16 Jan 2024, Read Time : 21 Min

30 Small Kitchen Design Ideas

Even small homes and apartments come with a lot of charms, but having a small kitchen space can be invariably frustrating. The kitchens are the heart of Indian households, where the family and the food come together. Even with its huge importance in your lives, you do not necessarily need a large one for a bigger impact. Thankfully, there are a plethora of small kitchen design ideas which you can creatively implement if your kitchen layout falls on the smaller size. Explore these modern small kitchen ideas to find multiple benefits, ranging from capitalising on every nook and corner of your culinary space to creating the feel of a wider space.  

Small Kitchen Design Ideas

Regardless of size, you can turn your kitchen into a happy place by infusing the right functional design ideas and small space solutions. So, check out these smart and elegant modern small kitchen ideas to make the space feel less claustrophobic and let you spend more time polishing your cooking skills. 

Open Shelving and Smart Storage Solutions for Small Kitchen

• Add Sleek Open Shelving

One of the best small kitchen ideas on a budget is by adding sleek open shelves. It looks better and opens the space, creating more storage and clearing off the counters. Just add characterful wooden planks on the kitchen backsplash to create an unbelievably pleasing display. Or, install a hanging rack on the wall to minimise the clutter and create an illusion of more space. 

• Utilise Corner Shelves

Utilising the unusual nooks and corners is an incredible way to elevate any small-size kitchen design. Just install open corner shelves to maximise the storage to store spices, pantry staples, and dishwares. In this way, you can make the most out of the usually-unused L-shaped portion of your small kitchen. 

• Optimise Space with Floating Shelves

Choosing floating shelves instead of upper cabinetry offers another way to infuse excellent yet simple interior design ideas for a small kitchen. Add stretched floating shelves across the wall, eliminating the cramped and claustrophobic feel while offering more room for storage. A neat, long wooden plank on the wall blends well with any kitchen decor and creates a focal point at the same time.

• Place the Microwave Down Below

Save on your counter space by utilising smart small rectangular kitchen design ideas like designing a home for your microwave. You can install a built-in microwave below your counter in your U-shaped kitchen. Or, you can also hide it away in cool ways, like in a pantry, so that it blends in with the rest of the kitchen decor. 

• Install a Pull-Out Pantry Drawer

Having a pull-out pantry drawer can make additional space within the culinary space. So, if your actual kitchen is small, and you need some small kitchen pantry design ideas, implement this idea to make more room in your kitchen. Install a slim pull-out pantry setup where you can store your oils, spices, cooking staples, utensils, and more – all within your reach. 

• Forego Traditional Hardware

When you move around your small kitchen, you do not want to feel poked by any utensil handle. Also, you want to have a visually appealing kitchen look. So, ditch the traditional bulky hardware and go for utensils with cutout handles. Also, to go a step ahead with this idea, you can install integrated pull cabinetry to see less hardware and make your space appear sleeker and more streamlined. By using these small home kitchen design ideas, you can make working in the kitchen much more efficient. 

• Squeeze In More Cabinets

To create some extra storage space beyond your small kitchen cabinets, you can add little cubbies above the window. Just make sure to have a small still handy to access the items stored in the added small kitchen wardrobe. By adding this extra storage space, you can have more room for free movement within the small space while having more storage space. So, it is indeed a great way to prove the saying “Size doesn’t matter”. 

• Make an Impact with Floor Tiling

While infusing modern small kitchen design ideas, do not forget about your kitchen flooring. Small kitchens need tile options that can create an illusion of a larger space. So, go for large-format kitchen tiles which can add a sense of spaciousness due to minimal grout lines. From pattern tiles to terracotta tiles to wooden tiles, you can find countless floor tile options to enhance your overall kitchen decor while opening your kitchen space out. 

• Elevate Your Space with a Glamorous Countertop

To enhance your small kitchen decor, consider having a glamorous countertop that can add a sleek and elegant feel. Opt for granalt tiles that offer the luxury look of natural granite with the convenience of tiles. These tiles come with glossy finishes which reflect light and make your tiny kitchen look bigger. Consider tile options like Granalt Statuario and Granalt Galactic Blue to have a breathtaking impact on the overall kitchen look. 

• Utilise a Pull-Out System for Bottles

No space to store your bottles within a tiny kitchen? Install pull-out small kitchen cupboards or a mini fridge. You can store different kinds of bottles, cans, or drinks there, such as water, soft drinks, and even wines – without occupying any floor space.

• Appliances Garage for More Functionality 

Another way to maximise your functionality in the kitchen is by clearing your countertops. It can be easily done by designing a cabinet or some space within your pantry as a garage for your appliances. This is a perfect place to place your small appliances which do not come in use daily. The best part? You can avoid creating a cluttered look on your kitchen counters. 

Also Read: Parallel Kitchen Design | Orientbell Tiles

Small Kitchen Creative Colour and Contrast Choices 

• Infuse Neutral on the Bottom and Bold on the Top

If you want to create a modern small kitchen design, consider different kitchen colour combinations – like blending bold hues like red and yellow with subtle tones like grey and white, to infuse a playful factor into your culinary space. Go for brighter tones for the upper portion of your kitchen walls while keeping the shades neutral at the bottom part like the colours of the cabinets, creating a contrast that will make the space appear more vertical. 

Also Read: Best Kitchen Colour Combinations for 2024 | Orientbell Tiles

• Choose Floor-to-Ceiling Whites or Stick With One Colour

One of the most amazing small white kitchen design ideas is choosing a minimalist all-white look from floor to ceiling. From glossy white marble tiled walls and countertops to white cabinets to white flooring, you can make your small kitchen look brighter and more spacious while helping the eyes slide seamlessly from one surface to another. Further, you can layer in black cabinet hardware to enhance the aesthetics of the all-white kitchen decor. 

• Embrace a Striking Contrast

Combining too many colours within a small space can be overwhelming. However, you can try mixing tonal contrasting colours which can never go wrong. If you are not sure about which colours to play with, consider colours that sit completely on the opposite sides of the colour wheel, such as purples with yellows and blues with oranges, or simply go for classic black with white. 

• Fake a Breakfast Nook

Among all small kitchen nook design ideas, the idea of creating a small breakfast nook within the kitchen area scores double points. Place a small table close to the station so that you can quickly get another slice of toast or a cup of coffee. You can also merge this idea with other small open kitchen design ideas, efficiently utilising all corners and nooks of the kitchen area. Also, if the space is too limited to install a table, stick a wooden plank against the blank wall to serve as a table and add a few chairs. 

• Paint an Accent Wall

If you are bold, covering an entire wall of the kitchen with bright colours – creating an accent wall might sound exciting. However, if you are unsure of which colours to choose, go for multiple colours to create a focal point within the small space. The best way to create such an accent wall is by laying pattern tiles like Moroccan tiles or combining different wall tile colours in creative layouts on your kitchen backsplash rather than painting it.  

• Add a Colourful Rug

Keeping a small kitchen light and bright with subtle tones of primary colours is not a bad idea as it helps to visually expand the space. However, adding a rug of vibrant colours is one of the best kitchen design ideas for small kitchens on a budget to infuse a visual interest. The rug will warm up the room while the patterns of the rug will infuse colours to the minimalist kitchen decor without overwhelming it. Thanks to that, you have the opportunity to stick to pale plain tones for your walls and cabinets, which will make your small kitchen appear bigger. 

Functional and Stylish Furniture Additions

• Add a Built-In Seat

When you live in a small flat or apartment, it is not a bad idea to unify areas and create multi-functional spaces. So, why not create your small house modern kitchen design in such a way that it can be combined with the living room? Infuse a kitchen seat along the window, where you can sit and have your morning coffee while enjoying the morning sunlight. 

• Opt for Backless Stools

While living in a small house, you must make full use of all your counter spaces. For instance, you can consider using your dining table for other purposes besides having your meals. Adding backless stools is one of the best ways to implement small modular kitchen design ideas. Being backless, these stools can be kept under the table, conserving space when you are not using them and allowing you to move freely in your space. 

• Incorporate a Small Dining Nook

A tiny space cannot stop you from installing a small table and chairs. Make use of the long, narrow unused spaces in your kitchen. Just install them at any corner, even a narrow one works to let your whole family sit together and enjoy the meals. If you want to take this amazing idea of the dining nook another level higher, consider installing benches instead of chairs. Customise the design of the benches with drawers below where you can store multiple items. This is one of the most brilliant small apartment kitchen design ideas you can infuse into your tiny kitchen space. 

• Design with Geometric Patterns

Looking for some exciting wall ideas for your kitchen while exploring these modern small kitchen design ideas? Then, you should consider infusing geometric patterns which are immensely used nowadays. You can lay geometric tiles on the backsplash, walls, or floor of your kitchen to add visual interest and make it appear larger as they draw attention vertically, creating an impression of a taller and more spacious kitchen. 

• Utilising Windows for More Light

Even in your small kitchen, you can utilise windows to add a sense of openness and let fresh air flow in, eliminating claustrophobia. Consider adding as many windows as you can or go for larger windows if you are building a small kitchen. More windows will allow more light to enter which will get reflected from the glossy wall tiles or cabinets and bounce back into the space, adding a sense of visual expansion. 

• Enhancing the Feeling of Openness

A big advantage of infusing small open-plan kitchen design ideas is having a larger working space. You can separate the living room from the culinary area with a wall of cabinetry. Remove the dividing wall if any between the kitchen and dining room to enhance spaciousness in your open kitchen design. Also, go for larger windows to let in more light and make the kitchen feel more open and airy. 

Also Read: 16 Open Kitchen Design Ideas to Transform Your Space

Innovative Backsplash and Cabinet Ideas for Small Kitchen 

• Get Bold With Your Backsplash

Giving your kitchen backsplash a bold look is an incredible way to elevate your small home kitchen design. So, consider incorporating playful touches using patterned or textured wall tiles to instantly add character and dimension to the cooking area. Also, go for glossy tiles as they reflect light and create an impression of depth, allowing you to create a space inspired by modern kitchen design ideas for small kitchens. For example, the Moroccan wall tiles installed on the kitchen backsplash here create a warm and inviting feeling. 

• Hang Cutting Boards

Cutting boards can occupy a significant amount of space when you store them in cabinets. Rather, keep them on display as a simple addition to other small simple kitchen design ideas. You can further dedicate an entire kitchen wall to wooden cutting boards, if you have any empty walls, and hang them on the wall to create a decorative and practical display. 

• Use Tile to Make a Statement

Infusing a ton of decoration can be hard in small kitchens without creating a messy look. So, rather than infusing multiple simple small kitchen ideas, go for just one idea that can make your kitchen walls have their character. You can implement small narrow kitchen design ideas using tiles to add a statement to your cooking area. Opt for wooden tiles for the flooring and subtle patterned tiles for the kitchen backsplash to create a focal point and eliminate the need for additional tiny decorations in the space. 

• Take Backsplash All the Way Up

Try to make your backsplash stand out if you want to create a focus point in your kitchen. Planning a backsplash is quite important as it can add depth and personality to the kitchen space. The best way to elevate your backsplash look in your small kitchen is by taking it up to the ceiling which will help the space appear taller and more spacious.

• Use Glass Cabinets

Want to incorporate a small space kitchen cabinet design? Go for glass cabinets. Not only do they let you show off your dishes, but also reflect light coming from the window and make the space look brighter and larger. Just like the kitchen in the image, the glass cabinet is white and makes the space look brighter with the illumination from the glass and all-white interiors.  

Small Kitchen Design Modern Finishes and Textures

• Go High-Gloss
  

Create a show-stopper small kitchen design by installing super glossy large-format marble tiles on the kitchen walls and glossy tiles for countertops. Pairing it with high-glossy cabinets, light can bounce around the space and create an illusion of a larger space. Also, to take this small kitchen decor idea to the next notch, you can consider infusing colours. Go for coloured super glossy large-format tiles for your walls and craft a trend-setting kitchen design. 

• Add a Metallic Sheen

If the space is small, implement very small kitchen design ideas like giving the kitchen walls a sheen metallic look. Consider laying metallic tiles which come with a reflective surface. This reflective surface will help bounce the light around the kitchen, offering a visually expanded look and letting you achieve gleam kitchen decor. 

• Embrace Minimalist and Neutral Tones

If you go for the trending minimalist kitchen design for a small space, mixing whites and neutrals is a great way to achieve the trending, tranquil kitchen look. By sticking to neutral tones and a monochromatic palette, you can give a classic touch to your kitchen look. Moreover, the neutral, peach, and white colour palettes can create the feeling of bigger rooms, so they are perfect for small kitchens. 

FAQ’s

• What size tiles and shapes are best for a small kitchen?

Small tiles are not usually recommended for small spaces as they do not contribute to making the space appear bigger. However, they work for small floor spaces. On the other hand, large-format or bigger tiles offer a seamless look due to minimal grout lines, making small spaces appear wider. So, it is better to choose regular tile sizes for your kitchen flooring and go for large-format tiles for your kitchen walls. But, if you want to create a sense of continuity in your open-plan kitchen, consider using large-format tiles on the floor as well. 

Even though square and rectangular tiles are the most popular options, you can consider options like planks, hexagons, herringbone, chevrons, and many more to let your small kitchen have its distinctiveness and character. 

• Are big tiles better in a small kitchen?

Big tiles are preferred for small kitchens, thanks to their ability to create an uninterrupted look due to fewer grout lines and make the room appear larger than it is. If you use small tiles in your compact kitchen, it will create a cluttered, unclean look due to more grout lines. So, if you are confused about which path to take, opt for medium-sized tiles – neither too big nor too small. Medium-sized tiles can significantly reduce the number of grout lines, thereby eliminating the chances of having an unpleasant kitchen look.  

• What is the best layout for small kitchens?

For homes and apartments with limited square feet, a galley kitchen works best. Gallery kitchens come with linear subtlety that offers a classic appeal to modern kitchens, irrespective of their sizes. Plus, thanks to the emergence of open-plan living spaces, the concept of a gallery kitchen tends to look stylish and offers practicality. 

• What is the best colour for small kitchens?

The best colour to elevate your small kitchen decor depends on the kitchen look you want to create. It is ideal to go for light colours to make the small space appear less compact. You can use white, peach, or other pale tones if you want to create a simple and minimalist look. However, do not restrict yourself from using colours. Bright-toned tiles with a glossy finish can add personality to your space while making it appear wider and taller, depending on how you lay them. 

• How to arrange furniture in a small kitchen?

Any small kitchen furniture can be added to the small kitchen to incorporate a light and airy feel. However, you have to make sure that it is proportional to the space so that you can preserve the flow. The best furniture to add in small kitchens is a square dining table with a thick wooden or marble tabletop with thin metal legs. Place it in the middle or one corner, according to the space you have, to have enough room for moving around while cooking. 

• How do you make small kitchens look classy?

To create a classy small kitchen look, you can create floor-to-ceiling cabinetry of a single tone and similar-toned bold flooring using patterned tiles. Also, you can add a single sink that goes well with glossy countertops while offering more working space.  

• What colours make a small kitchen look bigger?

All-white and neutral colours are trending choices for small kitchens as they can elevate the aesthetics greatly. Moreover, light tones are more reflective than dark hues, so they can reflect more light around the room, making it appear brighter and larger. Still, if you want to infuse some colours in your small kitchen, go for lighter tones of blue, pale yellow, peach, and green. 

• How can I decorate a small kitchen?

The best way to decorate your small kitchen is by infusing simple small kitchen design ideas, like decorating an empty wall with hanging cutter boards or installing a small indoor plant. Also, you can pick different tile finishes and decorative elements that go well with the rest of your home interiors. No matter what you add to your small kitchen, just remember that it can be impacted by the compact space. So, it is a good idea to use limited elements and keep them in specific areas to not create a messy kitchen look. 

• Can I put an island in my small kitchen?

It is a common question that arises while fitting a small kitchen. Well, there is always a way to include an island – the most popular element of modern kitchens. Adding an island separates the cooking and dining spaces, which is a sensible choice if your kitchen is open-plan. Also, if you have an island, you can install extra kitchen appliances like ovens and BBQ grills without occupying any space on your working station. 

Conclusion 

Whether you want to renovate your kitchen and start from scratch or just add a sense of freshness to your existing small kitchen, infuse these modern small kitchen ideas to make your kitchen look beautiful and useful. While infusing small kitchen design ideas, your first focus should be on function and style. To build an appealing and functional kitchen, connect with Orientbell Tiles. Our expert staff will guide you in achieving the small kitchen design according to your taste and style.