10 Mistakes in Small Kitchen Design

The kitchen is one of the most functional rooms in the house, so it's important to use every centimeter effectively. Pay attention to frequent errors in decorating small spaces.

Exhaust Hoods with Ducts

Large ducts from the exhaust hood can not only visually narrow the space but also spoil any interior design. The situation worsens if there's a gas water heater in your home, which also has its own communications. The solution is to install an exhaust hood with charcoal and other types of filters. Such a model has no pipes and can be mounted directly to the wall or a wall cabinet.

Skipping the Dishwasher

A dishwasher is indispensable on a modern kitchen: it saves both time and water. The appliance uses about four times less water than hand washing. Modern machines consume little energy, and noise levels are minimal. Narrow dishwasher models can have very modest dimensions (width – 45 cm), allowing them to be installed even on a tiny kitchen.

Stove and Refrigerator Near the Window

During cooking, steam forms which settles on surfaces and makes them cloudy. Even if you have an exhaust hood, it’s hard to protect the window from contamination. It's better to place the stove in a corner, away from the window.
A large refrigerator visually reduces the room. First, it immediately attracts attention, and second, it doesn't let light spread evenly throughout the space. Therefore, a less noticeable location is suitable for the refrigerator.

Design: Ksenia Drapay

Incorrect Use of Shelves and Drawers

Open shelves for storing dishes and food look good only in photos. In real life, they will get cluttered and acquire a careless appearance. It's better to prefer tall wall-mounted cabinets reaching the ceiling: you can place items you use rarely on the upper shelves. In tables and sideboards, sliding drawers are more convenient.

Design: Alexey Gurkin

Ignoring Foldable Furniture

It is believed that foldable furniture is only suitable for a dacha or garden. However, designers offer a wide range of various tables and chairs that can be easily stored out of the way and stop taking up space. This solution helps increase free space in a small kitchen.

Design: Julia Veselova

Dense Curtains

The already modest dimensions of the room will shrink if the curtains are too thick and dark: they not only limit the flow of light but also visually cut off the window space, trapping it in rigid frames. It's better to hang lightweight sheer curtains, horizontal blinds, or roller shades.

Design: Marina Sarkisyan

Empty Window Sills

A window can become part of the dining area if you connect the sill to the countertop. This could be a small table or a bar counter – the key is that the space is used efficiently. You can place sliding drawers under the countertop.

One Light Source

Usually, only one light fixture is placed in the center of the ceiling on a kitchen, which is a major mistake. There should be as much light as possible in the room; if natural lighting isn't an option, consider additional light sources. These can be LED strips on wall cabinets or designer pendant lights placed over the dining table.

Design: Maya Baklan

Monochrome Interior

Monochromatic kitchens look uninviting and lifeless. Don't forget to add contrasting shades to the interior. Vibrant accents will bring dynamism and liven up the look of the kitchen. It’s better to avoid pristine white surfaces: maintaining cleanliness on such furniture and finishes is much more difficult.

Design: Maria Mahmudova

Overdoing Decor and Textures

A small kitchen should not be overloaded with decorative elements. They only create a feeling of disorder and chaos in the room. Choose a couple of harmonizing textures – they will add a pleasant accent to the interior design. An abundance of patterns also doesn't help in a small kitchen – among various textures and patterns, the overall impression is lost, and eyes get tired.

Design: Irina Chistya kova

On the cover: apartment on October Field.