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Floor plan for small kitchen


20 ideas to maximize that small space |

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(Image credit: Barbara Sallick/William Abranowicz/Emily J Followill/Beth Webb Interiors/Ward & Co./Taran Wilkhu)

The best small kitchen layouts are crucial to getting the most out of a room with less space than you’d like. Planning a small kitchen layout can be tricky, as finding the best layout can make or break a compact kitchen. 

Our kitchen ideas guide to small kitchen layout ideas covers all the bases to help you reach the full potential of your kitchen.

While you might think options can be limited for small kitchen ideas, these smaller spaces often turn out to be far more ergonomically efficient. 

No traipsing miles to gather ingredients, or circumnavigating a monolithic island unit to reach the sink. When space is tight, everything is meticulously placed for convenience and is exactly where you need it.

Best small kitchen layouts

When thinking about how to plan a small kitchen layout, it's best to make a list of your ‘must-haves’, particularly in terms of appliances, as they can swallow up a lot of storage space. 

Take time to think about how you cook, who else needs access to the kitchen, even if it’s just the fridge, and where the dining table is in relation to the dishwasher.

Do seek advice from a professional kitchen designer. They are trained in spatial design and the latest space-saving innovations, and can often suggest ways to get more in to kitchen layouts without overcrowding.

1. Maximize natural light to make a galley feel bigger

(Image credit: Emily J Followill/Beth Webb Interiors)

While it’s a highly sensible layout choice for a long, thin space, double galley kitchens have a reputation for feeling dark and pokey. To help make them feel bigger, be sure to maximize the room’s potential for natural light. 

If it’s architecturally possible, maximizing window space at one end of the galley will do wonders for the sense of space in the room. In this small but breathtaking space by designer Beth Webb , the kitchen of a South Carolina hunting lodge is made to feel light and breezy through the use of floor-to-ceiling windows, helped by the positioning of another window on the perpendicular wall. 

2. Open shelving and glass cabinets help create depth

(Image credit: Ward & Co./Taran Wilkhu)

While closed cabinetry is perfect for keeping kitchens feeling neat and tidy, too much of it on the top half of the elevations is likely to make a small kitchen feel smaller – you’re effectively extending the solid wall outwards into the room. 

To combat this, keep solid cabinetry to the lower half of the kitchen, and break up the higher levels with open kitchen shelving ideas and glass-fronted cupboards. In this apartment kitchen by London designers Ward & Co. , open cabinetry is used exclusively above the worktops, allowing for a greater sense of depth in those areas.  

3. Make the most of space with a double galley

(Image credit: Future/Jonathan Gooch)

The only layout more spatially efficient than a single galley, is a double galley.  

'Double galley kitchens are practical because they efficiently utilise both sides of a narrow space, offering more storage for small kitchens,’ explains Pluck ’s co-founder George Glasier.

George also explains how this small kitchen layout can make a small kitchen look bigger: ‘As the cabinetry doesn’t meet at the room’s corners, they eliminate the awkward-to-reach corner cupboard debate. Visually they provide symmetry and therefore balance to the space, which can help make a small kitchen appear bigger.'

4. Try a moveable option

(Image credit: Luke White)

When space is tight, an island unit can become more of an obstacle than asset.

In this 3.6m wide kitchen, interior designer Robert Rhodes felt a permanent island, even a narrow one, would have made the space on either side feel small and compromised. Instead, a freestanding vintage table provides extra prep space when needed and can be moved out of the way when entertaining.

‘Going for a freestanding piece can prove much more flexible and also offers a more relaxed, laidback look than fitted units,’ says Robert.

5. Undulate worktops and cabinetry to make the most of space 

(Image credit: Barbara Sallick/William Abranowicz)

If you’re keen to eek out every bit of floor space you can, remember that worktops and cabinetry do not have to be at the same depth the whole way around the kitchen. 

In this kitchen owned and designed by Waterworks Co-Founder Barbara Sallick, the worktop to the left hand side includes a small inlet opposite the island, between deeper areas that facilitate corner cupboards and a tall glass cabinet. This makes the most of walking space where those few inches of storage space aren’t necessary. 

6. Get creative with awkward nooks

(Image credit: Adam Macchia)

If you’ve inherited a kitchen where architectural features are an obstacle to making the most of the space, it’s time to get creative. 

In this apartment kitchen owned by furniture expert Christine Retlev, a window with a low bottom edge makes it difficult to extend the worktop all the way to the end wall. Instead, Retlev installed a lower countertop, and turned the awkward nook into a seating area, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee alongside views of Manhattan.  

7. Add an island

(Image credit: Mark Bolton)

Kitchen islands can have so many uses, whether it's for storage, extra worktop surface or for sitting.

By incorporating breakfast bar ideas into the design of your kitchen, you're making the space go further with the addition of a handy spot to eat and drink. And it takes up less room than a clunky kitchen table.

(Image credit: Luke Edward Hall)

A single galley layout, with the entire kitchen on one elevation, is inspired by the confines of a ship’s galley, where every inch counts.

This striking cobalt kitchen belonging to artist and interior designer Luke Edward Hall is in an open-plan room that also accommodates dining and relaxing. Fortunately, the ceiling is high, so Luke could maximize his small kitchen storage options with wall cabinets, without overpowering the room.

‘You can see the kitchen from the sofa,’ says Luke. ‘Although I like to have fresh produce and ceramics on display, it is nice for us to be able to put things away.’

9. Consider U-shape solutions

(Image credit: Future/Paul Raeside)

If you have to cram a lot of units into a very small space, a U-shape layout is often the best bet. The downside of two corners is compensated by extra cupboard space on the end wall.

‘The key to compact U-shaped kitchens is using every inch to your advantage. Use Le Mans units inside corner cupboards. They’ll bring the contents out to you,’ says Hayley Robson, creative director, Day True .

‘Take the kitchen cabinets as close to the ceiling as possible. Not only does this look extremely elegant but it also maximises storage more than you would think.’

10. Choose to hide it away

(Image credit: Photography/Anna Stathaki.)

Combining kitchen, living and dining in one room is a common scenario in small apartments.

For this luxury space in Knightsbridge, interior designer Kia Stanford has conceived a hidden kitchen that conceals the more practical side of cooking when the owners are relaxing. ‘The trick is to select materials and finishes more typically associated with living room furniture,’ says Kia.

Here, tall pocket doors shut away the small appliances and boiling water tap. Don’t be fooled by first appearances, this hidden kitchen is fully equipped for cooking up a storm.

11. Add a narrow island

(Image credit: Future Plc and Serena Fokschaner)

The width of floor space around an island is arguably more important than the width of the island itself. Aim for at least 90-100cm clear walkway around an island’s full perimeter.

‘It is essential not to make an island’s dimensions too big, as it may restrict movement around the kitchen,’ explains Ben Burbidge, managing director, Burbidge & Son.

An island unit should be at least one cabinet deep (60cm) to provide useful storage underneath, a little wider will be useful for spreading out when prepping on the surface.

12. Use clear walls

(Image credit: Plain English)

Leaving walls free from cabinetry can make a huge impact to the sense of space in a small kitchen. This only works if you have sufficient storage space elsewhere, such as a walk-in pantry.

Open shelving is less burdensome than solid wall cabinets, but even they create a degree of visual ‘noise’, so if it’s simplicity you are seeking, better to go without.

Here, Plain English has packed storage into both sides of the peninsula, leaving the walls blissfully empty, bar a simple cooker hood.

13. Try a breakfast bar

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)

Perfect for casual meals, a quick coffee or chatting to friends while you cook – all without losing prep space – breakfast bars are hugely practical.

‘Don’t assume it isn’t possible to squeeze a breakfast bar into a small kitchen. What a table-style design lacks in storage, it more than makes up for in creating a feeling of lightness and space,’ says Fabiana Scavolini, CEO of Scavolini .

‘This style of breakfast bar is less obtrusive than a standard peninsula with base units and it opens up the space by showing more of the floor.’

Don't forget to think about lighting ideas for small kitchens , too, so your breakfast bar can stand out in all its glory.

14. Hide everything behind sliding doors

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

For small apartments, open-plan living and teeny-weeny floor plans, consider the option to conceal a one-wall, narrow kitchen from view with sliding doors. A single bank of floor-to-ceiling units (kitted out with storage, cooking, sink, the lot) can magically disappear when not in use thanks to fully retractable doors. The result is an uninterrupted wall finish, which, depending on your door choice, will add an extra dash of color and texture to a small space.

‘The most prevalent demand on modern properties is space,’ explains Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at Life Kitchens . ‘Ever shrinking footprints mean that rooms are now multifunctional; combining living, dining and cooking into one space is fast becoming the norm. Life’s Hidden Kitchen provides everything needed with areas for preparation, cooking and storage. Essentials such as a fridge-freezer, oven and dishwasher are all included in this slim profile kitchen and with sliding, bifold doors, you can seamlessly hide it all away, leaving behind a statement, paneled wall feature.’

15. Add reflective surfaces

(Image credit: Tile Club)

Glossy door fronts, transparent glass shelving and metallic appliances will all take advantage of natural daylight and help make a small kitchen layout feel roomier by bouncing any available light around the space.

‘One of my best tips for a small kitchen is to utilize mirrors within your space – they can make a small space seem much larger than it actually is,’ says Zara O’Hare, internal interior design consultant at Land of Rugs . ‘Any natural light flowing through the space can be bounced back through different areas, making it seem lighter and more airy. I would place mirrors opposite areas where natural light comes through into the space, so windows and doors are your main opportunity. ’

These bevelled, antique mirror glass subway tiles will help open up a small kitchen layout.

16. Install hidden light sources

(Image credit: Schmidt UK)

As well as mirror finishes and glossy surfaces, clever kitchen lighting ideas can be key to the success of small kitchen layout ideas. Slick, unobtrusive strip lighting hidden under a wall cabinet or embedded into a plinth will not intrude into valuable inches and create the illusion of more room in a compact kitchen. It will also help bounce natural daylight around your space.

‘Strategic placing of lights, reflective surfaces and a light color scheme will make your kitchen seem bigger than it is,’ says Giovanni Scippo, director at 3D Lines . ‘You should be using what we call task lights, which are placed above where you do most of the work – the sink and counter. Another small but effective trick is to line your shelves and cabinets with strip lights – they’re easily concealed and very functional. ’

‘In a small kitchen, wall cabinets are usually necessary to give sufficient storage space, but unfortunately can make the room seem darker,’ adds Alice Pasteau, retail support manager, Schmidt UK . ‘Made-to-measure LED profiles can be built into your units, giving diffuse, neutral lighting over your countertop.’

17. Keep counters clutter-free in a small kitchen layout

(Image credit: Higham)

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. Another popular idea is a dedicated breakfast cupboard, which sits on top of the counter, with space to hide away cereal, bread, coffee, preserves, bowls, mugs and small plates, plus kettles, toasters and juicers (with power points inside so they don’t have to be moved when used.

‘When designing a kitchen, it is important to understand how a client lives and uses the space,’ says Tim Higham owner of bespoke kitchen brand Higham Furniture . ‘At first, our recommendation for this fairly traditional kitchen in an Edwardian period property was to have wall cabinets either side of the chimney, freeing up the counter space next to the range.

‘However, when the client said that any empty worktop in their home would get cluttered, we agreed that the dressers would work best as they allowed for appliances and other items to be hidden out of sight.’

The proportions of the room led to a narrow small kitchen island, which is highly functional though, and includes a sink, dishwasher and bins plus sink and overhang for stools.

18. Create unexpected storage in a small layout

(Image credit: Beam/Ahmad AbouZanat, Project AZ)

Think outside the box when it comes to layout in a limited footprint. Small kitchen layouts should include great storage solutions plus implement top tactics for organizing a small kitchen. Try built-in benches, unused plinths that can be transformed into slim, toe-kick drawers and skinny larder cabinets with adjustable racking systems that utilize a narrow, redundant gap.

Using a modern mix of petroleum blue, walnut and brass, this small kitchen started life enclosed on all sides by walls, separating it from the rest of the house. Now, it is open plan to the living room, with a kitchen island that features a removable dining table and clever storage columns with a chic bar area.

‘By opening up the kitchen, I was able to capture unused space in the hallway and create additional storage through the insertion of the kitchen island,’ explains interior designer Ahmad AbouZanat of Project AZ . ‘The bar area is an entirely new area of storage they didn’t have before.’

19. Use flooring to alter proportions

(Image credit: Havwoods)

Create the illusion of more space with your choice of kitchen flooring. Hardwood floor planks can draw the eye down the room to make it seem longer or across it so it feels wider depending on which way they are laid. This clever design trick is particularly useful when a small kitchen leads into a living area; laying the same floor throughout will create a seamless, unbroken mood and add a sense of depth.

‘With space coming at a premium for some rooms, interiors are required to work harder and in turn become more flexible,‘ says Greg Elliot, head of technical at Havwoods . ‘The floor then becomes one of the largest fixtures and so designers are putting extra focus on how it impacts the space. Vertically placed planks or wide, long planks work particularly well in galley kitchens as they will increase the sense of space in the room.’

20. Be clever with color

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Sticking to a pale small kitchen paint colors is a foolproof way to make the most of the light in a small kitchen. Of course, if you want drama and bold color, an all-over paint shade can instead be applied to striking effect. Try painting cabinets, walls and ceiling in the same top-to-toe color to blur the lines of a small kitchen layout and create the illusion of a bigger area.

If that’s a step too far for your design tastebuds, introduce contrasting colors in a simple way: use darker colors such as navy or forest green on the floor cabinets and paint wall cabinets and walls in a pale shade to blend in with the ceiling.

What is the best layout for a small kitchen?

The best kitchen layouts are usually dictated by the immovable architectural elements, like windows, doors, chimney breasts and structural beams.

Try to avoid layouts that involve corners, such as L and U-shapes, but if a corner is inevitable, do make use of internal storage mechanisms like Le Mans and carousel systems.

Drawers are considered superior to cupboards in terms of full access to all contents. Also think about how cabinets and appliances open. A dishwasher door that clashes with a fridge door opposite will endlessly annoy.

How do you declutter a small kitchen?

One way to declutter a small kitchen is through the use of cabinetry. A plain slab door with push-touch or recessed handles will look sleeker than a framed door with protruding hardware.

Likewise, a breakfast cupboard with bi-folding or tambour doors can be used to hide away countertop appliances, including the coffee machine and toaster. A boiling water tap takes the kettle out of the equation and can be combined with your regular hot and cold supply in one neat unit.

Larders always sound like a luxury exclusive to large kitchens, but they utilise the room’s height, so offer impressive volumes of storage. Hang a small set of steps on the inside of the larder door for easy access to the top shelves.

What appliances are best for small kitchens?

Multifunctional appliances are best for small kitchens, like a combi-microwave or combi-steam oven, which are essentially two cooking methods in one.

You can also get single ovens that can be split to cook at different temperatures; like a double oven but in a smaller footprint. Built-in, compact appliances are 45cm-high, instead of 60cm, and can be stacked neatly. Induction hobs with built-in extraction can also save space overhead but do check how much cupboard space you’ll lose below for the motor unit.

Slimline dishwashers are 45cm-wide, which can make all the difference if you’re counting every cm. Under-mounted drawer-style refrigeration comes with impressive capacities.

Do think very carefully about the appliances you need, or you could end up with nowhere to store crockery. Could a wine fridge fit in the dining room for example?

Linda graduated from university with a First in Journalism, Film and Broadcasting. Her career began on a trade title for the kitchen and bathroom industry, and she has worked for Homes & Gardens, and sister-brands Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, since 2006, covering interiors topics, though kitchens and bathrooms are her specialism. 

With contributions from

Small kitchen layout ideas - 15 clever designs to make the most of space |

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki)

Clever, well-thought-out small kitchen layout ideas are key to designing a space that's functional, stylish, and really maximizes the room you have to work with. Deciding on a layout is one of the first steps when it comes to planning your kitchen, so it's worth considering all your options before you start getting into the (admitted more fun) color schemes, cabinet styles etc.

Now, while you might think when it comes to a small space, your options when it comes to layout are fairly limited, but actually, there are so many creative ways to make use of space. So we've pulled all our favorite small kitchen ideas and designs together, plus spoken to kitchen experts to get the best advice when it comes to choosing a layout for your space...

The best small kitchen layouts 

We demand a lot of our kitchens every day, and smaller spaces often need to work harder for us. They should be robust, and most importantly, easy to navigate. ‘This is where the working triangle comes in, with sink, cooking, and fridge zones all in relatively close proximity,’ explains Matt Baker, Designer at Harvey Jones . ‘There should be a good-sized worktop run for preparation, preferably next to or opposite the hob zone. ’

Multifunctional elements are key to a successful small kitchen layout design – whether it be an oven that doubles as a microwave, or, an L-shaped worktop that can be used as a breakfast bar. Bringing a designer on board early on in your planning process will be beneficial to your kitchen ideas, as they can advise on how to best to optimize your space. A plus side of small kitchens is you can often choose made-to-measure storage or high-quality materials that will stand the test of time, without completely blowing the budget. ‘Longevity is a priority for a new kitchen,’ says Ben Burbidge, Managing Director, Kitchen Makers . ‘So you need to ensure your chosen design and colors are styles that will not only work for you but that you will love to live with for many years.’

1. Consider the kitchen triangle rule

Kitchen designed by Beata Heuman

(Image credit: deVOL)

Most of us, we are sure, have heard of the kitchen triangle rule, or the 'golden triangle' as it's sometimes called. And while it may have its roots in the 1940s, the idea of designing a kitchen floorplan that makes it super easy to move from the most important aspects of the room, definitely is something to be considered in 2021 too, especially when space is tight. 

In brief, the triangle rule is based on the sink, fridge, and cooker all being in relatively close proximity. 'When presented with a challenging space it is essential that the layout is carefully considered to make sure every inch of the kitchen is utilized. The age old advice that says to think of the fridge, oven and sink as points on a triangle and ensure the distance between each is not too limited holds true even in small or awkward spaces.' explains Ben Burbidge, Managing Director of Kitchen Makers .

'Innovative storage solutions will allow you to fully utilize your kitchen. Configure your storage around this triangle by allocating space to plates and glasses around your sink or dishwasher and keeping food storage away from hot appliances such as ovens and hobs; a space that best suits cooking utensils, pans and oven trays. '

2. Maximize the amount of units with a U shaped small kitchen 

(Image credit: Rei Moon)

U-shaped kitchens are one of the most popular small kitchen layout ideas for a reason, they really maximize on space and are perfect if you need plenty of cupboard room and surface areas. 

The key to making this look work in a small space, however, is not to crowd the room, opting for a U-shaped design and then filling all the walls with cabinets can feel claustrophobic. So instead leave at least one wall free, and then make the most of space by going floor to ceiling on another wall. As this small kitchen proves, this can look far more elegant than just having a bank of cabinets floating in the middle of the wall with all that wasted space above and below.

3. Keep wall cabinets narrow

(Image credit: Beata Heuman)

This kitchen designed by Beata Heuman really is a lesson in small space design. The fact that it's open on one side does slightly distract from the small scale, but look closely, and my gosh that's a small kitchen. But for what it lacks in square footage it more than makes up for in style – the deep olive greens, the slab marble splashback, and those gorgeous curves going on. But it's a practical space too, where everything has its place.

What we are taking away from this kitchen is that wall cabinets don't have to mirror floor cabinets in their depth. In a kitchen of this size bringing a wall cabinet all the way out into the room would make the space so small and cramped, so instead, go for wall cabinets that are half the depth of those on the base. It's something that can work with any layout, giving extra storage without encroaching on the room.

4. Go for a double galley layout in a narrow kitchen

If you are dealing with a narrow kitchen, the best way to go to make the most of your space is a double galley layout. This way you make efficient use of both sides but it doesn't feel too boxy as a U-shaped layout would in a space of this size. In fact, leaving one wall free from cabinets can keep a kitchen feeling open and light – especially if one wall has a window as in this deVOL kitchen .  

And note that at the end of the bank of cabinetry, the worktop narrows and seamlessly becomes a small breakfast bar, providing the perfect spot to perch with a coffee and the paper in the morning. Plus it means the layout opens out a bit when it reaches the window so you don't have that awkward problem of having to bring the work surfaces out under the window, throwing off the symmetry. 

5. Opt for a narrow kitchen island

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Kitchen island ideas may seem reserved for spacious kitchens with acres of space to play with, but they shouldn't be drawn out as part of a small kitchen layout. We have seen plenty of examples of an island working in the tiniest of spaces and in fact can often make a small kitchen feel more open. 

The key is to always ensure you have enough space around the island so that it becomes an asset rather than an impracticality. You should have at least a 100cm clear walkway between the island and the wall or cabinets. In a small space, this will probably mean your island will be quite narrow, but so long as it's at least a meter wide and makes sense for the way you use and move around your kitchen we say it's worth it. An island can add extra storage, extra surface space for prep and is just a nice space to have in your kitchen to socialize around. 

No room for a kitchen island? Consider something more flexible like a butcher's block, which you can get away with being much smaller and it can move around the space as and when you need it.

6. Ditch wall cabinets for open shelving

(Image credit: Pluck)

If you are really tight on space, ditching the wall cabinets is a simple layout idea that's going to make your kitchen feel much bigger. It's also a way you can switch up the layout and feel of a current kitchen without having to totally remodel. If you've inherited a kitchen you don't mind the style of but the wall cabinets are just making the space feel claustrophobic, get them off the walls, re-plaster, and replace them with some lovely wall tiles, and simple open shelving that you can use as both storage and decor.  

7. Bring in freestanding pieces for a flexible layout

(Image credit: deVOL)

Freestanding furniture can be such an asset in a small kitchen – a butcher's block, a sideboard, a vintage trolley, they add storage and surface space but they all add personal style and create a relaxed feel to a kitchen, breaking away from the rigid layout of just banks of cabinets. 

'Additional storage and surface space is high on everyone’s wish lists at the moment. We have had more and more customers asking for islands to be incorporated into their kitchen design, somewhere they can cook, eat, work and gather, as well as additional cabinetry and cupboards.' says  Stephanie Nix, Kitchen Designer at Neptune.

'Including a freestanding unit is the perfect solution if you have less room to play with as they provide room for storage meaning you can keep the little bits and pieces out of sight. Ensuring that you have enough floor space in your kitchen is important so as not to feel crowded or cluttered, so being able to move your units to your desired position will help in creating a dynamic space, no matter how big or small. '

8. Add a peninsular breakfast bar 

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

This look works really well in open-plan kitchens, where you might have to share your cooking space with say a living room or a dining room, but they are also a nice alternative to an island that might be easier to work into your small kitchen.

Unlike an island, a peninsular doesn't float in the center of the room, it's connected to the wall but still provides that lovely sociable space in a kitchen, just as an island would. Plus if you include a slight overhang in your design it can double up as a breakfast bar too. 

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

Think traditional galley layout, but just down one wall. This again is a layout that works really well if you're kitchen is part of a larger room, as it keeps the space open and easy to move around, nothing gets cut into or blocked off. However, when you are limiting your kitchen to just one wall, every inch really does have to count.  

'Creating a bank of cabinetry along one wall is a great way of streamlining and opening up the space.' says Ben Burbidge.  'Tall wall units are particularly suited to galley style kitchens as using this space ensures the area feels less cramped than if filled with larder style dressers.'

And if floor-to-ceiling cabinetry isn't your style,  take inspiration from this kitchen – and just ensure you are really maximizing your storage with deep drawers, cabinets designed for specific items and built-in appliances so everything looks seamless.

10. Add floor to ceiling units into your small kitchen layout

(Image credit: Peter Carlsson)

As we've mentioned many a time now, often with small kitchen layouts, the classic combo of wall and floor cabinets doesn't work. That gap in between makes the space feel smaller and cramped. However, we definitely aren't against going floor to ceiling with a selection of units. This eradicates that wasteful gap and provides so much extra storage so you can ditch the wrap-around wall cabinets.  

'Keep clutter to the minimum by using clever storage solutions. If the space allows, always try and integrate a tall larder type full height cabinet.' says Jayne Everett Design Director at Naked Kitchens . 'It's amazing how much storage this gives you and it really doesn't need to be very wide. Even a 300 wide cabinet gives huge amounts of floor-to-ceiling storage. Using every last inch of space is essential and this can be achieved by using bespoke cabinet sizes.'

How can you plan a small kitchen layout?

If you are remodeling from scratch a kitchen designer or architect can help you create the best plan for your specific space. However, if you are just in the planning stages and want some options, there are some great apps out there that can help you test out different configurations. Or just go old school with a pencil and some graph paper.

What shape is most efficient in a small kitchen?

The most efficient shape for a small kitchen really will depend on the shape and size of your kitchen. But for narrow kitchens, for example, a double galley or a single wall of units usually makes sense as it maximizes space without creating that boxy feel. 

For kitchens that are more open, a U-shaped layout is ideal as it allows for plenty of storage space and countertop space, just be wary of adding too many wall cabinets, as we have warned, mirroring the base cabinets on the walls can really shrink a room. 

Hebe is the Digital Editor of Livingetc; she has a background in lifestyle and interior journalism and a passion for renovating small spaces. You'll usually find her attempting DIY, whether it's spray painting her whole kitchen, don't try that at home, or ever changing the wallpaper in her hallway. Livingetc has been such a huge inspiration and has influenced Hebe's style since she moved into her first rental and finally had a small amount of control over the decor and now loves being able to help others make decisions when decorating their own homes. Last year she moved from renting to owning her first teeny tiny Edwardian flat in London with her whippet Willow (who yes she chose to match her interiors. ..) and is already on the lookout for her next project.

7 ideas, 4 mistakes and 93 photos (real)

We will analyze all 7 rules and 4 mistakes on real photo examples of small kitchen design.

7 Design Ideas for a Small Kitchen

Hereinafter we will assume that a small kitchen also means not an unlimited budget . All advice will be to maximize the result/price ratio.

1. Small kitchen up to the ceiling

Upper cabinets in small kitchens should always be built up to the ceiling. Even if you don't get it, you will always find some rarely used items that you can stuff into the upper lockers and forget. Without a gap, the design of a small kitchen looks monolithic and the furniture is not perceived as boxes hung on the wall. There will be no question of masking the ventilation pipe from the hood. Rubbish, dust and grease will not accumulate.


It is better to buy a stepladder for a penny and climb up a couple of times a season than to waste both appearance and storage space.

You can always either lower the ceiling in the cabinet area, or increase the height of the upper cabinets, or both. Photo examples:







By the way, handles on the upper cabinets are not needed: both with hinged opening and with lifting mechanisms, the facades are simply made 1 centimeter longer and open at the bottom. Upper cabinets should look solid.

If you do, the handles must be the same and either all horizontal or all vertical.

The photo below is an example of a good design for a small kitchen, where just following the tips from this first point would make this design already chic.

If your area does not exceed 7 sq. m., see my material about the design of kitchens in Khrushchev. Also read a separate article specifically about the features of choosing a kitchen set for a small kitchen - furniture for a small kitchen is critical. Here we are considering options for 7-12 square meters. m.

Naturally, there are exceptions to any rules, and I have an article with beautiful pictures of kitchens where the canons don't care. But here we are talking about small kitchens where there is no time for experiments.

2. Built-in hood

Everyone is used to the fact that built-in appliances are expensive. And this is true, but not for hoods. A built-in hood costs even less than a regular one: from $35 for a regular built-in hood and from $50 for a telescopic one. It makes sense to take it among the cheapest ones. they are no different from the expensive ones. The advantage of such a hood is the space around the pipe in the cabinet, which does not disappear as in the case of ordinary ones. We have all the tea/coffee/condiments stored there. Compare. Plain:

Wasted a lot of space. And built-in:






3. No more than two colors

Maximum one primary and one accent. Moreover, the facades should be of a calm color. There is a mandatory set of items for cooking, and in a small area the concentration of these items is very high. And they also have their own colors.

The best color combination in terms of price/performance ratio is still white with wood. In general, you need to be careful with bright colors in the design of a small kitchen - the risk of overdoing it is too high.

A Scandinavian style kitchen is beautiful with dirty accent colors that are easy to match with natural finishes.



Bright colors are acceptable, but you are at risk.




4. No accessories

If the only function that an object in the interior of a small kitchen performs is a beautiful appearance, then this is an extra item. Stylish design is achieved by competent planning, selection of materials, furniture and equipment.

A good indicator of an extra item is its constant movement to different places without being used. Remember the photos of real small kitchens that you liked. Was it the accessories? In any case, the small dimensions of the kitchen require a complete rejection of accessories.

When looking at photos on the Internet, always imagine them in actual use: with all appliances, utensils, towels, etc.

Then it will immediately become clear why it is impossible to overload with accessories and flowers.



The same goes for fridge magnets, travel plate collections, etc. There is nothing wrong with this and for a family it can mean more than appearance, but from a design point of view, this is not the place in a small kitchen.



5. Unload the table top as much as possible

The smaller the area, the more difficult it is to clean. Because there is not enough space on the countertop and when cleaning you have to rearrange items from place to place. You've probably heard the wrong triangle rule about the fridge, sink, and stove. Actually the center of a small kitchen is a free horizontal plane. Because of all 3 points, we first put food and dishes on the table, and only then we perform manipulations.

Therefore, the first task is to remove everything from the countertop. What is possible is stuffed into closed places, and for the rest we need roof rails . A must-have item in a small kitchen, but one that limits the design of the backsplash because it will always be perceptibly obscured. We hang special shelves on the rails and store things on them. Here is a perfect example of organization (but not design):


We make an apron uniform without drawings and patterns (bright is possible).


6. Modern interior of a small kitchen

This is not a hard and fast rule, but classic styles are more expensive to implement and love large areas. In addition, there are many household appliances, and almost all of them have a modern design. To maintain the style of the interior and the technique, you will have to greatly narrow the range of choice and raise the budget. Plus, there is too much non-functional decor in the classics, which just eats up square meters.

The only classic design styles that I would consider for a small kitchen are Provence and light neoclassic.



7. Custom-made furniture and built-in appliances

Unfortunately, this item can only be solved with money, but it is very important. The area of ​​your apartment also costs money, and in a small kitchen, every sq.m. on account. Therefore, it is logical to overpay for the manufacture of furniture exactly to your size and for the equipment built into it.

A particular pain is the built-in microwave, which unreasonably costs 3+ times as much as a stand-alone one and starts at $200. There are no objective reasons for such a price, and it looks like a cartel of all manufacturers. But it really looks much better than freestanding and saves the most scarce horizontal areas in a small kitchen, so with tears in your eyes it is still worth forking out. Or take the risk of making the furniture exactly the size of the usual one. But keep in mind that for built-in ventilation through the front facade, and for ordinary ones through the back panel, it can overheat.

Many people lay a niche for a built-in microwave and put a regular microwave in it, but with the ability to switch to a built-in at any time.

4 Mistakes in the interior of a small kitchen

Not following any rule from the 1st part is a mistake, but we will not repeat it. The following rules are relevant specifically for small kitchens, in others they may not be errors.

1. Transparent boxes

Same planning error. Before repair, imagine beautiful drawers with glass inserts and lighting, from where beautiful neatly arranged dishes will be viewed. Only after the repair, a small kitchen will bring you a little reality.

In medium and larger kitchens, glass inserts are still acceptable, but in small ones there will be too much overload with details.





2. No upper cabinets

Without upper cabinets, practicality suffers in addition to appearance. Kitchens without hanging cabinets look cool only on a very large area, otherwise it looks like there is not enough money for the upper ones yet. Well, it does not pull on the design idea.


Open shelves are also not an option here, believe me, Designwiki.ru will not advise garbage.

Functionally, upper cabinets are a must: an extractor hood and a drain from it, a dish dryer (it is inconvenient to take it from below). And in general, taking from above is more convenient than constantly bending.

If the kitchen has a corner and a short side, hang the cabinets on the long side.


3. Floor joint

The floor must be the same. Either laminate everywhere, or tiles everywhere, no joints and thresholds. I analyzed in detail in the material which floor to choose for the kitchen.

4. Lots of design in a small area

Don't be smart. The most harmful thought that can come during a repair is that it turns out too simple and needs to be complicated. No need. There are extra sq.m. - there is a design, but in kitchens up to 10 meters it is necessary to do as simply as possible .

Upper cabinets should preferably be uniform and monolithic. Compare and keep it simple:





How to furnish a small kitchen

furniture is the main thing in the design of a small kitchen.

If you have a kitchen with a balcony, you can add it. This can be done simply by removing the window block. In place of the former window sill, we install a countertop and get a table or bar counter. The balcony will need to be insulated.



If you need more working area, but the size of the room does not allow and there is no balcony, then you can make a tabletop window sill. At the bottom of the boxes will not be added, because. there will be a battery, but more space on the table.

If you decide to move the sink to the window, take into account the nuance with the trash can. Usually it stands under the sink, but if the sink is near the window, then the battery will also be there, which means that the garbage will quickly deteriorate and smell. Find another place for the bucket.











Be clever with your layout. There is no need to complicate the design in a small kitchen, but the most insane layout options should be considered. Sometimes very interesting options for arranging furniture can turn out.




The idea: custom kitchen sellers offer free plan creation - use it, ordering is not required.

A two-burner cooktop is enough for almost everyone.


Small corner kitchens

If the shape of the room is closer to a square, then our option is corner kitchens. Otherwise, there will be too much free unused floor, and in a small area we cannot allow this.




In general, corner furniture is the standard. There are very good reasons to refuse it. The layout of the corner kitchen should always start with the refrigerator. it is the only one that occupies all 3 levels (lower cabinets, apron area, upper cabinets).

The junction of the countertop and the non-built-in refrigerator cannot be fixed and moisture will get into the end of the countertop. It must be laminated as open.

With the corner version, we will have 1 corner for the L-shaped or 2 for the U-shaped. Using the corner lower cabinets is extremely inconvenient. You can put up with and store rarely used things there. And you can use special fittings for corner cabinets, but it costs simply unrealistic money.




Washing can be done on the corner. From the point of view of design, it does not look very stylish, but the practicality is maximum - an uncomfortable corner will be occupied by communications and filters, access to which is rarely needed.





Now you know everything about the design of a small kitchen. But you can, at least for the sake of the photo, see the material about the design of the kitchen up to 6 sq.m. or read about the design of a small bathroom =)

Save and share - it will come in handy!

Mistakes often made when arranging a small kitchen

The owners of small and cramped kitchens often make planning mistakes that prevent them from using the room as functionally as possible, while not littering it with unnecessary interior items. How to equip a small kitchen? You can understand this issue using the example of the most common mistakes.

There is not enough space in the kitchen to store the necessary utensils. To avoid this, you should learn how to effectively use the free vertical space. Small shelves and cabinets can be installed above the stove, refrigerator, or even directly under the ceiling.

The work surface is too small. This is done in order to save space, but in fact, such a solution only contributes to more clutter in the kitchen. You can continue the work surface using a folding tabletop or a bar counter.

Elimination of the hood to save space. Unfortunately, a lingering unpleasant smell will completely spoil the impression of even the most elegant kitchen. There is no way to do without a hood in a small room. Designers are advised to choose compact models. If necessary, the hood can be hidden behind the facade of the headset.

As you can see, a small kitchen is not a reason to be upset.

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