Unique small kitchen design
52 Small Kitchen Ideas That Prove That Less Is More
Introduction
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 12/02/22
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
When it comes to kitchens, bigger isn't always better. The most experienced chefs know that you don't need a ton of space or non-essential equipment to produce a stunning meal. A small kitchen where everything required to prep and cook is within arms' reach can make everyday cooking more efficient and stress free. Easier to clean and maintain, a smaller kitchen encourages you to focus on the essential and eliminate clutter, and can feel especially cozy and inviting with thoughtful design and decor.
Check out these stylish, compact, space-saving kitchens in a range of styles that have everything you need to cook for yourself or a crowd.
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Slide Away Bar Seating
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This 237-square-foot Parisian mini loft from French interior design firm Space Factory has a open kitchen that is built on a slight platform that delineates it from the rest of the apartment, decorated with bright white cabinetry, subway tiles, and OSB accents that add warmth and texture.
A slim custom built-in bar helps to visually divide the space, provide extra counter space for meal prep, and has a slide-out component that doubles its width for dining, with white bar stools that disappear into the background when not in use. -
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Add in Floating Shelves
A Beautiful Mess
One way to keep a small kitchen space feeling light and airy is to use open shelving instead of upper cabinetry, which can make a small space feel cramped and claustrophobic. The key to making this work is keeping those open shelves neatly styled. Blogger Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess kept this small U-shaped kitchen feeling light, bright, and airy with an all-white palette that includes floating open corner shelving to store dishware, spices, and pantry staples. A cool-toned silver stove and stainless steel oven vent create a focal point, and the symmetry of the space and neatly arranged contents of the shelves make the small space feel lived in and organized at the same time.
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Go for a Charming Aesthetic
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This St. John's Square, London kitchen designed by Sebastian Cox for deVOL Kitchens has charming bones and a period fireplace that's outfitted with custom cabinetry neatly built in against a single wall, cool blue paint, and warm countertops and metal accents. Quirky art, a smattering of plants, and a sparkling crystal chandelier prove that a small kitchen can handle as much style as any other.
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Keep Your Kitchen More Streamlined
Fantastic Frank
This petite L-shaped kitchen from Fantastic Frank is built seamlessly into a corner of a larger dining space equipped with a large table and chairs, allowing it to fade into the background at mealtime. The all-white kitchen has glossy lacquered cabinetry in a sleek flat-front design that blends into the all-white backsplash. A large picture window floods the tiny kitchen with natural light, making it feel open and airy.
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Make Your View Center-Stage
Design by Georgia Zikas Design / Photo by Jane Beiles
In this galley-style city apartment kitchen from Georgia Zikas Design, a corner banquette is squeezed in at the far end beneath a window with a skyline view. A round tulip-style table without any sharp edges allows for easy maneuvering in the compact space. Glass-front cabinetry helps keep the narrow galley kitchen from feeling too closed in, and a gleaming tile backsplash on opposite walls helps to bounce light around.
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Try a Peninsula
Design by Rashida Banks for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Keyanna Bowen
If you dream of having a kitchen island but don't have the square footage for one, try installing a peninsula instead. This compact kitchen designed by Rashida Banks for Emily Henderson Design has a sleek quartz waterfall edge peninsula that has seating for three, anchored by a pair of black and gold vintage-style pendant lights that define the space and add some retro charm.
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Add Groovy Graphics
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Rachael Smith
This small London kitchen from Emilie Fournet Interiors has a groovy geometric patterned tile backsplash that extends to the hood vent, defining the open kitchen area and adding movement and interest to the space that makes it feel dynamic and expansive rather than small and cramped. The U-shaped design makes everything you need to prep, cook, and serve meals within arm's reach.
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Go Rustic
Lobster and Swan
This small rustic kitchen from Lobster and Swan is anchored by a large center oven and outfitted with stained wood countertops, olive green cabinetry, and open shelving stacked with dishware, glassware, and cookware in natural materials. In lieu of a kitchen island, a round bistro table and chairs provides a place for dining and an extra surface for meal prep.
The 9 Best Floating Shelves of 2023
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Work With Angles
Fantastic Frank
This small kitchen from Fantastic Frank is tailored to seamlessly fit into the room's angled walls to maximize storage and functionality. The airy minimalist Scandi kitchen has pale gray cabinetry, light blond hardwood flooring, mixed metals, a whisper of pink on the walls, and hanging bulb lights hung on a rosy pink knotted cord that adds a note of studied nonchalance.
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Keep It Simple
Design by Desiree Burns Interiors
This bachelorette pad kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors is open to the living room and is dressed for company with simple white cabinetry, a classic Smeg refrigerator, gold-toned hardware, mixed metals, and a pair of accent pendant lights over the built-in island countertop that doubles as a small space dining area.
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Fold Down Dining Table
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
In this small Parisian kitchen designed by Space Factory, a custom-built fold-down burnt-wood table creates a place for dining that can be neatly stowed away when not in use to open up the space.
The black wood cabinetry and textural concrete wall finish give the uncluttered space a minimalist, masculine feel. -
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Peek Inside the Looking Glass
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This small London kitchen designed by Sebastian Cox for deVOL Kitchens has mixed wood finish cabinetry that provides texture and a minimalist style and layout that keeps the space feeling modern. In addition to a large window to the outside, the designers added an atelier-style interior window over the sink that looks out into the main entryway, a clever way to maximize natural light and create additional sightlines in a small space that helps to preserve a sense of openness.
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Leave It One-Sided
Fantastic Frank
This long and narrow eat-in kitchen from Fantastic Frank has a wall of cabinetry, countertops, and appliances on one side, leaving space for a small bistro table and chairs on the opposite side.
A minimalist clear glass pendant light hangs over the dining space that disappears during the day and provides dedicated light after dark. -
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Go for Pure Scandi
Fantastic Frank
This small but airy and light-flooded Stockholm kitchen from Fantastic Frank is authentic Scandi style at its best, with its simple white and silver finishes, a streamlined wall of cabinetry and appliances, painted white bentwood chairs, and a small table covered in a lacy tablecloth to add a note of vintage charm.
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Make It Serene
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This small kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has a spare traditional feel with plenty of built-in storage to keep it from feeling cluttered, and a limited palette of soft white, gray, and pale wood.
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Try a Contemporary Cottage Feel
Design by Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona
Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona installed a small L-shaped kitchen in the corner of this open cottage kitchen and dining room remodel.
The light palette of the kitchen matches the rest of the room and fades into the background when not in use. -
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Work Around the Back Door
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
This small kitchen from Jessica Nelson Design is arranged in a double L-shaped configuration that maximizes functionality while accommodating the presence of the back door. Packed with storage, the kitchen's palette of soft whites, grays, pale wood, and mixed metals keeps it feeling streamlined and serene.
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Add Black
Design by DasMod and Handsome Salt / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
In this small open kitchen designed by Eric Gilmer and Sven Simon of DasMod in conjunction with interior designer Sara Simon of Handsome Salt, matte black wall paint provides contrast to white cabinetry and creates continuity with the seating area on the other side of the room. A small dining table floats in the middle of the space between tall windows, and a large colorful painting creates a focal point that distracts the eye, making the kitchen fade into the background of the open space.
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Keep It Neutral
Design by Violets & Vinegar Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
This compact U-shaped kitchen from Violets & Vinegar Design keeps it simple with a sober palette of white, gray, and black. A subtle pattern on the backsplash tile adds interest, while countertops are kept clear to keep the small space looking sharp and clutter-free.
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Add in Shades of Green
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This charming country style kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has an L-shaped design that hugs the small space with its slanted roof and cottage charm. Finishes in multiple shades of green on the walls, backsplash tile, lower cabinetry, and open shelving is mixed with warm antique brass plumbing fixtures, rich stained wood glass-front upper cabinetry, and terracotta floor tiles with an aged patina.
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Work With a Galley Style
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Amber Thrane
This light and bright galley California kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors has tons of natural light that makes the sober white, black, and gray palette feel fresh, while mixed metal accents add shine.
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Add Reclaimed Wood
Lobster and Swan
Rustic reclaimed wood and textured walls make this DIY English kitchen from Lobster and Swan feel homey and inviting.
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Be Bold With Dark Colors
Design by deVOL Kitchens
Dark green paint on lower cabinetry and walls makes this Notting Hill London kitchen from deVOL Kitchens feel cozy and warm, while a dramatic cool marble backsplash and countertops and antique brass accents add polish and style. Open shelving with a thin brass ledge provides easy access storage for tea supplies and glassware and pots of flowers.
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Maximize a U-Shaped Kitchen
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photography
This U-shaped kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors maximizes every last nook and cranny with wrap-around cabinetry from floor to ceiling, a kitchen island with built-in storage, and a white and gray palette with mixed metal accents that makes it feel light and airy.
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Try Sage Green
Design by Bees Knees Interior Design Studio / Photo by Tamara Flanagan Photography
In this small kitchen from Bees Knees Interior Design Studio, soothing sage green paint on the lower cabinets is carried onto the mudroom cabinetry visible through the arched doorway, creating a sense of continuity.
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Utilize a Multi-Functional Island
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This top floor Paris apartment designed by Space Factory has tall ceilings and is flooded with light from skylights on the roof, making the small kitchen seem larger. Deep teal lower cabinetry has a grounding effect, while a tall marble backsplash and pale open shelving preserves a light and airy feel. A small kitchen island houses the stovetop and includes a breakfast bar for two.
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Work With Shared Entry
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This small kitchen designed by Parisian interior design firm Space Factory shares space with the entry.
The designers used an atelier-style metal and glass window partition to visually divide the space, and used a striking tile mosaic floor that unites it. The entry side of the cabinetry that divides the space is painted in chalkboard paint to delight the kids, while leather pulls add a sophisticated touch to black kitchen cabinetry contrasted with pale wood countertops. -
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Throw in a Retro Fridge
Design by Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
In this small kitchen designed by Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design, a retro style refrigerator is lined up beside the built-in L-shaped cabinetry, sink, and oven, helping to define the space.
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Keep it Classic
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This lovely L-shaped London kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has dark lower cabinetry topped with marble slab countertops, leaving space on the walls for framed art and a vintage wall sconce that creates an open, uncluttered feel.
Brass, gold, and copper accents warm up the space. -
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Embody a Modern Rustic Look
Design by Erin Williamson Design
This remodeled 1950s Texas lake house kitchen from Erin Williamson Design has a modern rustic vibe, with warm tiles, rustic beams, clean, white cabinetry accented with wood pulls, glass pendant lights, a retro style refrigerator, and wood and woven bar stools around the peninsula.
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Mix White and Blue
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
Pale blue cabinetry with black accents and white countertops and tiles make this small kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors feel fresh and functional.
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Keep It Eclectic
Design by K Shan Design
This small kitchen from K Shan Design has a big personality and an eclectic, upbeat vibe thanks to colorful wallpaper, black-and-white check tile flooring, geometric backsplash tile, and blingy gold bar stools around the peninsula.
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Embody a Retro Look
Rockport Building Partners / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos
This country kitchen from Rockport Building Partners has plenty of built-in cabinetry painted in a retro pastel mint green, vintage pendant lighting, and a modern kitchen island with a pair of French bistro stools.
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Go for California Modern
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photography
This California modern Eichler house in San Jose was updated by Cathie Hong Interiors, who turned the dark, outdated room into a space fit for 21st-century living. The designer added an island to optimize circulation, replaced outdated cabinets, and added new appliances, tile work, light fixtures, and open shelving.
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Try an Accent Tile
Design by Erin Williamson Design
This small kitchen from Erin Williamson Design is located in a multi unit 1950s A-frame lake house on the shores of Lake Austin, TX.
The designer replaced the cramped, dated kitchen, removing upper cabinets, adding a striking black-and-white tile backsplash to modernize it while taking advantage of the vaulted ceilings that make the compact space feel much larger than it is. -
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Use Patterned Curtains
Design by Studio Peake
This fresh L-shaped alcove kitchen from Studio Peake can be banished from sight thanks to a green-and-white patterned curtain hung from the ceiling on the outside of the cased opening.
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Bring Focus to Your Skyline View
Design by Alvin Wayne
Interior designer Alvin Wayne made the most of this compact NYC kitchen by using cabinetry and countertops in a mix of matte black and bright white lacquer finishes. A mix of silver and copper accents bring the neutral color scheme to life, and the spare design allows the city skyline view to shine.
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Try a Victorian Restored Look
Design by Tyler Karu / Photo by Erin Little
This historic Victorian in Cambridge, MA kitchen was remodeled by interior designer Tyler Karu, who worked with the owners to restore the original character and detail to the home that had been erased during previous renovations.
The modest sized kitchen has quality materials with a timeless but updated feel. Wall hooks on the empty wall house a decorative and practical display of wooden cutting boards. -
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Make the Most of a Tiny Loft
Fantastic Frank
This tiny Stockholm studio from Fantastic Frank has a compact kitchenette to match, seamlessly tucked in beneath the loft bed stairs that double for extra storage.
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Keep Things Back to Back
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
In this small open plan kitchen in Paris designed by Space Factory, a custom-designed dining table is placed in front of the wall that houses the kitchen in lieu of an island. It is accompanied by a custom-designed leather bench that is placed back to back with the adjacent living area sofa, neatly dividing the space and creating separate zones within a 581-square-foot apartment.
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Match Your Hardware and Decor
Fantastic Frank
This compact Berlin kitchen from Fantastic Frank has minimalist vibes, with its matte black lower cabinetry, sink, and plumbing fixtures, and a black industrial wall sconce with a long arm that looms over the countertop.
A blonde butcher block countertop adds warmth and light, and a framed black-and-white print on the pristine white walls adds some minimalist decor. -
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Keep Things Open
Design by Bees Knees Interior Design Studio / Photo by Kyle J Caldwell Photography
This compact L-shaped kitchen from Bees Knees Interior Design Studio hugs the corner of a larger pass-through space, leaving plenty of room around the kitchen island to preserve flow. A pale palette of shades of white and built-in cabinetry that hugs the ceiling maximizes every inch of space and allows the kitchen to fade into the background when not in use while remaining at the center of the home.
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Keep Your Brick Floors
True Home
A small dated kitchen from True Home was renovated with durable sealed brick floors, black cabinetry, salvaged marble countertops, and plenty of recessed can lighting to compensate for the lack of natural light.
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Utilize Built-In Storage
Design by Mid City Interiors
This small bungalow kitchen from Mid City Interiors has an L-shaped peninsula with built-in storage that provides seating for four while helping to define the kitchen area. Built-in cabinetry on the L-shaped corner portion of the kitchen runs all the way up to the ceiling to maximize storage.
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Maximize Vertical Space
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
This compact kitchen from Mindy Gayer Design Co. is located at the bottom of the stairs, laid out in an L-shape with a small island that seats two. Tall cabinetry maximizes vertical space, and a neutral palette with warm touches of wood and natural woven accents adds warmth to the open space.
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Add Seats to Small Counter Space
Design by deVOL Kitchens
In this small galley kitchen in a Georgian style apartment in Bath, England from deVOL Kitchens, a two-seater cafe-style breakfast bar is built in right next to the window to provide a cozy place for a cup of coffee or a meal.
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Convey a Bigger Appearance With a Mirror
Design by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp
This small kitchen designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design has open and closed cabinetry, a large countertop, and sink along one wall, with a free-standing oven positioned on its own against the back wall as a matter of necessity. To distract the eye and make the space feel bigger, a convex witch's eye mirror with an ornate gold frame is hung on the wall.
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Add Some Contrast
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Kasia Fiszer
This London kitchen from Emilie Fournet Interiors combines emerald green backsplash tiles with pale white and gray lower cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. A double layer of dark wood wraparound wood shelving ties in the reclaimed wood ceiling and provides contrast.
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Add All the Storage
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This small self-contained kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has a U-shaped layout that maximizes space along the three main walls.
One wall is devoted to storage, including closed lower cabinetry, and a built-in wall of glass front cabinetry. The opposite wall has a window over the sink that floods the room with natural light, while the back wall is devoted to an oversize hood vent that creates a focal point along with the vintage-style pale yellow oven. -
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Stick to Light and Bright
Design by Mary Patton Design / Photo by Molly Culver
This small condo kitchen from Mary Patton Design creates the illusion of a larger space by sticking to a light and bright all-white palette dressed up with luminous gold-toned accents, and adding minimal items to the countertop.
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Blend It All Together
Design by Alvin Wayne
This small NYC kitchen from interior designer Alvin Wayne has pale neutral finishes that allow it to blend in with the open adjacent living room, while a large neon sign at the end of the hallway creates a focal point to distract the eye.
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Make the Most of Your Small Space
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
The small minimalist kitchen in this top-floor duplex designed by French interior design firm Space Factory is built along a wall next to a staircase inspired by a Kapla game. A single shelf above the sink is painted in Yves Klein blue that matches color accents found throughout the open space, and a single panel of plywood on the cabinet front next to the oven echos the raw material of the staircase.
DIY-Friendly and Lower Cost Small Kitchen Remodels
25 Small Kitchen Island Ideas to Optimize a Compact Space
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor.
She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/29/22
Design by Alvin Wayne
Having a kitchen island has become a modern must-have, synonymous with the way we like to gather and entertain today. But not all kitchens have the square footage or layout to accommodate a large island equipped with acres of countertop space, extra storage, and seating for a crowd. Luckily, there are plenty of options for adding a small scale kitchen island suited to a compact space, optimizing functionality and adding style.
Check out these small scale kitchen islands in a range of formats and materials that will show you what a stylish and well proportioned kitchen island can do for your own small kitchen.
The Best Kitchen Islands for Stylish Storage
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Keep It Classic
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This small British kitchen island from deVOL Kitchens has classic lines that work with the simple Shaker cabinetry, and a butcher block top that adds a rustic note.
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Make It Multipurpose
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory has a deep teal painted base that matches the lower cabinetry, a sleek integrated inversion burner cooktop, and seating for two.
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03 of 25
Put It on Wheels
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Josh Franer
This small kitchen island from Leanne Ford Interiors has a black metal base that echoes the large arched window panes, adding a graphic note while preserving the airy and open feel of the space. Adding wheels to the legs of your small kitchen island makes it easy to move around as needed, a welcome bonus in a smaller space.
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Make It Glamorous
Design by Michelle Gerson Interiors / Photo by Marco Ricca
Just because it's small doesn't mean it can't be glamorous. This modest sized NYC apartment kitchen island from Michelle Gerson Interiors is comfortably set up for two, with upholstered seating, a waterfall edge countertop, and a brown wood base that echoes the lower cabinetry.
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Add Vintage Vibes
Design by Basic Projects / Photo by Kate Towill
This small kitchen island from Basic Projects has a rich stained wood, semi-open base and a marble top, helping to structure the open-plan kitchen while adding vintage vibes that complement a French range and echo the dark hardwood flooring.
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Treat It Like a Color Accent
Design by Becca Interiors
This small wood kitchen island from Becca Interiors has a wood top and a pale sage green painted base that works as a subtle color accent in the neutral room. A pair of vintage metal stools enhances the chic country inspired vibes.
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Add a Pull-Out Dining Table
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
The narrow kitchen island in this tiny Paris studio from Space Factory has an OSB finish and a space-saving white dining table/bar for two that slides in and out.
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Oakland Highrise
Design by Forbes + Masters
This small highrise kitchen island from Forbes + Masters floats in the center of an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room, helping to structure the space. Built-in storage and waterfall edge countertops that give it a polished and elegant feel despite its modest proportions.
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Source a French Butcher Block
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Before there were kitchen islands, there were farm tables and classic French wooden butcher blocks like this one from Marie Flanigan Interiors that functions like a small kitchen island while adding some French country character to the modern space.
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Color Drench It
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory features dining space for two and an induction cooktop.
The base is saturated in a vibrant deep shade of International Klein Blue that plays off against the natural accents and black-and-white patterned tile floors. -
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Play with Materials
Fantastic Frank
This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank has a plywood-clad mini island on wheels that adds a raw and informal vibe to the open plan space.
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Square It Off
Design by Erin Williamson Design
Who says your kitchen island has to be rectangular? This square kitchen island from Erin Williamson Design has a thick marble top and slim metal legs that don't take up much visual space in a classic kitchen with navy painted cabinets and classic checkerboard floor tiles.
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Keep It Minimalist
Fantastic Frank
This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank floats in the middle of this minimalist Scandi-style eat-in kitchen, skipping the bar stools in order to leave plenty of space around it for circulating.
An adjacent dining table provides a place for meals by the window. -
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Keep It Minimal
Design by deVOL Kitchens / Photo by Ellei Home
This minimalist British kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has a classic look with a wrap-around pegboard wall hooks for hanging pots and plants, and a small wood clad, marble topped kitchen island for prepping meals.
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Warm It Up with Wood
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo
In this Danish-inspired San Francisco kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors, a small kitchen island is clad in warm wood to add contrast with the black-and-white palette and stainless steel appliances.
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Add a French Country Accent
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
Adding French-style wooden bar stools and a sparkly chandelier gives this small kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design a French country vibe that's easy to live with and will outlast trends.
The 8 Best Bar Stools of 2023
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Add a Vase of Tall Branches
Design by Alvin Wayne
In this NYC kitchen, interior designer Alvin Wayne added fur throws to the bar stools and a vase of extra tall branches to the top of the small kitchen island that draws the eye up, emphasizing the tall ceilings rather than the limited footprint.
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Paint It Blue
Design by Studio Peake
This mobile kitchen island from Studio Peake is painted in the same deep teal as the lower cabinets, adding saturated color to the traditional lines and warm wood finishes of this classic British kitchen.
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Add a Farmhouse Vibe
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
This turned wood kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design adds a homey farmhouse-inspired element to an all-white kitchen. The bottom shelf offers a place for storage and display while keeping an open feel that allows light and air to flow.
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Go for the Gold
Fantastic Frank
This Stockholm apartment kitchen from Fantastic Frank has white walls and minimal Scandinavian vibes that allow a gleaming gold island to take center stage. The eye-catching island is not only decorative but a piece of multifunctional furniture that manages to house a sink, induction stovetop and oven on one side, with seating for two on the other.
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Include Open Shelving
Design by Julian Porcino
Interior designer and real estate agent Julian Porcino designed a custom island for this Venice Beach, California bungalow that features drawers on one side and open shelving on the other. The open shelves leave just enough extra storage space to tuck in a pair of backless bar stools for casual meals or taking a load off while shelling peas or waiting for the pot to boil.
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Add Rustic Wood Cladding
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co.
A small kitchen island clad in a dark stained wood adds a neo rustic element that grounds this compact kitchen from Mindy Gayer Design Co.. The air space above the island is anchored by woven pendant lights that emphasize the high ceilings of the relatively small kitchen area, making it feel more expansive.
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Bling It Up
Design by Alvin Wayne
A small waterfall edge island from interior designer Alvin Wayne gets a dose of high-energy bling with shiny gold bar stools that reflect light and add a sense of grandeur to a modest space.
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Go Industrial
Design by Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs
An affordable alternative to a fixed kitchen island is a freestanding restaurant-style island that you can pick up at a kitchen supply store. This one from Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs has a sturdy countertop and open metal shelving with a light profile that helps keep the small space from feeling cramped.
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Keep It Light
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
A pale-toned kitchen island in this L-shaped, Japandi-style kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors offers seating for three without encroaching too much on the open plan space.
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 Ideas for small kitchen design
- 1. Small kitchen to the ceiling
- 2. Built -in hood
- 3. Not more than two colors
- 4. No accessories
- 5. We unload the countertop
- 6. Modern modern small kitchen interior
- 7. Custom furniture and built-in appliances
- 4 Errors in the interior of a small kitchen
- 1. Transparent boxes
- 2. Lack of upper cabinets
- 3. Foundation of the floor
- 4.
A lot of design on a small area
- How to equip a small kitchen
- Small corner Kitchens
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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.
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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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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). nine0003
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. nine0003
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! nine0003
Very small kitchen design (80+ real photos)
It's no secret that the most frequently visited place by the hostess is the kitchen. However, not all women are owners of a large kitchen. And so you want this room to be functional, comfortable, and most importantly, cozy.
Designers' advice will come to help in solving this problem, which you can use and turn the proposed ideas into reality.
Contents
Which layout to choose
Square kitchen
Corner sets are suitable for square kitchens. In them, you can conveniently distinguish between a working and dining area. With this solution, the refrigerator, sink and stove can be arranged in such a way that they form a working triangle.
Everything you need will be within walking distance.
An oval dining table can be placed opposite the set. This table can accommodate a large number of people. nine0003
If the design of the kitchen is quite small, for example, 2*2 m, then a folding table will do.
Wide window can be used as a dining area.
Rectangular kitchen
Rectangular kitchens are best placed along the walls. Instead of a dining table, it is better to give preference to a bar counter.
To visually expand the room, you can hang a large mirror on the walls or install a mirror kitchen apron. nine0003
For this option, it is preferable to choose curtains with a large pattern.
Extra light needs to be considered as the work area needs to be well lit. If the window is small or located on one wall, lighting is indispensable.
Small kitchen doors can be sliding to save space.
Irregular kitchen
These rooms usually have niches, spaces or ledges.
The built-in closet fits perfectly into the recesses of the walls. It can accommodate kitchen utensils, household appliances. nine0003
A refrigerator or an unusual built-in bar can also take a place in a niche. It is better to make a kitchen set for such a kitchen to order or choose an option in which the doors of the upper cabinets will rise vertically.
Rules for choosing furniture for a small kitchen
- You should be guided, first of all, by the issue of comfort and only then by your own taste preferences. For example, you should not buy a bulky sideboard made of solid wood that you like, which carries a minimum functional load, and at the same time clutters up an already small room. nine0010
- To begin with, it is necessary to consider all existing types of layout. A kitchen plan drawn on paper will help a lot with this. One of the options is sure to suit the arrangement of a small kitchen.
- Hanging cabinets, shelves and other pieces of furniture look much better in small spaces.
And you should also choose the highest possible racks, literally resting on the ceiling - they will help save space in the room. - It is recommended to rationally use all free corners by installing headset parts, household appliances and other important elements in them. nine0010
When choosing furniture for a small kitchen, one should take into account such parameters as volume and ergonomics. The headset should be as compact as possible externally, but at the same time roomy. You should not choose furniture that resembles a design of huge boxes. It should be quite light and pretty, and occupy all corners, niches and other useless spaces.
The visual perception of the kitchen set also plays a huge role. This means that the color of the furniture that will be installed in a small room is extremely important. Light glossy surfaces will help to visually increase the space. nine0003
However, it is not recommended to buy a set that matches the color of the walls exactly.
It is also very important to correctly place bright accents that will enliven the room and give it a twist.
Some design tricks can help make your kitchen look bigger. Mirrored surfaces will add depth to the room, exactly the same function is performed by glass doors and shelves, chrome-plated metal handles, and so on. At the same time, it is important to maintain harmony so that the kitchen looks stylish and attractive. nine0003
Equally important is the arrangement of furniture in the kitchen. For small spaces, it is recommended to choose a linear or L-shaped layout, abandoning the island, U-shaped and two-line layout. And also for a very small kitchen, built-in furniture is ideal, helping to save space as much as possible.
Choice of household appliances
Every housewife wants to use household appliances that greatly facilitate the process of cooking, these include a food processor, blender, microwave oven, steamer, bread machine, multicooker.
And there is also a coffee maker, electric kettle, ice cream maker, toaster. How to place all this in a room that has a very modest size? nine0003
Designers advise to use the highest cabinets with deep niches, in which you can easily hide some of these items, taking them out when needed. You can place an electric kettle and a coffee maker on the work surface, as the most commonly used devices.
Narrow cabinets with rolling doors, located between the lower and upper tiers of the headset, are also perfect for storing household appliances.
Narrow dishwashers and ovens save space in the bottom row. The cabinets themselves must be equipped with appropriate mechanisms that provide quick and free access to the necessary devices. nine0003
There is a wide choice of such mechanisms - zapachny, folding, with a rotating carousel, folding and so on. Properly organizing the space of a small kitchen is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.
Color and decor
Here are some basic recommendations:
- For a small room, light, warm shades are suitable.
- It is important to ensure that sufficient natural and artificial light enters the work area. nine0010
- The color of the walls should also be light shades.
- It is better not to use more than two colors in a small kitchen, otherwise staying there may become psychologically uncomfortable.
- "Painted" walls in a small room are also not appropriate.
- The color of the furniture should be in harmony with the walls.
- An excellent solution would be glass or transparent furniture that seems weightless and enlarges the space.
- Light-colored transforming table will complement the interior of a small kitchen. nine0010
- Roman blinds or blinds are a good decor element for a small kitchen.
How to save space in a small kitchen
There are many ways to save space in 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. nine0003 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 table top or a bar counter. nine0003 Elimination of the hood to save space. Unfortunately, a lingering unpleasant smell will completely spoil the impression of even the most elegant kitchen.
Mistakes often made when arranging a small kitchen
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