Clever small kitchen layouts that will maximise even the tiniest of spaces - tips to help you plan a practical cooking space

There's nothing quite like playing with small kitchen layouts to make the most of a petite space. Finding the right configuration can make your room both look and feel larger, while maximising efficiency.

After all, even the most bijou of small kitchen ideas need to store your cooking equipment, room to prep food and enough space to cook easily and safely. Plus, with the demands on modern kitchens meaning this area can now be expected to act as a dining room or home office at the drop of a hat.

So make things easy on yourself right from the off by discovering which classic small kitchen layouts might help boost your space.

How to plan a small kitchen layout

Finding the right layout for a small kitchen is no small feat. Between making space for small kitchen storage ideas to assessing where your seating and appliances will go, there's a lot to think about when you're planning a small kitchen layout.

Before you decide on a layout, think about the different layout options out there - from simple one-wall designs to peninsula layouts that provide a handy spot for seating.

1. Stick to one-wall

Perhaps the most space-saving small kitchen layout is the one-wall format. It concentrates the cabinetry on one single wall, which is useful for long, narrow rooms.

By opting for this layout over a galley format with two lines of cabinetry, the space will still feel spacious and the other wall can be utilised for floor-to-ceiling windows, as shown here in Charli Howard's home, or for seating.

This single wall format has allowed Charli to go bold with cabinetry and colour, despite the compact space. 'I knew I didn’t want anything overly modern, so I worked to preserve the Victorian character, but made it warmer and lighter with thoughtful colour choices,' she explains.

2. Expand into open-plan

Whether you live in a flat or a compact home, open plan kitchens are all the more common. However, they're harder to make work than in a larger open plan space where there is still plenty of storage and purpose-built kitchen seating.

The key to this is making your storage work harder, as you'll want to keep worktops clear for food prep rather than kitchen clutter. 'When designing an open plan kitchen, it’s important to consider whether you want to ‘hide away’ the clutter in your kitchen when it can be seen from the lounge or dining room,' explains Sinead Trainor, kitchen category manager at LochAnna Kitchens.

3. Pick a peninsula

Kitchen island ideas remain a popular, wishlist-level feature, but space doesn't always make this possible. For a small kitchen, a peninsula is the next best thing.

This extended worktop creates a sociable spot for bar stool seating, and allows those cooking to be engaged in the rest of the room. While this is easier to fit in than an island, Melissa Klink, head of design at Harvey Jones recommends 'to allow a minimum 1,000 mm of walkway space around the peninsula.'

In this contemporary kitchen, the peninsula provides a connection between the cooking and social areas of the room, so that it functions effectively for everyday life.

4. Opt for a galley layout

If you have a slightly wider than average narrow kitchen, then a galley layout could be the perfect solution.

‘Double galley layouts are just so appealing on a practical level,’ enthuses interior designer Heidi Caillier, of Heidi Caillier Design. ‘They force you to be thoughtful in how you lay out every inch, and I also like the mentality of using ALL of your kitchen versus just that one corner between the range and the sink.’

It's the best way to maximise storage in a small kitchen, but it's important not to crowd both walls with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry as this will overwhelm the room. Instead, break up cabinets with open shelving like in this end of terrace house.

5. Consider an L-shaped design

If you're really short on storage space in your L-shaped kitchen, but you don't have enough room to add another bank of cabinetry, then look to the bare wall.

'For additional decoration – and some functional impact too – you could install a shelf or hanging rail instead,' advises Charlie from Ledbury Studio.

Small kitchen layout mistakes to avoid

Without careful planning, it's easy to make mistakes with a small kitchen layout. A too-cramped walkway can make daily habits busy and frustrating, while a lack of seating might mean you never end up wanting to host.

These common small kitchen layout mistakes to avoid will help you to avoid the same common mishaps.

6. Not considering seating

There are more options to consider, other than kitchen islands, when it comes to incorporating seating and dining areas. Even medium-sized kitchens may struggle to accommodate an island and squeezing one in can often be impractical when it comes to traffic flow.

Space-permitting, a slim drop-down table is also a great addition or the inclusion of a peninsula will effectively maximise a worktop area. A worktop peninsula can also offer the social and practical benefits of an island but in a smaller footprint.

7. Omitting clever storage solutions

The challenges of small kitchen planning shouldn’t suppress creativity when it comes to the cabinet options on offer. There are plenty of small kitchen storage ideas that will make your space more organised without taking up too much space.

Jen Nash, head of design at Magnet, highlights this common mistake. 'People can fall into the trap of ruling out certain storage options in a small space as they believe they don’t have the room.' She emphasises that this doesn’t need to be the case. She adds, 'The 300mm pull-out larder with easy-access wire baskets can be squeezed into narrower areas of the kitchen.'

8. Not maximising ceiling height

Many kitchen plans don’t make the most of available ceiling height which can offer a huge amount of extra storage capacity, freeing up valuable floor space for base cabinets which are often needed to house appliances. It's also a clever way of making a small kitchen appear larger.

Jen Nash, head of design for Magnet says, 'There is something so elegant about height and yet so often it isn't fully maximised, even if space is at a premium many of us forget to maximise the potential solutions we have and that normally involves using the full vertical of a room.' Incorporating cabinetry that utilises this vertical space will draw the eyes upwards, creating a sense of grandeur even in the smallest of spaces.

9. Ignoring the working triangle

The ‘working triangle’ is a planning principle that many kitchen designers follow to create a practical flow around the kitchen.

'Whether you have a small or large kitchen, there are three key points of contact to consider when designing your space: the sink, fridge, and hob, referred to as the ‘working triangle’. Neglecting the working triangle can result in a shortage of worktop space between each main point, making daily tasks challenging. This is particularly critical in smaller kitchen layouts where space is at a premium', says Stacey Tompsett, lead designer at Turner & Foye.

Where to put appliances in a small kitchen

In a small kitchen layout, it's a careful balance when it comes to squeezing in appliances, storage, and other cooking essentials. Not only will you want all of the necessary kitchen appliances, but you'll also want to arrange them in a way that creates an efficient workflow.

10. Design a working triangle

The working triangle is a simple method to follow when planning out appliances in a small kitchen. It spreads appliances out in a triangle formation so that no one is treading on toes in a kitchen.

In this country-inspired new build home, there is a clear workflow between the oven and sink so that your kitchen works efficiently without getting in the way. They've also opted for curtains to hide a washing machine to create a more country-inspired look.

'Since our large appliances aren’t integrated, we used green linen curtains to hide them. This not only softens the scheme but also works wonders in making the space feel a lot cleaner and less cluttered,' the owners explain.

11. Position a sink under the window

Natural light is everything in a small kitchen, as dark interiors will make a space feel more compact. Making the most out of natural light sources within a design will make your kitchen feel much brighter, just like this homeowner has achieved by placing the sink beneath the window.

Not only do you get a lovely view when washing up, the window isn't obstructed by any necessary storage. The pared-back kitchen window treatment idea also maximises how much light comes through, while adding a soft touch to the look.

12. Choose compact appliances

In smaller spaces, there’s usually a trade-off between cupboard space and appliances. Over the years, appliance brands have cleverly developed products that meet our needs in a more compact way.

You could opt for a slim 45cm dishwasher instead of a 60cm model or consider a single fridge. As Helena comments, 'We are increasingly including built-in steam combi ovens to increase worktop space as clients can then choose a smaller hob for frying and wok cooking.'

Lucy Corlett, country manager UK for RørosHetta says, 'The RørosHetta Elegant 60 combo hob is a compact, innovative solution for small kitchens. Occupying just 23cm of worktop space, it allows for functional drawers beneath, optimising cabinet space.'

Space never has to be a limiting factor in creating a stylish and functional kitchen, if anything, it forces you to get creative with prioritising the things that really matter. Your dream small kitchen is just around the corner.