Love spending time in your kitchen but feel limited on space? Creating a functional area where you can effectively cook, clean and entertain can be tricky in a small kitchen. To streamline your space and create an effortless organisation system, check out these easy small kitchen design ideas.

Small Kitchen Design Ideas

Finding decor and figuring out how to strategically place everything in a small kitchen can be difficult. Below we've outlined the top-rated small kitchen design ideas to try for yourself.

Build Out a Bold Backsplash

A bold backsplash is a great way to spice up a small kitchen without taking up any floor or worktop space. Subway tiles in matte black or white are a millennial trend that's going nowhere fast, and the added bonus is that subway tiles complement just about every type of decor. Moroccan and mosaic tiles are great if your appliances are monotoned and you want to add a pop of colour. We recommend mint or aqua tiles.

Tip: Tile is great for both backsplash and floors as it's nonflammable, slip-resistant, low-maintenance and relatively inexpensive.

Say Goodbye to Cabinet Doors

Kitchen cabinet doors are ideal for hiding away all your groceries and utensils however, removing them is an easy way to make your kitchen look bigger and add depth. Keep the inside of the cabinets neat by using wicker baskets to store cupboard supplies. If you can't remove the cabinet doors, use the space above the cabinets for added storage instead.

Roll Out a Rug

Rugs are great because they're available in so many sizes, making them ideal for maximising small kitchen ideas. If you have a galley kitchen, consider a runner rug to fill the space between your island and worktops. If you're working with a U-shaped or one-wall kitchen, opt for a 70 x 140cm rug. It's just big enough to give you a comfy spot to stand but still small enough that it won’t overwhelm the room.

Tip: Don't forget a rug gripper - they're a must-have for kitchen rugs.

Add a Little Plant Life

A great small kitchen design idea is to add plants or herbs to either the windowsill or with a hanging planter. They won't take up any kitchen counter space and they'll add something fresh to your space.

Tip: Interested in learning more about apartment gardening or what would grow best in your space? Check out our guide on how to grow your own vegetables at home.

Furniture Ideas for Small Kitchens

You really have to think outside of the box for furniture when it comes to small kitchen ideas. Multipurpose pieces are your best friend, especially furniture items you might not normally think to put in the kitchen. Check out our top three furniture ideas for small kitchens below.

Bring In a Bookcase

A bookcase might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to kitchen furniture, but a tall, slender bookcase is a great storage solution. A slim bookcase won't take up a lot of floor space and its tall height is ideal for storing all your glasses, plates and serveware.

Prop Up a Pub Table

If you spend a lot of time eating meals in your kitchen or need a multipurpose space to work from home, bring in a pub table. These smaller tables are great for one or two people and act as a bonus workspace.

Tip: Need help organising a small dining room? Check out our 8 small dining room ideas guide.

Utilise Wall Shelves

Open wall shelves are great for storing dishes and glassware. Keep open shelves as pared down as possible - the less items you have out, the bigger and tidier your kitchen will look. Install hooks to hang up pots and pans in the space underneath the shelves. If you don't have the wall space for shelves but you do have a window, consider installing wall hooks across the top of your window to hang pots, pans and kitchen utensils.

Lighting Ideas for Small Kitchens

Lighting is one of the easiest small kitchen ideas to make your space pop. The more lighting you have in the kitchen, the brighter and bigger it will feel. If your dining table is in the kitchen, hang a chandelier above it. If you have a counter with bar stools, try twin pendant lights instead. Wall lights can easily brighten up any space. And if you have a corner with no under-cabinet lighting, set a lamp there to lighten it up.