Jennifer Sheahan: How to maximise space in a tiny kitchen

'Some of the best meals I've had were cooked in kitchens no bigger than a wardrobe — and most restaurant kitchens are tiny galleys'

Jennifer Sheahan's tiny kitchen seems more spacious than it is. Pictures: Moya Nolan

If you're living with a small or narrow kitchen — especially common in Irish homes — you might feel a bit limited. But some of the best meals I’ve ever had were cooked in kitchens no bigger than a wardrobe. In fact, most restaurant kitchens are little more than tiny galleys, and it doesn’t stop the chefs occupying them from producing masses of exceptional meals.

There’s something about a small space that forces you to be more deliberate, more organised, and often more inventive. My own kitchen is tiny in terms of footprint, but it doesn’t feel tiny because I’ve designed it to function in a way that works for me, tailored exactly to how I cook. With clever planning and the right choices, a small kitchen can be a powerhouse. The key is to maximise every centimetre while keeping your most-used items within easy reach. Here’s how to make yours work hard for you.