70 Small Kitchen Ideas to Reinvent Cramped, Cluttered Spaces

1. Forego upper cabinets.

Give the illusion of more space by removing your upper cabinets, as seen in this colorful and whimsical kitchen designed by Button Atelier. This visual trick draws the eye upward, making even the smallest kitchens feel bigger and brighter. In their place, add a few open shelves to store essentials and display decor.   

2.  Maximize storage with custom cabinet inserts.

Storage is more important than ever in small kitchens, which is why creating customized storage solutions can be such a great option. For the designers at Terracotta Design Build, this means incorporating custom cabinet inserts wherever possible. Ensuring everything has its place (preferably behind closed doors) means a small kitchen will never feel cluttered.

3. Keep hardware sleek and minimalist.

In small kitchens, every detail matters. Even something as small as cabinet hardware can make a big difference. If sleek and minimal is your aesthetic, low-profile minimalist hardware can be a great choice, as demonstrated in this kitchen by Sarah Barnard Design. 

4.  Keep your palette monochromatic.

Monochromatic color palettes can help make small spaces feel larger and create a sophisticated look. The best part? You don’t need to stick to light colors if you don’t want to. Contrary to popular belief, even deeper tones can have an enlarging effect when used in a tonal color palette. This small kitchen design by Sarah Barnard Design is the perfect example, proving that rich, layered colors can be both bold and expansive.

5.  Utilize every square inch.

Don’t let a sloped ceiling get in the way of your small kitchen dreams. Smart design solutions, such as open shelving cut to size, can help you make the most of any space.

“In this small apartment kitchen, we only had a closet space to capture for a kitchen. The total kitchen is 6’11” wide and less than 5’ deep, but contains a small refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop and oven in addition to ample storage for glassware, dishes and cookware,” says Lauren Tolles, interior designer and founder of Maison Birmingham. “The open shelves to the left help capture all the usable space available working within the clipped ceiling.”

6.  Choose glass uppers.

Glass display cases can be a great way to maximize vertical storage without crowding a small kitchen. The glass cabinet walls in this tiny kitchen design by Maison Birmingham help keep the space feeling light and bright, while offering plenty of storage for bowls, glasses, and other kitchen essentials. 

7.  Match the walls to the cabinetry.

When cabinet space is limited, matching the walls to the cabinetry can give the illusion that the space is much larger than it really is. That’s what the designers at Maison Birmingham did in this bright and airy small kitchen design. 

“Cladding the walls in light wainscoting to match the cabinetry and light marble helps the space feel cohesive, bright, and airy,” Tolles explains. “We designed a walnut ‘armoire’ style cabinet with integrated lighting to house the refrigerator/freezer and pantry storage. The furniture-like feel of this cabinet helps it feel less massive and intrusive in the space.”

8.  Choose a panel-front fridge. 

There’s no denying that fridges take up a lot of visual real estate, especially in small kitchens. Opting for a panel-front fridge in a kitchen renovation can extend the look of your cabinetry and make the entire space feel larger and more open, as seen in this small kitchen by Darci Hether New York. 

9. Go all-in on stainless steel.

If you want a space that feels sleek, functional, and modern, stainless steel cabinets are worth considering. “Even in a small footprint, the right materials elevate the everyday — polished hardware, honed marble, and tailored millwork bring a sense of quiet luxury,” Hether says.

10. Choose high-gloss cabinets.

High-gloss finishes are a powerful tool in small kitchen design; they reflect light, making the space feel brighter and more expansive. Stainless steel appliances are a great start, but high gloss cabinetry can take this to the next level. For an ultra-sleek look, consider skipping knobs and handles altogether, as seen in this streamlined kitchen by Darci Hether New York.

11.  Invest in integrated appliances.

Integrated appliances can help make small kitchens feel streamlined and reduce visual clutter. While they also require a significant up-front investment, the benefits they offer make them worth considering, especially when you are choosing to renovate an existing space. This kitchen by Blue Indigo Designs features a built-in microwave to clear counter space and panel-front dishwasher for a clean and seamless look.

12. Add counters in front of a bay window.

Traditionally, bay windows are off-limits for counter space, but in small kitchens, everything is fair game. This small kitchen design by Anne Rae Design demonstrates just how functional this leap of faith can be. By adding cabinets and counters in front of the bay window, the kitchen workspace is doubled, and the room feels twice as big.

13. Keep it tonal.

If you’re a fan of calm, organic, and thoughtfully layered kitchen design, this tip is for you. Lauren Saab, founder and principal designer of Saab Studios, emphasizes the power of simplicity in small kitchens. She recommends using a restrained color palette with subtle tonal shifts to create a sense of openness and tranquility. This minimalist approach allows the little details like hardware, lighting, and texture to take center stage. 

14.  Add an eye-catching backsplash.

A head-turning backsplash can bring life and vibrancy to any small kitchen. In this eat-in kitchen design by Rumor Designs, the patterned backsplash also helps to tie the various colors and design elements of the space together. 

15. Paint your cabinets black. 

If you thought black was off limits for small kitchens, think again. Black can make small spaces feel moody, stylish, and dramatic. The trick to using black in small spaces is to ensure the room has plenty of natural light, as seen in this small kitchen design by Marc-Michaels Interior Design. 

16. Create a defining feature.

A small kitchen doesn’t have to sacrifice on style; look at this stunning small kitchen design by Megan Gribble Home as a prime example. The bold marble countertop makes a striking statement, but it isn’t just about looks. The L-shape layout creates space for casual seating, while the extra-wide counter provides ample room for meal prep.  

17. Opt for two-tone cabinets.

Two-tone cabinets are a simple and effective way to add visual interest and make a small kitchen feel more spacious. A smart approach, like choosing upper cabinets that are the same color as your walls, as seen in this design by Canyon Design Build, helps the space feel lighter and more open, while darker lower cabinets ground the room and add depth.

18. Work around the windows.

Large windows are ideal for natural light, but they can also get in the way of kitchen cabinetry — especially during remodels. If your kitchen has an awkwardly placed window that you’re not ready to replace, consider adjusting your base cabinets to fit under it. This is what interior designer Laura Medicus did in this small, rustic kitchen. 

“Because the space was so small, we needed this area for storage, so I lowered the countertops at the windows to accommodate and used cute card catalog hardware on the drawers to turn them into something special. In small kitchens, look for ways to make your space unique,” she says.

19. Make it long and narrow.

Even the tiniest spaces can become functional kitchens with a bit of creativity. Take this pint-size Brooklyn-based apartment kitchen, for example. While flanking both walls with upper and lower cabinets minimizes the available walking space, it maximizes the usable counter space and storage — essentially doubling the functionality of what could have been an even smaller kitchen.  

20. Add a countertop dishwasher.

No dishwasher? No problem! A small kitchen doesn’t mean you need to go without and hand-wash all your dishes (the horror!). A rolling kitchen cart and a countertop dishwasher were the perfect solution for this Los Angeles-based family.

21. Choose a vintage-inspired fridge.

Vintage fridges (or vintage-inspired ones) aren’t just stylish — they’re perfect for small spaces, too. Their compact size makes them ideal for kitchens with limited space, as seen in this Mesa, Arizona, rental home. The best part is that the choice will look totally intentional, too. Talk about blending form and function!

22. Add drama with moody color.

Sometimes, all you need is some dramatic color to turn a small kitchen from bland to bold and beautiful. That was the case with this San Francisco rental, whose tiny, stark-white kitchen was completely transformed by a fresh coat of moody burgundy paint. 

23. Add a kitchen cart.

When in doubt and short on storage: Add a kitchen cart! Kitchen carts are great for maximizing storage in small spaces, as seen in this Brooklyn apartment. Some carts come equipped with folding leaves that can accommodate barstools underneath, transforming even the smallest spaces into eat-in kitchens. 

24. Use sideboards for extra storage.

Do you have a blank wall in your small kitchen that’s not pulling its weight? Try using sideboards to add extra storage. Not only do sideboards mimic the look of traditional kitchen cabinets (they’re the same height as base cabinets!), but they offer a renter-friendly way to add sneaky storage into this historic Brooklyn apartment.

25. Have your appliances pull double duty.

In small kitchens, every square inch matters — which is why leaving your fridge, stovetop, and oven bare is a wasted opportunity for sneaky storage. Take this tiny Chicago apartment, for example. A magnetic knife holder on the side of the fridge creates space for utensils and other tools, while the top and back of the stove offer storage for frequently used items like a Dutch oven and a stovetop coffee maker. 

26. Tap into your ceiling’s potential.

If you’ve run out of wall and counter space, look up. Your ceiling is often untapped (and full of potential). Try a heavy-duty ceiling pot rack or create a DIY one like the family cooking in this small kitchen in Cape Town, South Africa, as they fashioned a hanging bar.

27. Maximize your backsplash.

The backsplash is one of the most underutilized vertical spaces in the kitchen. Here, in this Montreal home, an additional shelf installed between the upper cabinets and the countertops makes room for an adorable collection of vintage dinnerware. When every little bit of space counts (or there’s a serious lack of cupboards), this is a smart way to make room for more.

28. Install ceiling-height shelving.

When you have a very tiny space, like this 375-square-foot Brooklyn studio, you have to make use of all the wall space. “It’s the size of a closet, but with a good coat of paint, a dish rack, shelves, and wall storage, it transformed,” the homeowner said.

29. Cop this cool DIY.

A place for everything, and everything in its place. That’s the idea behind this amazing DIY storage wall in the kitchen of this Seattle home. It holds several pots and pans, which would otherwise take up valuable cabinet real estate, and even has room for a chic home for spice jars.

30. Go above your kitchen cabinets.

In this modern New York City apartment, odds and ends find a home in baskets above the kitchen cabinets.

31. Store large pots on top of your stove.

Carving out creative storage is always on the top of our list of small kitchen ideas. Large items that would otherwise take up lots of space in your cabinet can be stored on top of your stove when not in use. Bonus points if they’re attractive, like the Dutch oven in this Cape Cod kitchen.

32. Hang frequently used tools on the inside of a cabinet door.

If your kitchen doesn’t have drawers, don’t fret! Take a tip straight out of this 400-square-foot apartment. She hangs frequently used tools, like her measuring spoons and cups, on the inside of her cabinet doors. 

33. Build DIY open shelving beside your existing cabinetry.

There’s only 24 square feet of kitchen space to work with in this New York City studio rental apartment. Instead of taking up valuable real estate in the rest of the 275-square-foot home, the renter built DIY open shelving attached to the existing cabinetry.

34. Invest in hanging planters.

This Philadelphia home has a small kitchen with a counter on one side and a dining nook on the other. Hanging planters leave room on the table to eat while providing a burst of green in the kitchen.

35. Make a statement on the floor.

Adding some major wow factor to an already impressive Cape Town, South Africa, kitchen, these geometric tiles take this space to new style heights. In a small room, tiles can make a serious design impact (and because you have less square footage, the price is far more approachable).

36. Go for the gloss.

Ultra-glossy kitchens tend to look a bit Euro-mod, but there’s no denying the reflective (read: light-bouncing) properties they offer. This inviting East Village kitchen brings shine, thanks to a glossy subway tile backsplash.

37. Paint a moody cabinet.

Opting for a dark kitchen cabinet color is a way to lean into the coziness of a smaller space — and creating drama through dark paint on cabinet doors really worked in this eclectic Chicago apartment.

38. Customize cabinetry with contact paper.

Gold contact paper makes these IKEA cabinets shine and brightens up this whole Brooklyn studio apartment. 

39. Embrace retro vibes.

The ’70s are alive and well in this retro Melbourne kitchen, which has a chartreuse color palette and simple cabinetry that gives off a groovy feeling. Have a small dated kitchen you’re not too happy about? Try leaning harder into its era to really make the most of it.

40. Make a statement with your appliances.

When you have just a few cabinet doors and a small stretch of countertops, your best bet for making a decorative splash just might be your refrigerator, like in this Detroit kitchen.

41. Hang decorative plates.

Simple yet pretty, the decorative plates hung above the sink in this Bristol, England, kitchen add a dash of color and whimsy in this small kitchen.

42. Go for gold.

The gold foil decals adorning these cabinets in an Oakland kitchen are an unexpected choice, yes, but a worthwhile one. They add a fun, glamorous touch, but require no commitment — if you get bored, simply peel them off and start fresh.

43. Add a curtain for a skirted cabinet.

If you have appliances that you want to hide or an open lower cabinet that could use a bit of personality, consider hanging a curtain. The homeowner used an H&M curtain to mask the dishwasher in this colorful English home. 

44. Paint your lowers.

Consider taking a pointer from this fun and funky space, which pairs white walls with emerald cabinets. The color pops, but isn’t so crazy that the owners of this Austin, Texas, kitchen will regret the paint job in a year.

45. Take big color risks.

There’s only around 100 square feet in the kitchen in this Parisian-inspired apartment, but that didn’t stop this family from adding drama to the space. Two bold paint colors complement each other and make the space feel vibrant and warm. 

46. Choose a fun wallpaper.

You might have been warned to stick to solids in small spaces, but that’s not always the best advice. The vintage-inspired, pink-patterned wallpaper in this Sydney apartment is as charming as it gets.

47. Keep the kitchen alive.

Plants are a great way to add freshness to a small, stagnant space, and, in this Bay Area kitchen, their wild limbs add movement and motion to the area.

48. Let architectural details shine.

Rather than trying to cover up this aged brick (there are surely far, far worse problems in the world), this cozy Minneapolis kitchen made it part of its decor. Whether you have beautiful brick like this or reclaimed wood or vintage tile, consider sticking with it before making big changes.

49. Add playful touches.

In this super-small kitchen, a retro menu board adds a fun “greasy spoon” diner vibe to the wall. It adds just the right amount of kitsch without going overboard in this London kitchen.

50. Consider sheer draperies.

This tip is particularly useful if you find yourself in a studio where every room spills into the next. Should you have a window in your teeny kitchen, consider adding draperies, which will invite the same coziness your living room offers. Doing so encases you in purposeful design, just like this Barcelona apartment.

51. Create an accent wall to write home about.

The writing is definitely on the wall in this Connecticut kitchen, where a chalkboard-painted accent wall acts as a space to write daily mantras or to-do lists.

52. Add texture to your kitchen.

Homeowners in this modern Washington, D.C., apartment added texture by applying a removable beadboard to an otherwise bare kitchen bar. 

53. Paint your walls the same shade as your cabinets.

Want to make a bold change without worrying about upsetting your landlord too much? Consider painting the walls (which can easily be reversed) the same color as your cabinets. That’s what this family did in a Parisian-inspired Chicago apartment, making the space feel elevated and spacious.

54. Hack a kitchen peninsula.

This pint-size Toronto kitchen creates a beefed-up prep space with a DIY kitchen peninsula, which is fashioned from an IKEA TROFAST.

55. Add a small island when possible.

This tiny Los Angeles apartment didn’t offer much storage in the kitchen, so a small island with open shelving and a baker’s rack were brought in to remedy the lack of built-ins.

56. Cook up a dining area.

Sometimes, all you need to create a small dining area for one or two is a tiny table tucked in any open space you might have between cabinets and your appliances, like in this hyper-efficient (and totally lust-worthy) Los Angeles kitchen.

57. Opt for a flush-mounted light.

Flush-mounted lights, like the one used in this New York City studio, can be a great way to bring some light into a small kitchen toward the evening without taking up too much space — especially if the kitchen is low on natural light.

58. Go industrial.

Two large industrial-style pendant lights make quite the statement over this narrow kitchen island in this Portland kitchen.

59. Implement a chandelier.

Make even the smallest kitchen feel fancy by adding a chandelier or cool light fixture. The small chandelier in this 38-square-foot galley kitchen was a vintage piece from the owner’s grandmother. “I love to cook and thought I would go crazy having such a small kitchen, but it has become my favorite kitchen I’ve ever cooked in for its cozy efficiency,” says designer Ali McEnhill.

60. Use a statement bulb.

A hanging pendant bulb is simple yet elegant over this tiny kitchen area — and it most importantly doesn’t take away from the stunning waterfall marble countertops in this California space.

61. Don’t be afraid to go big. 

This little kitchen looks downright grandiose, thanks to the large modern chandelier and the black statement wall in this Brooklyn brownstone.

62. Hang two lights.

We love the use of the decorative lighting in this small yet bright Los Angeles kitchen. While inset can lights could have been used, the double pendants add such a nice touch.

63. Add a semi-flush light.

The natural light in this Joshua Tree, California, kitchen is enough to illuminate it throughout the day, but the simple semi-flush globe light in the corner will add just enough task lighting during the dinner routine.

64. Install lights underneath the cabinets.

Adding adhesive lighting underneath your cabinets is a great way to brighten a space without taking up any square footage. Motion-sensor lights under the shelves in the pantry in this earthy Ojai home immediately added light but are basically hidden from sight.

65. Store pantry staples on an open shelf.

This Toronto kitchen demonstrates that even pantry staples can look decorative. If you lack a proper pantry, consider using glass jars to store often-used kitchen essentials.

66. Roll in more pantry storage.

This small studio in Manhattan came with very little storage space. The renter here remedied that by bringing in a compact rolling cart, which acts as an island/pantry.

67. Add a piece of freestanding furniture.

A mere $300 transformed this rental kitchen (a feat we applaud regularly). And while there are many, many lessons to take away from this makeover, we love the freestanding sideboard, which can hold pantry staples, kitchen appliances, and serve as a prep space.

68. Add a round table for two.

A small round table is the perfect size for eating breakfast in the kitchen in this Chicago studio apartment.

69. Use built-in nooks to your advantage.

This sunny retro Los Angeles kitchen uses a small wall space to its advantage for a picture-perfect dining nook.