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Are you a homeowner and looking for the best kitchen design for small spaces? The task can be daunting and overwhelming, especially since you're trying to combine form and function. Thankfully, there are some great options out there for those of us with limited space. In this article, we'll be looking at ten of the best kitchen design ideas for small spaces, so you can decide which one is perfect for you!

8 Smart Ideas for Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

When it comes to kitchen design for small spaces, there’s a lot of room to get creative. But even if you’ve made the decision to save some square footage, there are still some best practices to keep in mind to make sure your work area both looks great and function in optimum efficiency.

From incorporating pull-out storage, taking advantage of pegboard walls, and embracing multi-function appliances, here are 8 smart ideas for kitchen design for small spaces that will give you major style and efficiency.

Incorporate pull-out storage – Vertical storage solutions are great for kitchen homeowners with limited sq. footage. Leaning towards a standard wall-mounted cabinet can add height and storage, but won’t come through on the storage. Pull-out storage, on the other hand, can help you organize your kitchen the way you like it without taking up a massive amount of your kitchen’s real estate.

Make use of drawers – Narrow your kitchen design by adding drawers as opposed to cabinets and shelves. This is one of the best ways to utilize your limited space, as drawers provide a fully-functional and organized work area with easy access. Everything from utensils, baking supplies and cleaning supplies can fit in a single under-counter drawer system.

Maximize pegboard walls – Keep all of your essential cooking tools on hand by taking advantage of pegboard walls. Having your spices, pans, utensils on display and within easy reach will help maximize your space and encourage an organized work space.

Go for built-in furniture – Built-in furniture design will help you save on square footage in your kitchen design, as it’s specifically tailored for your living area and isn’t taking up additional space from being too large or wrong in regards to design.

Think vertical storage – When you’re downsizing, it’s important to think of a kitchen design that takes up less space but provides the same amount of storage. From pot racks to wall shelving, tall storage like vertical standing planters is a smart choice for small kitchen design.

Go for Monochromatic – A great way to make a small kitchen design look larger is to choose a monochromatic color palette. Utilize white, black, or gray tones or combine the colors to help make the kitchen look bigger, while still maintaining a captivating design.

Be mindful of cabinet colors – Stick with light cabinets like white and gray to not only make the kitchen look larger but also to help keep your space bright. Dark cabinets will contrast the white walls, making the room look even smaller.

Embrace multi-function appliances – A combination oven and microwave are two of the most efficient multi-function appliances to help save space in your kitchen design. The combo is great for busy households that cook often and need multiple baking functions.

8 Smart Ideas for Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

3 Steps To Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

If you’re someone who’s thinking about redoing their kitchen and has a small space to work with, here are a few steps to help get you started:

Turn to technology – Technology isn’t something many of us associate with kitchen design, but there are incredible technology trends available to help you get the most out of your space.

From touchscreen appliances that make grocery shopping easier to motion-sensor faucets that save water and make washing pots and pans a breeze, technology can help make your life easier.

Start at the top – Working from the top down is the best way to go about designing a kitchen for small spaces. Start by looking for creative storage solutions such as open shelving which will instantly create a more spacious feel, and can help add unique personality. From there, you’ll be able to place your appliances and build out your countertops.

Consider reusing fixtures – Whether it’s an old wood table or a bright sink, you’d be surprised just how much a few well-placed fixtures can do for a kitchen design. Turn to vintage pieces and other secondhand items to finish off your kitchen for a unique and personalized look.

3 Steps To Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

20 Clever Storage Solutions for Small Kitchens

In terms of kitchen design for small spaces, storage is crucial. However, when you’re working with limited square footage, it can be a challenge to find space for everything you need. Here are 20 clever storage solutions for small kitchens that will help keep you organized.

Tiered shelves – Tiered shelving will help you maximize cabinet space and keep all of your essentials within reach. You can easily stack larger kitchen tools or pots on the bottom shelves and smaller items like spices and utensils on the top shelves.

Hang your pots and pans – Not only does having your cookware displayed save space, but it will also make your whole kitchen look more organized and stylish.

Oven Cabinets – Oven cabinets provide two levels of storage: the interior for spices and utensils and the exterior of the door for pots and pans. Plus, they’ll add a modern look to your kitchen.

Under-Shelf Baskets – Make use of the extra space within your cabinets by sliding in functional storage baskets. Limit height by embracing shallow baskets that can fit from end to end in your kitchen cabinets.

Stacking Storage Containers – Utilize tall, narrow storage containers to keep your kitchen essentials organized while taking advantage of vertical storage. It’s great for dry goods like sugar, flour, and cereal that you can easily store out of the way.

Embody Functionality – Buy appliances that are specifically designed to be multifunctional. Refrigerators, double ovens, and even microwaves can come in a variety of combinations that will serve different needs in a smaller kitchen.

Hang your measuring cups – This is one of the best storage solutions for small kitchens. Measurement cups hung along the wall take up no additional space and saves you from having to dig around in a drawer to find the one you need.

Utilize Drawers – One of the best ways to make use of limited square footage is to invest in drawers as opposed to shelves. Plus, drawers are much easier to keep organized and will keep all of your cooking essentials close.

Leverage Wall Cabinets – Wall cabinets are designed to be conveniently placed up and out of the way, allowing you to add a range of kitchen items without taking up extra space.

Corner Cabinets – Make use of the corners of your kitchen by adding a corner cabinet. This is a great way to add more usable space with minimal height changes.

Make use of hidden storage – Get as much as you can from the kitchen design. Make use of hidden storage, such as a pull-out pantry and under-cabinet organizers to store items away.

20 Clever Storage Solutions for Small Kitchens

5 Kitchen Design for Small Spaces Tips to Maximize Your Space

From color decisions to sizing considerations, there are lots of decisions to make when designing a kitchen for small spaces. Here are 5 kitchen design for small spaces tips to help you get the most out of your space.

Contrast is key – Keep the walls, cabinets, countertops, and floors light and neutral, and play with bright colors in the area rug, stools, backsplash, or other accent pieces to keep the space from being too dull.

Think storage first – Keeping organized is the top priority when you’re working with a small kitchen. Think of ways to make sure you’re getting as much storage as possible. Consider installing cabinets from floor to ceiling, or opting for a corner cabinet, as those are two of the best storage solutions for small kitchens.

Choose the right countertops – While there are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to countertop material, a general rule of thumb is to use a lighter material such as granite or marble to keep your kitchen looking spacious.

Optimize your space – Utilize every area of your kitchen. Don’t let any part of the kitchen be left unused. Think outside the box and make use of your wall space with shelves. Utilize pegboard boards to hang all of your pans and spices.

Use furniture pieces wisely – When it comes to furniture, you don’t need to buy a brand new set. Instead, look for used furniture pieces that can fit in the limited space without taking up too much room.

5 Kitchen Design for Small Spaces Tips to Maximize Your Space

9 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger

When it comes to kitchen design for small spaces, it’s all about finding ways to make the space look bigger. Here are some tips to help your kitchen look bigger without having to knock down walls.

Avoid overcrowding – Overcrowding your kitchen with too many items can make the space look smaller than it is. Double-check that the kitchen isn’t cluttered with unwanted items and focus on storing your kitchen items with proper storage solutions.

Choose bright colors – Colors can make a huge difference when it comes to transforming a small kitchen. Stick to light colors like white and beige and accentuate with small pops of bold or pastel colors.

Update your hardware – Reinvigorate your kitchen design with new hardware, such as brushed nickel, aged copper, or dark bronze handles. This will give a fresh look to your kitchen and help open up the space.

Make use of a corner cabinet – Corner cabinets not only are great storage solutions but also deliver a subtle visual effect by opening up across two walls. This helps create the appearance of your kitchen being larger.

Update to a glass door – Replacing a solid wood door with a glass one on your cabinets can instantly make the space look bigger without taking up unnecessary space.

Choose a low-contrast backsplash – Loud and bright colors draw the eye and can make a kitchen look small and cramped. Instead, opt for a more subtle look such as matte pastels to give the space a larger feel.

Bounce light around the room – Open up your kitchen by adding more light. Mirrors can be used to bounce natural light from windows and rove lights around the room to create the illusion of extra space.

Replace a bulky island – Downsizing a kitchen island allows your kitchen to look larger without sacrificing functionality. Prioritize an island that’s more space-efficient and can easily fit long boards of food.

Glass cabinet doors – Swap out your solid cabinet doors and replace them with glass ones. This will help your kitchen look bigger and lighter. Lights placed inside the cabinets will also help brighten your kitchen.

9 Ways to Make your Kitchen Look Bigger

Easy 6 of Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

When designing a kitchen for small spaces, it’s important to think of how you can use the space efficiently and wisely. Here's 6 easy kitchen design tips for making your kitchen look bigger.

Go sliding – To save space and still have easy access to kitchen essentials, go for a custom sliding door system. It can be polished nicely and look sophisticated without taking up extra space.

Hang Pans and Utensils – Make a statement while organizing your kitchen by hanging your pots and pans, as well as utensils. This will give you easy access to all of your essential cooking tools.

Make use of Multi-Functional Appliances – Invest in multi-functional electric cookers and save on space as well as on energy. You can also think about a countertop oven to use up extra vertical room.

Utilize Corners – Make use of every corner of your kitchen with corner cabinets, drawers, and shelves. This will help you maximize your space with minimal height changes.

Maximize Cabinet Space – Wall-mounted cabinets can help eliminate energy and bring airiness to your kitchen. Create a working station on top of the cabinets to complete the look.

Go Open Shelving – Open shelving is a great way to make your kitchen look bigger and to keep everything in sight. Its’ especially great for homeowners who like a personal and artsy touch in their kitchen.

Easy 6 of Kitchen Design for Small Spaces

5 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Big

A well-designed kitchen can make even the smallest of spaces feel larger than it is. Here are 5 ways to help make the most of a small kitchen.

Choose a light-colored palette – When it comes to kitchen decor for small spaces, a light color palette is the way to go. Swapping out dark countertops and flooring for whites and creams can make your kitchen instantly look larger.

Light is life – Incorporate plenty of lights into your kitchen design in order to keep the work area both well lit and spacious. Install small LED lights on the underside of your wall cabinets, use lights above the counters and sink, and use pendant lighting above the bar.

Shadows are your friend – Mirrors are great for creating an illusion of space and light in a kitchen design. Place a mirror in different areas of your kitchen for a unique design statement and to maximize on sunlight.

Choose textures over patterns – Patterns draw the eye, making the kitchen feel small and cramped. Instead, opt for textured materials like tiles and wallpapers to keep the kitchen feeling open and inviting.

Minimize clutter – Kitchen islands can provide extra counter and storage space, but are usually too large for a small kitchen. Try a rolling kitchen island instead, designed to be portable, and keep the clutter away while giving the illusion of a larger space.

5 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Big

15 Creative Kitchen Design Ideas for Small Spaces

15 Creative Kitchen Design Ideas for Small Spaces

Kitchen Design for Small Spaces: Maximize What You Have

kitchen design for small spaces Finding ways to squeeze more functionality into the limited space of a small kitchen can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, small room design strategies like utilizing multi-functional pieces, dividing a room into distinct areas, and smart storage solutions can help manage the tight quarters. Kitchen design often demonstrates how creativity and resourcefulness can fit into the small-space puzzle to create a stylish and comfortable living space.

Trick the Eyes with Wall Treatments

kitchen design for small spaces Bringing texture, color, and pattern into the room can make it appear larger. Painting the walls white or in another light, neutral tone can help, too. Employing creative wall treatments like faux brick or Venetian plasters provides visual texture and adds a warm, hominess to the space. Small kitchen design can also be achieved by installing wallpaper as a feature wall behind the stove. Accent walls can add interest, while making the area look larger.

Decoration Does More Than Decorate

kitchen design for small spaces Choosing a color palette that pulls from natural materials like wood, marble, and stone and bringing in vibrant colors can create a quality feel. Adding items like throw rugs can not only bring the space to life, but they can also create illusion of a larger area. Kitchen design for small spaces doesn’t mean going overboard on decoration, it means showing restraint and finesse while adding some bang to the space.

Introduce Multi-Functional Furniture

kitchen design for small spaces In a small room, furniture that serves multiple purposes can be a life-saver. Choose furniture that has storage, like a bench with a shelf underneath. Alternatively, folding chairs that can store away within open cabinets are a great solution. When kitchen design for small spaces, the idea of introducing furniture with a function can help maximize the usage of the available space.

Flaunt Open Shelves

kitchen design for small spaces Instead of filling up space with cabinets and closets, try instead to utilize as much of the walls as possible with open shelves. This kitchen design for small spaces allows for easy storage of plates and appliances while creating an open, spacious feel to the area. Open shelves also allow creativity on how one can choose to arrange their items, making the shelving system more eye-catching and unique.

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