While smaller homes are often oozing with charm, the kitchens are often lacking, and it can be a challenge to work with these small spaces. But there are still ways to make the most of your small kitchen. It’s all about working with what you have and making it count. Maximize your kitchen storage and efficiency with these small-kitchen design ideas and space-saving design tips and tricks.

Color

Color is great for creating illusion. A good rule-of-thumb for use of color in petite kitchens is to keep the design light from the countertop up. Light colors on the upper cabinetry and walls give the feeling of a bright, airy space and create the illusion the space is larger than it really is.

Lighting

Use lighting to your advantage in a small kitchen. Under cabinet lighting casts illumination down on the backsplash and countertops, again giving the illusion the space is bigger than it really is.  A row of pendant lights over an island or peninsula will also help to brighten the whole kitchen.

Cabinets

In a small kitchen, the focal point really needs to be at eye level, so forgo the shorter cabinetry with fussy decor on top, which draws the eye up. Instead, take your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling if possible to give the illusion that your ceilings are higher than they really are. It will make a world of difference!

Open Shelving

Small kitchens sometimes have a tendency to feel cave-like, but eliminating the upper cabinetry and and installing shelving can help open the space up. Consider using baskets and jars to keep supplies organized and stylish. (Check out our selections of hidden and traditional shelf brackets here.)

Photo by Design Platform - Look for kitchen pictures

The Island

In a large kitchen, the island is usually the focal point, but in a small kitchen, that’s sometimes hard to do. If you can’t have an island, you’ll need to find something else to create the same amount of interest in the space. An eye-catching vent hood or a bold backsplash over the range or sink can do the trick.

If your small kitchen can accommodate an island, one way to make it work in a small space is to have it open at the bottom with a light colored countertop. If you have a narrow kitchen, sometimes you can still bring in a slim island. Consider a rolling island that can be pushed out of the way once dinner is ready.

Floating Counter

If you have an area in your small kitchen that faces a blank wall, make the most of it by installing a floating shelf, table, or desk for dining, work, or extra prep space. And yes, we have just the right brackets to do that!

Pot Rack

If bulky pots and pans are taking up valuable storage space, hang them from a ceiling or wall rack to create a culinary centerpiece and free up your cabinets for other essentials.

Appliances

Smaller appliances can keep a small kitchen from feeling too cramped. Downsized ranges, slim refrigerators and dishwashers can free up a lot of room in a tight space.