Small spaces often face misconceptions in the design world, particularly among homeowners who believe that beauty requires ample space. Contrary to this belief, it’s possible to create a beautiful home even within limited square footage. This is especially true for kitchens, where smart space-saving techniques, clever design hacks, and stunning aesthetics can transform a petite kitchen into a functional and attractive space. Here are some small kitchen ideas to help you live large in a snug space.
From clever layouts and smart cabinet choices to new tile applications, these ideas will make even the tiniest cook spaces feel brighter, roomier, and prettier.
05of 48. Take Advantage of Height. Photo and Design c/o Martin Moore Design. When considering square footage, we often only think about horizontal space. But in kitchens, going vertical is beneficial for extra storage. In this narrow city apartment, the Martin Moore Design team tripled storage height by combining lower cabinets, a floating shelf, and high upper cabinets for occasional serving pieces or extra dishes.
06of 48. Add a Fun Pop With Wallpaper. Photo by Anna Spaller for Hyphen & Co, Chasing Paper. Wallpaper is a fun way to add charisma to a small kitchen. Whether inspired by travel themes, animal prints, or florals. ‘This wallpaper pattern adds a refreshing touch with a vibrant pop of color, echoing the nostalgia of a trip to Italy,’ says Shelly Lynch-Sparks. The lemon motif creates a visually dynamic backsplash and paired with gold accents, brings elegance, making the kitchen warm and inviting. 07of 48. Substitute a Work Table for an Island. Photography by Madeline Harper for Daley Home. People are incorporating vintage work tables into kitchens for a rustic, warm feel. This works well in small kitchen designs where large islands take up too much space but more counter space is needed. The open space underneath makes the kitchen feel roomier. 08of 48. Camouflage Your Fridge. Photo by Jack Gardner for Brad Ramsey Interiors. Your fridge is the largest appliance in your kitchen and can overwhelm a small space. Spend extra money to integrate it into custom cabinetry, as in this design by Brad Ramsey Interiors. 09of 48. Or, Hide it Behind Cabinetry. Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg for Unique Kitchens and Baths. For another camouflaged appliance option, take inspiration from this design. The fridge is hidden by custom cabinetry in the center of the right side wall, blending in with the rest. 10of 48. Go For an Extra-Long Design. Photo by Margaret Rajic for Outline Interiors. Even with a small kitchen, you don’t have to give up a long island. In this beautiful kitchen by Outline Interiors, an extra long island with a waterfall design offers workspace, seating, and an artful pop. 11of 48. Tuck Bar Seating Under the Island. Photography by Mike Schirf for Latham Interiors. Bar chairs are essential for maximizing space in a small kitchen, especially if the dining area is limited. But they can disrupt traffic. Make your island a bit deeper so chairs can tuck inside when not in use, as in this design by Latham Interiors.Backless chairs can help, too.
In a small space, every design moment counts. As Sophia Hardy for Sophia at Home shows, gray hexagon tiles in a tiny space bring a subtle pattern and graphic touch to the floor between cabinets. Scandinavian design is clean, bright, and earthy. Opt for tones like pale wood, sage green, and white. Let in lots of light and keep design details to a minimum. As seen in Nicole Dianne’s work for Collected Interiors. One benefit of smaller kitchens is that you can splurge on wow-worthy details. For example, an incredible marbled backsplash like the one in Dror Baldinger’s work for Ashby Collective. Light is crucial in small kitchens. Even if you can’t install a traditional window, create a makeshift open space into another room for improved light flow. As shown by Joyelle West for Opaline Interior Studio. In very tiny spaces or kitchens where a large range won’t be used, a smaller stove makes sense. As Mike Schirf’s work for Latham Interiors shows. Small kitchens can have smaller sinks. This sink takes up minimal space in width and length but is deep. Courtesy of Catherine Hooper of iSPY Home Design. Maximize your existing footprint in a small kitchen. As Catherine Hooper of iSPY Home Design says, this space didn’t originally have a peninsula but adding one gave extra countertop and seating. The open railing also lets in more light. Incorporating an island into a small kitchen can be tricky. Try an L-shaped island as seen in Madeline Harper’s work for Anastasia Casey.An L-shaped bar, like the one in this design by Anastasia Casey, offers up the feel of an island without sacrificing limited square footage. This layout is perfect for maximizing space in small kitchens.
Cabinet space is at a premium in small kitchens, making your countertops a natural overflow zone. To keep the area organized and stylish, choose fun accessories and gadgets, as seen on the countertops of Cynthia Moreno of Hot Pink Pineapples. 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. Every space, however small, should be utilized when designing a small kitchen. In this beautiful space by Living with Lolo, tiny open shelves are incorporated on either side of the stove, perfect for spices, cookware essentials, and decor. One of the perks of a tiny kitchen is that it has real ‘jewel box’ potential. Take this design by Blueberry Jones Design, for example, where colorful tiling stretches up the wall while bright blue lower cabinetry pop and complement the color story. Open floor plans are not only functional but also help spaces feel bigger. This small kitchen by Sunday House Design, which would otherwise feel boxed in, feels much larger thanks to the open design that leads into the dining room. Microwaves are a modern must-have, but they can take up a lot of space. Get creative with placement by keeping them off your counters, as shown in this design by Brad Ramsey Interiors. A small kitchen that feels and functions well doesn’t just come down to taming physical clutter—it requires taming visual clutter, too. In this room designed by Fiona Parke of Johnston Parke Interiors, slab-front cabinetry and no backsplash keep things simple yet stunning.Why Open-Concept Kitchens Are So Controversial, According to Designers. 27 of 48. Illuminate Your Space. Photo and Design by Bakes & Kropp. Many apartment dwellers face small kitchens with little natural light, making the space feel snug and claustrophobic. Focus on illuminating solutions to keep the vibe light and airy. In this Bakes & Kropp kitchen, various light sources like overhead can lighting, shelf lighting, and interior cabinet lighting create a dynamic and roomy small space.
‘Layered Lighting’ Is the Game-Changing Decor Trick Designers Swear By. 28 of 48. Incorporate Storage Above the Stove. Photo courtesy of Chasing Paper by David Quarles. If space allows, add extra storage above your stove top. In this small kitchen designed by David Quarles, a narrow wooden ledge and a bar were incorporated for spices, decor, and cooking essentials. 29 of 48. Make the Most of Every Inch. Photo by 82mm Photo for Polly Ashman Interiors. A small kitchen is not just about square footage but also a quirky layout. Working with a pro to make the most of nooks and crannies can be beneficial. Designer Polly Ashman created a unique cabinet design for bonus storage in a tight space. 30 of 48. Scale Down Your Island. Photo by Rett Peek for Meet West Design. Good news: You don’t have to sacrifice the island in a small space. Scale down the footprint or opt for a free-standing piece to get extra surface area without taking up too much space. Designer Whitney Romanoff used an antique worktable for a slim but functional solution. 31 of 48. Use Open Shelving for Glassware. Photo courtesy of Catherine Hooper of iSPY Home Design. Open shelving uses vertical space in a small kitchen without the bulkiness of cabinets. Stored matching glassware creates an airy and less cluttered feel. 32 of 48. Try an Angled Island. Photo by Marc Maudlin for Theresa Butler Interiors. Kitchen islands don’t have to run parallel to back counters. An angled island maximizes floor space and provides a more ergonomic flow around cooking and dining areas. 33 of 48. Work in Standalone Storage. Photo and Design by deVOL Kitchens. In an open floor plan, use nearby spaces for storage. Standalone case goods like this Butler’s Pantry by deVOL Kitchens can expand your kitchen. 34 of 48. Go for a Black Color Scheme. Photo by Margaret Rajic for Outline Interiors. Similar to an all-white color palette, black shades create the illusion of more space in a small kitchen.Introducing texture and warmth through tiling, glass shelves, and cabinetry creates a welcoming atmosphere. The contrast of wood, brick, and white further enhances the space’s warmth and appeal.
35of 48Opt for a Narrow Countertop: Photo by Wendy Concannon for Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design. A narrow countertop along the back wall in this design by Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design creates more walking space within the kitchen itself.
36of 48Opt for Glass-Front Cabinetry: Photo by Kasia Fiszer for Emilie Fournet Interiors. Crowding a small space with cabinetry can afford more storage, but it can also make your kitchen feel claustrophobic. The solution? Swap solid cabinet fronts for glass ones, which will lighten the feel of the entire room. Here, designer Emilie Fournet chose reeded glass to lessen visual clutter while disguising the contents of each cabinet.
37of 48Make Use of Reflections and Light: Photo by Marc Maudlin for Theresa Butler Interiors. Adding more light into a small kitchen is helpful in making it feel larger and more welcoming. To add to that effect, weave in some reflective details, as done in this design by Theresa Butler Interiors. The large pendant lights above the island create a focal point and enhance the room’s vertical space, a stainless steel hood adds a reflective quality that brightens the room, and the countertops are light and bright.
38of 48Sneak in Natural Light: Photo by Tim Williams for BHDM Design. Maximizing the layout of a small kitchen can often mean sacrificing other aspects, like trading a window for extra cabinetry. Luckily, the design team behind BHDM Design found a clever solution, opting for horizontal windows in between the top and base cabinets for a “living backsplash” of sorts.
39of 48Make Your Backsplash Mini: Photo by Chris Snook for Lizzie Green Design. Another backsplash option? Make it mini! This clever design by Lizzie Green bottles the best of both worlds, marrying a charming tile backsplash with a small-scale application that doesn’t overwhelm a petite kitchen or short run of cabinetry.
40of 48Don’t Shy Away From a Double Oven: Photo by Life Created for Living with Lolo. If you’ve always dreamed of having a double oven, you don’t have to give up your aspirations just because you have a small kitchen. Determine the best area for your double oven, then build your custom cabinetry around it.
41of 48Add Storage on the Island Endcap: Photography by Molly Culver for Meredith Owen Interiors. We’ve talked a lot about creative storage ideas, and there’s really no shortage of options even in a small kitchen. In this beautiful design by Meredith Owen Interiors, the island endcap features built-in shelves for cookbooks, decor, and more.
42of 48Go Two-Toned: Photo by JVL Photography for Grassroots Design. Choosing the perfect cabinetry color can be a tricky task, as it’s so dependent on your home’s style, size, and natural light.
One combination to consider for your kitchen design is a two-toned scheme. A space designed by Emma Doucet of Grassroots Design exemplifies this, pairing stormy blue with midnight black to create a cozy area that feels divided into two distinct zones. 22 Gorgeous Blue Kitchens That’ll Have You Dreaming of Your Next Renovation For those with small kitchens and low ceilings, a tile treatment could be the solution to making the room appear larger. Amanda Paa of Heartbeet Kitchen’s graphic arrangement naturally draws the eye upward, enhancing the sense of space and openness. Add a Graphic TouchPhoto by Sage Imagery for Heartbeet Kitchen Lighting is often referred to as the jewelry of any room, and its importance is amplified when chosen for design purposes in the kitchen. To accentuate a small space, opt for fixtures that add personality and presence, such as the graphic circular pendants featured in a city escape designed by Jennifer Hunter Design. Hang Interesting LightingPhoto by Kristen Francis for Jennifer Hunter Design Practicality doesn’t have to override aesthetics in a small kitchen. BHDM Design demonstrates that you can incorporate decorative elements alongside beautiful finishes for cabinetry, fixtures, and countertops, like the museum-worthy art display in their kitchen design. Don’t Forget ArtPhoto by Reid Rolls for BHDM Design The advantage of a small space is its compact size, allowing for a greater allocation of budget to high-end finishes and luxury design elements. Morgan Madison Design’s kitchen showcases this with a tiled ceiling, marble-clad walls and countertops, and a high-end BlueStar range and hood. Lean Into LuxuryPhoto by Stephen Karlisch for Morgan Madison Design A quick way to enliven a small kitchen is by adding fun details in unexpected places. Hyphen & Co added a cocktail pattern peel-and-stick wallpaper to the bar in their design, bringing a playfully elegant touch and incorporating subtle hints of color into the sleek space. Add Some Pizazz to the BarPhoto by Anna Spaller for Hyphen & Co, Chasing Paper For those short on seating space or without a designated dining room, turning the kitchen island into a seating area is an effective way to maximize a small floor plan. Turn Your Island Into a Seating SpacePhoto by Kaitlin Green for Sunday House Design
