10 Little Kitchens With Style to Spare
See how these homeowners used innovation and creativity to make the most of their little kitchens
Cheryl F
7 March 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Your kitchen doesn’t have to be enormous to fit in all the basics and look good. These inspirational spaces – which range from smallish to absolutely teeny – all demonstrate how, with some smart design and attention to the right materials, a compact kitchen can be functional and look brilliant too.
1. Blend it in
Don’t hide a small kitchen out of sight; instead, help it blend into the rooms around it, in a modern, ‘broken plan’ way. Opening up this micro kitchen to the living room, and adding an internal window between the kitchen and hallway (out of shot here), helps it to feel part of a beautifully planned whole.
Using the same white flooring throughout further helps it to blend in.
Don’t hide a small kitchen out of sight; instead, help it blend into the rooms around it, in a modern, ‘broken plan’ way. Opening up this micro kitchen to the living room, and adding an internal window between the kitchen and hallway (out of shot here), helps it to feel part of a beautifully planned whole.
Using the same white flooring throughout further helps it to blend in.
2. Keep things simple
The owner of this kitchen in an ex-council housing flat has chosen an ultra-simple design for a greater sense of space. The pale grey units are light enough to keep the overall effect fresh and cool.
Don’t want to sacrifice storage for open space? Breaking up a bank of wall units with a small expanse of shelving can lead the eye, and help the room seem less closed in. Similarly, eschewing a decorative or colourful splashback can help stop a small space feeling too busy – these plain white subway tiles with white grout keep the look minimal.
The owner of this kitchen in an ex-council housing flat has chosen an ultra-simple design for a greater sense of space. The pale grey units are light enough to keep the overall effect fresh and cool.
Don’t want to sacrifice storage for open space? Breaking up a bank of wall units with a small expanse of shelving can lead the eye, and help the room seem less closed in. Similarly, eschewing a decorative or colourful splashback can help stop a small space feeling too busy – these plain white subway tiles with white grout keep the look minimal.
3. Rethink the basics
Creative thinking was required for the kitchen in this floating home built inside a shipping container and owned and designed by UK TV upcycler Max McMurdo.
If you’re struggling to fit in a key feature or appliance, such as a fridge, try discarding all the usual kitchen conventions and think, “What if?” The result may break rules, but give you the perfect solution.
Here, the end of a peninsula bench isn’t the traditional position for a fridge (or a washing machine or dishwasher, for that matter) and it may fly in the face of the usual ideas about how a cooking space should flow, but when everything’s so close together anyway, you may find that breaking a few rules won’t lead to a user-unfriendly result.
Creative thinking was required for the kitchen in this floating home built inside a shipping container and owned and designed by UK TV upcycler Max McMurdo.
If you’re struggling to fit in a key feature or appliance, such as a fridge, try discarding all the usual kitchen conventions and think, “What if?” The result may break rules, but give you the perfect solution.
Here, the end of a peninsula bench isn’t the traditional position for a fridge (or a washing machine or dishwasher, for that matter) and it may fly in the face of the usual ideas about how a cooking space should flow, but when everything’s so close together anyway, you may find that breaking a few rules won’t lead to a user-unfriendly result.
4. Incorporate luxe touches
This U-shaped city apartment kitchen proves that sometimes smaller really is better. It’s been carefully designed to make the most of every centimetre, right down to the triangular section of shelving.
In fact, originally this kitchen was even smaller, just 120 centimetres wide and 60 centimetres deep. The owner took down a partition wall by the window to claw back some more room.
A touch of luxury can help bring a small kitchen to life. Here, the owner sourced porcelain tiles that look like marble for the splashback.
This U-shaped city apartment kitchen proves that sometimes smaller really is better. It’s been carefully designed to make the most of every centimetre, right down to the triangular section of shelving.
In fact, originally this kitchen was even smaller, just 120 centimetres wide and 60 centimetres deep. The owner took down a partition wall by the window to claw back some more room.
A touch of luxury can help bring a small kitchen to life. Here, the owner sourced porcelain tiles that look like marble for the splashback.
5. Pale into significance
White is usually a winning choice in small rooms, creating an impression of space and light.
Unfussy cabinets without handles keep this kitchen looking uncluttered and utility chic. A U-shaped design makes the most of the compact space and allows room for a mini breakfast bar – proof even small kitchens can slot in a stool and somewhere to sit with a coffee and laptop.
Meanwhile, the skylights give an added impression of space, offering a vista above.
White is usually a winning choice in small rooms, creating an impression of space and light.
Unfussy cabinets without handles keep this kitchen looking uncluttered and utility chic. A U-shaped design makes the most of the compact space and allows room for a mini breakfast bar – proof even small kitchens can slot in a stool and somewhere to sit with a coffee and laptop.
Meanwhile, the skylights give an added impression of space, offering a vista above.
6. Free your walls
If you have a small kitchen, try to resist packing in too many wall cupboards. In this small but perfectly formed Scottish house, the space above the sink has been left clear, with just a run of base units below. However, a large corner unit helps to make the most of all the available storage space at base level.
Tongue-and-groove panelling also adds some cottage-y character – a cosy look that can often work well in smaller homes.
If you have a small kitchen, try to resist packing in too many wall cupboards. In this small but perfectly formed Scottish house, the space above the sink has been left clear, with just a run of base units below. However, a large corner unit helps to make the most of all the available storage space at base level.
Tongue-and-groove panelling also adds some cottage-y character – a cosy look that can often work well in smaller homes.
7. Go back to basics
This off-grid treehouse home, also in Scotland, which is built from plywood, proves you don’t need a kitchen with loads of benchtop space to fit in all the essentials.
A cute ply unit houses a stove, a small fridge and a butler’s sink. Painting it in ice-cream shades also detracts from the kitchen’s small size and gives it an uplifting edge – a device that could be copied in any small kitchen.
See more of this tidy little treehouse
This off-grid treehouse home, also in Scotland, which is built from plywood, proves you don’t need a kitchen with loads of benchtop space to fit in all the essentials.
A cute ply unit houses a stove, a small fridge and a butler’s sink. Painting it in ice-cream shades also detracts from the kitchen’s small size and gives it an uplifting edge – a device that could be copied in any small kitchen.
See more of this tidy little treehouse
8. Weave in a little glamour
Don’t think antiqued mirror splashbacks and a crystal chandelier can work in a tiny kitchen? We beg to differ. What this glamorous apartment lacks in spare centimetres, it makes up for in style. The mirrors create an impression of space, while cabinets spray-painted silver enhance the light and add interest.
While it might not be an obvious space-expander, investing in upholstered chairs can actually add an impression of space. Here, their light colour works with the tones of the kitchen units, and they continue the sophisticated (and therefore larger-than-it-is) look.
Don’t think antiqued mirror splashbacks and a crystal chandelier can work in a tiny kitchen? We beg to differ. What this glamorous apartment lacks in spare centimetres, it makes up for in style. The mirrors create an impression of space, while cabinets spray-painted silver enhance the light and add interest.
While it might not be an obvious space-expander, investing in upholstered chairs can actually add an impression of space. Here, their light colour works with the tones of the kitchen units, and they continue the sophisticated (and therefore larger-than-it-is) look.
9. Contemplate a compromise
Sometimes, making the most of a small kitchen is about compromise. The owners of this New York apartment decided to remove a huge fridge-freezer to stop things feeling cramped (instead, a smaller fridge is hidden in the wall opposite the window). The result: room to squeeze in a mini table in the space originally taken up by the bulky appliance.
It won’t be an option for all homes, but the homeowners also raised the ceiling in this kitchen by 30 centimetres for a greater feeling of space.
Read more stories about renovation projects
Sometimes, making the most of a small kitchen is about compromise. The owners of this New York apartment decided to remove a huge fridge-freezer to stop things feeling cramped (instead, a smaller fridge is hidden in the wall opposite the window). The result: room to squeeze in a mini table in the space originally taken up by the bulky appliance.
It won’t be an option for all homes, but the homeowners also raised the ceiling in this kitchen by 30 centimetres for a greater feeling of space.
Read more stories about renovation projects
10. Exploit multi-functional furniture
This Parisian micro apartment is a masterclass in how tiny can look amazing. Multi-functional furniture and pale, coordinating materials, such as birch plywood, are the order of the day to keep the look uniform and chic. The ingenious kitchen is tucked on a platform under a sloping roof.
Perhaps the cleverest detail is the peninsula bench, which folds out to create a dining table for entertaining. When not in use, it folds back, making space for a slide-out bed at night.
Tell us
These kitchens are all various versions of small – do you have a smaller one? Let us know which of these tips you’d love steal for it in the Comments below.
More
See more compact kitchens for inspiration
This Parisian micro apartment is a masterclass in how tiny can look amazing. Multi-functional furniture and pale, coordinating materials, such as birch plywood, are the order of the day to keep the look uniform and chic. The ingenious kitchen is tucked on a platform under a sloping roof.
Perhaps the cleverest detail is the peninsula bench, which folds out to create a dining table for entertaining. When not in use, it folds back, making space for a slide-out bed at night.
Tell us
These kitchens are all various versions of small – do you have a smaller one? Let us know which of these tips you’d love steal for it in the Comments below.
More
See more compact kitchens for inspiration
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
By Anne Ellard
Create a user-friendly kitchen and avoid excessive stretching and bending with these design tips for recommended heights
Full Story
Storage
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
Custom joinery allows you to tailor a space to suit your needs – here's how to choose the right firm for the job
Full Story
Most Popular
Reno Insights: Don't Rush It! Why Kitchen Planning Takes so Long
Preparing to renovate can take up to four times as long as building, but it's crucial for a good result – here's why
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Kitchens
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Most Popular
Shoestring Budget: Getting the Best Kitchen Cabinets for Less
It can be daunting choosing the right kitchen cabinets with limited funds, but these UK design experts' tips will help
Full Story
Queenie I've had large and small kitchens, some with miles of bench and others with hardly any. After thinking about it and watching friends work in their kitchens I concluded that most of us do our prep in a very small area actually. I do most of my prep in an area that measures roughly 65x60cm. That's regardless of whether I have acres of space or not. Up the other end I have a smallish area where the teas and coffees are made, the toast is buttered, sandwiches prepared etc. I like to cook but only use a small area either side of my stove for my prep gear. I'd need more room there if I didn't have a pull out cupboard beneath and next to my stove which holds all my spices, oils etc etc so I pull out, use and put back as I cook.
I like galley kitchens, cuts down on the walking around. Have a pull-out, supported, cutting board/bench built under your counter top, it will give you more working space. My hold all pull-out cupboard near the stove is only 31cm wide and has 2 built in sections to hold all the oils etc, your kitchen could manage one of those.
In one of my kitchens I had the back door in an area I needed bench space so I had a bench with a piano hinge and a drop down leg made for there. I didn't need it all the time and it wasn't noticeable. I had the door cut in half so when entertaining I could open the top put the bench up for a servery area (I had another door to get in and out). My point is there are tonnes of ideas and a galley kitchen is a good start.
Really small kitchens with really small cabinets can be completely functional with these quality stainless steel pull outs. Existing cabinets can be easily converted. Here are some examples... click here