10 surprising features you can squeeze into a tiny kitchen

Scandinavian Kitchen by Kathy Kunz Interiors
Author: Becky Harris

I am learning so much by checking out interior design photos from all over the world. For instance, I’d forgotten just how many European families get by with what we might consider a ‘mini bar’. Rather than stocking up on a decade’s worth of pretzels and cereal, a lot of Europeans pick up just 24 hours’ worth of fresh food at a time. This is why we’re seeing so many stylish small kitchens across Europe – a double-size refrigerator and a walk-in pantry are of no use to most people over there.

Of course, plenty of us also have small kitchens. We’re just so used to seeing kitchen spaces larger than our entire homes that we don’t realise we can incorporate some of their great features into our modest nooks and galleys. You might not realise you have room to chop to your heart’s content, include an eat-in space or even set up a home office. Check out these 10 small-kitchen extras for inspiration.

1. Corner of windows
This one may take some sacrifice – you’ll have to stash seldom-used items in storage and purge those you don’t really need. In return, your kitchen will expand and feel so much less cramped thanks to your new views and all that wonderful natural light.

Some guidance on how to live with fewer cabinets

2. Eat-in area
Your idea of an eat-in kitchen may be a table that seats a party of eight. You may be overlooking the fact that you have room for a table, a small bench or even a flip-down bar top.

Shop a wide selection of dining tables

3. Island
No matter how modestly sized, an island can provide invaluable space for working, serving and storing. I recently interviewed a designer who advised that we take the recommended dimensions and clearances with a grain of salt, as they tend to work only for mansions and in Fantasyland. As long as you’re not bruising a hip every time you round the island, you have enough space.

Browse kitchen island ideas and photos

4. Colourful appliances
We often read (or, in my case, write) that making everything glossy white and glass bounces the light around and keeps a small space looking seamless and thus larger. But the truth is those spaces can be a real yawn sometimes. Trust me, visitors do not notice how small this kitchen is; they remember the cheerful aqua refrigerator.

5. Eye-catching range hood
By going cylindrical, interior designer Jacqueline Brynjolfsonwas able to make a range hood work in a kitchen with limited space and a tricky vaulted ceiling.

She also used a European stove and refrigerator (both 61 cm wide), which helped her fit in everything her client needed.

6. Displayed collections
As long as there’s a place for everything and everything is in its place, there’s no reason not to keep your favourite items on full display. Pot racks, plate racks, a few open shelves and a glass-front cabinet let these homeowners enjoy their copper cookware, silver and china from the kitchen table, which takes up most of the room in this charming kitchen.

Note how the antiqued mirror splashback makes the space look bigger.

7. Artwork
In a galley kitchen, giving the eye a beautiful place to rest at the end distracts from the narrowness of the space.

8. Chopping block
Thanks to the miracle of hinges and clever design, this handy butcher-block surface pops up in a flash.

Tiles: Fireclay Tile

9. Waterfall benchtop
We usually see this design element used on a large island, but it’s an overlooked strategy for a small kitchen. Extending the benchtop material to the floor enhances the design of the entire space.

10. Home office
This clever pullout surface can serve as both kitchen table and workstation.

View more small kitchen designs on Houzz