Custom Touches for Small Kitchens

A well-lit kitchen feels larger than a dark one, and natural light beats fluorescents any day. Here, a row of narrow windows functions as a backsplash and drenches this small, stylish kitchen in sunlight. Keep window treatments to a minimum to make the most of your light in a small space.

Boost storage and display space in a kitchen by capping off a run of cabinets with open shelves. These shelves face the adjoining breakfast room and offer a convenient spot for storing cookbooks without weighing down the kitchen with closed-off cabinets. The open shelving unit provides plenty of storage space without weighing down the kitchen with more closed cabinet fronts.

Top a window or a passageway between rooms with a wide ledge for storage and display. This over-the-window shelf puts the homeowner’s collection of olive oil bottles on view and draws the eye upward, emphasizing the kitchen's soaring height and the ceiling’s rustic wooden beams.

Island storage doesn’t need to be enclosed. Removing a few cabinet doors from this island provides easy access to items while adding an open feel to the small kitchen work space. Wicker baskets corral the contents of each shelf to ensure everything stays neat and tidy.

Add architectural interest to a small kitchen with a creative treatment along an empty wall. In this kitchen, a pair of niches between the studs offers storage and display space for a small collection of glassware. Tiny metallic tiles call attention to the cutouts. 

Carefully planned details give a small kitchen standout style. Granite-look laminate countertops pair well with the classic white cabinetry and the ogee edge treatment adds understated elegance. 

Every inch counts when you're creating storage space in a small kitchen. This handy pullout cabinet adjacent to the range is perfect for storing spices, oils, and herbs within arm’s reach of the food-preparation zone.

Kitchen designers favor lower cabinets with drawers because the contents can be seen with one fluid motion. Adding drawer dividers for silverware and cooking utensils helps keep items tidy.

Ensure a cutting board is always within reach by incorporating a pullout version into your kitchen cabinetry. For added convenience, store knives in a drawer directly below the cutting board. This pullout is located next to the sink, which makes cleanup a breeze.

Create drama and add character to a small kitchen by painting the island a different color than the rest of the cabinetry. This cheery yellow island complements colors featured in the subway-tile backsplash. Choose bright colors or light-color stains to ensure the island’s hue doesn’t weigh down the small space.

The less clutter on countertops, the more spacious your kitchen will appear. Create a storage space between upper and lower cabinets by adding doors, and use the cubby for hiding small appliances. Include an electrical outlet at the back of the cabinet for convenience.

Conceal clutter and get organized by using baskets for storing small items out of sight. Large baskets like these add texture to the space while holding everything from hand towels to vegetables, snacks, and serving utensils.

Open shelves and white cabinetry keep the look open and airy in this cottage kitchen. Vintage dishware and floral-pattern china create a pretty display that not only looks great but also remains within reach of the kitchen’s main prep zone.

Creative stow-and-go solutions are a must in a small kitchen space. Here, a rolling cart tucks neatly into this island to offer additional workspace as needed. The cart can be wheeled throughout the kitchen to give multiple cooks room for meal prep and staging.

Inexpensive stock cabinets mimic pricey European imports while enlarging the look of a small kitchen. Metal feet attached to the bottom of the cabinetry help the tiny space feel open and light. Trendy wooden countertops and brushed-aluminum pulls boost style and glamour.

Glass-front cabinets ensure a small kitchen remains light, airy, and inviting. If you don’t like the idea of having your dishware on display, frosted glass-front doors have a similar effect but can obscure any mismatched contents.

A false wall built around a freestanding refrigerator gives it the look of an expensive built-in. A shelf above the fridge provides storage and display space for decorative dishware and cookbooks. Chalkboard paint transforms the outer edge of the unit into a handy message center.

Create instant architectural appeal and volume in a small kitchen by opening up the ceiling and exposing beams. Painting elements white creates a clean, spacious feel. Here, bright blue walls above the cabinetry also help draw the eye upward toward the unique ceiling treatment.

Replace an enclosed cabinet in an island with a built-in wine rack. Not into wine? The cubes can hold mineral water, juice, or other bottles for a splash of color.

Increase the storage capacity of kitchen cabinets by installing handy wire organizers. The shelves shown here are stackable, maximizing cleaning supply storage and ensuring cabinet contents are always within reach.