchen into the dining room by making it deeper. But I have no idea if there is room in the dining area.

Consider something reflective in the kitchen since it seems like it doesn't have a window. Maybe mirror back those open shelves you're planning to do or reflective picture frames. You need more natural light in what looks like a cave.

And yes, if flooring between the kitchen & dining room can be the same, it will feel like a bigger space. Also, light new paint! Good luck!

i would definitely rip down that mini wall! whats behind the empty wall? if its nothing or maybe just a closet i would knock down that wall to help expand and then ur kitchen would have a more open space plan. if knocking down the wall is not an option, for more storage i would probably do a peg wall to store ur pots and pans. i hope you post more pics as you decide what to do!

Demo the pony wall, and extend the Existing Kitchen Wall on the right side of the picture 3'-2" into the Dining Room. This will give you enough room to have a small butler's pantry in the Dining Room where you can store dry goods and dishes.

Perpendicular to the face of the New Wall, build a 51"(l) x 24"(d) Island/Bar with two levels, one at bar height (Dining Room Side) with 9" counter depth and one at counter height (Kitchen Side) with 15" counter depth. This will serve as a divider between the Dining Room and Kitchen (2 Small Bar Stools can fit on the Dining Room side for additional seating and conversation area). Build open shelves under the New Counter on the Kitchen side, and place a Freestanding Range against the wall closest to the Island so as to not interrupt space for Side by Side Refrigerator door function (not to exceed 31" wide).

Use Floating Shelves above sink and mirror the back to expand the space and reflect light from the Dining Room. Build or buy a 5'-0" x 3'-0" Dining Table and place a picnic bench on each of the longest sides so you can push them under the table when not in use. Place a chair at each end of the table. This will give you seating for 6 without taking up too much room.

You should create an email just for your Tiny Kitchen so people can send drawings!

Good Luck!

If you are really into cooking, I'd make it a big kitchen diner room - with a credenza for all your serving ware, plates, cutlery etc and a large farmhouse style dining table that you can use for food prep and eating. Then maybe like a butcher-block cart along a different side for a bit of mid-dining food prep when entertaining.

I love pantries, so I would build a floor to ceiling 10 - 12 inch deep pantry all along the wall of the adjoining room for additional covered storage. If I were in Mexico City, I'd look for antique wooden doors to cover a simple framed unit with shelves or I'd find something by a local craftsman. Or I'd use stacked upper cupboards.

That half wall could also be made more useful by adding a bunch of 12 inch deep cabinets lined up on the floor and with an overhanging top to create a bar on the dining room side and and more counter space from the kitchen side.

By the way, lucky you - those little row houses are adorable.

ok here's what I would do: On the pony wall inside the kitchen I would mount top cabinets as they are more shallow than bottom ones so they don't take up the space where you need to stand in order to operate you kitchen (I estimate from the picture - if you have the space for bottom cabinets go for it!) That gives you some place to store your stuff and then I would make a giant counter top that starts from inside the kitchen as a counter top for the cabinets goes over the wall and continues into the dinning room where it becomes a dinning room table. This way you get a deeper counter top because you can borrow space from the "table end" of the counter plus kitchen and dinning room will seem more connected.

Then as others have suggested: I would put an undercounter fridge and freezer, stove and sink on the back wall with shelves above with lights mounted underneath. Pots and pans on hooks above the stove.

I have an idea for dealing with the little wall. Instead of removing it, you could extend it outwards with a wood shelf to create counter space without taking up the kitchen space. You could extend it all the way down the outside wall with open shelving storage underneath for dishes. Then put a small table right outside the kitchen. Does that make sense? You would be left with a dining area in front of a shelf displaying your dishes that also serves as counter space for the kitchen. The top of the shelf would have to get fatter when it gets to the little wall so it can reach over the top of the little wall.

Also, don't forget to have fun with color. Definitely paint that sink cabinet! With rust colored floors, I would do a turquoise wall and salmon and cream accents. Green and mustard also look great with rust.

BTW, I love this space. I answered this question as if it was my space because I want it!

Hola a todos!

Thank you so much for your very helpful answers! I will answer all of you separately but I have to say first that I never ever expected to get so many helpful and nice answers. If you are in Mexico City once, please contact me and invite you for dinner cooked in the new kitchen and I will show you the best taco places! http://www.facebook.com/claudia.stehli

Here you find a floor plan of my little two floor row house if you are interested: http://floorplanner.com/projects/21708281-depa/edit#assets

I really love the idea of some storage/bar combo that many of you had and also the idea of a combo of open shelves and bottom cupboards. If you look at the floor plan the dining room is pretty big so I actually thought about putting a shelf there where I can store my plates and glasses. The plates are all Talavera Vázquez and very pretty, you can see my plates in a picture from my old apartment in Guanajuato here: http://constancia.posterous.com/livingroom-and-kitchen

Here some inspiration pics that I collected after reeding your ideas. Tell me what you like best!

Open Shelves:
http://pinterest.com/pin/213460831/
http://pinterest.com/pin/167129385/
http://pinterest.com/pin/158877220/
http://pinterest.com/pin/155492238/
http://pinterest.com/pin/152146126/
http://pinterest.com/pin/150176206/
http://pinterest.com/pin/147030705/

Half Open Shelves:
http://pinterest.com/pin/182504401/
http://pinterest.com/pin/196388966/
http://pinterest.com/pin/158876908/

Combo Open Shelves / Cupboards:
http://pinterest.com/pin/155656388/
http://pinterest.com/pin/151176808/
http://pinterest.com/pin/148586522/

Open Button Shelves:
http://pinterest.com/pin/148620783/
http://pinterest.com/pin/148574588/

The „Bar“:
http://pinterest.com/pin/167105398/
http://pinterest.com/pin/166430294/
http://pinterest.com/pin/166673531/
http://pinterest.com/pin/166362392/
http://pinterest.com/pin/160958695/
http://pinterest.com/pin/150503476/
http://pinterest.com/pin/149335322/

The Colors:
http://pinterest.com/pin/196667680/
http://pinterest.com/pin/155396187/
http://pinterest.com/pin/148630840/
http://pinterest.com/pin/148586522/
http://pinterest.com/pin/155492238/
http://pinterest.com/pin/152055914/
http://pinterest.com/pin/150176206/
http://pinterest.com/pin/196615517/ (That‘s what a typical mexican kitchen looks like!)

Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room (with plates/glasses/books and other nice things and ugly things in baskets and containers):
http://pinterest.com/pin/137000740/
http://pinterest.com/pin/166183305/
http://pinterest.com/pin/213445773/
http://pinterest.com/pin/136964997/ (the one in the back)

Pantry for the Dining Room:
http://pinterest.com/pin/150159258/

@Miami‘s Elaine: „Many thanks and a great big hug“ that‘s correct! I hope you get some great ideas too!

@mapchic: The fridge in the dining room is not an option, I don‘t know why but I just think it always looks so out of place. And yes, I am very passionate about entertaining.

@babyfishmouth: I actually will get rid of the ugly sink and put the stove to the right of the wall. You are completely right to try real hard for something L-shaped. The dining room is kind of big and I have a separate living room so I‘m thinking about having a big shelf made for all my dishes (see the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room)).

@ESD32: The butler's pantry is a very cool idea!

@skatz12: You are so right! It‘s really a pain! I‘m actually going to have an engineered hardwood floor in the other rooms, so I might just make the kitchen too...

@50schica: I could knock out the pony wall but the right wall of the kitchen is not on the same level than the wall of the dining room... But because it‘s kind of an open kitchen and the dining room is right next to it, it will be like a eat-in. Thank you very much for your nice words, I love my new tiny house and I‘m going to rock it!

@tree small birds: I decided to buy a normal fridge yesterday that is just 20 inches wide. I will put it on the back wall at the left (where the old sink stands now). This is a light on the ceiling. Actually the Pony wall is just about 7 inches wide :-(

@lepidoptery: Not a stupid idea at all! And here in Mexico it‘s cheaper to let something done than to buy it, so „finding“ shelves like this would not be a problem. Look at my pinterest links in my other answer about open shelves, which ones do you like most?

@Lady J: I looove them and they sell them at a big market here!

@breesf: I made a floor plan here: http://floorplanner.com/projects/21708281-depa/edit#assets There is no space at all at the other side of the door. When I use the right wall for the stove and some bottom cabinets I can‘t put cabinets under the pony wall, it‘s just not wide enough. But I actually love the bar idea! I just bought a 20 inch wide fridge but I‘m still looking for the stove. There are no high quality 24-inch range in Mexico! I really would like to have a convection stove so I have to keep looking and living from street tacos ;-)

@handsomegrad: That‘s such a great idea! I always thought that a bar has to be to sit at, but you are so right, it could just be a bar to stand at an prep food with storage under it. I will definitely do open shelving, love it and all my kitchenware is very colorful. Dishes i will store in the dining room (see the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room)), what do you think?

@AlexHoogeveen: There is actually no current kitchen. The old ugly sink is gone ;-) But I might do the countertop at the right side of the wall. I love your idea of the fan and the floor I will defiantly do the same as in the living room. Just decided!

@JulieR: You are also thinking about a storage/bar combo! It really sounds like a good idea! Open storage at the right wall would look perfect, I think!

@Jose A: So honored you wrote! I loooove your kitchen and looked at it over the last weeks a million times. Bad thing is that I can‘t but all the appliances at the back wall, the just don‘t fit. Your kitchen is very similar to mine but it‘s longer, mine is actually a square. But I hope my kitchen will look a lot like yours when it‘s finished! What stove do you have? Is it a Mabe?

I love the close cabinets with open shelves in between in your kitchen but mine is soooo tiny so I‘m scared that it looks to overcrowded with close cabinets...

@Anna Europe: Great idea! Thank you! What do you think about a shelf like these in the dining room for storing dishes? (See the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room))

@Taureg: I actually love the idea of extending the kitchen in the dining room with a bar. Look here for a floor plan: http://floorplanner.com/projects/21708281-depa/edit#assets I already collected some ideas, see in my other answer for the Pinterest Links The „Bar“. What do you think?

@recycleg: Loooove the idea of the mirror back in the open shelves. But isn‘t this a pain to keep clean? I‘m so afraid of the cave-look so I will paint it a great color. Do you have any suggestions? I have some inspirations, look for it in my other answer, the Pinterest links under „Colors“. What do you think? I will also try to do the same floors in the kitchen and the dining room.

@knot2shabby: Behind that wall is the neighbor but maybe I could just ask ;-) Thanks for the peg wall idea! Sounds great! More pictures are coming soon!

@danabarone: WOW! Thank you so much for your thoughts! As soon as I‘m home I will measure everything and look over your ideas!

@AnnabelVita: Love your ideas! What do you think about a shelf like these in the dining room for storing dishes? (See the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room)) Clutery could fit in nice baskets....

@Dulcibella: I think the bar is such a great idea. How do you think should the pantry look like? Something like this but wider http://pinterest.com/pin/150159258/
? On the other side of the room a shelf like this: What do you think about a shelf like these in the dining room for storing dishes? (See the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room))? And thank you so much! I love my new little row house!

@ploeff: The dining room is pretty big, so I will buy an old big table. But I will maybe do something similar that you suggested that will be like a little bar/storage combo. Thank you! Thanks also for the idea with the hooks for pots and pans!

@rahskir: Thank you so much for your answers! It totally makes sense. Thank you! I actually thought of a self like this: (See the pinterest links in my other answer (Shelf for plates and glasses in the Dining Room)) but at the long wall of the dining room, what do you think? I got rid of the sink. It‘s so old and cuts you when you try to open it. Love the turquoise wall idea! Something like this? http://pinterest.com/pin/196667680/

@ClauenMexico - I love the idea of dishes on shelves! I think you' will make this room great.

I would knock down that pony wall and then put a really beautiful island or penisula (taking space from the dining room) to create a new space. I think if it was done well, it could look really nice. If you can afford it, I'd hire a kitchen planner.

I think you are on the same track with the bar photos, but I don't think you need actual seating there, assuming you will be using your dining room. You do need to define the space, though, with some kind of structure.

And I agree--if you can make the ceiling higher, do it. If you can't, maybe tile the whole back wall and put glossy beadboard on the ceiling? You may also want to do a mirrored backsplash, since there's no windows. Pictures, please, when you finish!

PS - I also think this open kitchen is kind of amazing: http://www.ikeafans.com/images/jill77wideafter.jpg

Hi, Clau.

I am amazed at how much your kitchen looks like that of my second apartment. Even from the outside! Loved that apartment... it was in Cuenca and Andalucia. This has been suggested before, I think. At the time money was an issue; I got two fridge units from a lab I worked at the time. Those fridges where the size of mini bars, like 80 cm tall. I put them in a L-shape at the rear of the kitchen, next to the sink, and bought a piece of counter that rest above the fridges, just like in the suggestions for the ubiquitous file cabinet desk. Used open shelving in the kitchen, and extended the half wall with a remanent of the counter, that provided a nice bar/table. Nice thing about the fridges was that the were lab units, and they did not have a freezer section. But each unit was able to be regulated from -8 to 20 ºC. So I used one the unit as a freezer and the other as a regular fridge. Loved that much space in the freezer!