7 Tips for Making the Most of a Small Kitchen Design

Size isn’t everything—especially when you’re designing a small kitchen. Your kitchen is a place to prepare food and drinks, entertain guests, spend time with the family and is normally a central hub in most homes. Forget the living room—the kitchen is where life is lived.

So, it’s important your kitchen is utilising most of the space it has without making it feel cramped. And you don’t need a big kitchen to do it. All you need is a little imagination and a dash of creativity.

If you’re looking for a little help with maximising the space in your kitchen, you’re in the right place. Continue reading to discover our top 7 tips for making the most of a small kitchen design.

Localsearch’s Top 7 Tips for Making the Most of a Small Kitchen Design

Tip 1: Design your kitchen to work for your cooking style.

Your top priority should be to design your kitchen to work for you. There’s no point splashing out on new top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and squeezing in an island if you’re a microwave meal kind of gal or guy. On the other hand, if you’re a foodie and love spending time in the kitchen, you’ll want to have everything you need to create amazing meals.

To start, plan what appliances you need. Then you can see how much room you’ll have for counter space and possibly an island, if you can fit it. You’ll also need to consider how many drawers and cupboards you’ll need, space for your fridge and any other gadgets you want. You may also find it important to have a double-basin sink with a draining board, whereas someone else may not. Remember, a professional kitchen designer or renovation specialist will be able to make suggestions and help you plan for the space you have.

Tip 2: Make storage a top priority.

Nothing is more important in a small kitchen than storage. You most likely won’t have a lot of counter space for utensil holders, knife blocks or bulky appliances, so you need the storage to house it all.

Storage in a small kitchen (or any sized kitchen for that matter) should be varied with a mix of drawers and cupboards, as well as organisers within them. If you have the room for an island, use the space underneath the counter space rather than having a solid block. Vertical drawers, pull-out racks and overhead storage may be options you can consider too, depending on your space.

If you’re worried about traditional cupboards closing in an already small kitchen, why not consider open shelves or glass-front cabinets? Not only does it open up the room, you can show off some of that fancy china you reserve for special occasions.

Tip 3: Utilise your small kitchen design from head to toe.

When it comes to making a small kitchen feel spacious, it’s all about the fine details. As we mentioned above, floating shelves can provide storage while not being as closed in as a cabinet, but have you thought about your ceiling?

If your ceiling is high enough, a hanging pot rack may free up some of your drawers and be an interesting feature. Think outside the box with hanging pot racks and consider multiple retractable layers, different finishes, such as timber, and what you’d like to display on them.

The flooring you choose will also be instrumental in the look and feel of your kitchen. Don’t forget you want non-slip surfaces that are easy to clean, while still creating the impression of space.

Tip 4: Be picky with your palette.

Colours can greatly impact your mood. When you’re ready to pick floor, tile, cabinet and other feature colours, taking note of the psychological effects of your favourites, as well as their aesthetic is just as important.

Your colour palette can also greatly impact how large your room feels. Light colours tend to make a space feel larger, however, sticking to white all-round can make the room feel very dated and bland. Using a neutral colour will give you the same effect while jazzing up your walls and trimming a little.

If you’re really looking to make a statement, why not try a feature wall? Bold trimmings and splashbacks in a kitchen can also completely change the energy of the room.

In any case, the key is to not go overboard. Choose one or two colours that complement each other and use them as your features. Too many colours, even two clashing shades, can cause the opposite affect you want and make the room feel cluttered and crowded.

Tip 5: Consult a small kitchen design expert.

If during your kitchen remodel experience you feel like you are a little out of your league, don’t worry – so do most people who have never taken on a project of this scope. This is where a kitchen design expert comes into play.

A kitchen design expert fully understands the ins-and-outs of kitchen design and remodelling. They can take your vision and turn it into a reality with professionalism and quality.

And better yet, they will present you with a small kitchen design that complements and serves your specific needs. They can create a new space from your existing one that highlights function, aesthetic and charm.

Tip 6: Choose your tiles wisely.

Now, when it comes to tiles, whether they are floor tiles, wall tiles or backsplash, you must be cautious in your selection. The wrong tiles can throw off your intended look as well as create problem areas in your kitchen when it comes to sanitation and safety. For example, subway tiles can open up the area, giving it a much larger feel.

When it comes to floor tile, you must always be sure that it is non-slip and chemical resistant, as some tiles can lead to slips or become damaged when using certain cleaning products. You also want to make sure it has low porosity. Porous floors are prone to staining. They are also more difficult to keep sanitary, as they allow bacterial growth to form in the tiniest nooks.

Last, you want to base your decision off the overall colour scheme, texture and grout joint size to ensure aesthetics and uniformity with the rest of your small kitchen design.

Tip 7: Finish off your small kitchen design with a bang.

Now for the final touches. These are the things that will bring the whole thing together.

When it comes to handles, you want to be sure they fit the overall aesthetic you are trying to achieve. For example, if your small kitchen design is going for a rustic look, the handles could have an aged bronze appearance. Even a very basic stainless-steel will work wonders.

When it comes to lighting, again, if you are going for a rustic look, hanging pendant lights will really give your kitchen the edge it needs. However, if you are looking for a contemporary look and feel, LED or brushed nickel island lighting are fantastic options.

Last, but not least, kitchen doors. While you may prefer a door-free entryway, a sliding barn door would make the perfect finishing touch for your rustic kitchen hideaway. On the flipside, if you are looking for more of a modern motif, you might prefer push to open double doors made of glass and stainless-steel.

No matter your personal preference, the ultimate goal is to make your small kitchen design your very own. In the end, you’re going to love it.

Looking for more kitchen inspiration? Check out these tips:

• Create your very own vintage kitchen
• 5 quick and easy kitchen upgrades
• 5 Kitchen hacks to give you more space now!

More from Brit

Brit McDowell

Lifestyle Specialist & Subject Matter Expert

Brit McDowell is a Product Specialist at Localsearch with a background in marketing, business and tourism management. Aside from her specialisation in technical processes, Brit is known for her green thumb and growing succulent collection, love of dogs (especially Dalmatians), eye for home interior and fervour for travel. Brit is also a Lifestyle Specialist on the Localsearch Blog and enjoys sharing her research and knowledge in home and gardening services, food, beauty and general lifestyle tips and tricks.

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