7 Rules for Decorating a Small Kitchen

If the apartment is small and the kitchen is even less than 10 square meters, it's best to use this space as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Designer Marina Kozlyakova shares simple rules and secrets for arranging all necessary household appliances and furniture on a small kitchen.

Marina Kozlyakova
DESIGNER
Lead Designer at "Studio 3.14"
Expand space with color
Using white and light tones is one of the most proven methods to visually expand a space. There's no need to fear white tiles on the kitchen backsplash, light-colored kitchen cabinets and wall finishes, as modern materials can withstand wet cleaning, and the issue of unwanted stains is easily resolved. Of course, don't forget about color accents to brighten and refresh such a light space.

Design: Mikhail Tikhonov
Hide all necessities in kitchen cabinets
Try to use every centimeter of the kitchen space as efficiently as possible. For example, upper kitchen cabinets should be tall. There's no need to leave a gap between the cabinet and the ceiling, as it doesn't provide any functional load and only collects dust.

Open shelves should be used sparingly. If the kitchen is compact, they will inevitably become cluttered, and items have to be stored in open access, which makes them dusty and creates a feeling of disorder.

Design: Zhenya Zhudanova. Kitchen furniture — Nolte Küchen
Household appliances should be built-in and multifunctional
Where possible, try to use built-in household appliances — this will save some space and increase the working surface. You can also use appliances with dual functions, for example, a built-in oven with microwave functionality.

If the owners don't cook often, it's better to replace a traditional cooktop with a two-burner one. This will help preserve those valuable centimeters of workspace.

Design: '20:18'
Choose a narrow dishwasher
Owners of small kitchens don't have to give up convenience and comfort, as the dimensions of household appliances can also be chosen according to the size of the kitchen.

Instead of a standard dishwasher that is 60 cm wide, you can use a 45 cm one and forget about hand-washing dishes forever. Additionally, there will be extra workspace above it, which, when properly positioned within the working triangle between the refrigerator, sink, and stove, will be used constantly.

Design: Ksenia Ysupova
Bar counter and fold-down table instead of a full dining table
Unfortunately, there are cases when a full-size dining table doesn't fit on a small kitchen. As an alternative, you can choose a small bar counter or, if there's no space for it either, a wall-mounted fold-down table that doesn't take up space and unfolds only when needed.

Transparent furniture instead of solid wood
Under no circumstances should solid wood furniture be used on a small kitchen. It's better to choose lighter options, such as transparent chairs, glass tables, elegant bar stools, or cabinet doors with glass elements. They visually lighten the space.

Use lighting to the maximum
Good lighting is very important for a small kitchen space — not only artificial but also natural. Instead of heavy curtains, use Roman blinds or lightweight sheer curtains.

Try to create different scenarios for artificial lighting: task lighting for the work surface, spotlights with directed light sources, pendant lights above the bar counter or dining table, a floor lamp or wall sconce that creates soft and cozy lighting.

Design: Olesya Fedorenko. Kitchen furniture — Nolte Küchen