Small Kitchen Ideas & Designs

At their worst, small kitchens can be a headache for home cooks. But with a little organization and creativity, they can be efficient, delightful spaces. Whether you need small kitchen flooring or remodeling ideas or simply a bit of design inspiration, you’ll find plenty of photos here to guide your project. As you browse small kitchen ideas, take note of the sorts of storage tricks and decor ideas that you find inspiring — and perhaps you’ll be able to create quite a lot out of your little space.

1. Make Use of Wall Space and Smart Organizers

One of the biggest challenges of a small kitchen is fitting all of your cooking tools within limited cupboard space. On top of that, you’ll want to avoid keeping too many appliances on your already small counters. While you browse small kitchen ideas for storage, consider how other kitchens use wall space and efficient vertical organization to save space. To work with a small kitchen pantry, make use of cabinet organizers. Magnetic knife racks, pegboards for hanging pans and portable kitchen islands are all useful tools for organizing a small kitchen. In the best small kitchens, cooking should feel easy and convenient, with all of your tools easily reachable and ready to go.

2. Go Bold With One or Two Decorative Accents

In compact spaces, any stylistic choices you make will have a big impact. If you’re looking for small kitchen decor ideas, pay attention to the colors, materials and patterns that other small kitchens use to their benefit. One of the biggest upsides of taking on a small kitchen remodel is that your material costs will be much lower than for larger spaces. Depending on your budget, this may mean you can splurge on luxurious materials like quartz or granite, or funnel your money towards a high-end stovetop. (Just because you have a tiny kitchen doesn’t mean your food has to be any less gourmet!) When you’re decorating a small kitchen, it can be wise to focus on one or two accents that will guide the rest of the room. Add a vibrant plant to a small modern kitchen, or a colorful rug to a more traditional space. Bold backsplashes can also go a long way in a little kitchen.

3. Be Creative With Your Space

Whether you’re looking for small kitchen ideas for apartments or starting from scratch with a remodel, there are a number of ways to handle tight floor plans. From galley kitchens to L-shaped spaces, the features you decide to include and forego are key. If you’re looking for small kitchen ideas with an island, consider using a roll-away version that can be pushed to the side when not in use. For apartment dwellers in need of a small kitchen table, consider a fold-out table connected to the wall, or a round table placed in the corner. When changing the layout of your kitchen simply isn’t an option, there are also small updates you can make so the space works for you. If you’re looking for small kitchen space ideas on a budget, consider repurposing your countertop as a breakfast bar or adding standing shelves where needed.