An allover colour scheme helps to keep the look light and airy by seamlessly blending the cabinets into the kitchen walls. This will maximise the visible space and make your small kitchen ideas feel less cluttered. Choose an island with plenty of storage space underneath for stowing away vegetables and linens. A slight overhang from the counter top ensures that the kitchen island seating will fit easily underneath, avoiding any potential trip hazards. Broken plan is the new open plan, and small kitchens ideas can benefit from this style of layout. What you’re essentially doing is zoning the room with either full partitions which can be opened or pulled back when needed, or half partitions to give the sense of separate areas.

• Incorporate elements of the sea by using a coastal color palette mixed with natural textures such as driftwood, rattan, and sea glass to create a contemporary beachy vibe in your kitchen.
• Wood is back and is classically rich and elegant – think walnut paired with metal, texture or boldly-veined stone and hints of leather with the feel of an Art Deco bar or sumptuous home library.
• Choose an island with plenty of storage space underneath for stowing away vegetables and linens.

This small, but perfectly formed, Shaker-style kitchen is a great example of how having a small kitchen doesn’t have to mean compromising on the features you love. While the kitchen is open to the living area, the suspended shelving and the change of flooring define it as a distinct space. Jan Ulmer used two warm colors—apricot and eggplant—to create a room that feels both fresh and cozy. Cameron Schwabenton gave this kitchen a surge of energy with fun vintage pieces (those chairs!) and brass accents. The glossy dark blue cabinets are actually from IKEA—she just customized them with brass hardware. Cocktail accoutrement can take up quite a bit of valuable real estate in an already tight kitchen.

Go Dark

Make your dining table the design focal point of your kitchen with a rustic farmhouse table as seen above. It will look beautiful in contrast with your natural wood furniture and vintage kitchen appliances as seen above. As you curate, remember to consider the spaces around your kitchen—this is especially important if your home is open-concept.

The backsplash and walls are also designed with natural stone tiles that run all the way to the ceiling. Plus, the black quartz island is open to the living area so you aren’t isolated while cooking in the kitchen. This tiny kitchen maximizes its space with a beautiful combination of modern elements.

Add plenty of quirky displays for a rustic retro look

This kitchen featurestwo-tone cabinetryand open shelving for storage to visually heighten the room. An island on casters allows for additional surface space and can be moved if needed. The kitchen flows into the dining area with a built-in banquette that features hidden bonus storage. Forever a color hero, verdant shades of green are growing outdoor-in goodness into every interior space, and green kitchen ideas are all the sage rage.

• You could use different shades of the same colour, or use complimentary colours, but pairing light and dark will create a dramatic impact.
• The backsplash and walls are also designed with natural stone tiles that run all the way to the ceiling.
• Whether you’re giving your existing kitchen a facelift or building one from scratch, our kitchen design tips and ideas will ensure the results are on point.
• As open-plan kitchens are one of the more modern kitchen ideas, and we veer away from formal dining spaces, make sure you include a breakfast bar.
• The metallic fluting not only adds texture but helps bounce light around.

That’s the flexibility you get when you’re in control of the process. When reimagining your kitchen, look for inspiration everywhere—not just in other kitchens. You can pull design details from ritzy restaurants, cozy speakeasies, luxe hotels, and more. After all, the shade will become a defining element in your space—and you want to make sure it sets the right tone.