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In this kitchen by designer Augusta Hoffman, a small rod displays a few go-to tools and cookware for easy access while cooking. Here, interior designer Reena Sotropa uses a geometric bar cabinet to create separation in a small space. Display dishes, mugs, cutting boards and spices within reach — even if you're tight on space.
Save kitchen space with swing-arm stools.
Combining wall appliances, such as putting a built-in microwave above a wall oven, saves counter space for meal prep. Regarding other small appliances, think about which ones you need, or consider appliances that do multiple jobs, such as a toaster oven and air fryer. Buy only what you need, and commit to using kitchen tools that either suit the aesthetic, like the natural tones shown here, or that can be tucked away. Sure, green and black kitchens have been trending in recent years, but we love this happy pale lavender version in the Milan apartment of Lisa Corti. The hue works to delineate the space, which the textile designer further personalized with open shelves, knickknacks (we love the framed photo of the cat), and a sky-blue table.
Choose Complementary Lighting
30 Bold Blue Kitchens That Are at the Height of Good Taste - ELLE Decor
30 Bold Blue Kitchens That Are at the Height of Good Taste.
Posted: Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Weigh up the pros and cons of tall units over worktop space – small double galleys often benefit from one side of tall cabinets teamed with one run of base units opposite. Although, you should make every attempt to keep work surface clear of clutter. 'When it comes to counter space I'm a big fan of having counters clear for a good workspace, but sometimes that isn't always easy when limited on space,’ says Bailey Todd, of White Cliff Studio. Where possible, store items away when they are not in use, but if you’re really stretched for storage, introduce organizational solutions. Creating a fuss-free, family-friendly design is easy with handle-free cabinetry.
Colorblock the Cabinets
Leverage vertical space by taking your cabinets to the ceiling, says Libby Palmieri, principal at House of L Designs. "Taking the cabinets to the ceiling helped the space [pictured above] feel much larger at only 88 square feet," she says. When it comes to making any small space functional, sneaking in storage wherever you can is essential. In this kitchen by Artichoke Design, a stone oven backsplash acts as storage in disguise, thanks to two handy niches cut into the marble, where cooks can keep oil and spices nearby. Organize your space using the kitchen triangle rule to create a smooth path between the sink, oven (or stovetop), and refrigerator. Choose two distinct kitchen flooring styles and use them to trick the eye into seeing two spaces.
Ahead, we've rounded up more than 80 clever and chic small kitchen ideas to pull inspiration from so that you never feel like a claustrophobic cook again. We promise these tricks will help you make the most of your counter space and cabinetry—and they might even make you want to spend even more time in your kitchen. Clever small kitchen layout ideas should ensure countertop paraphernalia can be kept to a minimum. Small appliances, and sugar, tea and coffee canisters can all eat up valuable surface area for food preparation and make a kitchen feel messy and cramped. One way is to add extra shelving or wall cabinets for stashing away all of those items that are generally on show. Even if you're sticking to a tight budget, it's possible for small kitchens — even very small kitchens — to feel functional and stylish.

Below are small kitchen ideas that will help you live large in a snug space. From clever layouts and smart cabinet choices to new tile applications, these easy ideas will make even the tiniest cook spaces feel brighter, roomier, and—best of all—prettier. White walls are the best way to ensure your kitchen looks clean and put together. You can use pops of bright colors or even natural wood grain to add variety. Go with a simple geometric or subway tile backsplash to protect the wall space above your counters.
It certainly isn’t in this sculptural kitchen in a Los Angeles bungalow designed by LAUN. A green lacquered volume not only is a chic way to camouflage the refrigerator, it also serves as a handy device to break up the home’s mostly open floor plan. High-shine brass cladding around the sink and cabinets, meanwhile, amplifies the room, not to mention gives the scheme a glam Midas touch. This Brooklyn apartment is blessed with super-tall ceilings and tons of natural light.
Whether you have a cozy apartment with a kitchenette or a house with a compact kitchen, this room is often the heart of a home for dwellings large and small. If you have a kitchen constrained by space limitations, you know the challenges that come with the territory—it doesn’t feel like there’s enough room for everything and everyone. Plus making use of wall space to have pots and pans and keep your crockery is a really practical storage solution and can look great too.
Use Neutral Colors
This will open up the space in a way that opaque cabinetry will not in a smaller kitchen,' explains Tom Howley. In small kitchen ideas where space is tight you may be tempted to remove the door to avoid the feeling of claustrophobia. But a door to a kitchen is a handy tool to be able to contain the smells of cooking from filling the rest of the house. In a small kitchen, particularly with small galley kitchen ideas, it can feel like it's impossible to properly zone the space. 'Integrating a partition means you can separate functions out more and give designated prep areas within the room,' advises Graeme Smith, head of design, Second Nature Kitchens.
One small kitchen decor idea is to choose a moment, like this patterned tile, and keep the rest of your kitchen design minimal. This ensures that your kitchen shows personality without the risk of feeling cluttered. All the permanent kitchen elements are neutral, but a stripe of warm pink paint near the ceiling adds dimension and makes the kitchen feel inviting.
However, as the most dynamic room in the home, functionality is just as important as looks. Think about how you use your kitchen day to day and what works and doesn't work. A small space doesn't mean you have to compromise on including the features you desire. Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Consider how any customization you add to this wall is cohesive with the rest of the room. Choose matching cabinets or complimentary shelving colors to achieve a harmonious design. In small kitchens like this, adding light colors and skylights makes the room feel more expansive, turning a tiny kitchen into a bright and functional area. While upper cabinetry adds extra storage space, it can make a small kitchen feel more cramped and crowded. Removing every cabinet on the upper portion of your kitchen isn't practical, but taking down a few can instantly open up the space and give the illusion of a larger room. Since modern farmhouse decor is primarily white, this trend is perfect for small kitchen designs.
Mirrors reflect light, making a space appear bigger and brighter, and the reflection itself offers the illusion of more space. Pair a stylish mirror with a gorgeous accent wall, and turn your small kitchen into a real showpiece. Kitchen nooks come in various sizes and styles, and they can be an excellent addition to a galley kitchen with a layout that has services on only one side. Though kitchen nooks are often tucked into a corner, wider galley kitchens can include or be adjacent to an L-shaped nook or a nook against the wall with bench seating.
‘Staggering the depth of your worktops allows you to create small shallow areas for seating or slim cupboards. You need to keep the depth for the sink and appliances, but if your kitchen is long and thin, a staggered worktop is the perfect solution for a little breakfast bar,’ says Helen. These shelves introduce a new space for keeping glassware, aesthetic tableware, and decorative elements to make the kitchen feel more homely. ‘Small kitchens can be challenging but fun to design, you have to utilize every little spot and be clever with depths and heights.
Small kitchens with an angled or A-line roof above potentially have more storage opportunities than other homes. Kristin Marina of KozyKasa got creative with storage solutions in this small kitchen design. The island features a built-in wine rack on the right side along with storage underneath, and a tall and narrow pantry provides lots of space for food. If space is limited and you want to maintain good flow, opt for a small island like interior designer Yvonne McFadden did here.