Design a small kitchen and make it look larger: This is how you can stylishly upgrade compact kitchen spaces

There are numerous space-saving design solutions when it comes to designing a small kitchen. Clever setup makes it easy to maximize compact kitchen areas for optimal use of space. Additionally, minimalism in kitchen design can help create a sense of order and create the illusion of spaciousness. Opt for light colors, clean lines, similar textures and simple accessories. Below you can discover some great examples and tips that can help you with your redesign or redesign.

Find inspiration and design a small kitchen

Cooking and cleaning in a tiny space can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility. However, don't be discouraged as you can find options that transform narrow kitchens into stylish and efficient spaces. In addition, there iscertain practical and modern kitchen designsthat are better suited for this, as well as some methods that can make small apartment kitchens feel larger. Recently, the kitchen has also become the main living area. However, the floor plans of many apartments do not offer much space for this. So, if you are frustrated with the lack of space in your kitchen area, you should take the right steps to tackle the problem smartly.

So the limitations of a small kitchen require an inventive approach. Plus, you can definitely afford to be bolder in a small space than in a huge oneKitchen room with kitchen islandto be. Small kitchen design also means less money is spent on cabinets, potentially leaving more budget for lighting and appliances. Logically, the kitchen design is the first thing to consider. With a small kitchen, it is important that the layout is carefully thought out. This ensures that every centimeter of the work surface is used. The age-old advice of imagining the refrigerator, oven, and sink as points on a triangle and making sure the distance between them isn't too close applies even in small or difficult-to-design kitchen spaces.

Decide on suitable designs and materials

Carefully selected kitchen furniture, colors and materials can help make a small kitchen area feel more spacious. Consider using mirrored or light-colored backsplashes with reflective properties to make your space appear larger. In terms of color scheme, it's not necessarily necessary to stick to a light palette in small kitchens, so don't be afraid to use your desired color. Here are some thoughtful suggestions that illustrate such ideas.

Choose hidden storage and design a minimalist small kitchen

One of the emerging trends in small kitchen design is concealed kitchens. These include kitchen cabinets that are so stylishly installed that it's easy to forget they're designed for storage, appliances that disappear before your eyes, and touchable textures. Such kitchen design can make you think you are in the living room or dining room. In addition, there are more and more options available to people to hide or camouflage parts of the kitchen as they see fit. There is also a big trend towards creating hidden work areas. These are characterized by sliding doors that can close and hide an entire kitchen structure.

Freestanding modular kitchen as a modern and functional option

Flexibility in the kitchen used to mean having simple pieces of furniture on wheels. However, as the number of tenants increases and apartments become smaller, the demand for modern, multifunctional and flexible kitchens also increases. If you choose an individual variant, you will receive the ideal kitchen design for your small space. Similar to a modular configuration of corner furniture such as sofas, you can use one-piece modules and worktops in different shapes and sizes so you can personalize your work area to suit you, while extendable tables allow you to create fixed or extendable dining areas to suit your needs furnish.

Choosing a simple color palette for small kitchen spaces

In addition to trendy gray, stone tones are also becoming increasingly popular, with the latest neutral choice being a sandstone tone. This shade offers a cooler take on ivory or cream and is also pale enough to reflect natural light for an airy feel in a room. The whole thing can look even better when combined with glossy kitchen cabinet doors. Additionally, a kitchen design with black cabinets at the bottom and a white backsplash and open shelves at the top would allow for a classic yet appropriate color combination. Such a monochromatic look is traditional and modern at the same time. The black base of the color scheme and the white walls make the kitchen area look fresh and tidy.

Combine wood with white in Scandinavian style in compact kitchens

White is a staple for small spaces because it makes them feel bright and open, but it can often seem too sterile. In this case, natural wood offers a great alternative to other color combinations and gives the pale color and the entire interior a cozy, rustic atmosphere. Plus, it combines easily with many other color palettes, making the material a versatile choice for any home.

So go for a Scandinavian-inspired wood and white scheme for a light and airy feel to the space. Large areas of wooden floors and white cabinets also ensure a calm and tidy first impression. You can always incorporate open shelving and add more color with plants or colorful plates and bowls. Warm-toned lighting prevents the room from feeling cold.

Design tiled back walls for a small kitchen

Choose tiles in soothing natural tones to make the cooking area look larger and more pleasant. Carefully selected tiles are your secret weapon when designing or updating small kitchen spaces. Matte surfaces in light, muted and natural tones or highly reflective glossy tiles are great ways to create a feeling of spaciousness. However, stay away from small or heavily patterned tiles, as while they can create a striking wall, they will likely overwhelm a small space. Mixed materials, including combinations of ceramic and stone, are becoming increasingly popular to create contemporary-inspired geometric designs that integrate perfectly into modern kitchen spaces.

Less is more with sustainable kitchen design

Try to remove unnecessary items or clutter in the kitchen using a minimalist approach. Minimalism may be all the rage, but the concept behind living with less is the key to not only stylish but also sustainable kitchen design. Buying only what you need is the best way to reduce your footprint and save time, stress and money. To do this, first sort out the unwanted items from your drawers, cupboards and pantries. Then make a rule that new purchases should only replace something that breaks or goes out.

Create smart storage options

To prevent a small space from becoming too crowded, you can try adding mid-height units to the design. Such wall cabinets provide additional space for storing important things. They only take up half the space of a standard wall unit. They also prevent shadows from being cast on the surface below. This can make the kitchen area brighter. Here are some more clever and space-saving tips you can follow when designing a small kitchen:

  • Use your space wisely. Built-in storage maximizes available space. Wherever possible, try to use rooms for more than one task.
  • Attach shelves to the inside of cabinet doors to hold spice racks or pot lids.
  • Place kitchen shelves in corners and use vertical space up to the ceiling for rarely used items.
  • If possible, use the kitchen island as a breakfast bar and store cups or cutlery in drawers underneath. You can also incorporate a mini peninsula.
  • Choose a narrow and compact kitchen table or a fold-out kitchen table and push it completely against the wall. For seating, combine standard dining chairs with a bench that you can pull out when needed.

Design creative kitchen shelves for a small kitchen

Not everyone with a small kitchen is blessed with built-in storage space. If you are also in this category, it is important to ensure that you have sufficient and effective shelf space. For example, floating kitchen shelves provide modern and minimalist storage, while utilizing wall space with creative cabinets can be just as helpful. Also combine open and closed shelves with the kitchen cabinets. So instead of filling all available wall space with units, opt for open shelving that gives a contemporary look and doesn't clutter up the space.

Store kitchen utensils and work surfaces according to modern concepts

Make your kitchen both stylish and functional by investing in cookware, utensils, and appliances that are beautiful enough to be displayed. For example, store knives together in a knife block or on a magnetic wall bar. Look for a matching set of mixing bowls made from commercial-grade stainless steel or colorful ceramic that stack neatly inside each other and look attractive on open shelves. Get inspired by a professional food preparation space and keep everything close at hand.

The famous Japanese tidying expert also advisesMarie Kondo, order in the kitchenusing your KonMari method. Leave as little as possible on your countertops. Although this may be a little extreme, too many items can clutter countertops. Consider clever solutions such as wall-mounted rails for hanging utensils, pans, mugs, spice jars and cutlery containers. Think about what you need to have on hand every day and how you can store cutting boards, wooden spoons and dish soap.