Referencing the art deco period in which the apartment was build, a curved range hood finished in linear kit kat Japanese tiles forms the focal point of the kitchen. Light timber laminate for full height joinery with dark grey / charcoal ultra matte laminate for below bench cupboards and drawers. Quartzite bench tops in a leathered finish.

Southbank Apartment

Jasmine McClelland Design

Fresh, clean, white apartment kitchen with living room in mirrored reflection.
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Bronzed Mirror Splashbacks

Nouvelle Kitchens & Bathrooms

This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

What is Cooking - Kitchen Renovation

Comma Design Studio

The client came to comma design in need of an upgrade to their existing kitchen to allow for more storage and cleaner look. They wanted to swap their laminate bench to a sleek stone bench tops that can provide a luxurious loo to their space. Comma design worked closely with the trades on site to achieve the results.

Warriewood Kitchen + Laundry

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and beige splashback.

Coburg Frieze

Mihaly Slocombe

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

Minimalist White and Timber Contemporary Kitchen

Transform-A-Space

A light and bright minimalist design featuring two-pack painted cabinetry to match the clients freshly painted walls, subway tile stack-style, and feature timber components bring warmth into the space. 20mm Caesarstone 'Ocean Foam' benchtops in a polished finish help to reflect overhead light. A small kitchen packed with functionality.

White Jade Onyx Backsplash and Chateaux Blanc Quartzite Countertop

Aria Stone Gallery

Mint green and retro appliances marry beautifully in this charming and colorful 1950's inspired kitchen. Featuring a White Jade Onyx backsplash, Chateaux Blanc Quartzite countertop, and an Onyx Emitis custom table, this retro kitchen is sure to take you down memory lane.

Belmont Remodel

Birdsmouth

Design ideas for a small traditional u-shaped kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Caesarstone Piatra Grey Quartz Countertop with Carrara Marble Subway Tile

By Design Kitchen and Bath Solutions

Here is a beautiful home on the side of a hill in Graham, TX. The customer kept her original cabinetry but added Caesarstone Piatra Grey Quartz Countertops and Carrara Marble 2X4 Subway tile. What a transformation from her original formica countertop and 4" backsplash. Thank you to our customer Debra Haley for the wonderful photos!

Orange County Kitchen Remodels

Goff Renovations

Small transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island, shaker cabinets, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Midcentury Home Addition and renovation

Donald Lococo Architects

The kitchen was designed two years ago and was then erased and redesigned when the world became a different place a year later. As everyone attempted to flatten the curve, our goal in this regard was to create a kitchen that looked forward to a sharp curve down and of a happier time To that promise for happier times, the redesign, a goal was to make the kitchen brighter and more optimistic. This was done by using simple, primary shapes and circular pendants and emphasizing them in contrast, adding a playful countenance. The selection of a dynamic grain of figured walnut also contributes as this once-living material and its sinuous grain adds motion, rhythm, and scale. Proud of their 1970s home, one challenge of the design was to balance a 1970's feel and stay current. However, many ‘70s references looked and felt outdated. The first step was a changed mindset. Just like the return of the ‘40s bath and the retro movement a few years ago, every era returns in some way. Chronologically, the '70s will soon be here. Our design looked to era-specific furniture and materials of the decade. Figured walnut was so pervasive in the era: this motif was used on car exteriors such as the 1970 Town and Country Station Wagon, which debuted the same year the existing home was built. We also looked at furniture specific to the decade. The console stereo is referenced not only by high legs on the island but also by the knurled metal cabinet knobs reminiscent of often-used stereo dials. Knurled metalwork is also used on the kitchen faucet. The design references the second piece of '70s furniture in our modern TV tray, which is angled to face the television in the family room. Its round pencil and mug holder cutouts follow the design of walnut consoles and dashboard of the station wagon and other elements of the time.

Hopkinson House Condo

k YODER design, LLC

Layered lighting accentuates the ceiling and palette of walnut millwork and white quartz and tile, while providing illumination for kitchen tasks. Mirage white oak/dura matt wood floor; polished quartz counter with waterfall edge; custom Brookside/Brookline walnut veneered millwork; Stone Source matte porcelain tile backsplash and accent wall; Blanco pull-out spray kitchen faucet; Benjamin Moore paint

Carlson Kitchen Design

USA Cabinet Store Fairfax

Design ideas for a small transitional galley open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Lake Calhoun Organic Modern

John Kraemer & Sons

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Design ideas for a small modern kitchen in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

An Industrial Shaker Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

Oak shaker style kitchen painted with Farrow & Ball Down Pipe. The worktop is premium black honed granite. White metro tiles with stainless steel Smeg oven and hood add a perfect industrial touch. The high ceilings have made it possible to have narrower and taller units for extra storage in this small apartment kitchen.

No way this is laminate? Believe it!

CraftedWild Cabinetry

Photo Credit: Pawel Dmytrow
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Cherokee Triangle Kitchen

Centered Interiors

Small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Louisville with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Palisades

Anne Rae Design

Small modern kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Farm House Retreat

BKC of Westfield

BKC of Westfield
Small country single-wall separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, grey benchtop, with island and brown floor.

All Cabinet Styles Small Kitchen Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!