Pairing a light palette with tiles that introduce dimension and cabinet lighting effects, this small kitchen looks much larger than its small footprint. Photo Courtesy of MasterBrand CabinetsIn many kitchens, certain narrow areas become unused space. When designing your small kitchen, make sure that you maximize all areas, including that small space between the fridge and the wall and the opening between the stove and the base cabinets.

• This Shaker kitchen, in shades of blue and grey, has been fitted with Cotswold Bun Knobs and Cotswold Cup Pulls in burnished brass finish from Armac Martin.
• Interior designers Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas deliberately went for exciting contrasts when renovating this apartment in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood.
• This understated kitchen design includes bare concrete walls, wood floors, wood cabinet doors and shelving.
• The rainfall effect helps evenly distribute water, so the grinds steep consistently.
• Flowing lines and soft curves create spaces that are easier to navigate, with no sharp corners that the brain subconsciously looks to avoid.

Offering privacy when needed, as well as a sense of intimacy when night falls, a fabric blind or kitchen curtains make a wonderful cozy kitchen idea. You nurture, nourish, and entertain in this space and it should reflect your own uniqueness, beauty, and sensibility,’ says interior designer Linda Sasson. The silver U-shaped faucet stays in theme with the stainless steel appliances and brings out the gray veining of the countertops for a fresh feel. The floors feature emerald and white checkerboard tiles, while the backsplash has a playful diamond and square-shaped pattern. Shagun Khare is a freelance writer covering interior design, lifestyle, and culture. She is a true design enthusiast, always keen to dote on beautiful spaces, furnishings, and architecture.

Integrate a cutting board into your countertop

Consider curved cabinetry and work surfaces for a sleek, modern look. In this kitchen design by Scenario Architecture, a LED strip has been recessed into the ceiling, giving a good spread of light without compromising the site lines through the space. A U-shaped layout could be the most efficient choice for a small space kitchen as it allows a good number of cabinets. With two corners in the layout, use pull-out internal fittings that permit access to all the contents of these cabinets to maximize storage. ‘Don’t be afraid to use color – even really bright colors in high gloss finishes, such as lime green, blue, lilac or pink. It’s a great way to give your kitchen a boost if you haven’t got a great deal of space to play with,’ advises Adrian Stoneham of Stoneham Kitchens.

• Modern kitchens are functional, stylish, and built for contemporary lifestyles.
• A contrasting monochrome color scheme is an easy way to visually divide the space into separate areas which is key to modern kitchen design.
• As you design your modern kitchen, you probably put the majority of your attention towards your cabinetry and countertop choices—but if you’re overlooking your floors, you’re doing yourself a disservice.