Let’s be honest: Working in a small kitchen can sometimes feel like an endless game of Tetris every time you try to make dinner. Between limited counter space, overflowing cabinets, and those awkward nooks and crannies you can never reach, it’s easy to feel like your kitchen is working against you rather than with you.
After years of remodeling compact kitchens, Hive Kitchen Remodeling has learned that size isn’t everything. Some of the most beautiful and functional kitchens they’ve created have been in spaces that at first seemed incredibly small. What’s the secret? The key is not to get bigger, but to work smarter.
Whether you’re renovating your new Austin, Texas home or just got pre-approved for a mortgage on a new home, with thoughtful planning and some smart design strategies, your compact kitchen can become a space you’ll love spending time in. In this guide, we teamed up with Hive Kitchen Remodeling to share our favorite small kitchen remodeling ideas that work wonders for homeowners.
In this article:
1. Vertically: Open shelving to emphasize ventilation.
2. Use reflective materials to spread the light
3. Choose a bright, monochromatic color scheme
4. Choose smart, space-saving storage solutions
5. Combine function and style with glass cabinet doors
6. Choose compact, efficient appliances
7. Add visual interest with statement finishes
8. Maximize layout freedom with multifunctional furniture
9. Overlap lighting
10. Embrace minimalism
1. Vertically: Open shelving to emphasize ventilation.
One of the easiest ways to make a small kitchen seem larger? Look up. Replacing some or all of your upper cabinets with open shelves will instantly create a more spacious and airy feel. This design technique visually removes heavy barriers and allows you to move freely through the space without your eyes hitting the walls of closed cabinets.
You may be thinking, “Wouldn’t open shelves look cluttered?” This is not the case when you intentionally organize your cabinets. The key is choosing what to display.
Design Tip: To make open shelves look curated rather than cluttered, choose matching tableware or display simple ceramic pieces in a harmonious color. Think of it as editing a collection. Less is often more. A few beautiful bowls can have a bigger impact than a jumble of mismatched items.
Remember: open shelving isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. If the thought of dusting dishes makes you cringe, consider using open shelving on just one wall or section and storing traditional cabinetry elsewhere to store everyday items.
2. Use reflective materials to spread the light
In small spaces, light is truly your best friend. I mean it literally. The more light is reflected around your kitchen, the more open and airy the space will feel. This is where reflective material becomes your secret weapon.
Consider incorporating high-gloss cabinet finishes, glass tile backsplashes, and metal hardware. These surfaces capture and reflect both natural and artificial light, essentially doubling the brightness of the space. It’s like adding a window without actually punching through the wall.
Pro Insight: Stainless steel backsplashes can create incredible depth while adding modern elegance, plus they’re incredibly easy to clean. Just wipe it and you’re done. I’ve also seen homeowners go crazy for mirrored backsplashes, but these require a little more maintenance.
Another option: If a full metal backsplash feels too industrial, consider glossy subway tile or glass mosaic. It offers the same reflective quality but a softer aesthetic.
3. Choose a bright, monochromatic color scheme
Color has a huge impact on how spacious a room feels, and nowhere is this more true than in a small kitchen. Neutral colors like creamy whites, pale grays, soft blues, and even warm beiges give your space a fresh, open, and inviting feel. They reflect light (there’s that theme again) and create a light impression.
A cohesive, monochromatic color palette also creates a streamlined visual experience. If there are no unpleasant color contrasts and everything flows together, the eye doesn’t have to stop and start all the time. result? The space feels larger and more peaceful.
Bonus tip: Try using a slightly darker shade on the lower cabinets to ground the space, while keeping the upper cabinets and walls bright. This adds visual interest without overwhelming the room and actually makes the ceilings feel higher.
But what if you like color? You don’t have to give up your individuality for space. Save bold colors for accents like bright rugs, colorful bar stools, and statement artwork. Add visual interest without cramping the space.
4. Choose smart, space-saving storage solutions
In a small kitchen, every square inch counts, so let’s talk about storage. This is where custom solutions can truly transform the day-to-day functionality of your kitchen.
Pull-out vertical pantries that slide into tight spaces, toe-kick drawers that allow you to utilize space under cabinets, and corner carousel units that allow you to access hard-to-reach spaces – these aren’t just clever ideas, they’re game-changers. With built-in organizers for spices, utensils, and cooking utensils, everything has a place and you won’t have to waste time searching for pot lids.
INSIDER HACK: Have you ever thought about the bottom drawer in your oven? Many modern ranges have it, and it’s perfect for storing baking sheets and roasting pans. Or how about a concealed vertical spice rack that pulls out of what appears to be a standard cabinet? These small touches create significant storage capacity without increasing your kitchen footprint.
The real benefit: Having a designated place for everything will keep your countertops clutter-free and, as you might imagine, make your kitchen feel larger.
5. Combine function and style with glass cabinet doors
A design trick that works beautifully in small kitchens is glass front cabinet doors. These create the illusion of depth, making the walls feel like they’re moving away from you rather than closer to you. When you can see through the back of your cabinets, it tricks your brain into perceiving more space.
The combination of glass doors and interior cabinet lighting will add a touch of luxury to your small kitchen. Its shine creates an atmosphere while complementing beautiful tableware and glassware.
For a sophisticated look: Not ready to display everything? Frosted, seeded, or ribbed glass offers the same open feel with a softer aesthetic while subtly concealing contents. You get visual benefits without the pressure of keeping everything in perfect condition.
6. Choose compact, efficient appliances
Gone are the days when smaller appliances came at the cost of performance. Today’s manufacturers are developing powerful, space-saving options that can do everything their full-size counterparts can do in a more compact footprint.
The 18-inch dishwasher can handle an amazing amount of dishes. Slimmer refrigerators and deeper countertop models maintain clean lines and don’t extend into the aisle. Combination convection microwave ovens offer multiple cooking methods in one unit. These smart choices free up valuable space without compromising the functionality you need.
Upgrade considerations: If you need to replace an appliance, consider one that is designed to blend seamlessly with your cabinetry. Panel-compatible dishwashers and refrigerators can blend into your design and create a streamlined look that unifies small spaces and makes them feel larger.
Pro tip: Measure twice, order once. Before you commit to an appliance, be sure to check whether it will fit your space, including depth, width, and the clearance required for the door to fully open.
7. Add visual interest with statement finishes
This is where a small kitchen actually has an advantage. It’s the perfect place for a bold finishing touch. Working with less square footage, you can invest more per square foot in high-quality, eye-catching selections without going over your budget.
Whether it’s graphic backsplash tiles with intricate patterns, unique brass or copper fixtures, or textured cabinet fronts with interesting wood grain or detailing, these statement finishes add character and sophistication to your space. In a large kitchen, these options can be overwhelming or too expensive. Create an intentional and luxurious jewel box effect in your small kitchen.
Trends to watch: Handmade or artisan tiles are all the rage, and for good reason. It adds a sense of individuality and humanity that mass-produced tiles cannot imitate. The matte brass and mixed metal finish is also beautifully warm and sophisticated, enhancing even the simplest kitchen design.
Balance is key. If you’re going for a bold backsplash, keep your cabinetry more neutral. If your cabinets are the focal point, choose a simpler backsplash. We need interest, not confusion.
8. Maximize layout freedom with multifunctional furniture
In a small kitchen, flexibility is your friend. With furniture tailored to your needs, you can make sure your space is comfortable to use all day long.
The rotating island can serve as a prep space while cooking, additional storage for pots and pans, or even a casual dining spot when you pull up a few stools. The wall-mounted folding dining table can disappear when not in use, freeing up floor space. The slim bar cart can hold a coffee station in the morning and serve as a hospitality bar in the evening.
Pro move: Look for one with wheels or a folding mechanism. Being able to reconfigure your kitchen based on what you’re doing makes even the smallest space more livable and less restrictive.
9. Overlap lighting
This cannot be emphasized enough. Proper lighting can make or break a small kitchen. Having just one overhead light won’t do you any good. You need layers of light that serve different purposes and create depth in your space.
Let’s start with task lighting. The LED strip under the cabinet is essential for seeing what you’re chopping, stirring, or measuring. Add ambient lighting through recessed fixtures or track lighting to provide overall illumination. Next, introduce accent lighting. Install a beautiful pendant above the island or sink, or install a wall sconce to add warmth and character.
Lighting Rule: Don’t rely on just one light source. Layering lighting not only makes your kitchen more functional, but it also adds dimension to the space and makes it feel larger. Plus, you can adjust the lighting to suit different times of the day and different activities, making your kitchen feel more versatile.
Dimmer switches: These are worth the small investment. Adjustable lighting creates ambience and makes your kitchen feel more like a living space than just a utilitarian room.
10. Embrace minimalism
This may be the most difficult for some, but it is also one of the most impactful. Practice minimalism by decluttering your countertops. In a small kitchen, clutter is the enemy of space. Even the most beautifully designed kitchen can look cramped and cluttered if every surface is covered with small appliances, utensil holders, fruit bowls, and other items.
Basic principle: If you don’t use it every day, put it away. A bread machine that you use twice a year? Please keep it. Do you have a high-end mixer that you pull out only for special occasions? Place it in your cabinet or pantry. Only keep things that you really use every day. Things like a coffee maker, a knife block, and a fruit bowl if you actually use them.
What it does: Transparent countertops make your kitchen feel calmer, more organized, and more spacious. It’s amazing how much of a difference this simple habit can make.
Create your dream space with simple kitchen remodeling ideas
A small kitchen is packed with great possibilities. We’ve seen time and time again that with the right layout, thoughtful kitchen lighting, beautiful finishes, and smart appliance choices, you can create a space that’s as stunning as it is functional. Whether you’re planning a complete kitchen remodel or simply want to update the look and feel of your space, these small kitchen remodeling ideas can transform even the most compact kitchen into a space that makes you smile every time you walk into it.
