The Ultimate Guide to Maximising Space in a Small Kitchen

There are two broad reasons why a small kitchen can leave you feeling frustrated. For one, there’s not enough storage for daily use, and secondly, there are way too many gaps in design where nothing actually fits. 

So, what’s the fix? How do you declutter? 

The answer lies in kitchen cabinet designs, especially the ones that prioritize storage and keep kitchen counters clean, making way for a more open feel.

Whether you are building your kitchen from scratch or renovating, this guide will teach you how to make smart changes to maximize your culinary space. 

Set Strict Kitchen Rules That Don’t Restrict Movement

Before choosing kitchen cabinet designs, make sure that your kitchen area has enough clearance to move and turn around freely. For example, if your kitchen aisles are too tight, no matter how good your cabinet design is, it won’t help. So, ideally, you should :

• Keep the passageway between the counters and cabinets free.
• Use planning standards when redoing your kitchen.

Note: The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends a minimum of 42 inches for a one-cook work kitchen aisle and 48 inches for multiple cook kitchen aisles. Once the movement feels easy, you can shift the focus to storage-heavy kitchen cabinet designs.

Say Yes To Vertical Kitchen Cabinet Designs

The floor area is precious in a small kitchen, and walls are a goldmine for storage. Therefore, always prioritize height over width. When setting up your kitchen cabinetry, you should:

• Take your wall cabinets right up to the ceiling height. You can also add a top “bridge” unit to store rarely used items.
• Choose slimline kitchen cabinet designs with narrow pull-out larders that allow you to store more without cramping up.
• Ask for adjustable shelves to save headroom.
• Use internal organisers, like tray dividers, spice pull-outs, and under-the-shelf baskets.

Replace Base Kitchen Cabinets with Drawers and Pull-outs

Base kitchen cabinets have a rather nasty reputation for wasting precious space because you can’t see what’s there at the back. That’s where deep drawers and pull-outs come in handy. Here’s what you need to do:

• Use the wide drawers in your cabinet to store all everyday cookware, like pans, plates, pots, etc.
• Use the pull-out shelves to store heavier appliances and keep the counter area clean.
• Use the drawer dividers for utensils and lids.

This is by far the most practical use of a modern kitchen cabinet design, as it declutters kitchen counters and instantly gives the feeling of a spacious kitchen.

Make the Best Use of Corner Cabinets 

Corner cabinets are another contributor to wasted space in a small kitchen. You need the right hardware to balance it out with kitchen cabinet designs for an open and practical way out.

• Use either corner carousels or turntables for easy access.
• Install LeMans-style pull-outs with swing trays.
• Go for blind-corner pull-outs to maximize the use of deep corner space.
• For awkward corners, open shelves are the best option. 

Integrate Appliances To Keep Kitchen Counters Clean 

Countertops are an all-rounder in a small kitchen. So, it makes sense to keep it as empty as possible. While working with fitting kitchen cabinetry, choose:

• Built-in or integrated microwave stack
• Pull-out bins
• Concealed dish racks
• Integrated fridge

Pro Tip: Pair it with kitchen cabinet designs with dedicated appliance spaces, like a small shutter or flip-up. This helps if you use appliances like mixers, toasters, and coffee machines regularly.

Go With Lighter Finishes and Reflective Surfaces 

For most of us, space is half perception and half reality. That’s why natural light bouncing around a small kitchen immediately creates the illusion of a bigger space. To make the most out of modern kitchen cabinet designs, say yes to :

• Lighter hues for cabinets, especially for a two-tone cabinetry with lighter shade uppers and slightly deeper shade for lowers
• Satin or gloss finish for instant light reflection.
• Glass-front uppers that create depth

Want to strike a bold look? 

Then keep the design balanced with a tall kitchen unit, matching hardware, and one feature wall within the kitchen. This helps your kitchen cabinets stand out and also gives the space a more open feel.

Create Different Storage Zones Within Your Kitchen Cabinet Design

Most small kitchens struggle with storage. But the problem arises because you haven’t assigned the storage in the right manner. Therefore, you need to create separate zones within the storage area, including:

• The prep zone, comprising chopping boards, knives, and mixing bowls, stays close to the main counter.
• The cooking zone comprises spices, oils, and cooking pans close to the hob.
• The clean-up zone comprises bins, dish tools, and detergents right beside the sink.
• The serving zone with glasses and plates close to the dining area within the kitchen (if there’s a provision)

Smart Call: For that extra tidiness, opt for shelf risers (easy stacking), vertical tray dividers (great for holding baking sheets and boards in place), and turntables (to hold sauces and condiments).

Final Thoughts

Maximising space within a small kitchen is all about creating ease of movement, planning a sensible layout, embracing high-function cabinetry, and working with clean counters.

When renovating or building a kitchen from the start, go with a vertical storage, storage-focused kitchen cabinet design, and create dedicated zones for different episodes of your culinary process. Once you have the right kitchen cabinet design, your small kitchen stops feeling like a compromise, and you start feeling more efficient every day.