Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Maximize Space

Our kitchen is often the most crowded part of our home, not just with foot traffic but with a lot of items to store and appliances to install. A kitchen remodeled to maximize space will look less cluttered, and in return, less crowded. Let us explore more of the kitchen remodel ideas as smart solutions to expand your small kitchen space.

1. Smart Layout Options For Small Kitchens

a. One-wall

Fig. 1. One-wall kitchen layout

One-wall layouts are usually for studio-type apartments or open-concept spaces. Kitchen counters, cabinets, and appliances are arranged along a single wall. This space-saving kitchen idea maximizes floor space and offers a minimalist aesthetic look. Installing tall cabinets along a single wall can also maximize vertical space for storage. Kitchenaid suggests arranging appliances in the order in which you’ll use them for optimal flow. Start with a refrigerator for food storage at one end, a sink for cleaning and prep in the middle, and finally, your cooking appliances—like a range and microwave—at the other end. While a one-wall layout provides a linear workflow in your kitchen, it creates an open and spacious feel that blends with different living areas in your home.

b. L-shape

Fig. 2. L-shaped kitchen layout

The L-shaped design can work in both small and spacious kitchens, maximizing your kitchen’s corner space. It is also ideal for open-concept living areas. You can elevate its aesthetic appeal by adding an island or a stylish kitchen cart. Grouping appliances according to their functions can help maintain a smooth flow in your kitchen. L-shaped layout uses an efficient work triangle design by creating work zones for prep, cooking, and cleaning in the kitchen, maximizing and adapting to your unique living space.

c. Galley

Fig. 3. Galley kitchen layout

Galley kitchen design is typically characterized by two parallel walls of cabinets and appliances with a central walkway. This layout maximizes space in small apartments with narrow kitchens, inspired by the compact kitchens on boats, trains, and planes, with rows of cabinetry and appliances placed on opposite walls where you can walk through in between. It can create a highly functional cooking environment since everything can be located within arm's reach. The best layout for your cabinets and appliances in a galley kitchen will depend on your storage needs and the width of the kitchen.

2. Vertical Storage and Floating Shelves 

Custom cabinets are excellent solutions for tackling clutter in your kitchen space. They offer a level of personalization tailored to fit your needs, boosting your kitchen’s functionality and storage. Customizing your cabinets is especially crucial in small kitchens, where maximizing storage and functionality is key.

Consider decluttering your kitchen counter space by using vertical storage and floating shelves. Remove your kitchen goods from packaging, as boxes and bags of grain take up space in your cabinets. Use stackable storage containers in your shelves to maximize vertical space. Kitchen experts agree that creating zones and stations is crucial to having order in a kitchen. You can let go of old manuals and menus to free up space in your drawers. Instead, you can display nostalgic framed menus on your kitchen walls. Find storage bins, baskets, tubs, or dispensers that keep everything in its place to save your kitchen counter space. Get creative with your storage solutions to help elevate your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Fig. 4. Kitchen’s open shelving by Modern Handymen & Remodel

3. Multi-functional Furniture

a. Foldable Tables

Conserve every square inch of floor area in your kitchen by using multi-functional furniture such as foldable tables and pull-out pantries. Foldable tables are tucked neatly against a wall or flipped down when not in use- a flexible working or dining space. This innovative kitchen style features modern and creative design to save your precious kitchen floor space.

b. Pull-out Pantries

Modular kitchen cabinets with pull-out pantry are trendy additions to your modern kitchen design. Your kitchen furniture can serve more than one purpose- increased storage and aesthetic appeal. Pull-out pantries showcase your freedom to customize, adapt, and evolve your storage space as your lifestyle shifts. They allow easy access to your stored goods and bulky items like pots, pans, and small appliances. Pull-outs are usually adjustable in height and spacing to accommodate various items. They are ideally customized for cabinets with wide openings. They are located under the counter or sink, providing easy access to cleaning or cooking supplies.

4. Lighting Tricks

Illuminating your kitchen with the right amount of lighting can be both functional and inviting. Create focal points in your kitchen by using lighting to highlight its beauty. Layered lighting is a must-do trick for dark, small kitchen spaces to make it look larger and spacious instantly.

If you are remodeling your kitchen, lighting upgrades can significantly enhance the space's visual appeal. Installing lighting at the right locations gives your small kitchen more depth and intention. You can highlight your kitchen countertop by installing LED under-lighting or a row of sconce lighting above the backsplash to make your kitchen feel cozy and collected. You can also hang a clear glass pendant or a chandelier over the kitchen walkway as a central ceiling light gives an instant, elegant touch to your kitchen ambience.

If you are building your kitchen from scratch, maximize the use of natural light whenever possible. Add a glass door or window that allows light from the adjacent rooms or the outside. Designers also recommend using reflective materials like a glossy backsplash, mirrors, or stainless steel that can bounce light around and make the kitchen feel brighter and bigger. You can also install a skylight for the natural lighting benefits.

5. Recommended Colors and Finishes

With a variety of interior colors to choose from, deciding what to paint your kitchen walls or ceiling can be challenging. The simplest way to choose interior paint colors for your kitchen is to start with the colors you love the most. If you have a small kitchen space, another factor to consider is choosing a color and finish to make your space appear larger. Neutral colors are among the most popular colors for a kitchen space as they can be stylish and relaxing at the same time. Strong and bold colors are also a modern option for kitchen spaces as they create a dramatic and sophisticated atmosphere. Be creative with how you use the colors to match your taste and overall home style. To give you some of the trendy options to visually expand your kitchen space, here are some of the recommended colors to choose from Modern Handymen & Remodel’s kitchen remodels:

a. Pure white creates a bright, clean, and versatile look for a kitchen space.

Fig. 5. White-painted kitchen remodel by Modern Handymen & Remodel

b. Greige is a mix of gray and beige tones, creating a neutral-toned geometric color block effect on the kitchen cabinets and walls.

Fig. 6. Greige-painted kitchen remodel by Modern Handymen & Remodel

c. Creamy yellow color adds extra warmth to your small kitchen space.

Fig. 7. Creamy yellow-painted kitchen remodel

d. Pale blue gives your kitchen a cool and calm feel, which complements bright-colored furniture and cabinets.

Fig. 8. Pale blue-painted with wooden accent kitchen remodel by Modern Handymen & Remodel

e. Sage green paint that gives your kitchen a zen feel- peaceful and relaxed.

Fig. 9. An ongoing sage green-painted kitchen remodel by Modern Handymen & Remodel

f. Black can be combined with off-white colors to create an elegant and modern look for your kitchen space.

Fig. 10. An elegant black-painted kitchen remodel by Modern Handymen & Remodel

Modern Handymen & Remodel offers smart-saving solutions for the challenges of small kitchens in Tennessee. Our team of expert kitchen remodelers takes on the challenge of every homeowner with a small kitchen. We will maximize your small kitchen’s space through our creative kitchen remodels. Make your kitchen feel twice the size—call us at 615-200-8071 and book your design consultation with us today!