You don’t have to have a state-of-the-art range and vast expanses of counter space to perfect your culinary skills, fellow homemakers. More counter space is at the top of everyone’s wish lists when it come to kitchens, but if you stick to the necessities, carefully choose your color palette and get creative with your storage, you’ll have a well-designed kitchen that practically begs you to start cooking. Here are 20 ideas to make the tiniest of kitchens into a space you’ll love spending time in without doing any major renovation.
2. Bring Company to You: Lots of kitchens are completely closed off from the rest of the house, making them feel separate and lonely. Change that by adding some seating to yours and you can be assured guests would rather be hanging in the kitchen with the cook. (via Apartment Therapy)
3. Add an Island: If your tiny kitchen is L-shaped or along one wall, adding an island — even a little one — can be a great way to include extra counter space, dining and maybe even a home office. (via The Glitter Guide)
4. Find a Place for Everything: When everything has its own place and can be tucked away, you’ll be amazed at how much more spacious the kitchen feels. We’ve got lots of great colorful kitchen storage DIYs to help you get there. (via Domino)
5. Pattern Play: Colorful floors are such a fun way to bring some character into your kitchen. If you don’t want to replace the flooring or can’t paint, lay down some big rugs for color and texture. (via Remodelista)
6. Go Bold: Unless you’re renting and can’t paint anything, have fun with color. Try painting just the top cabinets to draw the viewer’s eye up and away from how small your kitchen actually is. (via Apartment Therapy)
7. Create the Illusion: If you live in a studio where the apartment is open to the rest of the floor plan, create the illusion of a separate space with a rug or an island. (via Elle Decoration)
8. Pull Up a Seat: Even though this kitchen is barely more than a corner, it still manages to be warm and welcoming with a comfy seat just for watching the culinary magic happen. (via My Paradissi)
9. Open Shelving: Being able to put your prettiest dishes on display doubles as decor. Floating shelves offer a more open, airier feeling than a wall full of cabinets. (via Manhattan Nest)
10. Colorful Counters: If the rest of your kitchen is feeling a little stark, give it a pop of color with turquoise countertops. Stick to the nautical color palette and show off some blue and green glassware on the shelves. (via DecorPad)
11. Stick to the Essentials: Unless you’re an elite pastry chef, you probably don’t need every kitchen gadget under the sun. Stick to the bare necessities and streamline your kitchen with only the things you use on a regular basis. (via Adorable Home)
12. Fold-Down Table: Perfect for a tiny kitchen, a drop-down table can be used as extra counter space, a handy breakfast nook or just a shelf for displaying cookbooks or fresh herbs. (via The Kitchn)
13. Extra Seating: Keep a couple bar stools around for entertaining. When you’re not wining and dining, you can use them as extra storage for plants or other decor. (via SF Girl by Bay)
14. Stick to a Theme: A mishmash of clutter will make your kitchen feel instantly more cramped, so try sticking with things that match. A set of all-white plates will disappear against a white wall and a collection of appliances in the same finish will look neat and tidy. (via Smitten Studio)
15. Let in the Light: All too often, small kitchens can be dark and gloomy. Ditch the curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. If your cabinets are shadowing the countertops, try installing lights under the cabinets to brighten up your workspace. (via Design Sponge)
16. Add Color: Yes, white walls can make a space feel bigger, but who wants a boring kitchen? Pops of color are a must for showing off your personality, whether it’s an accent wall, painted cabinets, colorful appliances or a unique tiled backsplash. (via My Paradissi)
17. Use Mulitpurpose Furniture: Make your furniture do double duty and opt for a folding table that can work as an island when you’re cooking and then fold out into a table for entertaining. (via Domaine Home)
18. Consider Both Sides: Even if you don’t have a pantry, you can double your storage and organization by putting a magnet board or corkboard on the inside of your cabinets for spices and notes. (via Buzzfeed)
19. Wall Storage: Since counter space is slim in small kitchens, make use of vertical property and hang pots and pans or mount a magnetic knife rack for convenient storage. (via Apartment Therapy)
20. Texture Play: Whether you have a patterned rug, funky lighting or baskets for storage, texture is a good way to add extra visual interest when you don’t have a lot of space to work with. (via Remodelista)
Do you have a small kitchen? What are your tricks for making the most of your space? Talk to us in the comments below!
