How to Design a Fantastic Small Kitchen – A Step by Step Guide

Successful small kitchen design is space efficient and includes all the features that make a full-scale kitchen convenient: a seamless workflow, techy appliances, ample storage and layered lighting.

What you need for successful small
kitchen design in a nutshell:

1.     
Space-efficient small kitchen floorplan

2.     
A bright or light wall colour

3.     
General, task and accent lighting

4.     
Frugal use of appliances

5.     
Multifunctional storage solutions

Fantastic Frank
& Adventures in Cooking

Even the teeniest kitchen can become the hub of your dream
home, all you need is a few small kitchen design tricks and tips. Making the
most of a limited space involves prioritising, using space wisely and planning
to avoid both physical and visual clutter.

Now that you have the basic framework of a small kitchen design needs let’s get into the details. BTW, you can chat with one of our expert kitchen designers to find the kitchen that suits your home.

STEP 1: Get the Layout Right

Architectural Digest

First thing first, decide
on a small kitchen design layout. The aim is to work with the space you have,
not fight against it. You might make structural changes, like removing a wall, to
make more room. However, it’s best to try and work within the existing structure
as the walls house a network of wires and pipes that can cost time and money.

Often, light can
make a compact space feel open and welcoming. So, instead of breaking down an entire
wall, you can:

• Create a gap for an entryway or small
  kitchen design pass through between load-bearing beams in an existing wall to
  provide openness. This kind of change can quickly transform a dark, pokey
  little kitchen into a spacious kitchen that opens to the living room area and
  can increase the value of your home.
• Add natural light into your small kitchen
  design by replacing the back door with a glass door, or by installing a skylight.

But if this is not
an option, or your budget won’t allow for it, there are other small kitchen layout
tips you can try to create a successful design. All you need to know is how to
arrange and organize the small kitchen, and where to put the fridge.

Planet Deco

What is the Best Small Kitchen Layout?

Even a very small and narrow kitchen design can wow guests and be easy to use. But some kitchen layouts are far better suited to small spaces than others are. Here are the best small kitchen floor plans to incorporate in your home and a video that explains the different layouts.

Single
wall kitchens – This kitchen layout aligns appliances,
storage and workspace along a single wall, and uses very little of the
surrounding areas. A small single wall kitchen uses space efficiently, and the
design is well-suited to a room with three doorways but isn’t ideal for heavy
cooking.

L-shaped
kitchens – If your small kitchen area is the corner of
a larger room, an L-shape (also known as a 10×10 layout) or a U-shape design
will give you a complete work triangle between the refrigerator, stove and sink.
Here appliances and cabinets flow along two joining walls. One-wall small kitchen
design with a jutting peninsula counter is ideal for a space-saving breakfast
bar.

Galley
kitchens – If your kitchen is very narrow, small galley-style
design with counters and appliances on opposing walls works best. These types
of kitchens offer fantastic efficiency in terms of the storage and workspace
they provide. Pinterest is an excellent source of small galley kitchen ideas,
so simply have a look for more inspiration.

Island
kitchens – A single wall kitchen with an island creates
a galley-type design that is appropriate for open-plan apartments, as they
allow a second work surface (and potentially a small kitchen breakfast bar)
without enclosing the area.

Pro tip: It’s easy to overlook something as simple as an open cupboard preventing access to the fridge or dishwasher with a small L-shaped kitchen. Think about how certain areas can be used for different functions and see what areas can double up.

A D Studio

How to Design a Very Small Kitchen Layout?

When it comes to
designing your small kitchen on your own, the floorplan is the most crucial step.
So, try a few small kitchen design templates first before you knock down walls.

1. Start
   by measuring the area of your small kitchen.
2. Allow a
   walkway of at least 1m between the kitchen counters and 1,5m between kitchen
   surfaces and other living zones. More isle width might be necessary if you want
   to incorporate your dining area ideas into the small kitchen.
3. Ensure
   free traffic movement by placing the most used items, like a fridge, in an
   easily accessible area and out of the way of preparation and cooking stations.
4. If your
   space allows, use the golden work triangle (between the fridge, stove and sink)
   to create an efficient kitchen area.

STEP 2: Pick the Best Colour for Your Small Kitchen

Old Brand New
& Justina Blakeney

Popular small kitchen design ideas are characterised by
being bright and light-filled. So, how do they do it? The key to recreating an
airy atmosphere is colour. After using one of the many lively colour ideas on
your small kitchen cabinets or walls, you can add LEDs to accent certain
features.

But what
colour is best for a small kitchen? The answer is simple: whites, bright
pastels and lively greens or yellow.

A bold colour in the kitchen can brighten
the area and turn it into a feature room. Plus, you can use reflective surfaces
to bounce even more light and colour into the space.

It’s not all about the colour, the
paint finish matters too. Choose a
paint that is heat, water and stain resistant with an eggshell finish. This
finish has a slight shimmer that will reflect light, and make a room seem
airier and roomier than it is.

Check out the editorial director of House & Home’s kitchen
reveal

STEP 3: Make the Most of Your Light

Keller Interiors & Justina Blakeney

Without enough light, even the best kitchen colour will go
to waste. Make sure to incorporate the three kitchen light essentials: accent,
task and general lighting.

• Use recessed
  ceiling lights for general lighting.
  These round LED lights are compact, and you need only two to three for kitchen
  design in a tiny space.
• Under-cabinet lights are best for task
  lighting. Shine a light on your work area and make the room feel
  professionally designed with power-efficient LED light strips.
• A pendant
  light as accent lighting creates a focal above an island or in a galley
  kitchen.

Keller Interiors & Magic Dream Life

Don’t forget
natural light! You can install a skylight in a, particularly dark kitchen. Go
beyond lighting by removing clutter from
your window and using glossy
surfaces to bounce the light around the room.

Textured wallpaper
and carpets absorb the light, so stick to shiny tiling and glossy kitchen
cabinets. Adding
mirrored surfaces in the right places can also help to create the illusion of
space and project light further into the room.

Pro Tip: Use accent lighting to highlight features on shelves that will also make
the ceiling seem higher. Again, complementing glossy surfaces with accent light
will enhance the impact.

STEP 4: Choose Your Kitchen Accessories Wisely

BHG & The
Everygirl

Appliances take up space. When it comes to adding functionality into
the kitchen, you need to pick the essentials first. Check out our handy kitchen
appliance guide to help
you choose the best for your space.

So, what are the best small kitchen appliances, and which should you choose?

Nicole Franzen
& House Beautiful

Approach organising
the small kitchen appliances systematically. Pick your non-negotiable devices
first, then move on to items that your tiny kitchen design might not need, like
a corner sink and washing machine. Follow the tips below to save space in your
kitchen:

• Keep the non-negotiables: fridge, cooker and
  a sink
• Evaluate your specific kitchen-needs and be
  realistic about what your kitchen can accommodate
• Leave the items that you don’t regularly use,
  like bulky blenders
• Consider a half-sized dishwasher, or no
  dishwasher if you don’t cook anything substantial or host dinner parties regularly
• Choose a slim fridge instead of a full-sized
  one
• Pick a single or 1.5 sink bowl that can
  accommodate drain or chopping boards.

In summary, shop
around and look for more compact models to make more space. Even if you already
have a cooker, if you’re spending money on refitting an entire kitchen, a bit
extra to replace your existing model with something more compact may be worth
the expense.

See how designer, Scott
McGillivray fit a full-size cooking range into a small single wall kitchen

STEP 5: Space Saving Kitchen Design

ALTS Design

Using smart storage ideas in your small kitchen is one way
how you can maximise the space without a significant renovation.

First, get rid of clutter

Clutter is the enemy in small kitchens. Worktops with
random bits and pieces on them make the area feel crowded and claustrophobic. So,
incorporate plenty of storage space instead. Only essential, regularly-used
items should be out on your work surfaces – the rest of it needs to find a
home.

Second, go up

If you’re lucky enough to have a high ceiling, make the
most of your wall space by using high kitchen cabinets that extend to the
roof. Also, add extra shelves wherever possible; if your washing machine is
smaller than your worktop height, fit a shelf in just above it – the same goes
for the cooker, fridge etc.

Third, amp up the angles

Use the odd angles in a smaller kitchen. For instance,
can you angle a sink into a corner, or can you install angled corner pantries?
Deep corners may well be wasted space otherwise.

Fourth, revise the breakfast bar

If you’re adding a breakfast bar or nook into your tiny
kitchen design, could shallow shelves or drawers sit comfortably underneath the
countertop? Solutions, like under bar shelving, provide a great deal of
storage space without affecting the space in the room.

Fifth, add free-standing units

Don’t forget you can complement your kitchen cabinets with
some free-standing drawer units, but we have one great tip for you: use
units which stand on longer legs because if you can see the floor
underneath, it will make the floor space – and therefore the room – feel
bigger.

How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger and Better

Nicole Franzen
& The Everygirl

When it comes to moving into a home or apartment with an
existing tiny kitchen, chances are it’s outdated or doesn’t efficiently use the
space provided. How you decorate your small kitchen has an impact on the perceived
size. Luckily, our small kitchen design updating tips and ideas will help you
achieve your happy-home goal, even when you’re on a budget.

1. Use layered Light – accent, task and ambient.
2. Add a light-reflecting tile backsplash
   to your small kitchen.
3. Remove clutter from the countertops and those
   blocking light in front of the window.
4. Paint the walls in a bright and light-reflective
   colour.
5. Implement clever storage ideas.
6. Add a large mirror on the opposite end of the
   kitchen.

Check out the tour of blogger, Autumn
Hachey’s DIY kitchen renovation

Remodelling a Small Kitchen

Small kitchen before
and after by Architectural
Digest

The surest way to improve your cramped
kitchen is with a renovation. You can remodel a small kitchen and find a way to
make it bigger with the help of a contractor. If you work with a
professional kitchen designer and tell them what type of kitchen you’d
prefer, they will be able to create a new design specifically for your space.

What does a Small Kitchen Remodel Cost?

Apartment Therapy

One question sure to come up is how much does a small
kitchen remodel cost. What the final price is, depends on whether you need a
small kitchen extension or a full-scale renovation.

First, set up a budget before you delve into small kitchen
design ideas. Can you afford a quick update or a full-scale renovation? Repainting
and installing new countertops will be cost-effective, while changing the
layout will demand a bigger cut. Have a look at small kitchen remodel before and
after images for inspiration and get quotes
from trusted kitchen designers to calculate your expenses.

Your kitchen might be little but it doesn’t have to be limited. Contact our team today for expert advice, assistance, and design to get the dream kitchen you deserve.

If you enjoyed our design ideas, subscribe for updates.

Get kitchens design ideas in your inbox.

Check out these posts for more Kitchen Design Ideas.

Most Popular

Dublin Kitchens: The 7 Latest Trends

The 12 Most Influential Kitchen Design Trends from the US

What is Great Kitchen Design?

5 Tips for Designing Small Kitchens

6 Exciting Colour Palettes for Kitchens with Personality

6 of the Best Solutions for Corner Cupboards

Kitchen Design Ideas<

10 of the Most Beautiful Kitchen Backsplashes

Types of Kitchens

In-Frame Kitchens – 5 Things You Should Know

What are Shaker Kitchens and Where are They From?

What Exactly are Hand Painted Kitchens?

The Top 10 Trends for Modern Kitchens

Design Ideas and Trends

5 Clever Ways to Increase Natural Kitchen Lighting

How Much Value Does a Fitted Kitchen Add to Your Home?

12 Must Have Celebrity Kitchens of the Rich and Famous

Families

10 Kitchen Design Tips for Families with Kids

6 Tips for a Kitchen for a Large Family

Cabinets, Doors, Kitchen Islands & Finishes

7 Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles

9 Essential Kitchen Cabinet Types

10 Great Kitchen Island Designs