This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Common misconception: small spaces must sacrifice style in favour of savvy storage solutions. *NEWS FLASH* you can have both with these small apartment kitchen ideas!
Just because your little haven is matchbox-sized, it doesn’t mean you have to forfeit style and personality in your kitchen. There are so many huge ways to bring the heart of your teeny-tiny apartment to life.
Keep scrollin’ for some of our favourite small apartment kitchen ideas!
13 Small Apartment Kitchen Ideas
Customise the Layout
If you’ve been searching high and low for small kitchen layout ideas and can’t find *anything* to match your available space, it’s time to go against the grain. Throw all the rules and “norms” out the window and do your own thing.
Budget dependent, we love having a little fun with uniquely customised kitchen countertops. Explore varying layouts, heights, shapes, and designs to make the space work for you.
Opted for wall cabinets and want to utilise every available inch? We’ve got 15 kitchen decor ideas above cabinets to fill empty space!
Add a Freestanding Island
Very small kitchen ideas on a budget are hard to come by, but this one comes out on top for us – adding a freestanding kitchen island.
Almost doubling your countertop space (depending on your kitchen size), this easily transportable kitchen furniture piece is also perfect for renters in desperate need of more food prep space. And the best
Utilise Wall Space
Your walls aren’t just reserved for pretty tiles and practical splash backs – consider them the ideal blank canvas to hang some of your most-reached for utensils.
Even items such as chopping boards or mugs can be suspended from an aesthetic rack, freeing up all-important countertop space.
Feeling like your kitchen is lacking something? Get your space in order with our free kitchen checklist!
Perfect Your Lighting
It’s not uncommon for small-scale apartment kitchens to be tucked away at the back of your space, compromising natural daylight. So, introducing *hidden* spotlights on the underside of your units is a savvy idea.
But, it’s important to consider that the materials of your cabinets and countertops also go hand-in-hand with this. A high-shine, glossy finish will reflect light in abundance, further brightening your kitchen. Whereas a matt finish tends to absorb light, making dingy spaces appear even more moody.
Go Floor-to-Ceiling
We’re tired of saying this (and we apologise if you’re tired of hearing it) – when you’re short on floorspace, build upwards.
Utilise every available inch of your wall, and utilise it well. Avoid implementing design elements purely for aesthetics. Practical features will be much more valuable in smaller spaces.
Choose a Dinky Sink
This is 100% one of the most underrated small apartment kitchen ideas, and we think we know why – homeowners aren’t being realistic about their needs.
Let’s break it down. If you’re living in a super compact apartment, the likelihood is that you either live alone or with one to two other people. In this case, a big sink isn’t a necessity, it’s a luxury. Especially if you have a dishwasher, cutting down your sink size to maximise countertop space is a genius space-saving design.
Opt for Built-In Appliances
Offering a sleek, streamline look and the power to hide ugly socks or cables, built-in appliances will always have our hearts. And there’s no doubt they help to save bundles of space by cutting down on chunky freestanding pieces, too.
Embrace a Corner Sink
Not willing to compromise on the overall size of your sink? Then it’s time to play around with your countertop design and layout.
A clever way of adding a decent size basin is to push it all the way into the corner section of your kitchen, making use of that awkward L-shaped area. Choose a sink with a drainer to really maximise functionality and ease of use.
Wave Goodbye to Wall Cabinets
If you’re looking for small apartment kitchen ideas to really open up your space, leaving your walls free of cabinets is an excellent idea.
Oftentimes, clunky, chunky units overhead only make a tiny room feel even tinier, creating a boxed-in-like feel. Opt for a statement tile or bold wall colour instead to bring the visual intrigue without the weight.
Create Multifunctional Spaces
Disclaimer: we totally understand this stylish concept is better suited to open-plan apartments.
If you’re lucky enough to have the floorspace for a compact kitchen island, we’re obsessed with maximising this surface to combine cooking facilities with a spacious eating area.
Go Handleless
Think about it: in smaller spaces, a flush, streamline design is *always* best regarding your hardware (or lack of).
It might seem totally irrelevant to some, but having awkward handles that protrude an inch or two from the cabinet will only be a magnet for clothing to get caught on. And, visually, they interrupt up the sleek finish of cabinets, diminishing the overall aesthetics of the space.
Keep It Bright & White
See how vibrant and welcoming this apartment kitchen is with all-white cabinets? Even without the window, you can visualise how the light tones would illuminate such an awkward space.
And we know what you’re thinking – “where’s the personality?” Think of white cabinetry as the foundation of your kitchen and add your own style on top. You can experiment with colourful accessories, patterned tiles, or standout appliances. Monochrome is never boring when executed in the right way.
Swap Cabinets for Shelves
Designing a small kitchen is as much about making it functional as it is about making your life as the property owner as simple as can be. Wall-mounted cabinets are incredible if you want maximum storage space, but the doors are a space-saving nightmare when open.
Switching them out for open shelves might be a better option – especially if your dinky kitchen is a seriously awkward shape. And it presents an opportunity for a little personalisation with funky accessories.