Small kitchen ideas: 35 ways to make your room work harder

Wall-mounted storage is another helpful tool in small spaces – overload it with your most attractive pans and utensils to create a little feature unto itself. A lovely olive-yellow gives the impression that this kitchen is permanently bathed in sunlight.

"No matter how small your kitchen is, there is always a way to utilise the benefits of a purpose-built pantry — you simply need to think vertically," says Al. "By creating a narrow floor-to-ceiling larder and then adding generously spaced vertical shelves, you can maximise the storage space. Jars, bottles, bread machines, vases, cereal boxes — whatever it is, you’ll have plenty of space to play with, and without taking too much of your kitchen space either."

You can create a whole feature out of simple shelves by using them as an open pantry. The pantry returned as a covetable kitchen design feature around 2020, and since then, we have been collectively feeling our way towards a contemporary interpretation that serves 21st-century needs. This charming example is the handiwork of Laura Stephens – which sits within the footprint of the kitchen, partitioned with internal windows offering an enticing peek inside.

Country cottages often have low ceilings and small windows, especially in the kitchen. There are a few design tricks used in this little nook that make it feel more expansive – the brilliant whites that brighten, the tiny pendant light and miniaturised accessories that suit the scale of the room, and a window left without any dressing to encourage natural light.

Pictured: Bespoke kitchen at Plain English

In a compact kitchen, continuity simplifies everything. Green runs across walls, tiles and cabinetry here, reducing visual breaks and making the footprint feel less fragmented.

Open shelves avoid the bulk of wall cupboards too, and keep the washing up zone feeling more expansive.

Using a butcher block as a makeshift kitchen island is one of the best solutions for smaller kitchens. You can buy really wonderful antique and reclaimed versions, and they are exceptionally sturdy and hard-wearing for the most demanding family kitchens.

"We need our homes to feel that much roomier, lighter and brighter. White kitchens do this perfectly, offering an energising, transformative aesthetic to any space and making smaller rooms feel bigger," says Tom Howley, design director of the eponymous kitchen company. Note too the extra shelving above the kitchen door – a clever space saver for any small room.

Any good source of natural light should be a focal point in a small kitchen. These shutters create a lovely frame, even if they are never used and the seat underneath – softened with cushions rather than any fussy upholstery – makes it all the more functional.

In compact kitchens, shifting storage upward and keeping surfaces disciplined is often key. Here, a simple brass rail turns everyday utensils into accessible storage, freeing up drawer space and keeping the worktop clear.

Because everything on show is cohesive in tone – muted ceramics, clear jars, aged metal – the display feels orderly rather than busy.

It's sometimes surprising what you can integrate into your kitchen cupboards. We love the hidden cat door here, dog bowls can be set into the base of your cupboards too, and integrating larger appliances such as microwaves and coffee machines frees up valuable work surfaces.

Pictured: Bespoke Kitchen at Neptune

Any paint with a gloss or eggshell finish will work wonderfully to reflect natural light and make your space feel brighter and more expansive. It won't be suitable for all surfaces – it's a tricky one for walls unless they are clad in wood like this fabulous green Neptune kitchen – but we've seen it used successfully on ceilings, staircases and floors. A lacquer on all your wooden surfaces – doors, bannisters, kitchen cabinets – will work in much the same way.

Pictured: Wycombe Bar Stool at Neptune

"Galley kitchens work best when using the full height of the kitchen, so long, slim pantries that allow you to store less-used items on the higher shelves are a great idea," says Tom. A simple narrow bench can become your version of a kitchen island.

A dining table will most likely be out of the question in a small kitchen, but an informal breakfast nook with a petite bistro table makes for a great alternative. So too do bar stools tucked under a work surface. It provides a level of informality in the kitchen – not quite as relaxed as a cup of tea and a piece of toast on the sofa, but without the ceremony of a dining room.

Pictured: Bespoke kitchen by deVOL

In a narrow kitchen, uninterrupted runs of cabinetry are more efficient than breaking the wall into smaller sections. The decision to forgo wall cupboards avoids narrowing the room further – instead, a single shelf provides light-touch storage and display without crowding the wall.

That lovely peachy pink is a good example of committing to one strong gesture.

Pictured: Suffolk kitchen by Neptune

If your kitchen is small in width or length but benefits from high ceilings, they can be emphasised with an impactful feature wall. This can be achieved with a wash of colour, but the most practical solution is a great stretch of tiles that fills the whole wall.

Pictured: Tiles at Fired Earth

"In narrower kitchen spaces, everything can be within arms-length, making it easy for a designer to plot an efficient ‘golden triangle’ of cooker, fridge and sink," says Tom. "Creating a run of cupboards or a bank of appliances is easy in parallel kitchens. This layout is appealing because it’s intimate, functional, easy to work in and can look stunning with beautiful floor-to-ceiling cabinetry."

Pictured: Bespoke kitchen at Plain English

In this bright country kitchen, the scrubbed wooden dining table works as preparation surface, informal island and eating spot in one. Choosing a table rather than a fitted unit preserves flexibility – it be pushed aside when more floor area is needed.

Red is a great choice to uplift pokey kitchens without much natural light. Combining red cabinetry with raw materials, like natural woods and stone, offsets any risk of your reds appearing too bright or garish.

Pictured: Bespoke kitchen at Plain English