13 Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Make a Big Impact

If you’ve arrived on this page, then you’ve most certainly been blessed with a small kitchen space (aren’t we all in India?) and are looking for ways to make it work for you. Well, we can tell you this: You’ve come to the right place. Because as you scroll down, you will be guided on the various space-saving, space-enlarging and practical ways in which a small kitchen design can work for you.

While some are tried-and-tested, the others have been used in the latest kitchen designs by Urban Company’s own interior design professionals. So, without wasting any time, let’s look at the tiny kitchen ideas that you must absolutely try for your Indian apartment.

1. Replace kitchen cabinets with drawers (as far as possible).

Incorporate racks or pull-outs inside your cabinets to save space.… or installing pull-outs inside your cupboards. Reason: Cupboards can’t store as many things as drawers or pull-outs can. In fact, a lot of space gets wasted above stored items in a cabinet.

On the other hand, all contents of a drawer are easily seen and accessible. Plus, 3-4 drawers can fit in the space of one cupboard, creating a much more organised arrangement.

2. Ensure that the cabinets are smooth, streamlined & modern.

If you must go for cabinets though, remember that cabinet designs for small kitchens are one of the most crucial and defining elements of such a space. Replacing heavy handles and knobs with finger pulls, slim and sleek handles, tiny knobs or magnetic strips gives your kitchen cabinets a minimal and modern look, making the room appear larger.

3. Extend cupboards all the way to the ceiling.

Don’t waste all that space above your cabinets — it’s anyway difficult to clean the dust there! Get your contractor to extend the cabinetry to the ceiling or add new cupboards in that area to store additional items. This will draw your eyes upwards, giving height to your otherwise tiny kitchen.

4. Create a lot of open shelving.

Open shelves are not only a budget kitchen idea for small spaces, but also give an illusion of space, open up your walls, and make the kitchen look airier.

Closed wall cabinets, on the other hand, can make your tiny kitchen seem engulfed and lacking in space.

5. Incorporate shiny and reflective materials.

As you must have noticed so far, the trick is to create an illusion of space. And what works better than glass and mirrors? In the above image, large glass doors make the kitchen seem like it doesn’t end right there.

You could also incorporate glass in your wooden cabinetry (above) or go for metallic finishes like those seen in modern kitchen cabinets (below). You could also install a backsplash using reflective tiles or glass.

6. Go all out with a white small kitchen design.

However, ensure that you use different shades and textures of the colour for your small white kitchen. Opt for matte, glossy and woody textures along with shades like off-white, ivory, cream, eggshell and even grey! Any design book will tell you that white reflects light, making your very tiny kitchen look more open.

You’ll like this: How do you maintain a white kitchen?

7. Adhere to a single palette or similar hues.

Your safest bet is to incorporate shades from one colour family to attain a seamless, expansive look with no obstructions. However, if you’d love to experiment with more colours, stick to just 2-3 variations for your small kitchen. Your best option is to have a neutral backdrop with brighter colours thrown in doses through appliances, cabinet handles and even a backsplash.

8. Opt for an open design or layout.

An open kitchen design is ideal for a small area. A kitchen that flows into the adjoining room naturally, doesn’t look cramped at all! Choose a single wall (above) or L-shaped kitchen design layout (below) for best results.

You’ll like this: Are Open Kitchens Really Suitable for Indian Homes?

9. Include a dining corner & bar.

If the space of your entire home is small, and it’s just not your kitchen, you can ditch a separate dining space and instead incorporate one in your kitchen itself. How? The easiest way is to just add two stools or chairs to the peninsula (the half wall that separates the kitchen from the living space) or bar.

You could also add an extra level to your kitchen peninsula, so that one side can be used for dining or as a bar, while the other lower side can be used for meal prep.

Simply adding a table or a bench at one end of the kitchen with sleek, light chairs will also do the trick!

10. Create a smart kitchen.

This means three things. Have as few appliances as possible to make way for space. Do this by opting for double-duty or multi-purpose appliances like an oven-cum-microwave. Make these built-in as much as you can, so that they don’t occupy counter space. You will thank your stars every day.

11. Let in ample amount of light.

If you’re renovating a closed kitchen area, see if you can incorporate a window that takes your eye out into the open and lets light stream in in abundance. You might skip on some additional storage, but at least your kitchen won’t seem claustrophobic.

12. Go creative with storage options.

Maximise storage in your tiny kitchen. Opt for pot racks, cutlery hooks and magnetic knife strips.

Install drawers at the end of your kitchen peninsula if you have one, fix storage baskets to the open side of your wall cabinets, or simply add shelves above the sink if there’s space. Optimise, optimise, optimise!

13. Infuse life through plants.

Last but not the least, here’s a simple small kitchen idea that you can work on right away: Decorate your space with houseplants and potted herbs. Even in the dullest of kitchens, little doses of green add freshness, colour and life instantly.

So, that is it from us. In what ways have you made your small kitchen work for you? We’re eager to know!

Meanwhile, you’ll love our collection of ideas for small kitchens. Check it out for some inspiration! And to execute your ideas, hire a professional from Urban Company.