---
title: "Small Kitchen Design: Making the Most of Your Space"
description: A lot of interior design advice these days is geared towards large sprawling kitchens and baths, which can leave small kitchen owners feeling left out.
image: https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/hs-fs/file-566606604-jpg/images/small_kitchen_design.jpg
---

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# Small Kitchen Design: Making the Most of Your Space

[Ron Nanberg](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/author/ron-nanberg) | Wed, Mar 12, 2014 | [Kitchen Design](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/topic/kitchen-design)

![Small Kitchen Design](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/hs-fs/file-566606604-jpg/images/small_kitchen_design.jpg?width=426&height=285&name=small_kitchen_design.jpg "Small Kitchen Design")Are you feeling frustrated about your small kitchen design? It seems like most interior design advice these days is geared towards large sprawling [kitchens and master baths](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/bid/347809/Saving-on-Kitchen-Bath-Remodeling-Projects-by-Doing-Both-at-Once), which can leave condominium and small home dwellers feeling left out. Small kitchens are a joy to remodel. With the right design, you will have such a beautiful and completely efficient kitchen space - you won't even remember it's small.

Here are tips for making the most of your - shall we say - space challenged kitchen...

1. **Plan well**. Planning is key to making sure that every square inch counts. We recommend making a list of what you like and don't like about your current space. Use graph paper to sketch a scaled drawing of your kitchen dimensions and begin playing around with various layouts and ideas. Then [schedule a free consultation](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/request-a-consultation) with a professional kitchen designer. Together, you'll be able to brainstorm all the little extras that will keep your kitchen comfortable, user-friendly, and de-cluttered.
2. **Floor-to-ceiling cabinets**. Often, kitchen designs leave the last foot or so of ceiling open, in order to "create more space". However, in a small kitchen design it makes more sense to utilize every bit of the [floor to ceiling space ](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/Portals/265052/Gallery/Album/10878/Kitchen22.jpg)with highly functional cabinets. In order to create a more open feeling, we recommend using glass doors, or some open cabinet shelving as well.
3. **Smart storage**. Talk to your designer about your [functional cabinet options](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/bid/278100/Take-Your-Kitchen-to-the-Next-Level-with-Functional-Kitchen-Cabinets) including pull-out shelves and spice racks, hidden trash containers, corner cabinets with lazy susans, custom drawer organizers, etc.
4. **Use a peninsula**. Small kitchens usually won't accommodate the space for a kitchen island. In this case, we try to incorporate a peninsula. [Kitchen peninsulas](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/Portals/265052/Gallery/Album/10878/Bruce_Kitchen.jpg) work similarly to an island in the sense that they provide additional undercounter storage space on both sides. They make a wonderful dine-in area, a buffet space for larger gatherings, and provide extra surface area for food prep.
5. **Beware not-so-space-saving advice**. Some home design sites advocate hanging pots, pans, and utensils from the ceiling or the wall. Experience has taught us this results in a cluttered and closed-in effect. Keep airspace free and open. While upper-levels in ceiling-to-floor cabinets are harder to reach, you can use them for lesser-used items like holiday dishes and serving platters.
6. **Light and brigh**t. A small kitchen can be opened up considerably by [using light colored cabinets](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/bid/341247/Dream-Kitchens-Beyond-Your-Wildest-Imaginings), walls, and or tile work. Reflective surfaces can also help to make the space feel larger, similar to the way mirrors are used in interior design. If you can add a window or skylight, that's an added bonus. Your lighting design is also critical. You don't want lighting that casts a lot of shadows; that will make the kitchen seem smaller and more closed in. Instead, use a blend of recessed cans, pendant and/or overhead lighting and [undercabinet lighting](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/blog/bid/278100/Take-Your-Kitchen-to-the-Next-Level-with-Functional-Kitchen-Cabinets) so the kitchen can be bright day or night.

Don't be daunted by a small kitchen design. Contact[ Kitchens & Baths Unlimited](https://www.kitchensbathsunlimited.com/contact-us/), we'll create a kitchen you'll fall in love with.

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