If you’re looking to live large in a small kitchen, you’ll need an efficient layout and plentiful storage. The most common small kitchen layouts are the one-wall, the galley, the G-shaped, the L-shaped and the U-shaped. Your kitchen’s layout determines how easy it is to cook, eat and socialize there, so you’ll need to get creative if you want to give it a larger feel. Whether you’re starting from scratch or making do with a pre-determined footprint, your small kitchen layout ideas can be big on style and efficiency, as these examples prove.
1. One-Wall Kitchens
Most often found in small homes and studio apartments, the one-wall layout works by keeping all appliances, cooking tools and other meal prep necessities within easy reach. Some small kitchen layout ideas include sliding or pocket doors to help minimize a cluttered look. Some tips for making the most of this style:
- Place the range and refrigerator on opposite sides of the sink with counter space in between. This offers both prep and easy clean-up areas.
- If the room is not just small, but tiny, choose compact appliances such as 24” ranges and refrigerators, allowing for more cabinet storage.
- Create a small-scale sculptural island to give the illusion of a separate room. Consider one that’s open underneath so that it doubles as a table. Add some bar stools and you have a great place for entertaining, prepping meals or surfing the web while enjoying your morning joe.
2. Galley Kitchens
This layout takes its name from the galley of a ship or airplane. From a functionality perspective, they’re perfect, but with a narrow floor plan surrounded by appliances and counters, creating a feeling of space can be challenging.
- If possible, one end of a galley kitchen should open into a dining area; even better if both ends do, which helps bring in more light and creates a feeling of kinship with the rest of home.
- Choose glass-front upper cabinets and a decorative range hood to prevent a closed-in feeling.
- Include one tall cabinet that’s equipped with sliding drawers spaced far enough apart to accommodate small appliances, freeing up precious counter space.
- Putting the cooktop and sink on the same wall will keep the messiest area close to cleanup.
- Try turning a wall of cabinetry and appliances into an island, freeing up one wall and creating a modern update to the standard galley kitchen.
3. G-Shaped Kitches
This layout typically does not have room for an island, so a smart choice is having a closed in peninsula that hides kitchen clutter from adjoining spaces.
- Keep the peninsula proportional to the two adjoining areas, leaving at least four feet of room to get in and out of the kitchen.
- Include bar-type seating on the living area side of the peninsula, turning it into a cooktop or breakfast bar.
4. L-Shaped Kitchens
With the decline of the formal dining room, this layout’s a popular option consisting of two adjacent, perpendicular walls.
- Great for entertaining, multiple cooks and guests alike can mingle in this space during meal prep. Make the cook a part of the festivities by including a small prep island.
- To make an L-shaped into an eat-in kitchen, choose a good old-fashioned table and chairs set with a modern style. For big meal prep, the tabletop can double as a work surface.
5. U-Shaped Kitchens
Similar to a galley kitchen with one end closed off, this layout is designed for one primary cook. The small size presents some problems such as lack of room for a table and chairs, and appliance placement can be tricky.
- Try turning one “leg” of the U-shape into a peninsula by eliminating the upper cabinets and the wall. The counter can then be used as an eating or work area.
- Move the refrigerator onto the end of one of the legs and you’ll gain more storage and prep area near the range and oven.
- Use a wall-hung organizer to keep often used items within easy reach.
Additional Layout Tips For Small Kitchens
Other great small kitchen layout ideas make the most of underutilized spaces, interesting materials and smart use of lighting.
- Add a couple extra layers of storage by placing a shelf on top of cabinets that do not go all the way to the ceiling, or use that space as a bookshelf for your cookbook collection.
- Try a small stainless steel industrial table which doubles as counter space and add extra storage below for pots, pans and small appliances.
- Experiment with creative lighting such as sconces above the cabinets and picture lights over artwork. A well-lit space always appears larger than it really is.
- Add a mirror to the backsplash. They’re perfect for bouncing light around the room and can double the room’s appearance.
- Finally, a neutral tone-on-tone color scheme is always great for creating the illusion of space.
