Tips for Small Kitchens Design Ideas 2011 By Kayla Kitts

Kayla Kitts is a senior in Journalism & Electronic Media, with an emphasis on magazine writing. She is also pursuing an English minor and plans to graduate in May 2010. She was born and raised in Knoxville, Tenn. She attended the College of Charleston, in Charleston, S.C., her freshman year but transferred to the University of Tennessee a year later.

She has a passion for traveling and spent a month touring Europe in 2005. She visited France, Italy and Malta as a student ambassador and met with various foreign leaders.

Kayla loves to attend UT sporting events, such as football and basketball. She was born a Vol fan and will always bleed orange and white.

Open Floor Plan

Make your small kitchen feel larger by following an open floor plan. Allow the space to carefully flow into the living or dining room. Change the wall colors from room to room to visually separate the two spaces. RMS user pilonieta kept the kitchen walls neutral but added a pumpkin-orange hue to the living room walls to show a bold and clear room divide.

Clean Hues

Make a small kitchen feel open and airy by using a light color palette and plenty of natural light. RMS user heatherbullard coordinated white beadboard, a light travertine backsplash, glass-front cabinets and a soft yellow hue on the walls for an elegant cottage feel. 

Proper Lighting

Small kitchens are often filled with the wrong lighting, making the space feel dim and enclosed. Using pendant lights on the ceiling and fluorescent lighting below the cabinets will gracefully cast light off the countertops and backsplash, visually expanding the space and uplifting the overall tone and mood. Photo by Maxwell Mackenzie

Extra Storage

RMS user Felt So Cute renovated her small 1920s-style kitchen with clean, white cabinetry and a white, subway-tiled backsplash. The lime green accents add a playful splash of color without making the space feel busy or over-the-top. Take advantage of extra wall space by adding additional cabinetry and drawers. This will keep kitchen essentials organized and stored, while clearing up the countertops.

Downsized Appliances

Light wood cabinetry and a large, open window prevent this small, apartment-style kitchen from feeling cramped. In an extra-tiny kitchen like this, downsizing is the best way to go. A pint-sized stove, range hood, microwave and kitchen table are in proportion to the space and take up less space than their large predecessors.

Clear Countertops

This Manhattan apartment presented a small floor plan with an even smaller kitchen. RMS user ruffingit renovated the entire space and updated the kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and modern cabinetry for a clean look. A long, granite-top island separates the kitchen from the living room and provides extra seating and cooking space. When using an island as a room divider, be sure to keep the top clear and clutter free.

Sleek and Simple

The sleek, clean lines of this kitchen prevent the space from looking or feeling small and cluttered. Designer Ammie Kim kept busy decor to a minimum and allowed the glass-tile backsplash to be the colorful — yet soothing — focal point. When using the deep-toned cabinetry, keep the surrounding walls and countertops neutral for a more balanced look.