Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Are All About Function

Bright accents

Designer Natalie Hodgins made the most of her tiny kitchen with a light, neutral colour scheme, cheap and cheerful accessories, and practical built-ins like a quartz-composite peninsula table.

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California Cool

Stacy keeps items like linens and dishes in the island’s cupboards. “We talked about having seating at the island, but we didn’t have enough space, so we just made it into storage,” she says.  

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Vintage Inspiration

Since space was an issue in this small kitchen, homeowner and Style at Home executive editor Suzanne Moutis opted for square-footage-saving elements like an 18-inch dishwasher (instead of the typical 24-inch) and an overhang to act as a breakfast bar.

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Sophisticated and formal

Since this is the home's only dining area, a round table and cane-backed chairs were chosen to lend a more formal feel for intimate dinner parties hosted by homeowner Linda Paterson Bier.

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Urban and family-friendly

The look is urbane; the feeling is open and modern. Slim bar stools were selected to maximize space, as was the streamlined breakfast bar. All of them wipe clean – a must for family living.

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Colourful mosaics

Since the art-glass mosaic backsplash is such a standout feature in this small space, the other design elements remain subtle.

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Maximize counter space

Moving the sink down to the end of the small kitchen island versus placing it in the centre provides ample prep space.

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Airy architecture

Replacing the dropped ceilings with a smooth surface increased the space’s height by a foot, enhancing its airy vibe. The sustainable wide-plank birch floors also contribute to the light and spacious feel of the house. To create continuity, the same birch appears on the white Corian-topped island, which complements the less variegated birch on the nearby staircase.

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Modern and masculine

In lieu of a designated dining area, the kitchen’s breakfast counter saves precious floor space for more lounge-style seating. The T-back metal stools give the room industrial edge.

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Warm wood interior

The cabinetry blends into the exposed brick, making the space look less like a kitchen and more like an entertaining hot spot that flows with the rest of the home. "The mirror just ended up there when we moved in," says Rodney. But it tricks the eye by visually expanding the small space.

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Modern country

We invested in a pair of under-counter fridge drawers, rather than a full-sized model, in the main kitchen to maintain undisrupted views of the outdoors. We then placed a large fridge and freezer in a pantry area just outside the kitchen.

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Shabby chic

An oversized apron sink hides any accumulation of dishes in the cottage-style kitchen. Mini schoolhouse-style pendant lights tie in with the powder-blue island and lend retro charm to the room.

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Custom storage

"For kitchen renos, even ones on a budget, we encourage homeowners to consider custom components because it allows you to make the most of your space," says Nicola. A small work area in the corner is a better use of space than cabinetry.

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Timeless yet modern

To keep a compact corner open and airy, a floating shelf was custom built and painted to match the kitchen cabinetry. The shelf aligns with the bottom of the range hood for a neat look, and undermount lighting illuminates the prep zone.

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Nordic countryside

Christine had the sink smartly positioned in the centre of the island, so when she’s performing hosting duties, she can still chat with guests sitting at the dining table just beyond. And that’s not the island’s only benefit. Hidden within it are a fully integrated dishwasher, as well as a pullout waste-sorting system to make tidying up easy. 

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Small bachelorette pad

Drop-dead gorgeous wallpaper gives the tiny 9'x4' kitchen grand style. "With a small wall, you can do something impactful, so I chose a bold pattern that mimicked the palette," says Jessica. A great eye tricker: "The wood floors are on the diagonal, which creates the illusion of more space."

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Concealed storage

The owners need tons of storage in the kitchen, but they didn’t want it to look that way! “We had to find a balance between open and closed spaces,” explains Iman.

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Quirky charm

Homeowner and designer Tiffany Pratt asked her contractor to use leftover cabinetry and neon Plexiglas to build a narrow shelving unit next to her stove. It’s a bright burst of colour with a modern touch, providing a pleasing contrast to the classic Shaker-style cabinetry.

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