Living in a small apartment with a kitchen may feel more like a closet than a chef’s paradise. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With a few clever decorating tricks, you can turn your little area into a fashionable and useful culinary refuge. Even better, you can create a modern kitchen atmosphere while staying within your budget.
Make the most of what you have. Here are 35 little kitchen decoration ideas to help you make the most of your flat space and rediscover your love for the kitchen.
Things to Consider Before You Decorate
Hold on a sec, before you unleash your inner designer on your kitchen, take a quick pitstop for planning. A little prep work now will save you a mountain of frustrations (and a bruised elbow and shin) later.
Think about it this way: if you know you’re going grocery shopping for a week’s worth of meals, you wouldn’t just grab whatever looks good, right? You make a list to ensure you get everything you need. Decorating your kitchen is similar. It might be small, but it’s a workhorse. You gotta figure out what you’re “cooking up” style-wise. That means knowing what you need to store first, from your favorite spatulas to all those mismatched mugs to that giant pot you only use for holiday feasts.
Imagine falling head over heels for those gorgeous floating shelves, only to realize they won’t hold all your pots and pans. Or picture a cute little bistro table smack dab in the middle of your kitchen, blocking the flow between the fridge and the stove. Not exactly ideal for culinary bliss!
So, how do we avoid these decorating disasters? Measurement is key! Grab a tape measure and get familiar with your kitchen’s dimensions, noting the counters, walls, and existing appliances. This way, you can plan furniture placement that maximizes space without feeling cramped. After all, you want a functional kitchen, not a mosh pit!
Speaking of feeling cramped, let’s talk about traffic flow. Your kitchen is a ballet of activity – you’re chopping veggies, reaching for spices, or sometimes dodging a roommate who needs a refill on their water bottle. You must rethink your layout.
The golden rule is to keep the essential areas (the fridge, the sink, and the stove) in a clear traffic flow pattern. This “kitchen triangle” is where most of the action happens, so you want to be able to move between them naturally and seamlessly without feeling like you’re doing the limbo.
You see, a little planning goes a long way. Sure, it might feel tedious at first, but one thing’s for sure: you’ll be setting yourself up for a kitchen that’s both chic and functional. Hence, it’s better you don’t skip!
Floating Shelves
Say goodbye to bulky cabinets and hello to open spaces. Floating shelves are not only trendy but they also give you easy access to your most-used dishes, utensils, and ingredients.
Go Vertical
Hang ‘em high! Take advantage of more wall space with open shelves, a hanging pot rack, mounted knife magnets, or a magnetic spice rack. This frees up precious counter space and looks pretty darn cool too.
Lighten Up
Swap dark colors for light and airy shades. This goes for walls, cabinets, and countertops. Light reflects light, making your kitchen feel more spacious and airier.
Backless Stools
Tuck them under the counter when not in use. Backless stools are practical without compromising on style.
Over-the-Door Organizer
Utilize the often-overlooked space behind your pantry or cabinet doors with over-the-door organizers. Perfect for storing cutting boards, cleaning supplies, or spices!
Rolling Island
A small, rolling island gives you extra prep space. You can move it aside easily when necessary. Use it as a mobile bar cart or even a plant stand when not in use!
Pegboard Wall
Turn an empty wall into a versatile storage space with a pegboard, adapting to your changing needs. Hang pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils for easy access while brightening your kitchen with colorful accessories like dish towels and plant pots!
Clear Canisters
Replace bulky boxes with clear or decorative canisters for storing dry goods. It’ll keep things organized and add a touch of elegance to your cooking space.
Smaller Appliances
Downsize your appliances! Consider a toaster oven instead of a full-sized one, a single-serve coffee maker over a bulky pot, or a hand mixer instead of a countertop stand unit. This frees up counter space and makes storage a breeze. Plus, you can already find refrigerators and dishwashers of narrower or shorter sizes at similar or sometimes cheaper prices than their full-size counterparts!
Fold-Down Table & Chairs
If you’re short on dining space, get a fold-down table. Simply fold it up against the wall when not in use. Similarly, folding chairs or a breakfast bar that folds down are lifesavers in tiny kitchens. They provide extra seating when needed, but disappear when not in use.
Pendant Lights
Just because it’s a tiny kitchen doesn’t mean its lighting has to be! Light it up in style with trendy pendant light fixtures. Hang them above the dining space or kitchen island to create a focal point in the room.
Drawer Organizers
Keep your kitchen drawers neat and tidy with drawer organizers. Separate utensils, spices, and other essentials to maximize storage and minimize clutter.
Ceiling Wallpaper
Adding wallpaper to the ceiling is a modern small kitchen decor idea that draws the eyes upward, visually expanding the room. Choose a pattern that goes well with your kitchen’s elements. However, ensure good ventilation to prevent peeling from excess moisture!
Tilt-Down Drawer
Credits: Annie Schlechter
Utilize every nook in your small kitchen with a tilt-down drawer. Installed at your sink, it’s perfect for storing cleaning supplies and sponges that’d otherwise occupy precious counter space.
Utility Closet
Don’t clutter up your kitchen cabinets with items you don’t use daily. Have a designated utility closet for brooms, mops, dustpans, and other cleaning gear, leaving your kitchen cabinets free for essentials!
Vertical Herb Garden
Bring a fresh breath of life with a vertical herb garden in your kitchen. Hang small pots of herbs on a wall-mounted trellis or shelf for easy access while cooking. Alternatively, opt for low-maintenance small potted plants and hanging vines to make your kitchen greener and calming.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Illuminate your kitchen space and create a cozy ambiance with under-cabinet lighting. LED strip lights are affordable, easy to install thanks to adhesive backing, and ideal for those wanting to modernize their kitchen on a budget.
Corner Shelves
Don’t have space to spare for wall-to-wall open shelves? Utilize those wasted corners with small corner shelves. They’re great for displaying decorative items, cookbooks, or keeping everyday condiments and spices close at hand.
Fold-Out Pantry
Maximize storage space with a fold-out pantry. These slim cabinets are excellent for storing dry, canned goods, and spices without taking up valuable floor space.
Bottle Pull-Out
Love your wine collection but short on space (and budget) for a mini fridge? Install a bottle pull-out system for stashing your vino and other favorite beverages – canned drinks, juice boxes, sparkling water bottles, or even olive oil and vinegar. It keeps everything organized and easy to access!
Floor Rug
Don’t underestimate the power of a rug! It can add warmth, color, and texture to your small kitchen without making it feel crowded. Opt for a washable rug in a size that complements the layout of your kitchen space, preferably one of vibrant color for visual interest.
Open Windows
This might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning! Open up those windows whenever possible. Natural light and fresh air can work wonders in making a cramped kitchen less claustrophobic, more spacious, and invigorating.
Accent Wall
Feeling bold? Don’t be afraid of an accent wall! Even in a small kitchen, a pop of color or pattern on one wall can add a ton of personality. This is a great option, especially for renters who might not want to repaint before moving out. Just be sure to pick a color/pattern that suits your overall decor and keep things balanced.
Built-in Seat
Make yourself the perfect breakfast nook – a comfy bench with storage underneath, tucked along a sunny window, great for sipping morning coffees, enjoying casual meals, and, most importantly, maximizing that precious square footage. This contributes to a modern, space-saving kitchen solution for small apartments where the kitchen seamlessly flows into the living area.
Mirrors
Make your kitchen appear brighter and larger by strategically hanging a mirror on one of the walls. It bounces natural light around your kitchen, creating an illusion of more space.
Nested Mixing Bowls
Save cabinet space with nested mixing bowls that stack neatly inside each other. They minimize storage footprint while providing you with a variety of bowl sizes for cooking and baking!
Half-Size Kitchen Bar
No room for a full island or breakfast bar? A half-sized bar can be the perfect space-saving solution. It extends your counter space, provides a spot to perch with a cup of coffee, and can double as a prep area. Look for one that integrates seamlessly into your kitchen’s layout and complements the rest of the decor.
Patterned Decals
Want a patterned backsplash but tight on funds or bound by renter restrictions? Mimic the look of expensive tiles with removable patterned decals! They’re easy to apply, easy on wallets, and come in a vast array of designs. The best part is that they’re removable, so you can swap them out whenever you fancy a kitchen refresh. This is an awesome small kitchen decor idea on a budget that allows for easy customization.
Above-Refrigerator Space
Don’t let that precious real estate above your refrigerator go to waste! Install slim cabinets or open shelves to store lesser-used items like extra pantry staples, serving platters, or seasonal cookware. Use baskets or canisters to keep things organized and visually appealing. Just be sure to choose items that are lightweight and easy to access safely, and keep enough ventilation for heat dissipation.
Slim Trash Can
No space for a bulky trash can? Opt for a slim trash can that tucks away neatly beside cabinets or appliances. This keeps garbage contained without sacrificing valuable floor space. Look for one with a step pedal for hands-free convenience!
Hanging Fruit Basket
Free up countertop space and add a touch of rustic charm with a hanging fruit basket. This is a practical and pretty way to keep your favorite fruits and veggies fresh and on display. Get a stylish wire or woven basket to suit your tastes.
Corner Sink Shelf
Make use of unused corner space around your sink with a corner sink shelf. This handy shelf fits snugly around the sink basin, providing additional storage for sponges, dish soap, scrub brushes, and other cleaning supplies within easy reach.
Stackable Kitchen Chairs
Who says extra seating is out of the question in a small kitchen? Invest in a set of stackable chairs. They provide additional seating for guests and tuck neatly in a corner or closet when not in use, maximizing your precious floor space.
Over-the-Sink Drying Rack
An over-the-sink drying rack lets you air-dry dishes without sacrificing valuable countertop real estate. Look for one made from sturdy materials and with a drip tray to catch excess water and keep your countertops dry.
De-Clutter!
In a small apartment kitchen, clutter is the enemy. The simplest and most effective small kitchen decor idea is decluttering. Be ruthless and purge those expired spices, chipped mugs, empty cereal boxes, and mystery Tupperware containers with questionable contents. Keep countertops clear of those single-use gadgets and unused appliances collecting dust. Here’s a helpful tip: if you haven’t used it in a year, donate it or toss it! (Unless it’s a vintage avocado slicer, those are apparently making a comeback.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
You’ve measured, planned, and finally have some inspiration to deck out your mini kitchen like a pro. But wait! Even the most enthusiastic decorator can fall into a few small space traps. So before you hit the store and go wild, let’s talk about some common pitfalls that can make a small space feel even tinier.