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Kitchen Layout Ideas for Small Kitchens

A small kitchen doesn't have to feel cramped. With the right layout and a few smart storage choices, a compact space can be just as practical — and often more efficient to cook in — than a large one. Here are the layouts and ideas that work best when floor space is tight.

Start With the Right Layout

Galley

Two parallel runs of units facing each other. The most efficient layout for a narrow room — everything is within a step or two. Aim for 1,000mm–1,200mm of clear floor between the runs so drawers and appliance doors open comfortably.

Single wall (in-line)

All units along one wall. Ideal for open-plan spaces and studio flats where you don't want the kitchen to divide the room. Combine base and wall units with a tall larder at one end to maximise storage in a small footprint.

L-shape

Units along two adjoining walls. Uses a corner efficiently and frees up the rest of the room for a small table. A carousel or pull-out in the corner unit stops that space going to waste.

Make Every Millimetre Work

  • Go tall. Take wall units up to 900mm high, or to the ceiling, to add storage without taking floor space. A run of tall units gives far more capacity than the equivalent base run.
  • Choose drawers over doors. Pan drawers give better access to the full depth of a base unit than a cupboard where things get lost at the back.
  • Use the corners. Carousels and pull-out corner units reclaim the dead space every small kitchen otherwise wastes.
  • Slimline appliances. A 450mm slimline dishwasher or a single oven leaves room for more storage than full-width versions.
  • Fold-down and pull-out extras. Pull-out larders, integrated bins and fold-away worktop extensions add function without permanent bulk.

Make It Feel Bigger

Light, reflective finishes bounce daylight around and open a small room up. Gloss doors, a pale worktop and handleless fronts all create clean, uninterrupted lines that make the space feel larger. Keeping the wall units the same colour as the walls, or choosing open shelving in place of some cupboards, lightens the look further.

Our door-style guide covers the gloss and handleless options that suit compact kitchens particularly well.

Plan It Properly

In a small kitchen, careful measuring matters even more — a few millimetres decide whether an appliance door clears a drawer. Our step-by-step planning guide shows how to measure up and lay out your units, and you can build your kitchen from our complete kitchen units. Any questions, call us on 02920 007 948.