“Commission or revenue may be earned by Hearst Magazines and Yahoo through these links.” Is your home plagued by a small kitchen area? Frustrated by a lack of space? You’re not alone. Kitchens continue to be a top priority for renovations in America, according to 2024 research from Houzz. If you’re unable to afford a kitchen makeover this year (the average cost was $24,000 in 2023, a 20 percent increase from the previous year, based on Houzz data) or if you’re renting, you will likely face common challenges of a small kitchen such as limited counter space, a small oven, and minimal storage space.
However, designers have clever tips to make a small kitchen appear bigger and more spacious, even if you rarely cook. Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, a partner at ELLE DECOR A-List firm Nate Berkus Associates, suggests extending cabinets to the ceiling regardless of kitchen size to create a sense of higher ceilings and a larger kitchen. Paying attention to details is crucial too, advises the designer. Adding small touches like beveling, brass accents on countertops, or vintage hardware can make a significant visual impact and reflect your personal style.
Budget-friendly tips include changing the paint color of cupboards to a light and bright shade and incorporating other affordable hacks. Discover 70 small kitchen ideas from our collection to see how to maximize space with above-cabinet decor, bold cabinetry, versatile accent pieces, stylish lighting solutions, and more. Get inspired by beautiful homes that have effectively utilized their small kitchen layouts to elevate their style and functionality.
Whether it’s a pint-sized pink kitchen inspired by English country houses, a color-blocked retro kitchen, or a wallpaper-clad culinary space, there are various creative ways to enhance a small kitchen. By working with tall shelves and cabinets for kitchens with high ceilings, selecting eye-catching lighting fixtures, and paying attention to every detail, you can transform your small kitchen into a stylish and functional space. Get inspired by these design ideas and start creating your dream kitchen today!
Extracts from Stahl and Band above the island.Max BurkhalterDesign an Artful BacksplashEvery square inch in a small kitchen is significant, including often overlooked areas like the backsplash. In a Paris apartment, designer Pierre Yovanovitch combined key-lime cabinets with a charming backsplash adorned with hand-painted tiles by artist Matthieu Cossé.Giulio GhirardiTry a Surprising MaterialYou would never guess that this eye-catching small kitchen used to be the primary bathroom in this Lisbon home. Instead of removing the unique blue marble, homeowner Elan Yifrach chose to retain it. The view of the outside gardens serves as a delightful backdrop for washing dishes,” he remarks.Daniel SchäferGo MonochromeWhile kitchens have been embracing vibrant colors in recent years, this Miami kitchen by Martin Brûlé offers a calming change with its soothing creams and sleek lines. The cabinets are by Boffi, and the backsplash and ceiling tiles are custom-painted by Matthieu Cossé.Adrian GautBring in Hits of VibrancyDesigner Rayman Boozer aims to create homes that exude a welcoming atmosphere. This cheerful Harlem kitchen incorporates jewel tones through green cabinets, red curtains, striped chairs, and plate-printed trompe l’oeil wallpaper.Kelly MarshallMake It DisappearIf your kitchen is tiny, consider camouflaging it entirely. In this kitchen, designer Omar Aqeel chose brushed stainless steel cabinets by Reform that blend seamlessly into the background to create an unobtrusive look.David MitchellSkirt Your SinkIn ELLE DECOR A-List designers Eric Hughes and Nathan Turner’s ranch-inspired home in Ojai, California, a small kitchen features a rustic brass faucet and hanging pots and pans instead of cupboards. A delightful skirt conceals the plumbing under the sink, offering a charming touch.Roger DaviesSwap Your Cabinets for ShelvesDesigner Timothy Brown opted for industrial stainless-steel shelving in his New York City apartment kitchen instead of traditional cabinets. This choice not only provides space for clip-on lights but also showcases his collection of vases and small framed artworks.Richard PowersDon’t Forget About Your DoorsThis modern New York kitchen by StudioDB draws inspiration from Prada stores for its color palette. The pink pocket door features a pair of portholes, adding a nautical touch that can conceal clutter or stand out as a style statement.Matthew WilliamsHang a Cool PendantThis kitchen by ELLE DECOR A-List firm Pappas Miron may seem like a standard white kitchen at first glance.
It’s the pendant light that really elevates the space, reminiscent of a peppermint with its charm and allure. If you have extra ceiling room, consider installing one that will steal the spotlight. – Tim Lenz
Bring in Some Greenery
For those looking to move away from an all-white kitchen while still maintaining a light and spacious feel, take inspiration from designer Mark Grattan. In his Mexico City apartment, he opted for all-white cabinets and tiles but added touches of gold and terra-cotta with travertine countertops, a golden rug, and a plant stand. If your space allows, consider adding a tree for a refreshing touch. – Maureen M. Evans
Go Bold with Black
The black kitchen is a striking contrast to the common all-white trend. In his Milan apartment, hospitality designer Eric Egan created a dramatic space with textured Porphyry stone countertops and a fully mirrored back wall, giving the small area a spacious feel. Surprisingly, the cabinets are from Ikea! – Francesco Dolfo
Versatile Kitchen Island
In a compact 490-square-foot Manhattan apartment designed by Method Design and Nina Barneih-Blair, maximizing space was key. A multitasking kitchen island serves various functions throughout the day, from workspace to dining area. The glossy all-white palette highlights the apartment’s natural light. – David Land
Sophisticated Black Backsplash
French designer Eric Allart embraced the historical quirks of a 16th-century townhouse, keeping the terra-cotta tiles in place and creating a unique kitchen design to complement them. An inky black tile backsplash reflects sunlight, while a vibrant pink hue on the walls and ceilings draws the eye upward. – Simon Upton
Vibrant Cabinet Colors
In a Beverly Hills residence designed by Gary McBournie, a small butler’s pantry showcases Hollywood Regency-inspired cabinets, adding glamour to the space. For a budget-friendly option, consider painting existing cabinets in a vibrant color like key lime. A sunburst light fixture adds a touch of whimsy. – Annie Schlechter
Tall Cabinets with White Accents
Despite limited use of her galley-style kitchen, the client of this Manhattan apartment worked with designer Lauren Buxbaum Gordon to create a stunning space. Extending the cabinetry to the high ceilings and incorporating light countertops and glossy white paint enhance the natural light, while gold accents add a touch of elegance. – Kelly Marshall
Eclectic and Unique
Embrace the eclectic charm in your kitchen, as seen in this lively nook belonging to William Cullum and Jeffrey Rhodes. A hot-pink Victorian-era pie safe holds antique serveware, while whimsical artwork camouflages the fridge. Let your creativity shine in this space where anything goes. – Kirk Davis Swinehart
Bold and Vibrant Flooring
Looking to add some flair to your kitchen without resorting to sleights of hand? Start by focusing on your floors if your cabinets or counters are less than appealing. Take inspiration from this airy Ibiza kitchen designed by Studio Muñoz, featuring sea-blue tiled floors that make a simple yet stylish statement. If a full renovation isn’t in your plans, consider adding a colorful kitchen rug for a quick fix.
In another design example, this apartment by New York firm Husband Wife embraces Buxbaum Gordon’s kitchen cabinet rule but opts for a dreamy shade of glossy cream paint instead of the usual all-white. The result is a perfect blend of classic and contemporary.
For smart storage solutions with a pop of color, check out the family-friendly Brooklyn apartment designed for the cofounders of Civilian. Whimsical details like a custom island topped with marble and a cherry-red hood add fun and functionality to the space.
In the quaint Victorian farmhouse of Toast CEO Suzie de Rohan Willner, bright green lower cabinets and open shelving create a country charm that maximizes space and showcases chic knickknacks.
If you love bold colors, take a cue from this Brooklyn apartment designed by Danielle Fennoy of Revamp Interior Design. Vibrant jewel tones, such as emerald green backsplash and scarlet reupholstered chairs, bring life to the kitchen and dining area.
Don’t let a small space limit your kitchen design options. Nate Berkus incorporated a diminutive table and chairs into his former Chicago kitchen, showcasing a perfect blend of industrial-chic storage and vintage charm.
From a humble fishing shack to a charming Provincetown cottage, designer David Cafiero transformed this galley kitchen into a shipshape space with nautical touches.
In a Manhattan apartment, Cochineal Design created a jewel box kitchen with bold marble and cabinets lacquered in sultry red, making it a functional showpiece in its own right.
Even in a miniature kitchen, you can still have a designated prep and dining area. A small island with vintage stools and pendant lights can make a big impact in a compact space.
If minimalism is more your style, take inspiration from this Roman-inspired kitchen.
In a penthouse, a cozy kitchen might appear small, but the clean counters (hiding ample storage below) maintain an architectural feel rather than feeling cramped. The neutral peach and white color scheme adds to the illusion of a larger space.
Serena Eller Vainicher suggests being bold in compact spaces, like the unique St. Petersburg kitchen designed by Tim Veresnovsky, featuring black-and-white striped eucalyptus veneer on walls, cabinets, and chairs.
Mikhail Loskutov showcases burnt sienna lacquered cabinets in a Parisian home designed by Hugo Toro, complemented by brass accents and bold marble surfaces.
Creating an airy and bright atmosphere, Dan Sallick and Elizabeth Miller’s kitchen in Washington, D.C., features feathery marble, white cabinets, warm timber elements, and a striking David Weeks chandelier.
Lisa Corti’s cheerful pale lavender kitchen in Milan stands out amidst the trend of green and black kitchens, personalized with open shelves, knickknacks, and a sky-blue table.
In the home of Mark Badgley and James Mischka, bookshelves extend to the ceiling to accommodate their collection of cookbooks.
LAUN’s sculptural kitchen in a Los Angeles bungalow uses a green lacquered volume to conceal the refrigerator and add visual interest, complemented by high-shine brass details.
Hatmaker Nick Fouquet’s geodesic dome kitchen showcases unique architecture with a faceted cooking area and shelving integrated into triangular elements.
Nicole Gibbons’ New York apartment kitchen feels spacious with soft duck egg walls and a mini breakfast nook featuring a small table and Marcel Breuer-style chairs.
In an alpine retreat, a small kitchen maximizes space with hanging shelves above the sink and a material palette of locally sourced stone and timber.
Article Title: Inspiring Kitchen Design Ideas to Elevate Your Space
Gaelle Le Boulicaut Leading the Way
Select Metallic Finishes
In this kitchen in Milan, the high-shine brass finish on the cabinets gives the illusion of more space and adds a touch of glamour to the open-concept area.
Helenio Barbetta/Living Inside
Black with a Pop of Color
A bubble-gum-pink table adds a fun and edgy pop to this black and white kitchen in a Midtown East apartment.
Open Concept Magic
Even a small kitchen can feel spacious with an open concept, as seen in this East Village condo designed by Augusta Hoffman, who balanced modern cabinetry with organic elements like woven barstools.
Kirsten Francis
Amber Kitchen
Infusing energy into the design scheme, pops of orange brighten up this small kitchen. The textured orange wallpaper on the ceiling and the blend of light backsplash with dark wood cabinetry create an open and inviting space.
Eric Piasecki/OTTO
Open Shelving and Wallpapered Ceilings
Designer Charlie Ferrer opted for open shelves instead of cabinets in his Manhattan studio apartment, with a vintage Italian wallcovering on the ceiling, creating a unique and artistic touch.
Stephen Kent Johnson
Sweet Details
In Seville, Spain, interior designer Amaro Sánchez de Moya brings the outdoors inside his kitchen with a vintage Spanish garden table and chairs, creating a fun and country-style vibe.
Ricardo Labougle
Two-Toned Walls
Emiliano Salci’s Milan apartment features a kitchen painted in black and yellow, bringing a distinct flair to the space. The unexpected green counter complements the unique color scheme.
Andrea Ferrari
Pots Hung High
Event designer Bronson van Wyck utilizes space efficiently in his Manhattan kitchen with an Urban Archaeology pot rack hanging over a salvaged pine island.
Pernille Loof
Bar Cart or Island?
Designer Thom Filicia chose a bar cart as the centerpiece of his Manhattan kitchen, providing extra storage and work space in a compact area.
Douglas Friedman
Over-The-Top Color
A vibrant Manhattan kitchen is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Courtyard Green on cabinets, walls, and table, accompanied by a BlueStar stove and laser-cut linoleum floor.
Simon Upton
Moody Blues
A Canadian lake house kitchen features moody blue cabinetry extending to the ceiling, creating a spacious illusion and highlighting statement shades.
Alex Lukey
Colorful Corner
Regency chairs with silk cushions surround a Saarinen table in a cheerful corner of this colorful apartment kitchen. Vintage silk paper lines the walls, showcasing artworks by various artists.
William Abranowicz
Bright and Airy
Estee Stanley’s Los Angeles kitchen exudes a bright and airy atmosphere, transforming the Mediterranean-style space into a fresh and inviting area.
Stanley chose a white palette with stainless steel accents for the kitchen. The design was completed with a Viking hood, a Waterworks faucet, and Ikea barstools. In a cozy Greenwich Village penthouse kitchen, a farmhouse sink is showcased with a skirted Ralph Lauren Home linen, an antique chest from a Paris flea market, and a French sconce. Marisa Tomei’s traditional kitchen features a Saarinen table, 1940s French garden chairs, Viking range, Asko dishwasher, and cork flooring. In a Cape Cod cottage, custom-made cabinetry painted in Tanner’s Brown with Cream walls, butcher block countertops, Waterworks sink fittings, and antique Wedgewood stove are featured. A Greek home’s kitchen boasts poured concrete countertops, custom-painted doors, window frames, and cabinetry to make a visual impact. A minimalist Stockholm apartment kitchen includes stainless-steel countertops and lower cabinets for sleek storage. A bachelor pad kitchen showcases a Carrara marble countertop, brass barstools by CB2, and pendants by Tom Dixon. In a neutral NYC apartment, dark lacquered cabinets and skylights create a moody yet inviting kitchen. A West Village apartment kitchen with skylights features monochrome design for a light and bright feel. In a New York apartment, black and white accents with a Carrara marble kitchen island stand out against Madeline Weinrib wallpaper. A bohemian family home’s galley kitchen features Wolf appliances, Calacatta Gold marble countertops, and a custom hood. In a Moscow apartment, pendant lights by Tom Dixon hang above a black table, with Vitra chairs and Seletti plates on the counter. A modern kitchen in a Roman palazzo combines a brass light fixture and a Venetian portrait from the 1780s. In a Brooklyn townhouse, Calacatta Gold marble countertops, Waterworks backsplash tile, Capital range, ABC Carpet & Home stools, and an Apparatus light fixture adorn the kitchen.
Signer Kimille Taylor’s Upper West Side abode features a compact kitchen that doesn’t compromise on style. The sophisticated space boasts a Bertazzoni oven, a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator, and elegant marble counters. The subway tile was sourced from Home Depot, while the flooring stands out with its unique design of oak painted with a custom pattern.
In another setting, a cozy corner of a tiny kitchen in São Paulo, Brazil welcomes a pair of 19th-century English chairs and a Kartell table. The juxtaposition of these antique pieces adds character to the space within a São Paulo building.
Moving on to Michael Bruno’s Tuxedo Park residence, an immaculate, all-white kitchen beckons with a custom-made sink and counters, along with a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. The crisp white palette creates an inviting atmosphere in this kitchen space.
Meanwhile, in a countryside retreat in Woodstock, New York, a pony curiously peeks into the kitchen area. The rustic charm of the kitchen is enhanced by custom-made beadboard cabinetry, a Rohl sink, and a vintage Moroccan rug. This farmhouse kitchen exudes warmth and character in its design.
For more design inspiration, take a tour of Sarah Jessica Parker’s laid-back Hamptons retreat featured in the archives. Additionally, explore 75 small yet mighty kitchens that offer a wealth of ideas for your own space, ready for you to draw inspiration from at this very moment.
