11 design tips for a small kitchen

Don’t write off a compact or awkwardly shaped space as a lost cause. These small kitchen design ideas will help you maximise space and functionality, from larger jobs like adding windows or rooflights and bespoke cabinetry, to minimalist interventions like clever colour palettes that create the illusion of space.

1. Add brightness overhead

A rooflight brings in a greater amount of light than an equivalently sized window and creates the impression of greater ceiling height. While it will require some financial outlay, this small kitchen design idea will make the room feel much bigger. Pictured below: Suffolk kitchen in Fog, from Neptune.

2. Wraparound layout

A U-shaped arrangement of cabinets is a classic small kitchen layout idea. It’s space efficient and ideal for an easy working triangle, but plan for adequate clearance between units for ease of movement and so you can open doors without obstruction. A minimum of 1m between cabinets is recommended. Pictured below: Bespoke handleless kitchen in pure white, by John Lewis of Hungerford.

3. Hardworking galley

The classic galley layout is another good way to gain maximum storage and worksurface space, especially in a long, narrow room. Make preparing meals easier by fitting the sink, cooker and fridge so that they are within a few steps of each other. Pictured below: Bespoke kitchen in Abet White Laminate on Ply, with worksurfaces and splashbacks in Silestone Gris Expo, from Jack Trench.

4. Integrated lighting

Integrated lighting such as recessed spotlights and under-cabinet LED strips help create a space-enhancing, streamlined look in a kitchen. Instal them on different circuits so you can light different areas separately, such as when preparing food or entertaining. Pictured below: Bespoke kitchen design, from Catherine Wilman Interiors.

5. Bespoke cabinetry

Turn architectural features such as alcoves and a redundant fireplace to your advantage with built-in furniture. You may be able to adapt off-the-shelf cabinets and shelving, but made-to-measure suppliers come into their own when it comes to small kitchen design ideas. Pictured below: The Real Shaker Kitchen, from deVOL.

6. An open aspect

Doing without wall cabinets makes a room look bigger. To maximise storage in the base units, consider having a high proportion of drawers, including deep pan drawers, to cupboards. But if wall units are inevitable, select handleless designs in a colour that blends with the walls. Pictured in the panel below: Natural Crown Cut European Oak and Fenix Bianco Male cabinet fronts, from Custom Fronts.