Small custom-made kitchen and high storage, door Catriona

A small, homemade kitchen with big dreams

How do you design a compact kitchen when nooks and crannies complicate everything, but high ceilings offer great possibilities? Catriona's project provides an answer full of great ideas. Entirely crafted by this client using custom-cut wood by OPMAATZAGEN.nl, this kitchen combines stacked wall cabinets, white fronts, and storage solutions adapted to narrow spaces. A great inspiration for a small home or tiny house kitchen.

Furniture adapted to an atypical configuration

Two well-organized work areas

The photos show a sink area installed in a niche between two walls and a cooking zone adjacent to the refrigerator. On the sink side, the wood-look countertop sits above a dishwasher with a metal front and a base cabinet with two white doors. A black faucet stands out against a backsplash with a gray, black, and cream mineral pattern. An open shelf holds small everyday items, while stemmed glasses are hung beneath the wall cabinet.

For cooking, a black hob is integrated into a warm wood-toned worktop, with the oven directly below. To the right, the refrigerator occupies a niche lined with blue-gray elements. An open shelf above holds dishes, and an additional white cupboard further utilizes the available height.

Storage units that extend almost to the ceiling

Above the cooktop, several levels of cabinets are stacked one on top of the other. Their rectangular fronts, in varying sizes, follow the available space rather than a single, modular design. Long, gold handles, mounted horizontally or vertically, create a cohesive look. Above the sink, two large doors also extend the storage upwards. This way, you can take advantage of the ceiling height without further obstructing the flow of movement.

Clever details to save space

A photo with the doors open reveals the layout around the range hood: a lift-up panel provides access to the central storage area, and a side compartment with a shelf accommodates dishes. It's a good example of a custom kitchen designed around the appliances, even when their shape makes the space challenging to fit.

Another clever idea: a narrow sliding compartment holds spices at the top and bottles below. By pulling out the white front panel, you can access the contents without having to search the back of a cupboard. Near the oven, an open vertical niche also accommodates pans and accessories. Every little space has its purpose.

The lighting under the wall cabinets casts a warm glow over the sink area. The photos show a kitchen that has already been used, with some finishing details still visible, including wires near the range hood. The overall effect is primarily to understand the practical choices behind the cabinet fronts.

The role of OPMAATZAGEN.nl in this DIY kitchen

Catriona carried out the project herself; OPMAATZAGEN.nl supplied the wood cut to the requested dimensions. This division of labor gives you control over the design, assembly, and finishing, while simplifying the preparation of the panels. In a kitchen with niches and varying heights, starting with pieces of the correct dimensions makes it easier to adapt the furniture to the room.

Building your own kitchen allows you to choose the width of the cabinet fronts, the placement of the shelves, and the storage capacity to suit your needs. You also retain the freedom to select your materials and finish. In terms of budget, assembling it yourself can reduce labor costs, provided you also factor in the cost of hardware, paint, and appliances.

Some guidelines to help you prepare your own project

Before ordering your panels, measure each niche in several places: walls aren't always perfectly straight. Allow for the necessary clearances for door openings and respect the clearances and ventilation guidelines for appliances. For wall-mounted furniture, choose fixings appropriate for the type of wall. Reserve the highest cupboards for items you use less frequently, and keep essentials within easy reach.

MDF Primed: a practical base for painted facades

The material recommended for this project is MDF Primed, a wood fiberboard panel with a primer undercoat. Its smooth, even surface is well-suited to minimalist cabinetry like that of this custom kitchen. The primer makes preparation before painting easier and allows you to choose a color that matches your interior. Remember to carefully prepare and protect the edges, drill holes, and cutouts according to the product recommendations, especially near the sink: primed MDF is not automatically water-resistant.