How To Design a Small Kitchen: Designer’s Tips
When it comes to designing a kitchen, there are a lot of components to take into consideration, including the floor plan, budget, materials, functionality, storage, and the quality of your fixtures and finishes. It’s no surprise that kitchen design has become its own specialty within the interior design industry.
In fact, I actually started my interior design career specializing in kitchen and bath design, so I’ve designed my fair share of kitchens over the years. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I approach designing a small kitchen, along with my favorite designer tips and tricks to help you maximize every square foot.
AVOID COSTLY (AND UGLY) DESIGN MISTAKES
Small kitchens can certainly pose a challenge. Speaking from experience, my own kitchen spans just 12 feet, has no island, and…I love to cook.
If you’ve ever tried preparing an elaborate meal in a compact kitchen—or had multiple people trying to use the space at once—you know that designing a functional small kitchen requires thoughtful planning.
The good news? A small kitchen doesn’t have to feel cramped. With the right layout and design decisions, it can be just as beautiful and functional as a much larger space.
How to Design a Small Kitchen
Determine the Best Layout
If there is one thing you should prioritize when designing a small kitchen, it’s the layout.
Every kitchen is unique, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all floor plan that works for every home. However, there are several design principles that can help you maximize both function and storage, regardless of the size of your kitchen.
Before purchasing cabinetry or selecting finishes, I highly recommend creating a scaled floor plan. One of the easiest ways to do this as a homeowner is by using a program like Coohom or Planner 5D, which allows you to experiment with different layouts before making any permanent decisions, and can also create a 3D model of your space to visualize your selections.
General Kitchen Layout Rules to Consider
Follow the Kitchen Work Triangle (When Applicable)
One of the oldest and most effective kitchen design principles is the kitchen work triangle.
The sink, refrigerator, and stove should ideally be positioned within comfortable walking distance of one another, allowing you to move efficiently throughout the space while cooking.
Keep in mind that this rule doesn’t always apply. For example, galley kitchens often function extremely well despite not forming a perfect triangle due to their narrow layout.
Prioritize Function and Flexibility
In a small kitchen, every inch matters.
As you’re planning your layout, ask yourself questions like:
- Would a movable island on casters work better than a fixed island?
- What is the largest island I can incorporate while still maintaining comfortable walkways?
- Could a peninsula provide additional storage without taking up as much space?
- Would a fold-down table or extendable countertop create more flexibility?
Design should always work for the way you actually live.
Maximize Your Storage
Storage is often one of the biggest concerns in a small kitchen, but there are plenty of ways to increase it without increasing your footprint.
Consider incorporating:
- Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry
- Deep drawer storage instead of lower cabinets
- Pull-out pantry systems
- Corner cabinet organizers
- Built-in spice pull-outs
- Pull-out garbage and recycling bins
- Appliance garages for countertop appliances
Small storage upgrades can dramatically improve the functionality of your kitchen.
Consider Open Shelving Carefully
Open shelving can make a small kitchen feel lighter and more open, while also providing an opportunity to display beautiful dishware, cookbooks, or decorative accessories.
However, keep in mind that open shelving requires organization. If you prefer to keep everyday items hidden, additional cabinetry may be a better choice.
Question Every Appliance
One mistake I often see homeowners make is trying to fit every possible appliance into a small kitchen.
Ask yourself:
- Do I really need a second wall oven?
- Will a microwave drawer free up counter space?
- Is a beverage fridge worth sacrificing storage?
- Could a slimmer appliance create more usable workspace?
Every appliance occupies valuable real estate, so make sure each one truly serves your lifestyle.
Establish Your Design Style & Select Your Finishes
Once you’ve finalized the layout, it’s time for my favorite part of the design process—selecting the finishes.
For many homeowners this can feel overwhelming, but as a designer, this is where the vision really starts to come together.
Before choosing cabinet colours, countertops, tile, or hardware, it’s important to establish the overall design direction you want to achieve.
Having a clear design direction acts as your “north star” and makes every design decision much easier.
If you’re unsure what style you gravitate toward, spend some time browsing Pinterest or Instagram and save images that consistently catch your eye. You’ll quickly begin noticing patterns in the colours, materials, and styles you’re naturally drawn to.
Once you’ve established your design direction, begin gathering samples for:
- Cabinetry
- Countertops
- Backsplash tile
- Flooring
- Hardware
- Paint colours
- Plumbing fixtures
Seeing everything together before making purchases is essential.
Before ordering anything, lay every sample out side by side.
This is one of the most important steps in the entire design process.
Look at how your cabinetry, flooring, countertop, backsplash, paint colours, hardware, and plumbing fixtures interact with one another.
Something that looks beautiful on its own may not complement the other selections once everything is combined. Seeing your materials together allows you to catch potential issues before it’s too late—and before you’ve spent thousands of dollars.
Designer Tips for Selecting Finishes in a Small Kitchen
Consider Keeping Your Cabinetry One Colour
While I frequently design beautiful two-tone kitchens, using a single cabinet colour can often make a small kitchen feel larger.
When upper and lower cabinets are the same finish, your eye travels more seamlessly throughout the room, creating the illusion of a larger, more cohesive space.
That’s not to say two-tone cabinetry can’t work in a small kitchen—it absolutely can—but if maximizing visual space is your primary goal, one cabinet colour is often the better choice.
Avoid Overly Busy Backsplashes
In small spaces, visual clutter quickly makes a room feel even smaller.
Highly patterned backsplashes, multiple accent tiles, or busy materials can overwhelm the eye. Instead, opt for cleaner, simpler tile selections that provide texture without excessive visual noise.
This creates a calmer, more spacious feeling.
Don’t Be Afraid of Contrast
A common misconception is that an all-white kitchen automatically feels larger.
While lighter colours certainly help brighten a room, contrast is what creates depth.
Introducing darker hardware, warm wood accents, charcoal lighting, or natural stone can add dimension and prevent the kitchen from feeling flat or sterile.
It’s all about creating balance.
Make The Sample Process Easier
If the thought of visiting endless showrooms and collecting samples sounds exhausting, there’s good news.
Technology has made the process much easier.
You can source many of your materials through DesignShop, which delivers samples directly to your door. From tile and millwork to plumbing fixtures, you can browse, order, and compare everything from home.
As a designer, I’ve found this incredibly helpful because it allows me to see all my selections together at once without spending weekends driving from showroom to showroom. If you’re planning a renovation, it can save you a significant amount of time and effort.
Read more on DesignShop, here.
Should You Hire a Designer For Your Small Kitchen Project?
Of course, I may be a little biased here, but consulting with a professional interior designer can be one of the best investments you make during a renovation.
I’ve seen too many DIY-design kitchen projects that didn’t quite turn out as planned. It’s unfortunate because kitchen renovations are expensive, disruptive, and not something most people want to do twice.
Fortunately, I offer e-design packages specifically geared toward helping homeowners design their kitchen with ease and confidence.
If you’d like one-on-one guidance to ensure you’re making the right choices for your home, I’d love to help. Book an e-design service and let’s create a bathroom you’ll love for years to come.
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Let’s design your space together, virtually.
