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With plenty of companies offering semi-custom choices, there are plenty of design styles available to create the look you desire. Pale colors are widely tipped as the go-to for small kitchens, especially off-whites with warm undertones and creamy stone shades. However, the room’s natural light levels and direction in relation to the sun, are more important considerations than its dimensions. Fading seamlessly into the surrounding walls, this hidden kitchen by Australia-based Studio Minosa shows how hiding clutter away can really boost the sense of space.
Make the Fridge Feel Intentional
A slender frame detail, as seen on the door fronts of this kitchen designed by Tamara Magel, feels more in balance with the small space than a chunkier design might. ‘I also like the fresher look of plain fronts on drawers in a small kitchen – it helps prevent the classical cabinetry from appearing too busy,’ adds Tamara. Whether your kitchen design is modern, traditional or country, you'll find ways to infuse personality into small spaces. Try experimenting with checkerboard floors, layering in vintage accents or taking a kitchen backsplash all the way to the ceiling. Swap upper cabinets for open shelving (a great hack for galley kitchens) or go big with artwork (it can easily become the focal point). Whether you live in an apartment, condo or your house is lacking kitchen space, this photo gallery is full of design inspiration to steal.
Use Wall Space for Smart Storage
Not everyone has the time, patience, or budget to replace their cabinets entirely. That's why Jennifer Verruto of Blythe Interiors also recommends refinishing or painting existing cabinets as a cost-effective alternative. If customizing your cabinets isn’t within your budget, Verruto has an innovative solution.
Use the End of Your Island for Storage
While double-bowl kitchen sinks offer ample space for cleaning and rinsing dishes, they take up more countertop space than you may be able to offer in a small kitchen. Luckily, there are a plethora of stylish single-bowl sinks that offer both style and functionality. One large basin makes it easier to clean large cookware like roasting pans without taking up too much valuable counter space.
Store Cooking Essentials on a Bar Cart
You could also paint or replace dark or fussy cupboards with simpler fronts in paler shades. If your wall-hung units are in good condition, you might consider simply removing the doors and painting the carcasses to transform them into open shelving. For more hints and tips, read our expert guide to the best cabinet styles for small kitchens. Before getting started, it’s definitely advisable to do an inventory of everything in your kitchen, and discard or give away anything that you don’t use or isn’t in good working order. That way, you’re only dedicating that much-needed cabinet space to items that really need to be there.
50 Small Kitchen Ideas From Interior Designers - Martha Stewart
50 Small Kitchen Ideas From Interior Designers.
Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Use it to store dishwashing and cleaning essentials, or consider one that's dedicated to cooking spices. Cocktail accoutrement can take up quite a bit of valuable real estate in an already tight kitchen. Consider creating a nearby space for all your bar-related goods, including glasses, shakers, decanters, and the alcohol itself. This creates a new focal point in your space and is an opportunity to infuse some of your own style. If space is very tight within the kitchen itself, don't be afraid to leverage space in adjoining rooms to get more storage. In this small kitchen design, Ami McKay of PURE Design utilized shelving on the opposite side for cups and other kitchenware.
Small Kitchen Ideas From Designers That Will Make Your Space Feel Huge

Take the color right up to the cornice to maximize impact, and don’t be afraid to paint out the architectural millwork while you’re going for it! ‘The smallest spaces can be the most memorable if you keep the focus strong,’ adds Matthew. The elimination of protruding hardware and a streamlined look reduces visual clutter, and you can shave an inch or two off the usable floorspace, too. Introduce warmer materials via your flooring and hardware – think burnished brass and wood – for a look that’s luxurious rather than clinical.
Create Depth With Glass Upper Cabinets
‘The design of the curved cabinetry centers around creating a fluid use of space in a high-traffic area,’ explains Idan. This will help clarify what things you would like to see from your new cabinets and whether those options can be worked into a smaller kitchen. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
51 Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Make the Most of a Tiny Space - Architectural Digest
51 Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Make the Most of a Tiny Space.
Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Here, blogger Brigette Muller of @hummusbirrd also adds stools for a small dining spot. White and other bright neutral tones will make even the tiniest kitchens feel more open and airy. White cabinets, countertops, walls, and ceilings create a seamless design without edges or boundaries. If your budget doesn’t allow for a kitchen redesign, there are a few DIY hacks that can make your cabinetry better suited to a small space, such as swapping upper cabinet doors for glass-fronted options.
If you don't have the space for wall-to-wall open shelving, go for small corner shelves. Designer Kate Lester created instant storage by hanging three reclaimed barn wood shelves. Extend the kitchen counter to include just enough space for two bar stools, which actually face away from the kitchen. To save on counter space, Union of Art Interiors also creates a cubby for the microwave to live. From the butcher block countertop and moody green cabinets to the cafe curtains and glass pendant light, this small kitchen — designed by Sarah Stacey — is packed with vintage charm and character. A slim pullout cabinet installed near the sink or oven can provide more storage space while helping you stay organized.
Or, go for subtlety and be aware that toning down your choices just a little can still be really effective in a small kitchen. ‘If you have to use your counters, get pretty stackable boxes to store items on the counter while still looking pretty and keeping surfaces clear,’ she suggests. I grew up in a very old house in North Carolina and am still influenced by the rustic, charming, antique and aged elements of a home. Sustainability and longevity is extremely important to me and I believe learning to reuse materials or purchasing items you’ll love forever goes a long way.
Creating a fuss-free, family-friendly design is easy with handle-free cabinetry. Available in a variety of finishes, from hi-gloss white to textured woods and ceramics, it’s a style that works beautifully in both modern and period properties. In this kitchen, the ribbed white sink mimics the ribbed glass of the cabinets, which makes the tableware visible without being entirely exposed. Kitchen flooring like this becomes the feature of the room and is best used when the units and walls are plain in color, that way there’s no creative clashing. There may be little choice, though a galley kitchen is often your only choice – even in an open plan area.
"Sunshine is the ingredient to making any small spaces feel bigger and more inviting," says Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors. "Instead of sizing down that kitchen sink window, we recommend the opposite, size up." Palmieri was tasked with accommodating a cooking and gathering area large enough for a couple and their children in this small kitchen. Instead of traditional bar stools at the island, she added two long benches to maximize the seating potential.