Modern kitchen unit in white with black fittings.

Kitchen ideas for small spaces

Do you have big plans for your small kitchen? Even with limited space, you don’t have to sacrifice style, design, or practical features. With our furnishing tips and kitchen ideas for small spaces, you can maximise the potential of even the smallest kitchen.

The kitchen today is more than just a functional cooking space; it’s also a central hub for socialising. Small kitchens may not always offer the ideal conditions, but you can still create a cosy, elegant, and modern small kitchen. The first challenge? Equipping a small kitchen with plenty of storage.

Modern storage solutions and kitchen ideas for small spaces

Kitchens tend to accumulate countless appliances and cooking tools over time. The good news: even in a small kitchen, there’s room for plates, cutlery, pots, pans, and all your gadgets. With the right storage systems and the following ideas, you can make it work:

  • When floor space is limited, fully utilise the height of the room. Wall cabinets that extend up to the ceiling offer plenty of storage. Adjustable shelves and lift systems are clever solutions. Electrically operated mechanisms can lower shelves at the push of a button, allowing easy access to items like canned goods or appliances.

  • Don’t let any space go to waste, including awkward angles and corners. Custom-built solutions aren’t always necessary; narrow pull-out or larder cabinets come in a variety of designs and sizes.

  • Pull-out rotating shelves, tray organisers, and spice racks can make even small compartments highly functional. For example, tray-like pull-out shelves (known as tray drawers) are flat and lack side walls, offering flexible storage for smaller items.

  • In kitchens with limited space, sliding cabinet doors or wall cabinets with upward-folding mechanisms are ideal. These prevent traditional swinging doors from taking up precious room.

  • Modern sinks can feature mobile cutting boards or draining racks that cover the sink when it’s not in use, creating additional workspace.

Storage space for pots in a small kitchen.
Clever solution: This approach ensures all kitchen utensils have their place. Source: Schüller
Small kitchen in forest green
Extra storage: Open shelves provide additional storage while showcasing your kitchen accessories. Source: Schüller

Design highlights: decorative ideas for small kitchens

Most tips for small, modern kitchens focus on practicality. But even in compact spaces, you don’t need to forgo style and decoration. Functional accessories like cutting boards, decorative jugs, or aesthetically pleasing appliances can be displayed intentionally. A chalkboard wall is both practical and decorative, allowing you to write and draw fresh designs – from recipes and messages to shopping lists.

However, the golden rule for small kitchens is: less is more. Stick to a cohesive aesthetic throughout your design concept, such as a bold colour or a unique material. Consider terrazzo, which can be featured on a tabletop and in various accessories.

Kitchen ideas for small spaces: minimalist designs and style combinations

Small spaces call for organisation to avoid a cluttered or chaotic look. Tuck away unattractive cooking tools and kitchen items you don’t use often behind cabinet doors. Minimalist furniture and designs work particularly well in small kitchens. Wide drawers and handleless cabinets create an elegant, streamlined appearance.

Scandi-style kitchens stand out for their clean and natural look, but rustic elements can also complement modern spaces. For instance, vintage-style furniture nestled between wooden surfaces and stainless steel adds a cosy, old-world charm. Unplastered brick walls and exposed pipes provide the perfect backdrop for an industrial-style small kitchen.

Small, white kitchen with light-coloured wooden units
Additional storage: High cabinets and stylish serving trolleys provide extra space. Source: Westwing
White, small kitchen with open wooden shelving.
Stylish and practical: Open wall shelves prevent small kitchens from looking overcrowded. Source: Westwing

Practical and stylish colour tips: visually expanding small kitchens

When it comes to colours, small kitchens offer plenty of creative possibilities. If you want to visually enlarge your kitchen, opt for light shades that create the illusion of space. Glossy finishes like polished stainless steel, glass, or marble amplify this effect.

Walls painted in light, cheerful colours needn’t always be plain white. Cream, beige, and pastel tones can also give the impression of a larger space. Just make sure to coordinate the wall colour with your kitchen furniture. Small pops of dark or vibrant colours can be used sparingly to draw the eye and add contrast without overwhelming the space.

Modern kitchen unit in white with black fittings.
Tip: Neutral tones with black accents can make a small kitchen appear larger. Source: Gira

Small kitchen planning: elegant and practical furnishing tips

There’s no doubt about it: creating a small kitchen with ample storage requires thorough planning. Start by measuring your space accurately. Also, keep your water and power connections in mind when determining where to place sinks and appliances.

The following ideas can simplify planning for a modern small kitchen:

  • U-shape layout: In narrow spaces with a closed layout, a U-shaped kitchen optimises available square footage. There’s room for work surfaces and daily essentials like toasters, kettles, and coffee machines along the sides, while the centre remains free for easy movement.

  • Modular kitchens: Modular setups are a flexible alternative to custom-made kitchens. These allow you to configure sinks, stoves, and cabinets independently to match your space and the placement of existing connections.

  • Wall-mounted island: A kitchen island, even in a small kitchen, can make a big impact when placed against the wall. This "half-island" not only adds storage but also doubles as a breakfast bar or casual dining spot.

  • Move the dining table: If space is tight, consider moving the dining table into the adjacent living room. Where possible, you could also open the kitchen to the living space. A counter where the wall once stood acts as a space-saving room divider and extra dining area.

  • Sliding doors: A glass sliding door saves space compared to a traditional swing door, leaving more room for kitchen furniture.

Extra tip: If your small kitchen doesn’t have enough power outlets for all your appliances, the Gira Profile 55 allows you to add sockets without any major renovations. The aluminium profile is simply mounted on the wall where an existing power connection is available. Bonus feature: The empty units of the flush-mounted system can also be equipped with dimmers or push switches for added convenience.

Kitchen ideas for perfect lighting in small spaces

One thing small kitchens shouldn’t skimp on is lighting. If your kitchen has only one window, make sure the light isn’t obstructed by curtains or tall plants on the windowsill.

In the evening, relying solely on a central ceiling light often leads to shadows on the work surface. A better solution for kitchen lighting is a combination of direct and indirect lighting: ceiling spots for general illumination, dimmable wall lights for ambiance, and self-adhesive LED strips under wall cabinets to light up work areas.

Smart technology can also enhance lighting in a modern small kitchen. With smart lighting control, you can customise brightness, colour, and temperature for different occasions, adjusting everything via an app, voice commands, or smart switches like the Gira button for Gira One and KNX.

With flexible storage solutions, thoughtful designs, and modern technology, even small kitchens can make big dreams come true.