Cooking in a small kitchen is a reality that is pretty common for most of us – whether you live in a cottage, a new-build home or a Victorian terraced house, kitchens in the UK can often be pokey. However, this doesn’t mean you have to be restricted when it comes to creating your dream kitchen design.
While we’d all love to have large kitchens with plenty of scope for lots of storage, seating and plenty of worktop space, being realistic with the room you have available will lead to a much more practical design. To help you plan your dream kitchen, I’ve scoured the Ideal Home archives to find the very best small kitchen ideas to inspire your renovation project.
Small kitchen colour ideas
1. Go for a bold colour
Don’t be scared of going bold in a small kitchen. It can feel daunting to opt for a darker kitchen colour scheme, particularly in a compact one-wall layout like in Charli Howard’s home, but the warmth it evokes will be second to none.
Charli chose Farrow & Ball’s ‘Paean Black’ for the cabinetry and ‘Setting Plaster’ for the walls to create an elegant two-tone look. The addition of the pale pink shade pulls out the aubergine undertones of the cabinetry and Calacatta Viola marble worktops.
‘The whole house used to be white, but I wanted something richer. Viola marble was my dream material – the pinks and purples in the veining shaped the entire palette. It feels warm and feminine, but not girly,’ Charli explains.
2. Bring in shades of green
Green will always be a guaranteed great choice for a kitchen colour palette. It adds character but also helps to tie an interior to the great outdoors, creating a down-to-earth atmosphere perfect for everyday living.
Homeowner, Lou, explains how she added even more interest to this rich green kitchen. ‘I wallpapered the walls with a green stripe and swapped some of the tiles for panelling, which I painted a bright pink along with the rest of the woodwork,’ she explains.
‘The scheme works so well with the forest green units, and the space now has a charming, old-fashioned sweet shop vibe, full of warmth, colour and personality.’
3. Pick bright pastel shades
The kitchen is where you start and end the day, so why not make it a sunny place full of colour and joy? This is an ethos that Sophie followed in abundance in her colourful terraced house kitchen.
‘We knew we wanted colour, and “bright” is what makes us happy,’ Sophie explains. She chose Pluck Kitchens for their array of rainbow colour options, before landing on yellow, pink and blue for both cabinetry and walls. When paired with the simple Scandi-inspired cupboard doors and terrazzo worktop, the kitchen looks bright and contemporary.
4. Go for deep navy
Taking a risk with dark cabinetry will always pay off in a small kitchen. Poppy, and her partner, Luke, undertook the renovation of a one-bed flat in Dulwich and opted for sleek integrated handle cabinetry in a rich navy shade, and then added light back into the look through contrasting pink abstract kitchen tiles.
‘Although these tiles were a splurge, I’m so happy with how they look. They bring warmth to the room and add visual interest too,’ Poppy explains. Pink and navy is a kitchen colour combination we don’t see losing popularity.
5. Plump for purple
Purple has typically been overlooked when it comes to kitchen colour trends. While pink has become a classic choice and burgundy has climbed the ranks of popularity, purple has flown under the radar. Yasha and David’s kitchen in their home in Hove shows why this shade deserves more accolades.
‘Inspired by nature, I went for a deep purple colour on the units to complement the blossom colour of the kitchen island. It feels very calming in here as a result,’ Yasha explains. The pale pink hexagonal tiles mimic the appearance of flowers for a cohesive design.
6. Drench with pink
Pink might feel like a daunting colour choice for a kitchen, but it’s being increasingly used as a neutral tone – it strikes the balance between adding character while not being too loud.
‘We’re seeing a shift toward warm, comforting neutrals, timeless shades of green and blue, rich, opulent warm tones, like pinks and reds and dramatic charcoal and black. Today’s trend is all about expressing your personal style: What represents you? How do you want your space to feel?,’ says Lizzie Beesley, head of design and style at Howdens.
Here, this country kitchen has been transformed by drenching the cabinets and walls in the same saccharine shade. It makes the space look cosy and inviting.
7. Create a serene green scheme
Soft green shades are the perfect way of adding colour to your kitchen without it feeling too bold. Green will always feel timeless and helps to bridge the outdoors and indoors together, and a softer, pastel green will make a small space feel brighter, too.
In this small kitchen, the homeowner has leaned into a pale mint green hue and accessorised with wooden shelving and other pastel-coloured decorative items. The scheme feels warm and inviting, yet relaxing.
8. Add a playful worktop
If a more statement colour palette is your thing, then don’t worry – it’s still achievable in a small kitchen. Keeping cabinetry neutral, like in this Scandi-inspired kitchen above, enhances the sense of space while the bold worktop draws the eye up.
The trick here is to keep the worktop and cabinets fuss free. Slab doors and uninterrupted visual lines will make a compact space feel larger.
9. Stick to warm white
Neutral kitchens are classic for a reason. In small kitchens, a pared-back colour scheme goes a long way in making a room appear bigger and brighter. The key though, as evidenced in this country kitchen, is to opt for a colour with a wam undertone.
‘We are seeing a decisive move towards warmer neutral kitchens, largely because homeowners are becoming far more cautious about tying such a substantial investment to a colour trend that may feel dated in a relatively short period of time. Soft stone, mushroom, putty and oat tones have a quiet confidence to them, sitting comfortably within both period and contemporary homes and responding well to natural light,’ explains Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
Small kitchen layout ideas
10. Opt for a galley layout
If you don’t have a large floor plan to work with, opting for a galley layout will allow you to still keep a lot of space available to navigate the room. Amy and her fiancé, Tom, renovated this end-of-terrace house in Walthamstow, turning the kitchen into a light, bright and sociable space.
‘The kitchen units are from Howdens and we added funky handles and worktops to make them look more high-end,’ Amy explains. Keeping a galley layout relatively fuss-free will open a small kitchen up even further, turning a narrow design into a spacious, inviting space.
11. Stick to one wall
You can achieve a lot with just one wall to work with. Charli Howard’s kitchen features a one-wall design with Crittall-style doors on the opposite wall, allowing both adequate storage and ample light to enter.
When planning a one-wall design, wall cupboards will be a necessity. Charli combined glass-fronted wall units with open shelving to break up banks of cabinetry in a statement burgundy shade.
12. Opt for L-shaped
In this small kitchen, the L-shaped layout works hard to create much more usable space for cooking. Placing the oven at the top of the ‘L’ creates a dedicated zone for cooking without it interfering with the rest of the space.
Ensuring multiple people have enough space to move around one another is key in a small kitchen, which is why the sink placement in this layout works so well.
13. Achieve an open plan design
It’s sometimes assumed that open plan kitchens are only possible with a large floorplan, but this space proves that isn’t true.
This single-wall kitchen anchors the open plan layout without impeding on the living space too much. The green sofa and cabinets help to tie both areas together for a cohesive design that still gives the illusion of separate rooms.
14. Position a sink under the window
Natural light is everything in a small kitchen, as dark interiors will make a space feel more compact. Making the most out of natural light sources within a design will make your kitchen feel much brighter, just like this homeowner has achieved by placing the sink beneath the window.
Not only do you get a lovely view when washing up, the window isn’t obstructed by any necessary storage. The pared-back kitchen window treatment idea also maximises how much light comes through, while adding a soft touch to the look.
15. Create a casual spot for dining
This new build home has been given a cosy country update with wall panelling and an in-kitchen diner. Small kitchens can still house a dining space – just make sure to pick the right table shape.
A round dining table means you don’t lose too much floorspace around it, so you can still make the most of walls for accessible storage, as shown above.
16. Save space with an undermount sink
Maintaining as much accessible worktop space as possible in a small kitchen is key to ensuring it’s functional. An undermount sink will maximise the available room around it, so you don’t lose worktop to a draining board.
This kitchen sink idea shows how you can still create an ample washing- up area without obstructing the worktop, so there is plenty of space for accessories and kitchen essentials.
Small kitchen storage ideas
17. Break up cabinetry with curtains
Long runs of cabinetry can overwhelm a small kitchen, so breaking it up with an alternative door solution, such as a cupboard curtain, will add dimension to the space.
The owners of this country-inspired new build home desperately wanted to inject some personality into the kitchen, so opted for curtains below the sink to add texture.
‘Since our large appliances aren’t integrated, we used green linen curtains to hide them. This not only softens the scheme but also works wonders in making the space feel a lot cleaner and less cluttered,’ the owners explain.
18. Use hanging storage as decor
Instead of relying on cupboards and drawers to hide kitchenware in, turn hanging storage double up as decor in a small kitchen.
Jess and her husband, Oliver, have turned the kitchen in their family home in Hove into a lived-in, colourful space that actually works for everyday life. A hanging brass bar above the hob works as storage for cooking essentials while open shelving adds a decorative touch as makes kitchenware easy to access.
19. Opt for open shelves
Open shelving is a handy kitchen storage hack that works particularly well in small kitchens where wall cabinetry might visually overwhelm the layout.
Chloe and Phil renovated this end-of-terrace family home in Warwickshire, turning the kitchen into a neutral, Scandi-inspired space with tonnes of light. The open shelving is styled simply but still houses essentials that are handy to keep within reach.
20. Make the most of ceiling height
In a small kitchen, making the most out of the height of the room is essential. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry will elongate walls, making a compact space feel larger than it is.
In this North London kitchen renovation, homeowner Amy explains how she aimed to create a fuss-free, practical space for family life. ‘Custom-built kitchen units, painted in a soft white, were designed to run floor to ceiling. The interiors are lined with oak veneer to bring warmth. ‘It gives the appearance of solid wood without the cost,’ Amy notes.
21. Swap cupboards for drawers
A combination of cupboards and drawers is essential for any practical kitchen, but in a small space, drawers offer much more flexibility.
In this small kitchen, the homeowners have incorporated deep drawers to house crockery, to make up for the absence of wall units. This makes it much easier to organise kitchenware without losing anything at the back of the cupboard.
22. Create an appliance garage
Keeping small appliances on show in a small kitchen can make it look and feel cluttered, which is why building in clever storage is key.
Natalie, the homeowner of this sleek, Scandi-inspired oak kitchen, knew a pantry was her dream feature but had to work hard with the layout to achieve it. Pocket doors make this storage easily accessible and unobtrusive – it’s the perfect place to store your coffee machine before hiding it away again.
23. Create a pantry with a pocket door
A pantry is one of the most desirable features in a kitchen, but it can be tricky to dedicate a large standalone cupboard or even a separate room for one in small kitchen.
In this kitchen, a pocket door has been used to streamline the entry to this pantry, meaning that it is less intrusive on the rest of the space. Using this type of door means you might be able to squeeze a walk-in pantry into a spot where there isn’t enough clearance for a traditional door.
24. Make wicker your best friend
Finding stylish kitchen storage is no easy feat, but wicker will be your saving grace. In this small kitchen, wicker baskets add warmth to the statement navy colour palette while also providing useful storage.
Whether you choose to add wicker baskets to open shelving or add baskets into unused corners of your kitchen, it’s guaranteed to keep clutter at bay.
25. Bring light in with glass-fronted doors
Texture is key to preventing a kitchen design from feeling flat, stark and uninviting. In this kitchen, depth has been added to an earthy colour scheme by incorporating fluted, glass-fronted cabinets that also act as handy storage.
‘Incorporating fluted glass-fronted cabinets and brushed brass handles add further tactility and layering that elevates the hand-crafted feel of the kitchen,’ explains Lewis Buckley, designer at Harvey Jones.
26. Squeeze in wine storage
When designing a small kitchen, there are some fun ‘extras’ that often have to fall by the wayside. Not for the owners of this modern, pastel green kitchen though – they’ve found a way to subtly squeeze in wine storage without losing essential storage space.
This clever built-in bottle storage makes the most of the end of cabinetry and is perfectly positioned next to bar seating so it makes more sense in the flow of the space.
27. Add a freestanding trolley
If your storage doesn’t suffice in your small kitchen, take inspiration from this compact white kitchen where the homeowners have added a portable trolley for added space.
The IKEA RASKOG trolley is so useful for storing small appliances or baking goods that you don’t use often, and can be wheeled around for added versatility. Equally, a more decorative trolley would be perfect for a makeshift bar idea.
28. Consider an eclectic look
Think outside the box when designing your small kitchen. A lack of space doesn’t mean you have to play it safe – this eclectic, rustic kitchen above proves this to be true.
A brass hanging rail, wicker baskets and a cafe curtain make practical storage feel like carefully curated design moments where character is injected into every corner.
29. Take storage to the ceiling
When floorspace is limited, make sure you’re optimising every inch of ceiling height in a small kitchen. This sleek, oak kitchen has built-in storage all the way to the ceiling so that other areas of the space can remain clutter-free.
Balance full-height larder units with open shelving to balance the look.
30. Make plates a style feature
You might need to get creative in a small kitchen to find the perfect storage solution for each element of your kitchenware.
In this kitchen, an antique-inspired plate rack has been added to the wall to perfectly house crockery. Not only does this make it easy to store and access, but it also acts as a homely design feature.
his Dunelm plate rack would be ideal for adding a countr touch to an kitchen design.
Small kitchen island ideas
31. Squeeze in a breakfast bar
It’s no secret that a kitchen island is the first thing to say goodbye to when you’re designing a small kitchen. However, if a spot to dine is still important then a peninsula layout is the way forward.
Here, the peninsula doubles as a prep area for cooking and a dining area for those perched on the other side of the worktop. It adds so much usable space to the layout and allows those cooking to easily interact with people sat in the living area.
32. Choose a slimline island
Islands require a certain amount of clearance around each side to ensure that your kitchen layout is still functional, which can be a trickier task in small kitchens.
Slimline kitchen islands, like the style in this country kitchen, mean that you still reap the rewards of a typical island layout without losing too much floor space. To achieve this small kitchen island idea, you can opt for slimline freestanding styles or choose to have one made in the same style as your kitchen.
33. Pick surfaces carefully
If you’re adamant about fitting an island into a small kitchen, it’s time to get clever with how to use visual tricks to increase the illusion of space.
The bold gold reflective island in this Georgian terraced family home is not only eye-catching but makes the room feel larger by reflecting the adjoining living area. It takes what could have been a visually busy Shaker kitchen design and adds an innovative space-enhancing touch.
34. Opt for a freestanding island
Freestanding kitchen islands are one of the easiest ways to adapt your small kitchen layout on a budget, and without going through a renovation.
If your kitchen is just about big enough to fit in an island, there are so many freestanding styles that create flexibility in your layout. Whether your style leans more traditional like in this country kitchen or you prefer a modern take (this Habitat island would be the perfect fit), a freestanding island will make your kitchen much more functional.
35. Swap an island for a banquette
In-kitchen dining is a no-brainer for modern life. Those cooking don’t want to be cut off from socialising and having a seating area in your kitchen means you don’t need to worry about finding space for a formal dining space if you don’t need it.
In this Neptune kitchen, banquette seating has been used to maximise the amount of space, taking the place of multiple chairs that wouldn’t have fit. Banquettes also have an inherently cosy feel that replicates an inviting bistro ambience.
Small kitchen ideas on a budget
36. Go searching for antique furniture
Not all kitchen storage has to be built-in. Finding antique pieces of freestanding furniture is a great way of adding extra storage and character into your kitchen. And it’s a handy trick for small kitchens or awkwardly shaped layouts.
Susie, the owner of this Georgian mill house explains, ‘I didn’t want the kitchen to feel too fitted or modern, so I was excited to find this wee table on Vinterior. It creates extra space for display under the window. Part of an old pine ladder on the wall is perfect for tea towels.’
37. Shop for antique accessories
Antiquing doesn’t have to stop there. You can still add accessories to a small kitchen, and in fact, doing so creates a cosy, inviting cooking space full of personality.
Jess and Matt, the owners of this 1930s house, have brought character back into the kitchen with open shelving that displays art and ceramics. It’s only a small portion of the kitchen, but it makes a practical area feel purposefully decorated.
38. Let light in through a cafe curtain
Avoid blocking the light in a small kitchen, particularly when it’s a room that is north-facing so doesn’t benefit from much natural sunlight.
The owner of this home has created a characterful kitchen window treatment idea using a cafe curtain on the bottom half of the window to add privacy without losing light. It means those washing up aren’t making eye contact with passer-by’s, while still allowing a view – essential for getting through menial tasks.
39. Add artwork
Who says artwork has to be reserved for living spaces? Wall art is the easiest way to add style to a small kitchen without taking up any practical space reserved for cooking tasks.
In this pretty flat in Deal, the homeowner has added colour to a neutral built-in kitchen through affordable framed prints. The beauty of this budget kitchen styling tip is that it’s so easy to make your own – contemporary art prints will suit a Scandi-inspired scheme while vintage paintings can be sourced for little to nothing and will look perfect in a traditional space.
40. Swap doors for curtains
Often small kitchens can feel overwhelmed by an abundance of cabinetry. While it’s essential for adequate storage, it can make a layout feel busy. Cupboard curtains are the ultimate alternative.
If you have a sewing machine, you can easily make these curtains yourself, but they’re also available to buy online (I love these cupboard curtains from Dunelm). They help to hide away large appliances or open storage, breaking up cabinetry without having clutter on display.
41. Switch from paint to wallpaper
Kitchen wallpaper ideas are a simple way to pack tonnes of personality into a design. While paint often feels like the obvious choice, wallpapering one wall or a specific area of your kitchen adds visual interest and helps to zone the space.
As shown in this kitchen, you’ll just need to make sure you protect the area behind a sink or hob with a clear backsplash that allows the beautiful pattern to shine through.
42. Add task lighting
Small kitchens work best when they’re made to feel cosy and welcoming, and lighting is the easiest way to achieve this ambience. Wall lights, as evidenced in this country kitchen, add style to walls as well as essential lighting to worktops.
‘Kitchens need to work as a multifunctional space. Wall lights can be positioned to throw beams of light around corners and shelving, helping to illuminate darker areas without taking up space. However, where space is at a premium, wall lights can also throw light upwards creating decorative beams of light that provide ambience,’ explains Mary Buchanan, creative director for Laura Ashley Lighting.
43. Work in hanging rails
Hanging rails are a clever design addition that can be seen in so many small kitchens. Adding them to walls for utensils is one great way to make the most of the look, but they’re also handy for increasing storage on an island or on the side of cabinetry.
This brass rail is disguised on the far end of a kitchen and provides an easily accessible spot to store tea towels and cleaning tools.
44. Create warmth with rugs
Kitchen rug ideas are one of the most affordable ways to instantly bring warmth into a cooking space. A small kitchen might not be able to house a large area rug, but runners will add softness underfoot.
The jute runner in this sage green kitchen adds textural detail visually but is also practical against the cold stone flooring.
FAQs
What is the best colour for a small kitchen?
‘Transforming a small kitchen into a warm and inviting haven is possible with the right colour choices. Thoughtful hues can make the space feel fresh and light or cosy and intimate, allowing you to reflect your personal style while creating a welcoming atmosphere,’ explains Jen Nash, head of design at Magnet.
Light, relaxing colour palettes will always work well in small kitchens as they help to enhance the sense of space, but don’t feel like you should be restricted to a neutral colour palette.
‘When it comes to small kitchens, a single colour trend I’m loving right now is the use of rich, earthy greens. Shades like olive, sage, or forest green work beautifully in compact spaces because they bring a sense of depth without overwhelming the room,’ explains Carina Raymond, founder and interior designer at Studio Raymond.
Earthy hues are a big kitchen colour trend for 2026 and work well in creating an enveloping effect in a small cooking space. However, rich hues of burgundy and terracotta also achieve this look.
Oftentimes, it’s more about how you use colour than which colour you use for your kitchen.
In a small kitchen, I recommend painting cabinets and walls in the same tone to create a seamless, cocooning effect. This reduces visual breaks and makes the room feel more expansive. You can then add interest through contrasting textures – such as marble splashbacks, aged brass handles, or a statement light fixture – to prevent the space from feeling flat,’ Carina adds.
What is the best layout for a small kitchen?
When designing a layout for a small kitchen, you’ll have to carefully balance your needs for storage, dining and cooking with the space you already have available.
‘The most important consideration is for the space to be easy to navigate,’ advises Matt Baker, Kitchen Designer, Harvey Jones. You should ask yourself what is the kitchen triangle design rule, and how to make it work in your space. ‘There should be a good-sized space of worktop run for preparation, preferably next to or opposite the hob zone. Thinking about how you will use the space is really important. For example, opting for an L-shaped layout gives the room an open, more inclusive feel, so it’s easier for family and guests to interact. ‘
However, if worktop space and ample floorspace to navigate cooking easily is more important, then a galley kitchen might be the route to go down.
‘Small kitchens can be challenging, but can also provide an opportunity to push your creativity, resulting in a space that feels well-organised and inviting. Favourable in small spaces, galley kitchens offer more flexibility, especially in terms of storage. The layout is made up of two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating a galley between them, removing the need for corner cupboards, making use of every millimetre of space,’ adds Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
Don’t fear if you have your heart set on a kitchen island either – while breakfast bars and peninsulas work well to divide the space and balance practicality in small kitchens, slimline islands will give you the desired classic island layout without impacting too much on space.
Space never has to be a limiting factor in creating a stylish and functional kitchen, if anything, it forces you to get creative with prioritising the things that really matter. Your dream small kitchen is just around the corner.
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