62 Best Small Kitchen Ideas to Maximize Your Space

In a small kitchen, every inch of space matters. Take inspiration from Chris Loves Julia, and make room for built-in shelving right by the range. Chris uses it to keep a few go-to oils and spices within reach while cooking.

If your cabinets don’t reach the ceiling, use the top area to squeeze in a collection of containers for items you don’t use on a daily basis. Just make sure they’re pleasing to the eye like this setup from The House That Lars Built.

Go the DIY route like blogger Jen Woodhouse and use a coffee mug rack to free up much-needed cabinet space. Not only can it boost your kitchen’s function — it’s a fun way to showcase a pretty mug collection.

There’s no reason not to go bold with color in a small kitchen. If you can’t get enough of a daring shade like teal, take things up a notch by picking two color weights. Combining light and dark hues creates instant visual interest.

Highlight the beauty of vintage brass hardware with this shelf Alice & Lois made to display a small assortment of glassware. A dark wood stain was chosen to really let the brass detail shine.

Along with walls in Wildflower Honey from Dunn-Edwards, Studio DIY! created a wow factor by installing an open shelf directly above a brass pot rail. The shelf is the perfect spot for displaying vintage pieces, including art, while the pot rail below holds a few decorative pieces, dish towels and everyday utensils.

Karen of Sanctuary Home Decor managed to tuck a pair of short open shelves, styled with greenery, dishware and decorative accents, right next to her kitchen’s range hood. The wood shelving adds another element of texture to the space.

When you’re cooking in a pinch, the last thing you want to do is scramble to find the right utensils. A Beautiful Mess completely eliminated this frustration with a DIY wire rack to keep frequently used utensils handy.

Daring hues can completely transform a small space. Designer Karen Nepacena of Destination Eichler tapped Kerf Design to install cabinets in primary colors. “Kerf Design’s vibrant cabinet finish colors really stood out,” Nepacena says of the space. “We knew they were the perfect palette to work into the kitchen.”

Don’t overlook the side of your kitchen island. With the simple addition of a rail, you can give your favorite cutting boards and dish towels a home like this setup from The Merrythought.

Why settle for a blank wall when you can bring in a little personality with chalkboard paint? With just a few coats, Molly of Almost Makes Perfect created more than enough space for jotting down grocery lists, deadlines and more.

Take a cue from Tidbits & Company and place a tiered wooden shelf or two in a corner. Reserve them for plates, bowls and mugs that you use most often. Not only are the shelves functional — they look good, too.

A rolling kitchen island introduces extra counter space without the commitment to a permanent fixture. When guests are over, you can simply roll it to the side or into another room. Not to mention, this white island has drawers and a cabinet for storage.

See more at Domestically Blissful »

Take note from Donny Mak Design&Build and install large shelves in front of the kitchen window. Not only does open shelving provide storage for dishes and glassware, it’s a great place for houseplants to thrive.

Galley kitchens are long and narrow with cabinets lining both sides of the room. Although they tend to get a bad rap (some say they feel crammed), they can make cooking a breeze since all of your cabinets are within reach. Here, interior designer Julia Chasman makes this small space feel elegant with green cabinets and gold fixtures.

Here’s a crafty solution if you’re remodeling on a budget. Starting with simple base cabinets, this blogger built a rolling kitchen island with a butcher block countertop. Plus, she paints it a bright green that serves as a pop of color.

Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow »