A small kitchen doesn’t have to feel small. There are many ways to maximize space even with a tiny footprint. We’ve seen million-dollar homes with surprisingly small kitchens, but their layouts make them feel as large as possible. Check out these tips to find the best small kitchen layout for your home.
Best Layouts for Small Kitchens
There are many types of kitchen layouts available. Some work better for certain spaces than others. The location of your kitchen and the square footage for the room will determine which layout works best for your needs. Some common layouts for small kitchens include:
- L-Shaped Kitchen Layout: The cabinets form the shape of an L on two walls, leaving open space for a table or walkway.
- Island Kitchen Layout: The cabinets run along one wall of the kitchen, and then an island in the middle provides additional work and prep space.
- Galley Kitchen Layout: The cabinets are placed on two opposite walls of the kitchen, leaving a walkway in the middle to pass through.
- Row Kitchen Layout: Sometimes there is no other option than to run all of the cabinets and countertops along one wall. This is common for kitchens that open into larger spaces, such as a great room or dining area. If there is not enough space for a built-in island, there may be room for a mobile island that can be pushed out of the way as needed.
The kitchen configuration you choose will be based on where the windows are, how many walls you have, how the kitchen connects with other spaces, etc. No matter what you choose, make sure your sink, fridge and cooking appliances create a triangle pattern in the kitchen. This is the ideal flow in a kitchen, regardless of its size.
How to Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen
The best small kitchen layout is a functional one. You may need to get creative to maximize the space available to you. Here are some tips for utilizing space in a small kitchen.
- Run the cabinets to the ceiling. Many upper cabinets stop several inches below the ceiling, but that could be vital storage space. Tall cabinets will help the kitchen look and feel bigger, specially in a light color. Make use of that extra space to store seasonal kitchen items and rarely-used appliances.
- Fill the gaps with additional storage. Is there a four inch gap between your fridge and the wall? You could use that for a narrow rolling pantry. If you have space between the stove and the cabinets, that is another space for rolling storage. Look for areas that are currently going to waste, and make use of them during your kitchen renovation.
- Avoid open shelving. Open shelves are trendy, but they are not ideal for small kitchens. You need all the storage you can get, and open shelves simply aren’t as effective as cabinets. If you already have open shelves, consider using storage baskets on them to get as much on the shelves as possible.
- Add lights everywhere. Can lights in the ceiling, under-cabinet lighting, inside-cabinet lighting…you need lights everywhere. This will help the kitchen feel bigger and illuminate those tough-to-reach nooks and crannies.
- Keep the kitchen well organized. Organization is incredibly important in small kitchens because you don’t have room for clutter. Use containers to group similar items and keep everything tidy in your kitchen. There are plenty of pantry organization ideas on Pinterest that you can pull from for inspiration.
If you’re tired of living with a small kitchen, it might be time for a remodel. The designers at O’Hanlon Kitchens would be happy to evaluate your space and find the best small kitchen layout for it. Whether you want a simple cabinet swap or an entirely new kitchen, you an count on our talented kitchen contractors. To schedule your consultation for kitchen remodeling, contact O’Hanlon Kitchens at 443-285-0558. We proudly serve communities in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
