Maybe you could tile up the side wall next to the door where you don't have cabinets and wrap that area with tile to the ceiling - could be a great focal point. Tough to know for certain without a picture, but sometimes you have to work with what you have. You may want to consider pricing out a different layout if this is going to bother you. A consult with a professional may give you a few ideas to create a kitchen you will love for years!

Attached is the only photo I found quickly but you can search through Houzz photos for more. You would just go above and click on kitchens. Then in the search bar enter small kitchens and you can find more examples. When you remodel a space, regulations require that you bring the space up to code if you make certain changes. The description is not clear, but I assume you have a cooktop and not a range. Your new cooktop installation instructions will provide the required clearances from combustible materials (a wall) and you may find that you need to move the cooktop to a different space in order to comply.

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-eclectic-birmingham-phvw-vp~48916] 

Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for - just to get an idea. There is already a cooktop (sorry, I keep switching out the correct wording for what we have) there, so I just assumed replacing it and switching from cabinet-mounted hood to pro stainless steel one would be fine. Obviously, when we pull permits we'll be sure that everything is up to code!

I think you'll be much happier to have counter space on either side of the range. Even if one side is small.

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