Small spaces can be a challenge, but with a little creativity, it doesn’t have to be. It just means you’ll need to think outside the box a little bit. Fortunately, there are many ways you can work with the constraints of a small kitchen space and still create something usable and functional.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the best design ideas for small kitchens that will help you make the most of your space no matter how small it is. Whether your kitchen is tiny or smaller than an average walk-in closet, these ideas will have you thinking outside the box and re-evaluating what’s possible in your kitchen.
Plan and Sketch Out Your Vision
When it comes to designing a kitchen, it’s important to think about how you’re going to use the space. In general, kitchens are used for a few things – cooking, eating, and cleaning. While this may be all you do in your kitchen, it doesn’t mean it has to be. If you want to make the most of your small space, you want to think about how you’re going to use the space.
For example, if you don’t eat a lot of meat, you could find a way to incorporate more vegetables and herbs into your cooking. If you’re short on storage space, it’s helpful to draw out your current layout so you can get an idea of where you have space issues. This will help you think creatively about how to make the most of your space while also keeping in mind your dietary restrictions and storage needs.
A Quick Look at Some of the Best Designs for Small Spaces
Here are a few examples of small kitchen design ideas that you might find inspiring. Remember, every kitchen is different, so you may have to adjust these ideas to your space a little bit to get exactly what you want.
- Grab a kitchen design book or search online for more small kitchen design ideas. You’ll be surprised how many options you have for creating a functional and stylish space in a small kitchen.
- If you’re looking for a more modern look, consider incorporating colour – especially pops of colour that stands out. For example, you could use a bright red polygon pot to stand out against your white cabinets.
Think about how you use your kitchen. Are there specific spaces where you spend a lot of time? Try incorporating elements that make those spaces more comfortable and inviting. For example, if you spend a lot of time in your kitchen at the counter, try adding a colourful stool or stool cushion that brightens up your space while also adding a little seating.
Good Morning, Goodbye and Hello!
When you have a small space, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. For example, it can be easy to stick to using only one or two colours or patterns throughout your entire kitchen. The trick here is to make your kitchen design reflect those things that you use most – your counters and cooking space – and then use other accents to draw attention to those other spaces.
For example, if you use your kitchen the most for cooking, why not paint your cabinets or walls that colour? If you spend a lot of time in your breakfast nook, why not change the décor in that space to reflect that? It’s not about being over-thought, it’s about finding creative ways to make your small kitchen feel less cluttered and more like a home.
Start with a Print-Out of Your Current Layout
With a large kitchen, it can be tempting to throw everything you can think of into the space. This may work fine for a larger space, but it won’t work in a small kitchen. It can make things worse because there just won’t be room for all of it. The best way to start thinking about how to design a small kitchen is to draw out what you currently have in the space.
Why? Because you’ll be able to see where you have space issues and where you don’t. You can also use this layout to calculate how much you need to store in your kitchen. While you may have to make some sacrifices in a smaller kitchen, you don’t have to try to fit everything you have into it.
Instead, you can think about what you need most in the space and what you don’t use as often. A kitchen design based around those things will look more stylish and functional than a design that tries to cram it full of everything.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Rectangular Surfaces
When you have a small kitchen, you don’t have a lot of space to work with. This means you should think outside the box when it comes to organizing your space. For example, why not break up your kitchen into different sections based on where you spend the most time?
For example, you might separate your space based on the types of food you prepare. In this case, you might have a separate section for your stove, pots and pans, and other cooking necessities. You can also think about organizing your space based on which appliances you use most. This might include a separate section for your microwave, fridge, and sink. From there, you can think about organizing based on how you use your space.
Get a Grip on Storage Basics
Chances are, you have more storage space than you realize. For example, did you know you can turn one of the corners of your kitchen into a pantry? This can be a great way to store things like canned goods, dry goods, and spices while also putting them out of sight.
Likewise, you might be able to create more storage space by re-evaluating your cupboards and drawers. Are they full to the brim, or do they have gaps in between the shelves? If so, you might be able to fit more in by moving things around. Don’t discount the value of a good kitchen design book, either. You can find design tips and organization tips in a lot of books that can help you get more from the space you have in a small kitchen.
Add Color and Contrast to Make Things Stand Out
In a small kitchen, you can’t afford to be shy about making things stand out. If you want to make the most of your space, you need to do everything you can to make your kitchen design stand out. This includes using a variety of colours and patterns throughout your design, but it also includes using contrasting colours and textures in your design.
For example, while you don’t need to use a bright, distracting colour in your design, you can use a contrasting texture to ground everything and make your space more functional. Again, this is about making your small kitchen feel like a functional, welcoming space. It’s not about being over-the-top and flashy in your design, it’s about making your design feel more like a home.
Conclusion
When you have a small kitchen, you need to think outside the box and create a design that is as functional as it is stylish. This can be done by breaking up your space and using contrasting elements, using a variety of colours and patterns in your design, and thinking about how you use your space most often.
