Are you struggling to find the perfect balance between style and functionality when planning your small kitchen design? It’s a challenge faced by many homeowners, but with a little bit of know-how and our inspiring ideas, you can easily create an efficient and aesthetically pleasing kitchen.

By utilizing clever storage solutions, the best design choices, and ideas from our collection of small kitchen design ideas, you can make the most out of your cooking space and transform it into a stylish and efficient space. So get inspired and start planning your dream kitchen today.

When remodeling your small kitchen, there are several elements to consider.

1. Streamline Kitchen Islands
2. Multifunctional Furniture
3. Utilize Natural Lighting
4. Clever Organization and Storage
5. Maximize Vertical Space
6. Get Creative with Under-Cabinet Lighting
7. Select a Monochromatic Design Scheme
8. Incorporate the Right Appliances
9. Incorporate Open Shelving
10. Maximize Space with Built-Ins
11. Break Up Traditional Design with Unique Accents
12. Add a Pop of Color

Whether you’re looking for design inspiration or practical tips for optimizing small kitchens, you’ll have plenty of ideas to choose from with our inspiring collection below. Below each of the images is further resource details along with a link to the sources of the architect/designer of each of the projects.

Note: Let us know which one of these small kitchen design ideas you find most inspiring in the Comments below!

1. Add Sleek Open Shelving. This open-concept kitchen has a French Bistro feel. The cabinet paint color is Wrought Iron 2124-10 | Benjamin Moore. The black hood is from Viking. Light maple wood shelves are set on iron brackets that were custom-made by a shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can find similar ones on Etsy! (via Daniella Villamil Interiors)

2. Beach Style Kitchen. The island paint color is Naval SW 6244 – Sherwin-Williams. The butcher block top is oiled, end-grain walnut. The countertops are granite and the color is Jet Mist. See the rest of this beautifully inspiring home tour: Charming agrarian cottage provides a family escape on Martha’s Vineyard. (via LDa Architecture & Interiors)

3. Add Pops of Color. This small, one-of-a-kind kitchen was personalized perfectly for the homeowner, who loves to bake, providing a beautiful and functional space. Custom cabinets utilize every available inch of space with internal accessories. The tiles were sourced from Discount Tile Center. The yellow subway tiles are 2″ x 4″ handmade tiles that they import from Mexico (503-3). The trim is 1″ x 6″ bullnose in black (A106). The cabinet paint colors are all Benjamin Moore: Cabinet lowers: Silken Peacock; Cabinet uppers & trim: Chantilly Lace; Walls: Lightning Bolt in Aura Eggshell finish. The flooring is the Kalikoe Lorne 8″ Cement Tile, Tesselle. (via LA Dwelling)

4. Wood and White Combination. This open urban kitchen has an inviting feel with pops of yellow and an eat-in dining table. A highly functional, contemporary beauty featuring wide plank white oak grey stained floors, white lacquer refrigerator and washing machine, brushed aluminum lower cabinets, and walnut upper cabinets. Pure white Caesarstone countertops, Blanco kitchen faucet and sink, Bertazzoni range, Bosch dishwasher, architectural lighting trough with LED lights, and Emtech brushed chrome door hardware complete the high-end look. (via Meshberg Group)

5. Small Yet Efficient. The brand of the cabinetry is Sole Design Cabinetry made in Tennessee. The color of the base cabinets is custom Farrow & Ball, Pigeon (#25). The hardware is from Ashley Norton in polished brass. The shelves are custom and made with solid maple wood on the front and veneer on the back. The dishwasher is a General Electric. The size of the kitchen is roughly 9ft by 12ft. (via Standard Kitchen & Bath)

6. Narrow Kitchen Island. Great craftsmanship brings this renovated traditional-style kitchen in Seattle to life. The backsplash tile behind the range is by Ann Sacks – Nottingham collection. The narrow freestanding island is the perfect idea for a small kitchen where extra countertop space is needed. This one was custom designed by the designer and custom built by local craftsmen. (via MLB Design Group)

7. Embrace an Open Layout. This Tudor-style kitchen remodel in a Philadelphia home features open shelving along with pot and pan storage. Edge grain Maple butcher block countertop on the island along with a hands-free kitchen faucet by Dornbracht. The countertops are statuary marble and the cabinets are Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray, HC-170. (via Pinemar, Inc)

8. Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen. This kitchen remodel of a 1950’s ranch home features geometric pendant lights from CB2. The wood shelves were made from reclaimed wood and are set on brackets from Iron Accents. The wood flooring is original to the home and was refinished with Red Oak #2 wood stain. (via Laura Medicus Interiors)

9. Keep Most-Used Items on Shelves. This beautiful farmhouse kitchen is functional and efficient. A mix of finishes includes natural and painted surfaces, concrete, and copper. Four different types of wood were used in the space: less expensive poplar for the plank-style cabinet doors, western red cedar for the shelving, and on the more expensive spectrum, black walnut for the countertops. The stove area was given a new look with the handmade plank-style lower cabinet door panels and drawer faces. A Big Chill Retro refrigerator and dishwasher in mint green add cool color to the space. (via Blue Stallion Farm)

10. Functional Small Kitchen. The countertops are soapstone. It’s not as hard as granite, but it is incredibly dense so it won’t stain and is heat resistant. It comes in a variety of colors and can be treated with mineral oil or wax to maintain its dark finish (prior to oiling/waxing it is a dull gray). The range is by Wolf, while the sink is Rohl. All the cabinets and walls are painted Dunn Edwards Cottage White. The artwork on the wall is vintage seaweed prints: Winter Works on Paper. The kitchen is about 8′ wide and approx. 13-14′ long with 8′ ceilings. (via Collins Design & Development)

11. Blue and White Kitchen. The cabinets were provided by Mouser Custom cabinetry and are painted in a clean white maple finish. The countertops are a clean white marble with a thick eased edge profile. The fridge and stove are retro appliances by Northstar. The mosaic tile backsplash was designed by Kim Hall and made by SICIS. The island bar stools are actually outdoor patio chairs. The ceiling is v groove with beams. (via Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath)

12. Warm up the Whites. White on white can help open up a small space. The countertops are Granite -Bianco Ramano. They are paired with a Bursa Beige marble backsplash in a polished finish to pick up the creaminess in the granite. They are approximately 1″ x 3″ in a herringbone pattern. The paint color of the cabinets is a custom white by Kahle’s Kitchens cabinetry. The hardware is Top Knobs TK198PTA. The floor tiles are porcelain 12×24 Marco Corona Planet Gray. This kitchen is approximately 144″ L x 90″ W. (via Ferrarini & Co. Kitchens & Interiors)

13. White Traditional Style Kitchen. This cozy kitchen was redesigned to provide an open-concept feel to the dining area. The dark wood ceiling beams, clear glass cabinet doors, Bianco Sardo granite countertops, and Crystal White 3″x6″ subway tile backsplash by Mexican Crafted unite this quaint space. The red oak cabinets were custom built by Superior Woodcraft and painted with Sherwin Williams Extra White – 15 Sheen. The ceiling lights are from Hudson Valley Lighting, Hampton Collection, Clear, Diamond Cut. The floors are oak with a cherry stain. The island is 7’-0” X 3’-2”. (via Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction)

14. Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen. Even small kitchens can benefit from being a bit daring with color. This classic white kitchen is paired with rich blue base cabinets for a timeless aesthetic that’s perfect for this antique farmhouse built in the 1800s. The cabinets are from a custom cabinet manufacturer who finished them in the factory. The paint color they reference is called “Nightfall”. (via Normandy Remodeling)

15. Two-Tone Cabinetry. The upper cabinets are painted in Swiss Coffee OC-45 – Benjamin Moore (semi-gloss). The lower cabinets are Jute Brown SW 6096 – Sherwin-Williams (semi-gloss). The swinging door is a standard solid-core door. The door color is Benjamin Moore’s “Mysterious” (AF-565) in a gloss finish. The round mirror with a wooden frame is 9 inches in diameter. A brass kick plate and push plate (both from Baldwin Hardware) are attached to the door. (via Tim Barber Architects)

16. The Warmth of Wood. The countertops are concrete, made by Cement Elegance out of Bend Oregon. The backsplash is Settecento- New Yorker Series. White Matte. It’s a gorgeous tile and reasonably priced. The cabinets are Douglas Fir wood. For the corner cabinets, the designer used a blind corner cabinet optimizer in one corner and a lazy Susan in the other. The flooring is marmoleum by Forbo. (via Encircle Design and Build)

17. Compact Chef’s Kitchen. The owner of this kitchen is a chef who teaches cooking classes. The kitchen was remodeled to achieve a professional-grade kitchen in an 11×7 footprint. The center island offers plenty of prep space with bookcases on the front for functional storage and display. The cherry cabinets have a warm nutmeg stain, while the countertops are quartz (selected for a marble aesthetic yet improved durability). Oversized retro pendant lights were selected for visual impact in this small space. The brick wall is original to this 1900’s home. (via Beautiful Habitat: Design & Decoration)

18. Bold Cabinet Paint Color. In this hardworking and incredibly functional kitchen, the cabinets are painted in Sherwin Williams “Foxhall Green”. The countertop and backsplash stone is Calacatta taupe quartzite. There is lighting hiding underneath the cabinets as well as outlets. Angled outlet strips by Legrand and Legrand lighting as well. The hood is a custom cabinetry hood surround made by Greenfield Cabinetry that is housing the blower and vent hood insert by Zephyr. The barstools are from Pottery Barn. (via Centered Interiors)

19. Kitchen With A View. In this award-winning house in Vermont, this small kitchen features a large window framing views of nature. The countertop is Absolute Black Granite with a honed finish. The tile is a crackle glaze very light grey. A similar tile can be found at Fireclay Tile. The island dimensions are approximately 3′ x 5′-6″. The bar stools are Arne Jacobsen from Design Within Reach. View the rest of this fabulous home: A Scandinavian-inspired home in Vermont beautifully connects to nature. (via Elizabeth Herrmann architecture + design)

20. Subway Backsplash Tile. The island color is Downpipe by Farrow & Ball, while the countertop is Mahogany with a food-safe oil coating. The Mahogany wooden shelves are custom fabricated and the brackets are from Rejuvenation. The bar is 35.5 inches, including a 12-inch overhang. The stools are from West Elm. The pendant lights are from Cedar and Moss. The flooring is a ceramic tile — Parquet Field Tile from Ann Sacks. Very easy to clean and maintain. (via Studio Miel)

21. Beautiful Butcher Block Island. This kitchen features a vintage Big Chill fridge and a butcher block island. When a kitchen is this compact, an island is a must. The island was acquired through Sonoma Antiques. The cabinets are painted in Edgewood Rocks 1056 | Benjamin Moore. The range is a Viking. A similar gooseneck light above the sink can be found at Barn Light Electric. (via Peter Lyons Photography for Vierra Fine Homes)

22. Invest in a Rolling Kitchen Cart. The countertop is Cashmere White Granite slab from Marble European. The island was custom-made as an accessory by Superior Wood Products. The island is 26″ x 33″. The top hangs over 1″ on three sides and 2″ above the paper towel holder. It is 36.5″ tall including the 3″ casters and the 1.5″ top. The paint color is Sage by C2. The fridge is a Thermador- 36-inch Built-In French Door Bottom-Freezer T36IT800NP. The range hood is a Thermador #HPWB36FS, Masterpiece Series Hood. The spice racks were custom-made. A similar look can be achieved with Rev-a-Shelf. The flooring is Next Step Engineered Wood made by Lauzon. Heritage series in Stained Birch. The grey color is called Urbanite. The kitchen is about 12′ x 14′ including the countertop peninsula. So the area is 168 square feet. (via Sandra Bird Designs)

23. A Warm Inviting and Chic Kitchen. This stunning kitchen is in a historic house in Charleston, South Carolina. The wall paint color is Sherwin Williams, SWSW 7023 Requisite Grey. A pair of Manchester counter stools are from Pottery Barn. Large windows capture views of an intimate courtyard. On the floors, Heart Pine hardwood flooring. (via Gaylord Design)

24. A Scandinavian Woodland-Inspired Kitchen. The shaker-style oak cabinets are painted in Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray, with an exterior eggshell finish. The countertops are Arenastone Quartz Engineered Stone, AR560 Bianco Venato. The kitchen island has a built-in exposed oak breakfast bar with beech stools. It also features under mounted Shaws double farmhouse-style sink. The island dimensions are 3116mm x 977mm. The pendants are the Caravaggio Matt by Lightyears, adding a subtle touch of color. Cole and Son Woods wallpaper beautifully compliment the kitchen with floating oak shelves, oak mantelpiece, and colorful ceramics adding the finishing touches. (via Sustainable Kitchens)

25. Neutral Color Combination. This gorgeous kitchen features a neutral palette and a minimalist feel. The floating shelves help to break up the monotony. The countertops are limestone, while the backsplash tile is by Zellige. The range hood is a custom plaster. The contemporary bar stools are from Thomas Hayes Studio in LA. (via Ashby Collective)