Small Kitchen with an Undermount Sink, a Farmhouse Sink and Recessed-panel Cabinets Design Ideas

Traditional cottage kitchen Jamie Jenkins
Photo of a small country u-shaped kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Cuisine ouverte avec crédence en zelliges vert d'eau et plan de travail en bois
Small modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and beige benchtop.

Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Classic small compact kitchen in Takapuna.
Small transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Auckland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Zoë Noble Photography A labour of love that took over a year to complete, the evolution of this space represents my personal style whilst respecting rental restrictions. With an emphasis on the significance of individual objects and some minimalist restraint, the multifunctional living space utilises a high/low mix of furnishings. The kitchen features Ikea cupboards and custom shelving. A farmhouse sink, oak worktop and vintage milk pails are a gentle nod towards my country roots.

Small modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Madrid with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

The kitchen, located in the lower ground floor, was updated with bespoke cabinetry fitted around the chimney breast with a range cooker within the existing fireplace.

Nulla Vale is a small dwelling and shed located on a large former grazing site. The structure anticipates a more permanent home to be built at some stage in the future. Early settler homes and rural shed types are referenced in the design. The Shed and House are identical in their overall dimensions and from a distance, their silhouette is the familiar gable ended form commonly associated with farming sheds. Up close, however, the two structures are clearly defined as shed and house through the material, void, and volume. The shed was custom designed by us directly with a shed fabrication company using their systems to create a shed that is part storage part entryways. Clad entirely in heritage grade corrugated galvanized iron with a roof oriented and pitched to maximize solar exposure through the seasons. The House is constructed from salvaged bricks and corrugated iron in addition to rough sawn timber and new galvanized roofing on pre-engineered timber trusses that are left exposed both inside and out. Materials were selected to meet the clients’ brief that house fit within the cognitive idea of an ‘old shed’. Internally the finishes are the same as outside, no plasterboard and no paint. LED lighting strips concealed on top of the rafters reflect light off the foil-backed insulation. The house provides the means to eat, sleep and wash in a space that is part of the experience of being on the site and not removed from it.

Victorian beaded front frame met with in-frame classic shaker style furniture. Hand painted in Farrow & Ball Railings. Doors feature a shallow recessed front panel. Both drawers and doors feature Satin Brass hardware. There is a large pantry cupboard which shows off the solid pine carcasses which have had a dark varnish applied for a more luxurious look. There is a central island which has space to seat 3 people. A Quooker boiling water tap is a great addition to the functionality of the kitchen. View this kitchen on one of our websites: Handmade Kitchen Company: https://handmadekitchen.co.uk/portfolio/index.html Nicholas Bridger: https://www.nicholasbridger.co.uk/kitchens/compact-blue-shaker-kitchen/

Small modern open plan kitchen in Nice with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, matchstick tile splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and exposed beam.

Complete view of a bespoke rustic-contemporary kitchen designed in Tombolo, where exposed wooden beams, handcrafted ceramic details and natural materials create a warm and authentic atmosphere inspired by traditional Italian country homes. The custom-made cabinetry, stone sink and decorative finishes were carefully selected to combine elegance, functionality and timeless character. Soft natural light, neutral tones and artisanal textures enhance the welcoming ambiance of the space, while the linear layout and integrated dining area create a refined and convivial kitchen designed for everyday living. A sophisticated balance between Mediterranean tradition and contemporary interior design.

Refined Contemporary Kitchen — A Sanctuary of Light, Luxury & Natural Warmth This beautifully crafted kitchen showcases a seamless blend of natural textures, soft curves, and modern elegance. A sculpted stone island anchors the space with its smooth, organic form, complemented by minimalist timber stools and refined brass accents. Full-height light oak cabinetry wraps the room in warmth while offering concealed, integrated storage that enhances the clean, uncluttered aesthetic. The feature window splashback frames a lush green landscape, introducing natural light and a calming biophilic touch that transforms everyday cooking into an immersive experience. A statement linear pendant with glass globes adds gentle sophistication, while layered LED lighting ensures the perfect ambience throughout the day. Curved architectural detailing at the room’s edge softens the geometry, creating a harmonious transition into the adjoining living space. This interior exemplifies thoughtful design—timeless, welcoming, and meticulously resolved—reflecting the balance of luxury and liveability that defines every Sydney House Design project.

Dreamy Hampton style cabinetry with feature timber laminate shelves
Small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, pink splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Dreamy Hampton style cabinetry
Photo of a small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, pink splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a small country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Devon with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white appliances.

Designed by Jordan Smith of Brilliant SA and built by the BSA team. Copyright Brilliant SA
Photo of a small traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and beige floor.

Photo of a small beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, recessed-panel cabinets, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Mandy Donneky
This is an example of a small transitional l-shaped kitchen in Cornwall with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.