Small kitchens are like tiny apartments. Every inch needs to earn its rent.
I’ve worked with spaces so tight you could stir pasta and open the fridge at the same time. And honestly? Small kitchens can be magic. They force smart decisions. Cleaner lines. No nonsense.
If you’re planning a refresh, these 23 small kitchen remodel ideas will help you squeeze out space, style, and sanity. Some are quick wins. Others take a weekend. All are worth it. Let’s dive in. 🍳✨
Paint your cabinets in a light-reflecting shade
When in doubt, paint it out.
Soft white, warm beige, pale sage, muted blue. Light tones bounce light around the room and instantly make a small kitchen feel bigger.
I love creamy whites because they don’t feel clinical. Add brass or matte black hardware and suddenly your tiny kitchen feels intentional, not cramped.
Why it works?
Light colors reduce visual weight. Dark cabinets can look stunning, but in tight spaces they sometimes swallow the room whole.
Install under-cabinet lighting for a glow-up
Good lighting is everything. Especially in a small kitchen.
Under-cabinet LED strips eliminate shadows on your countertops and make meal prep easier. But beyond function, they add that subtle designer glow. ✨
Evening coffee hits differently when your backsplash softly shimmers.
Instant Gratification Tip
Battery-operated LED strips can be installed in under an hour. No electrician needed. No drama.
Swap bulky upper cabinets for open shelving
Upper cabinets can feel heavy.
Replacing a few with floating shelves instantly opens up the room. Display your everyday plates, glass jars, maybe one trailing plant.
Keep it curated. Not chaotic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overloading shelves with random items
- Mixing too many colors
- Forgetting to style with negative space
Let the air breathe between objects.
Extend cabinets to the ceiling
If you’re remodeling, go all the way up.
Those awkward gaps above cabinets collect dust and regret. Extending cabinetry to the ceiling draws the eye upward and adds hidden storage.
Seasonal appliances. Extra plates. Things you don’t use daily.
Thumb Rule
If you can’t reach it without a stool, it’s perfect for occasional-use storage.
Replace your backsplash with reflective tiles
A glossy backsplash works like a tiny mirror wall.
Subway tiles with a sheen. Zellige. Even mirrored tiles if you’re bold. They reflect light and visually double the depth of the space.
I once used soft gray glass tiles in a narrow kitchen and the difference was dramatic. Instant polish. 💫
Add a slim rolling island for flexible space
Not all islands need to be massive.
A narrow rolling cart can act as prep station, coffee bar, or serving table. Then you tuck it away when not needed.
Who this is for
- Renters
- Apartment dwellers
- Anyone afraid of committing to built-ins
Flexibility is freedom in small kitchens.
Upgrade hardware for an instant refresh
Sometimes you don’t need a full remodel. Just new handles.
Swap dated knobs for sleek pulls. Try brushed brass, matte black, or even leather straps.
Tiny detail. Big shift.
Upgrade for under $150
Most kitchens can be fully refreshed with hardware alone. It’s one of the cheapest ways to change the vibe. 🔧
Incorporate a pull-out pantry system
If you have a narrow gap beside your fridge, don’t ignore it.
Install a tall pull-out pantry. Suddenly that awkward 6-inch space becomes spice central.
Small space hack
Think vertically. Skinny storage units are gold in compact kitchens.Choose a single-bowl sink over double
Double sinks eat counter space.
A deep single-bowl sink handles large pots better and frees up more usable counter.
Plus, it looks cleaner. Less visual clutter.
Install glass cabinet fronts strategically
Not every cabinet. Just one or two.
Glass fronts break up heavy blocks of wood and add depth. Style them with matching dishware and keep it simple.
Vibe check
- Calm
- Light
- Intentional
If it feels crowded, edit. Always edit.
Use large-format floor tiles to reduce visual clutter
Counterintuitive, but bigger tiles make small rooms feel larger.
Tiny tiles mean more grout lines. More lines mean more visual noise. Large-format tiles create a seamless look.
When your eyes aren’t busy, your brain relaxes.
The psychology behind it
Clean visual fields reduce stress and make tight spaces feel expansive. It’s subtle. But powerful. 🧠
Replace upper cabinets with a statement range hood
Let one element shine.
Removing some upper cabinets and installing a sleek range hood can create a focal point. Suddenly your small kitchen feels custom.
Why designers do this
They reduce bulk and create breathing room around cooking zones. It keeps the kitchen from looking boxy.
Add a fold-down breakfast bar
No dining space? Create one.
Install a wall-mounted fold-down table. Use it when needed. Fold it flat when done.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Locate wall studs
- Install sturdy bracket supports
- Mount solid wood top
- Seal and finish
Dinner for two in a kitchen that barely fits one. Magic. 🍽️
Introduce two-tone cabinetry for depth
Remember the first idea about light cabinets? Here’s the upgrade.
Keep uppers light. Paint lowers darker. Navy, forest green, charcoal.
It grounds the room without making it feel heavy.
Colour swap suggestion
| Upper Cabinets | Lower Cabinets |
| Soft White | Deep Navy |
| Pale Beige | Olive Green |
| Light Gray | Charcoal |
Balanced. Dynamic. Modern.
Install toe-kick drawers for hidden storage
The space beneath your cabinets is not dead space.
Add toe-kick drawers for baking trays or flat items. It’s sneaky storage that doesn’t steal visual room.
Surprise Fact
Most kitchens waste this area completely. That’s free real estate sitting unused.
Opt for integrated appliances
Built-in fridge panels. Hidden dishwashers.
When appliances blend with cabinetry, the kitchen feels seamless. Less chopped up.
It’s like putting your kitchen on “Do Not Disturb” mode.
What most people get wrong
Mixing too many finishes. Stainless steel, black, white. Pick a direction and commit.
Add a mirrored backsplash behind open shelves
This is for the bold.
A mirrored panel behind open shelving creates depth and doubles light. Especially helpful in galley kitchens.
Unlike the glossy tile idea earlier, this one amplifies everything. Including your styling. So keep shelves neat.
Subtle sparkle. Major illusion. ✨
Use slim shaker cabinets for timeless appeal
Heavy ornate cabinets overwhelm small kitchens.
Slim shaker fronts are classic without being bulky. Clean lines. Minimal fuss.
Style match guide
| Style | Works Best With |
| Modern | Matte black hardware |
| Farmhouse | Brass knobs |
| Scandinavian | Light wood accents |
Simple shapes age better. Trust me.
Carve out a hidden coffee station inside cabinetry
If you love coffee like I do, this one’s addictive. ☕
Convert one cabinet into a dedicated coffee nook. Install an outlet inside. Add pull-out tray for your machine. Store mugs above.
Close the doors when guests come over. It disappears.
Unlike the open shelving idea earlier, this keeps things visually calm. Especially if cords drive you crazy.
Do this 👉
- Add task lighting inside
- Use matching canisters
- Install soft-close hinges
Not this ❌
- Leave wires exposed
- Mix random mug styles
- Overcrowd the shelf
Small ritual. Big joy.
Frame a window with built-in narrow shelves
If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen window, don’t ignore it.
Install slim shelves along the sides. Use them for herbs, oils, or ceramics.
Light hits from behind. Everything glows. 🌿
And because they’re narrow, they don’t block light.
This ties beautifully with open shelving from idea three. But here, nature becomes part of the décor. Green against tile. Texture against glass. The room feels alive.
Choose handleless cabinetry for a sleek silhouette
Handles protrude. They visually interrupt.
Handleless cabinets create a smooth, continuous look. Especially in ultra-compact layouts.
Less visual noise means more perceived space.
Pair with integrated appliances from idea sixteen for a truly seamless effect.
Minimal doesn’t mean boring. It means calm.
Install layered lighting at different heights
One ceiling light won’t cut it.
Add pendants, under-cabinet lighting, maybe a small wall sconce. Layering light creates depth.
When shadows shift at different levels, the room feels dimensional.
It’s like contouring. But for your kitchen. 💡
Warm bulbs make everything softer. More inviting. Less harsh.
Declutter ruthlessly before remodeling
Before you knock down anything, purge.
Half the time, small kitchens feel tiny because they’re overloaded. Too many gadgets. Too many duplicates.
Be honest.
Do you need three spatulas? Five water bottles?
Clear first. Then remodel.
You might realize you need fewer cabinets. Or more open space.
Remodeling works best when it solves real problems, not imaginary ones.
Final Thoughts
Small kitchens don’t need to feel limiting.
They just need smarter choices.
Pick one idea. Maybe two. Start small. See how it changes the energy of your space. 🌿
Because when a kitchen works well, life flows better in it. And that’s what we’re really remodeling for.
