Are you wanting to transform your small and compact kitchen into a dream kitchen but you’re unsure of where to start? We have presented to you several articles in the past on kitchen design, including Bright and colorful kitchen design inspirations, Gorgeous and inspirational kitchens, and Vintage chic kitchens from Marchi Cucine. The reality is, most of us are tight on space and although large and spacious kitchens are every chef’s dream, sometimes space constraints will not work with us to create these types of kitchens. Even though you may have a smaller space, that doesn’t mean that you cannot still create a beautiful kitchen. Ideally the kitchen work triangle would be a great guide in your kitchen, which is meant to create efficiency, yet if you have a single wall kitchen, it is impossible to achieve. Just be sure to pay close attention to each and every measurement when setting up your kitchen workspace— a few inches can make a big difference, especially in small kitchens.

In a small kitchen, the reality is skimpy counter space, a cramped work triangle and precious little space for appliances. If you are not ready, or willing to knock down walls to create more space for your kitchen, you can do the next best thing: create the impression of a larger space with a few strategic decorating tricks. The problem of creating a fabulous kitchen simply comes down to what you can fit and where. In order to create efficient kitchen design in a small kitchen, you need to work on three major areas: storage, lighting and appliances. Small kitchens may appear to be a design challenge, but they can also be functional, stunning and efficient. Have a look through our vast collection of small kitchen design ideas and prepare to be inspired to create your dream kitchen! Don’t forget to let us know which one is your favorite. If you have renovated recently, we would love you to share your pictures with us on 1 Kindesign, you can submit them here.

Use smaller and more compact appliances. Appliance manufacturers offer more compact space-saving appliances to make small kitchen design easier, such as refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep. Appliances such as microwaves can be hung underneath cabinets to save counter space.

Make use of the center of your kitchen. Create an island in the center of the kitchen that can provide storage that is also convenient from any spot in the kitchen.

Create the illusion of more space with lighting. Creating an illusion of space with under cabinet lighting or under the counter. With the proper type of lighting the kitchen can be made to appear larger and more pleasing.

Open shelving mounted on steel brackets support dishes and provide for light from above.

Use illusion. Make your kitchen appear longer with floor tiles placed on a diagonal.

Replace solid cabinet doors with glass ones. Glass fronts lighten the look of cabinetry and allow the eye to travel through to the back, which helps the kitchen seem more expansive. Just don’t clutter the interiors or you will defeat the purpose.

This stunning urban kitchen in Toronto, Ontario, is a cool Ikea design that transforms a kitchen into aesthetically pleasing yet functional design.

Flood the space with light. Whether your kitchen is done in pale colors or dark ones, light beaming in will help it feel as large as possible. Keep window treatments very simple, or eliminate them entirely, so as not to block the sun.

Storage really matters. Install deeper counters that can accommodate more appliances and increase work space.

Merge into a larger space. This breakfast nook feels like a natural extension of the cooking area.

Use a pullout cabinet. This pullout cabinet works great in small kitchens as a dual-purpose storage and chopping block that can be moved to the center of the kitchen and put away when not in use to save space.

Remove clutter. Don’t crowd counters, shelves and cabinets with clutter, which makes the space look as though it’s bursting at the seams. Instead, focus on a few standout items and necessities and hide the rest away.

Sometimes less is more. Reduce your clutter and create open shelving where you can display your plates and utensils.

Incorporate open shelving. Open shelves reduce visual weight and lend the illusion of a more expansive space. For an even sleeker look, choose floating shelves over models with brackets.

The galley kitchen. Using a galley kitchen design, the cabinets and appliances line up on either side of a corridor. This can works great for a small kitchen!

Paint cabinets the same color as the walls. Limiting the cabinetry and the wall color to a single hue erases visual boundaries that might stop the eye. The conventional school of thought is that pale colors will reflect light and make the space feel bigger, and that’s certainly a safe approach. But don’t be afraid to go dark, either. Deep tones such as black, navy, charcoal and chocolate recede visually and create the impression that the walls are farther back than they really are.

Direct the eye upward. Choose patterns and visual elements that help to guide the gaze toward the ceiling. The vertical lines of the wall and ceiling boards in this kitchen lend the impression of greater height.

Recess storage. Tuck a pantry, shelving or cabinets flush with the wall to keep from obstructing the kitchen’s flow. It’s fairly easy to retrofit a recessed niche, especially if you orient it between wall studs.

Choose furnishings with a small footprint. Select petite islands, slim chairs, streamlined stools and narrow tables that don’t eat up valuable floor space. Avoid chunky furniture legs or thick bases, which add visual bulk.

Design with clean lines. Big corbels, ornate cabinetry and fussy details can make a kitchen feel chopped up. Instead, keep the elements tailored and sleek to smooth out the look and create a roomier feel.

Photo Sources: 1. Chioco Design, 2. elegueller arquitetos, 3. Gaylord Design LLC, 4. Fastighetsbyran, 5. SÜZA DESIGN, 6. Studio Garneau, 7. Kamarron Design, Inc., 8. Greg Natale, 9. General Assembly, 10. Sabbe Design, 11. Grace Happens, 12. Arnal Photography, 13. Actual-Size Architecture, 14. Amitzi Architects, 15. Alvhem Makeleri, 16. Aidan Design, 17. Bjurfors, 18. IKEA, 19. Frisson Design, 20. SVOYA studio, 21. Laurie Lieberman Architects, 22. Stadshem, 23. Best & Company, 24. John Lum Architecture, 25. Mascheroni Construction, 26. Heather Garrett Design, 27. Nesting Home Design, 28. Natalie Younger Interior Design, 29. Justrich Design, 30. AHMANN LLC, 31. Finnerty Design, 32. Whitten Architects, 33. Tumbleweed & Dandelion, 34. Marianne Simon Design, 35. Carla Aston Designed, 36. Aidan Design, 37. Andre Rothblatt Architecture, 38. Stadshem, 39. DHV Architects, 40. Gut Gut, 41. Per Jansson, 42. ESNY, 43. Alvhem Makeleri