Because I have a very small kitchen and know many of you do, too, today I’m sharing a gathering of beautiful small kitchen ideas for 2024 into 2025. Even though most of these spaces are on the small side, they’re big on style and creative design solutions!
Whether you have a narrow or galley style kitchen layout, an open-concept space, an apartment kitchen, or are dealing with limited storage or counter space, these beautiful small kitchens are filled with ideas and inspiration for any style, budget, and size of kitchen.
In addition to small kitchen design ideas, you’ll find kitchen cabinet inspiration, kitchen island ideas, colors, storage solutions, kitchen counter decor, lighting and backsplash inspiration, and much more.
The Cabinet Gallery Utah – Cambridge Home Co.
Small Kitchen Design Ideas and Inspiration for 2025
This lovely European style kitchen, with touches of warm white, wood, and black, radiates a welcoming feeling.
Woven stools and lighting add a relaxed feeling and touch of warmth to this small beach themed kitchen. Here’s a similar woven pendant.
Creative kitchen cabinet planning and placement can offer abundant storage space in a small kitchen, as shown in this timeless kitchen design:
The Cabinet Gallery Utah – Cambridge Home Co.
This light and airy kitchen was designed by Studio McGee and Erin Hansen for Christine Andrew. Here is a source for the beautiful counter stools.
I love the mix of white oak and white kitchen cabinets and modern cone pendant lights in this beautiful small kitchen design from Jean Stoffer Interiors:
Removing some of the upper cabinets can make a small kitchen seem larger. The white cabinets, pendant lights, and counter stools make this space seem more spacious, as well.
Julie Howard for Timber Trails Development Company
When we renovated our very small kitchen, we removed two upper cabinets and installed open shelving, which we use every day. I love the additional light the removal of the cabinets allowed into this space, making the room feel larger.
I love the classic feeling of this beautiful small kitchen, with its dark blue lower cabinets, white upper cabinets, apron front sink, white subway tile backsplash, and brass sconces, faucet and hardware:
Meg McSherry Interiors – cabinet pulls – faucet
Placing the refrigerator inside a separate wall of cabinetry creates additional prep and cooking space in this beautiful kitchen design.
A dark navy blue island, wood beams, and woven counter stools bring a modern coastal feeling to this stylish small kitchen design:
Bria Hammel Interiors – counter stools – pendants
Love this timeless kitchen design with white floor-to-ceiling cabinets, glass and brass pendant lights, and seagrass counter stools:
Salt Design Co. – pendant lights – counter stools
This warm and wonderful kitchen design features wood beams and open shelving, along with a stunning stone wall backsplash and beautiful modern counter stools:
Adding abundant natural light to a small kitchen can make it feel larger. This lovely California coastal kitchen design, from Caroline Kilmartin, is a long-time favorite of mine:
This stylish kitchen design features one long marble shelf fitted above the marble backsplash, dark lower cabinets, a custom range hood, and jewel-like pendant lighting over the island:
Studio McGee – counter stools – pendant lights
Using shiplap as a feature wall and backsplash adds visual interest and helps create a focal point in this beautiful small kitchen from Work Your Closet.
Open shelving is a popular trend in small kitchen designs. Open shelving allows you to display your favorite dishes and accent pieces while also creating an open and airy feeling.
Pure Salt Interiors – similar pendants – similar pendants
Beautiful pendant lights and backless counter stools add a striking focal point to this small kitchen from Studio McGee:
The same counter stools work perfectly this stylish modern small kitchen design:
I love the idea of incorporating additional storage space in the kitchen island, as shown in this small modern coastal kitchen design.
Here are the same glass and brass pendant lights in another timeless small kitchen design.
This charming small kitchen design from Erin Kestenbaum features a long narrow kitchen island and dreamy blue cabinets (Harbor by Cliq Studios).
This small kitchen gets modern coastal style just right, with a neutral color palette and pared-back decor that conveys a relaxed feeling.
To create more space, this small open-concept kitchen incorporates a microwave and lower shelf in the kitchen island.
A wonderful way to create additional storage space in a small kitchen is by converting an adjoining room (in this case, a laundry room) into a kitchen pantry. From Jessica Marés at Renovate 108.
This stylish kitchen design is filled with inspiration for every size and style of kitchen.
Bullard Design Studio – Lindsay Salazar Photography – counter stools – pendants
Our kitchen is much smaller than the kitchen shown above, but since it has a similar style and layout, the same pendant lighting and counter stools work in our space, as well — although we can only fit two stools at our small kitchen island!
This timeless kitchen design features a masterful mix of brass sconces, a black lantern-style pendant light, and polished nickel faucet and cabinet pulls. From Jean Stoffer Interior Design:
I love this small yet stylish modern kitchen design, with its navy peninsula and white upper cabinets that draw your eye upward to the beautiful beamed ceiling. From Style by Emily Henderson | Photography by Tessa Neustadt.
Gorgeous natural woods and fresh greenery enhance this stunning galley kitchen from Mowery Marsh Architects:
A butcher block island brings extra workspace to this small kitchen design from Heidi Lachapelle:
This timeless kitchen design, from James May Homes, is a great example of how to mix white and wood cabinetry in an artful way.
The cabinet color in this beautiful kitchen, from Ginny MacDonald, is Wolf Gray by Benjamin Moore, but it definitely takes on a blue tone. The amazing blue tile floor is what sets this small space apart from the ordinary:
This light-filled kitchen features a mix of white oak and white kitchen cabinets, a tongue and groove covered island, and striking brass pendant lights.
This small kitchen design incorporates the oven and microwave in a tall cabinet. From Christopher Architecture – brass pendant lights.
This beautiful European farmhouse style kitchen features a patterned tile backsplash, rustic wood island, and vintage Turkish runner, from Amber Interior Design:
High ceilings create the illusion of additional space in this beautiful small kitchen design, featuring navy cabinets, a wrapped kitchen island, and touches of brass. Design by Brownstone Boys, via Domino.
Soft gray cabinets fitted with glass are a great way to display favorite china, glassware, and cookbooks in a small space:
This timeless kitchen features a classic mix of navy blue, white, and brass light fixtures. The blue island color is Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. From Andrea McQueen Design.
White upper cabinets create a feeling of spaciousness in a small kitchen. From Linnea Lions, via House and Home:
Stunning pendant lighting and floor-to-ceiling cabinets enhance this small kitchen design from Millworks:
Small Kitchen Island Tips
If you’re trying to decide what size and shape of island would work best in your small kitchen, I recommend using painter’s tape on the floor to help you visualize different sizes and configurations to optimize the traffic flow through your kitchen and any adjacent spaces.
To maximize your space, most kitchen designers recommend allowing at least 4 feet from the edge of the perimeter counters to the kitchen island to provide enough room for moving around and easy access for opening the dishwasher.
Backless counter stools or stools with a low profile are a great choice for small kitchen island seating.
The Life Styled Co. – counter stools – similar pendants
If your kitchen isn’t big enough to accommodate a small kitchen island, portable kitchen islands are a great way to add functionality and work space to small kitchens.
Here are a few freestanding kitchen islands and islands on wheels to add storage and prep space to a small space:
Portable kitchen island ideas
Where to Shop for Small Kitchen Decor and Lighting
Below are a few of my favorite places to shop for kitchen lighting, decor, stools, and fixtures for a small kitchen design on a budget. See my post, Modern Kitchen Pendant Lighting Ideas You Will Love, for more sources for beautiful kitchen lighting.
And here’s a selection of kitchen counter stools, lighting, backsplash tile ideas, faucets, and door and drawer pulls that would work well in a smaller space.
Kitchen Counter Stool Ideas
Kitchen Lighting Ideas
Kitchen Backsplash Tile Ideas
Kitchen Faucet Ideas
Cabinet Pulls and Knobs
For more kitchen design ideas and trends, here are a few related posts from Jane at Home:
A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Kitchen
2025 Kitchen Design Trends and Decorating Ideas
Modern Kitchen Pendant Lighting Ideas You Will Love
Kitchen Counter Stools: Beautiful Ideas for Every Style and Budget
Modern Coastal Style Kitchen Ideas for 2025
Beautiful Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
How to Design Your Perfect Kitchen Island, with Layouts, Cabinets & Tips
A Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Popular Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors
Interior Design Trends for 2025: Beautiful Home Decor Ideas to Try Now
2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Styles You Will Love
Quiet Luxury Style: How to Bring this Timeless Look to Your Home
California Casual Interior Design: How to Bring Chic West Coast Style to Your Home
Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home
How to Add a Touch of Nancy Meyers Style to Your Kitchen and Home
A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Bathroom
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