33 Best Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces [2024]

Tiny kitchens used to be a big hurdle to overcome.

But in this day and age, tiny everything – including entire homes – is embracing tininess.

That’s not to say that small kitchens don’t have their struggles, though. Being crafty with your kitchen ideas for small spaces can help.

Do you have a small kitchen and are tired of dealing with a lack of space? Don’t worry, hon – you’re not alone.

The good news is that there are plenty of kitchen ideas for small spaces that will transform your area and make your kitchen 100% functional *and* enjoyable.

Keep reading to find out the best kitchen ideas for small spaces!

33 Best Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces

These tiny kitchens prove that there are *so* many fantastic kitchen ideas for small spaces.

Take a look at our top 33 picks!

Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
appartement rue Ledru Rollin Credit: Ebom
Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Kitchen Ideas for Small Spaces
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Maximizing Storage

One of the *biggest* struggles with a small kitchen is the lack of storage.

After all, most people have a relatively large collection of pots, pans, utensils, and ingredients, and finding a spot to place them all can be *very* difficult.

Enter: creative storage solutions.

There are plenty of top-notch kitchen ideas for small spaces to maximize storage, including:

  • Vertical Shelving – If you can’t go *out,* the only place you can go is *up.* Going vertical is one quick and easy way to create storage, even in the smallest kitchens.
  • Under-Cabinet Organizers – Ladies, you *need* to organize to make your small kitchen functional and less cramped. Don’t know where to add organizers? It’s easy – stash them under the cabinets. Out of sight, out of mind – yet oh, so helpful.
  • Pull-Out Drawers – Finally, make the most out of your limited kitchen space by opting for pull-out drawers. As the name suggests, these drawers will slide in and out so they don’t take up too much room when unused.

Space-Saving Appliances

Appliances are known for being big and bulky – yes, we’re looking at you, refrigerator and oven!

However, with the influx of tiny homes being built left and right, manufacturers have answered the call with space-saving solutions that can also work in your small space.

There are *plenty* of compact and multifunctional kitchen appliances you can add to your space.

For one, you should always look for “small-sized” appliances strategically constructed to be slimmer and smaller yet still fully functional.

For example, you might opt for a miniature fridge/freezer and a slimline dishwasher.

Second, consider looking for two-in-one (or more) appliances.

For instance, you can opt for a combo microwave that can do more than “just” microwave.

Or, you can reach for a toaster oven with five, ten, or even 12 functions.

Yes, they exist, eliminating the need for ten appliances to accomplish a recipe.

Open Shelving vs. Closed Cabinets

When researching kitchen ideas for small spaces, you’ll be met with two options for cabinets – open shelving and closed cabinets.

Each one comes with its own pros and cons, and knowing the good and the bad will help you decide which one’s right for your small space.

Open Shelving

Open shelving does not cover the cabinets, leaving what’s inside exposed.

This is an excellent choice if you have visually appealing dishware and other decor you won’t mind displaying constantly. 

It also allows easy access, which can be convenient for tiny kitchens.

Finally, open shelving is cheaper – which may also be essential for small kitchens.

Of course, there is one evident drawback – *all* of your items will be on display, so you’ll need to organize regularly to avoid a junky and cluttered appearance.

Open shelves also attract more dust, so you’ll find yourself on a tighter cleaning schedule.

Closed Cabinets

Because this type of cabinet comes with a covering, all of your items will be concealed while you enjoy a classy and streamlined aesthetic.

Overall, this type of cabinet tends to offer more storage and also requires less cleaning and maintenance.

The downside? Closed cabinets can make your small kitchen feel confined.

They’re also much more expensive than open shelves, and they will prevent you from showing off your decorations (if you have them).

Lighting and Color Choices

Did you know that light and color choices can also impact the spacious appeal of your small kitchen?

The best way to open your kitchen is to opt for natural light as much as possible.

When unavailable, the best choices are ambient lighting and lighting underneath cabinets.

As far as colors are concerned, it’s best to stick to lighter shades, as darker colors can make your kitchen feel smaller and more confined.

Don’t worry, though – that doesn’t mean you have to nix colors altogether.

You can add contrasting colors as decor, whether a plant in the corner or an entire backsplash.

Utilizing Wall Space

Last but not least, effectively utilizing wall space is a great way to make the most of your small kitchen while reducing clutter. 

Here are the top five picks:

  • Floating Shelves – Shelves can be functional or decorative. For instance, you might use them to store your go-to pots and pans or to display photos of your loved ones.
  • Magnetic Knife Strip – This handy product allows you to hang your knives right on the wall, freeing up some drawer space and making it convenient to complete all your fave recipes.
  • Pot and Pans Hanger – Let’s face it – those clunky things are essential but super inconvenient storage-wise. Open up more space in your small kitchen by hanging those bad boys instead.
  • Wall-Mounted Spice Rack – Everyone needs spices, and plenty of us have more than we can count. Again, this is essential but takes up too much space. Use a wall-mounted spice rack to help clear up space.
  • Fold-Down Table – Make it easy to munch in your small kitchen by opting for a fold-down table.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are *plenty* of awesome kitchen ideas for small spaces that will open up your area and make it *much* more functional, convenient, and stylish.

Say goodbye to a cramped kitchen and utilize these kitchen ideas for small spaces today!

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Julie Higgins
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Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.