Home > Home Organization > Home Organization Tips > Small Kitchen Ideas: 13 Design & Organization Tips
Small kitchen with white cabinets and green accents

Small Kitchen Ideas: 13 Design & Organization Tips

Does your small kitchen feel a bit cramped? Whether you live in a tiny apartment or an older house, there are ways to maximize your available kitchen space so you can live more comfortably. Take a look at our guide below to find small kitchen design and organizations tips!

Try Light-Colored Walls

Small galley kitchen with shiplap walls. Photo by Instagram user @kitchstudios

Photo via @kitchstudios

One of the easiest ways to make a tiny kitchen feel bigger is a with a fresh coat of paint. Neutral shades of white, beige, and gray can make any small space appear larger, as they typically reflect light better. You can also paint all of your cabinets the same color as the walls to give an extra sense of openness!

Think About Lighting

Small apartment kitchen with backlighting and pendant light. Photo by Instagram user @olwood

Photo via @olwood

The right lighting can make all the difference when upgrading your small kitchen design—especially if your space doesn’t get a lot of natural light. Installing backlights, recessed cabinet lights, or even just bright pendant lights in your kitchen can help it feel bigger and less shadowy.

Replace Cabinet Doors with Glass

Kitchen cabinets with glass. Photo by Instagram user @michellefgroft

Photo via @michellefgroft

Adding glass doors on cabinets is a small kitchen design tip that can help open up your space and make it look larger. Not to mention, having see-through doors will be great inspiration to keep your kitchen cabinets organized at all times!

Get a Portable Island

Portable island in center of small kitchen. Photo by Instagram user @friskatrianda

Photo via @friskatrianda

Not sure how to increase counter space in a tiny kitchen? A portable island, butcher block, or bar cart are all fantastic options for adding more surface space where you can prep dinner, make drinks, or store kitchen appliances and utensils. Plus, you can easily move it out of the way when you’re not using it!

Search Form Find an Extra Space Storage facility near you
Search

Opt for a Smaller Table

Small kitchen with small table. Photo by Instagram user @ourchihome

Photo via @ourchihome

One of the best ways to free up room in a kitchen is to ditch the traditional table and go with a table that’s more functional for small space living. You could add bar stools to a kitchen island, install a pullout or pulldown table, or simply find a two-person table to get more space in your kitchen!

Hang Up Pots & Pans

Don’t have enough cabinet space for all of your cookware? Install a hanging rack on a wall or from your ceiling to store pots and pans in your kitchen! This keeps everything accessible and creates more storage space in your kitchen for other items.

Utilize Vertical Storage

Whether you need to store coffee mugs, cooking utensils, or a spice rack, using the wall space you have available can help you get more kitchen storage and free up cabinet space!

Go with a Magnetic Knife Strip

Small galley kitchen with magnetic knife rack. Photo by Instagram user @theeverygirl

Photo via @theeverygirl

Space-saving kitchen ideas don’t have to be expensive! Hanging up a magnetic knife strip and ditching the giant knife block can save the precious counter and drawer space you need!

Add Pullout Cabinets

Pullout cabinet next to oven. Photo by Instagram user @paintlineco

Photo via @paintlineco

Instead of rummaging through cabinets looking for spices, mixing bowls, or utensils, you can keep everything organized and easier to find with cabinets that extend! This will allow you keep a variety of kitchen items in one convenient spot and maximize already limited space.

Install an Appliance Garage

Keep appliances like blenders, toasters, food processors, and slow cookers hidden but easily accessible with a cabinet appliance garage. This small kitchen storage idea is ideal for freeing up counter space.

Search Form Find an Extra Space Storage facility near you
Search

Remove Hardware

While it might not seem like much, removing handles from cabinets can actually make a small kitchen feel bigger and not as cluttered. Not to mention, it can instantly upgrade your kitchen into a sleek and modern space!

Lay Down a Decorative Rug

Simple kitchen ideas like adding a decorative rug will instantly brighten up and bring warmth to any cramped quarters. Have a narrow galley kitchen? You can make it feel longer with a striped rug!

Brighten a Space with Plants

Galley-style kitchen with skylights and plants. Photo by Instagram user @erinthompsonco

Photo via @erinthompsonco

Plants—or even herbs you’re growing indoors—are a great way to add pops of color in your tiny kitchen. Put a basil plant or some mint in a colorful pot and hang it above a window!

Looking for more kitchen ideas? Check out these kitchen organization tips and DIY storage hacks!

***

Need to get more room in your small kitchen at home? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities throughout the U.S. that can help you declutter and maximize your space. Rent local storage units now!

Pinterest Graphic: Small Kitchen Ideas: 13 Design & Organization Ideas