Kitchen Guides
30 of the Best Small Kitchens From Around the World
Seeking design ideas for your modestly sized kitchen? Look no further – we've gathered our all-time favourites on Houzz
A tiny kitchen presents all sorts of design challenges, including where to squeeze in storage and how to maximise bench space. But as these 30 smart small kitchens illustrate, it can be done. So if you’re looking for ways to make the most of your own space-challenged kitchen, read on.
2. Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Why we love it
G-shaped kitchens are a great way to deliver an extra work surface and storage. And we’re loving how Davis Architects has chosen a predominantly white colour scheme for this 2.9 x 3 metre kitchen, to prevent it from appearing closed in.
Why we love it
G-shaped kitchens are a great way to deliver an extra work surface and storage. And we’re loving how Davis Architects has chosen a predominantly white colour scheme for this 2.9 x 3 metre kitchen, to prevent it from appearing closed in.
3. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it
Running dramatic feature tiles from floor-to-wall draws the eye the full length of this kitchen and distracts from the room’s narrowness. Gold detailing in the tiles adds an unexpected touch of glamour – perfectly fitting for a kitchen in the fashion capital of the world.
Here’s all you need to know about where to use which tile
Why we love it
Running dramatic feature tiles from floor-to-wall draws the eye the full length of this kitchen and distracts from the room’s narrowness. Gold detailing in the tiles adds an unexpected touch of glamour – perfectly fitting for a kitchen in the fashion capital of the world.
Here’s all you need to know about where to use which tile
4. Location: Malmo, Sweden
Why we love it
It’s the little details we can’t go past in this kitchen – how the grey in the checkerboard tiled floor perfectly matches the painted cabinetry, and the use of grout to highlight the shape of the white subway tiles. Tiny, but perfectly formed.
Why we love it
It’s the little details we can’t go past in this kitchen – how the grey in the checkerboard tiled floor perfectly matches the painted cabinetry, and the use of grout to highlight the shape of the white subway tiles. Tiny, but perfectly formed.
5. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it
Open shelving is an inspired choice in this compact timber-and-white kitchen – it keeps the space feeling open and airy. It helps, of course, when your dinnerware coordinates perfectly with your colour scheme.
Why we love it
Open shelving is an inspired choice in this compact timber-and-white kitchen – it keeps the space feeling open and airy. It helps, of course, when your dinnerware coordinates perfectly with your colour scheme.
6. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it
Because a minimalist colour palette and fuss-free detailing are the keys to making a narrow kitchen feel more generous than it actually is. We’re also loving the on-trend mid-century vibe of the space. Nicely done, Amazema Interiors.
These are the must-haves of a small open kitchen
Why we love it
Because a minimalist colour palette and fuss-free detailing are the keys to making a narrow kitchen feel more generous than it actually is. We’re also loving the on-trend mid-century vibe of the space. Nicely done, Amazema Interiors.
These are the must-haves of a small open kitchen
7. Location: London, UK
Why we love it
A bold turquoise-tiled backsplash is an inspired choice for this quirky London kitchen. A hammered copper sink and trailing plants add to the fun, quirky feel.
Why we love it
A bold turquoise-tiled backsplash is an inspired choice for this quirky London kitchen. A hammered copper sink and trailing plants add to the fun, quirky feel.
8. Location: London, UK
Why we love it
A two-tone palette can be your best friend in a small space. Choosing white rather than grey for the upper cabinets means they appear to recede into the pale walls, making the space feel nice and airy.
Why we love it
A two-tone palette can be your best friend in a small space. Choosing white rather than grey for the upper cabinets means they appear to recede into the pale walls, making the space feel nice and airy.
9. Location: London, UK
Why we love it
No space for wall cupboards? Focus on making the most of your base units instead. Here, the owners have installed multiple deep drawers in place of cupboards so as to get the most from their storage potential. The charcoal finish contrasts beautifully with the white wall tiles.
Learn how to pack a punch in the kitchen
Why we love it
No space for wall cupboards? Focus on making the most of your base units instead. Here, the owners have installed multiple deep drawers in place of cupboards so as to get the most from their storage potential. The charcoal finish contrasts beautifully with the white wall tiles.
Learn how to pack a punch in the kitchen
10. Location: Malmo, Sweden
Why we love it
Freestanding industrial-style storage furniture is a smart choice for a compact kitchen – it has a cool, casual feel, takes up minimal space, and can house an impressive amount of kitchenware.
Why we love it
Freestanding industrial-style storage furniture is a smart choice for a compact kitchen – it has a cool, casual feel, takes up minimal space, and can house an impressive amount of kitchenware.
11. Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it
This tiny kitchen punches well above its weight in the style stakes – we adore the colour blocking and particularly how the shades pick up on the colours in the floor tiles.
Why we love it
This tiny kitchen punches well above its weight in the style stakes – we adore the colour blocking and particularly how the shades pick up on the colours in the floor tiles.
12. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it
White-washing is a classic technique for making a small space appear bigger, and it works a treat here. Even the oven and fridge are given the white treatment, creating a bright, seamless feel.
Why we love it
White-washing is a classic technique for making a small space appear bigger, and it works a treat here. Even the oven and fridge are given the white treatment, creating a bright, seamless feel.
13. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it
Black laminate cabinetry with minimalist lines makes this kitchen feel more like a design showpiece than a practical cooking space – the perfect tone for a sophisticated open-plan kitchen-cum-social area.
Why we love it
Black laminate cabinetry with minimalist lines makes this kitchen feel more like a design showpiece than a practical cooking space – the perfect tone for a sophisticated open-plan kitchen-cum-social area.
14. Location: Rome, Italy
Why we love it
We’re loving how the change in floor tiles signifies the end of the open-plan living space and the start of the kitchen – subtle but effective.
Why we love it
We’re loving how the change in floor tiles signifies the end of the open-plan living space and the start of the kitchen – subtle but effective.
15. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Why we love it
A black-and-white colour scheme, oodles of open storage, and a multitude of space-savvy drawers – a simple but effective solution for a narrow room by Stuart Osman Building Designs.
See how to play with ebony and ivory scheme at home
Why we love it
A black-and-white colour scheme, oodles of open storage, and a multitude of space-savvy drawers – a simple but effective solution for a narrow room by Stuart Osman Building Designs.
See how to play with ebony and ivory scheme at home
16. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it
Wall-mounted storage, lashings of white, and a teeny table for two – what’s not to love about this charming, bijou kitchen?
Why we love it
Wall-mounted storage, lashings of white, and a teeny table for two – what’s not to love about this charming, bijou kitchen?
17. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it
It’s the carefully considered touches here that we can’t go past, such as the luxurious marble backsplash, the timber trim and the sweet display nook at the end of the wall cupboard.
Why we love it
It’s the carefully considered touches here that we can’t go past, such as the luxurious marble backsplash, the timber trim and the sweet display nook at the end of the wall cupboard.
18. Location: Adelaide, SA
Why we love it
A pair of curvy pendants hung at different heights above the benchtop creates an eye-catching feature, and is an effective way to break up the sharp lines in this compact kitchen.
Why we love it
A pair of curvy pendants hung at different heights above the benchtop creates an eye-catching feature, and is an effective way to break up the sharp lines in this compact kitchen.
19. Location: Milan, Italy
Why we love it
A striking black-and-white palette, a chalkboard wall, and a peninsular unit set at a lower height for casual dining. This kitchen is simply too cool for school.
Here’s how to make your own chalkboard paint
Why we love it
A striking black-and-white palette, a chalkboard wall, and a peninsular unit set at a lower height for casual dining. This kitchen is simply too cool for school.
Here’s how to make your own chalkboard paint
20. Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it
Sleek, built-in cabinetry one minute, working kitchen the next – a brilliant solution for a small, open-plan space.
Why we love it
Sleek, built-in cabinetry one minute, working kitchen the next – a brilliant solution for a small, open-plan space.
21. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it
Making the most of your vertical space is a wise move in a small room. Taking shelving right to the ceiling and hanging a folding chair on a hook on the wall keeps this kitchen clear and uncluttered.
Why we love it
Making the most of your vertical space is a wise move in a small room. Taking shelving right to the ceiling and hanging a folding chair on a hook on the wall keeps this kitchen clear and uncluttered.
22. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it
Sumptuous, textured panelling transforms this tiny kitchen into a dramatic feature.
Why we love it
Sumptuous, textured panelling transforms this tiny kitchen into a dramatic feature.
23. Location: Cuneo, Italy
Why we love it
Clever lighting and a striking colour choice make this wall unit appear to float in mid air, detracting attention from the kitchen’s compact dimensions.
Why we love it
Clever lighting and a striking colour choice make this wall unit appear to float in mid air, detracting attention from the kitchen’s compact dimensions.
24. Location: Rome, Italy
Why we love it
Taking cupboards the full height and width of walls, as the owners have done here, gives you plenty of space to store kitchen paraphernalia and mess away. Finishing them in the same white as the surrounding walls reduces the sense of bulk.
Why we love it
Taking cupboards the full height and width of walls, as the owners have done here, gives you plenty of space to store kitchen paraphernalia and mess away. Finishing them in the same white as the surrounding walls reduces the sense of bulk.
25. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Why we love it
An abundance of light, greenery and smart storage mean that the kitchen in this tiny house (which also acts as a dining room and study when required) doesn’t feel cramped or cluttered.
Why we love it
An abundance of light, greenery and smart storage mean that the kitchen in this tiny house (which also acts as a dining room and study when required) doesn’t feel cramped or cluttered.
26. Location: Turin, Italy
Why we love it
Not only have the owners here cleverly concealed their kitchen behind a sliding door, but they’ve carried through the same red-and-white palette as the rest of the room scheme for a cohesive look. Stunning.
This is why you need internal sliding doors
Why we love it
Not only have the owners here cleverly concealed their kitchen behind a sliding door, but they’ve carried through the same red-and-white palette as the rest of the room scheme for a cohesive look. Stunning.
This is why you need internal sliding doors
27. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it
Despite a lack of space and an awkward layout, the owners of this kitchen have managed to squeeze in a fully functional kitchen and even a spot to eat.
Why we love it
Despite a lack of space and an awkward layout, the owners of this kitchen have managed to squeeze in a fully functional kitchen and even a spot to eat.
28. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it
While it’s by no means the smallest one in our collection, this kitchen designed by Danny Broe Architect in a renovated Victorian cottage captured our attention. We adore the way the architect has used four blocks of colour to to define the different zones within the kitchen, and how the large window fills the space with light.
Why we love it
While it’s by no means the smallest one in our collection, this kitchen designed by Danny Broe Architect in a renovated Victorian cottage captured our attention. We adore the way the architect has used four blocks of colour to to define the different zones within the kitchen, and how the large window fills the space with light.
29. Location: London, UK
Why we love it
Who says you can’t fit a dining spot into your tiny kitchen? Take inspiration from the owners of this London kitchen designed by Studio ATARA and opt for space-savvy built-in seating and a round table that takes up minimal room.
Why we love it
Who says you can’t fit a dining spot into your tiny kitchen? Take inspiration from the owners of this London kitchen designed by Studio ATARA and opt for space-savvy built-in seating and a round table that takes up minimal room.
30. Location: Vienna, Austria
Why we love it
Marble, white and lashings of light set a sophisticated tone in this small kitchen. And we’re loving the carefully considered touches, such as a little nook for the coffee machine and how the breakfast bar is perfectly sized to fit two barstools.
Read more:
10 Genius Ways to Maximise Space in a Small Kitchen
Tell us:
Which of these kitchens is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
Why we love it
Marble, white and lashings of light set a sophisticated tone in this small kitchen. And we’re loving the carefully considered touches, such as a little nook for the coffee machine and how the breakfast bar is perfectly sized to fit two barstools.
Read more:
10 Genius Ways to Maximise Space in a Small Kitchen
Tell us:
Which of these kitchens is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
Why we love it
We’re often told that a light colour scheme is best for small spaces, but a rich palette such as this one can deliver surprisingly warm and elegant results.