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Small Kitchen Makeovers

With creative tricks to maximise space and make a room feel larger, these small kitchen makeovers from real homes offer plenty of inspiration for a compact cooking area. From clever colour choices that boost brightness levels, to layout hacks that pack in storage, explore these examples that show how to make most of every centimetre and corner. Delve into the details to discover ideas for a more open and spacious design, then head to our full collection of 100 Beautiful Kitchens for more looks we love.

1. Welcoming white

Make a small cooking area feel more inviting by pairing white cupboards, counters, and walls to brighten dark spots and give the illusion of a space.

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1. Welcoming white

White is a practical pick for a smaller space, as its fresh tone creates a light and airy effect. @c_rprojects has coupled this crisp hue with integrated handle cupboards, creating clean lines, which further enhance the open feel. If you are looking for a design that lasts, follow their lead – as white is a classic option that transcends trends and can be easily styled up or down.

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2. Integrate two tones

Choose the unfussy style of integrated handle fronts and select two contrasting tones for a simple way to make a small cooking area stand out.

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2. Integrate two tones

Mixing and matching shades creates a custom scheme that can help a small-scale design pack a punch. @theoldfarmhouseproject demonstrates how to achieve this with dual tones of white and graphite. Choosing j-pull door fronts reduces visual clutter and gives them the freedom to be bolder with colour without crowding the room. Placing the lighter cupboards above makes them fade into the background, so this space feels more open.

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3. Hello handleless

Cut back on unnecessary details by opting for the clean style of handle-free cupboards and craft a look that shows how small designs can be sophisticated.

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3. Hello handleless

Handleless cupboards have an uninterrupted surface with nothing to distract the eye, making them a great choice for a compact room. @no.29_reno has used them to create a pared-back space which appears bigger than its footprint suggests. The understated door fronts let the darker colour palette take centre stage without cluttering the layout. With no fiddly fixtures, they are faster to clean, making them a low-maintenance option, too.

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4. Reflect on gloss

Illuminate a small cooking zone by opting for gloss door fronts, which will bounce light around the room – a handy trick for gaining a greater sense of space.

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4. Reflect on gloss

The secret to making a floorplan feel bigger lies in maximising light. Be inspired by @jackwatsonkitchendesigns and choose our Hockley Mirror Gloss collection to boost reflections for a brighter interior. The door fronts have a lacquered finish that is the glossiest of our high-shine options. This surface is also easy to wipe down, which is useful in a small layout where spills and splashes can occur more easily when cooking.

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5. Make it monotone

Stick to a simple scheme of similar tones to make a slender cooking area feel more spacious. Coordinated cupboards and laminate counters will achieve this effect.

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5. Make it monotone

Using fewer colours in a design will make it feel more open, reducing visual distractions and enhancing the sense of space. @house_bythelake_renovation has done this by introducing borders and counters in a similar hue to their door fronts. Our laminate collection features a wide variety of shades and textures to help create a matching look. These surfaces are affordable and easy to care for too, providing a low-cost, long-lasting way to update a small room.

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6. Tower power

Clear clutter from work surfaces to gain more room for meal prep by placing small cooking devices, like microwaves, in tower units.

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6. Tower power

In a limited floor plan, look up to find the extra storage you need. Using tower cupboards, @renovating_number16 has neatly stacked their cooking equipment to make the most of every inch of wall space. This frees up counters by replacing freestanding devices. It also creates a more ergonomic layout that is functional and easy to use, which is essential if your living area is on the small side.

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7. Create clean lines

If your layout has a small footprint, opt for a washbowl that sits beneath the surface to craft a streamlined look that draws the eye through the room.

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7. Create clean lines

Every centimetre matters when space is limited. So, to make their cosy corner feel more spacious, @interior_escapes chose an undermount sink-bowl that is fitted below the work surface, for a neat and clean effect. With no cumbersome draining board, this also provides more room for cooking. Meanwhile, the deep bowl makes chores easy too, with plenty of capacity for washing up or rinsing ingredients.

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8. Build a breakfast spot

In a smaller floorplan, introduce a breakfast bar as a practical alternative to an island – a slimline spot for coffee breaks, casual meals, or catching up on work.

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8. Build a breakfast spot

Clever features, like a breakfast bar, can turn a small room into a multipurpose living area, as @speck.ofgold has demonstrated. With a narrow footprint that can be neatly positioned along a free wall, it provides a place to work or enjoy a leisurely lunch while taking up less space than a table. This slender design is quick and easy to replicate, making it a simple solution when you want to create a flexible seating section.

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9. Design in drawers

Keep a slim design neat and organised with clever storage. Versatile drawers can keep counters clutter-free, creating a place for devices, like a coffee machine.

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9. Design in drawers

Drawers maximise every inch of space, making them a great solution when you want to increase storage in a compact layout. It is also easy to see items and find what you are looking for in a drawer – handy when serving dinner. Take inspiration from @mint_scotland and go for two drawer units, which are deeper and can store bulkier items, like awkward pans or baking trays. This style also reduces cupboard lines for a more understated look.

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10. Light up your layout

Say goodbye to shadows while making a narrow room feel welcoming by getting creating with lighting, which will ensure you can enjoy a cooking area both day and night.

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10. Light up your layout

Introducing extra points of illumination is a clever trick to make a slender layout feel roomier. In this galley design, @pureplumbingandheatingservices has added lights beneath counters and along the plinths to form leading lines. This draws the eye through a small space, making it appear longer and more open. After dark, this creates an inviting ambience that welcomes you in, making entertaining much easier.

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