How to Decorate a Small Kitchen: 15 Ideas from Designers

Small kitchens are not rare in modern apartments. What techniques to use when decorating them so that the lack of space does not affect the visual or physical perception? We found 16 tips from well-known designers and are happy to share them with you.

Light Colors

For small spaces, light colors are a true salvation. The space visually expands, natural light multiplies, and now kitchens in white, beige, and pastel tones are trending.

Wall-mounted cabinets in wall color

When the kitchen space is extremely limited, you can’t do without wall-mounted cabinets. You need storage for kitchenware, small appliances, serving dishes, and other important items.

The best way to organize storage and avoid visual clutter is to use wall-mounted cabinets in the color of the walls. Alternatively, they can be installed all the way to the ceiling.

Design: Anastasia Kamenksih, Lavka-design.

P-Shape Cabinet

When the kitchen is a small corner, a P-shaped cabinet layout will come in handy.

Design: Irina Sazonova.

Compact Appliances

Modern appliance manufacturers have long taken into account the needs of small-space owners: most brands now offer the most compact stoves, ovens, refrigerators, hoods, and much more.

Choosing compact household helpers will save space and significantly expand the functionality of your kitchen. For example, it gives you the option not to give up a dishwasher.

A narrow model will fit even on the tiniest kitchen, and it will save you a lot of time, effort, and even money (because hand-washing uses significantly more water)!

Integrated Appliances

Integrated household appliances make the kitchen design more cohesive, which is very useful in small areas.

Design: Evgenia Matveenko, FlatsDesign architectural bureau.

Appliances as Accent

You can choose appliances that match the color palette and style of the kitchen interior. In this case, there’s no need to hide them: such household helpers become an additional decorative accent.

Design: Ksenia Yusuopova.

Mirrors

Mirror, glossy, and other reflective surfaces are proven helpers in expanding space. It’s not necessary to hang large mirrors from floor to ceiling: there are also mirror tiles, mosaics, panels, and decorative mirrors.

Design: Pavel Gerasimov.

Adjacent Area

If all space-expanding techniques have already been used, storage is organized very rationally, the furniture and appliances are as compact as possible, and there’s still not enough space – use adjacent areas.

Does the kitchen adjoin a balcony? You can move part of the storage or set up a bar counter there. The refrigerator, coffee bar, or small shelf with supplies, dishes, and rarely used utensils can be placed near the kitchen entrance.

Design: 'Victory of Design'.

Functional Decor

On a small kitchen, it’s better to avoid meaningless decorations and opt for the most functional decor. How about a chalkboard apron? Or greenery in stylish planters for salad?

Design: Elena Ivashkina.

Neat Color Accents

Color accents on a small space should be handled very carefully: the more limited the space, the stronger each detail stands out.

Design: Nikita Zub.

Union of Opposites

A popular technique that can come in handy on a small kitchen is combining opposites: warm and cool tones, cozy and rough textures.

Very effectively, concrete walls with natural wood tones or cool gray combined with pastel tones look.

Design: Elena Nikitina.

Rebellious Notes

Small deviations from the rules will liven up any interior. For example, you can choose different chairs for the dining table.

Design: Anastasia Kamenksih, Lavka-design.

Minimalism

Principles of minimalism are another relevant find for small apartments. The absence of small details visually expands the boundaries of the room.

Apron made from unprocessed metal with coarse black paint. Design: Konstantin Radulov.

Compact Dining Area

Refraining from a full-size table and bulky chairs in favor of a compact bar counter or fold-down table will save you a lot of space.

Design: Marina Sarkisyan.

Sufficient Lighting

Under-lit corners in a small kitchen are a luxury you can’t afford. Make sure there is enough natural and artificial lighting.

Do away with heavy draperies on windows in favor of lighter curtains, and add local and technical lighting (over the work surface) to the overall lighting.

Design: Irina Chistyakova, Zi-Design.

Kitchen on the cover: Design – Daniil and Anna Shepanovich, Cubiq Studio.