What Should we Avoid in a Small Kitchen Design?
Designing a small kitchen can be exciting, but it’s easy to make mistakes that waste space, make the room feel cramped, or create frustration every time you cook. Whether you’re setting up your kitchen from scratch or remodeling it, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to include. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common mistakes people make in small kitchen design—and how you can avoid them.
We’ve explained everything in plain English, so even a 10-year-old could understand and explain it. Let’s dive in!
1. Avoid Dark Colors That Make the Space Feel Smaller
In a small kitchen, using too many dark colors on the walls, cabinets, or counters can make the space feel like a tiny cave. Dark colors absorb light, which makes the room feel more closed in. This can make cooking or cleaning feel uncomfortable, especially if there’s not enough natural light.
Instead, choose lighter colors like white, cream, pale gray, or pastel shades. These colors reflect more light and help the room feel brighter and bigger. Even if you like dark tones, use them only as accents or for small details.
2. Don’t Skip Good Lighting
Lighting can change everything in a kitchen. If your kitchen has just one ceiling light or dim bulbs, it might feel gloomy and hard to work in. Poor lighting can also make it difficult to see what you’re doing when chopping, cooking, or washing dishes, which isn’t safe.
Try using a mix of lighting: overhead lights for general brightness, under-cabinet lighting for tasks, and maybe even a pendant light for style. Good lighting doesn’t just make things easier—it also makes your small kitchen feel cheerful and more spacious.
3. Say No to Bulky Cabinets
Big, deep cabinets might seem useful because they hold more stuff, but in a small kitchen, they take up too much space and make the room feel tight. Sometimes, they even block natural light from reaching the rest of the kitchen.
Instead, go for open shelving or slim cabinets that go up vertically. Vertical storage takes advantage of the wall space and still gives you room to move around. Plus, open shelves let you grab your everyday items easily and make the room feel airy.
4. Avoid Skipping Vertical Space
One of the biggest mistakes people make is ignoring the space above their counters and cabinets. That’s wasted real estate in a small kitchen. If you only store things at waist or eye level, you’re missing a chance to get organized.
Use tall cabinets that go up to the ceiling or add shelves up high for things you don’t use daily. You can also hang pots, pans, or cooking tools on hooks. It keeps your counters clear and gives your kitchen a neat and tall look.
5. Don’t Use Too Many Patterns or Busy Designs
Patterns can be fun, but in a small space, too many patterns can feel chaotic. If your floor tiles have a bold design, your backsplash has a wild pattern, and your cabinets have textured doors, it can all clash together and make the space feel noisy.
Stick to one main design focus. For example, if your backsplash has a fun pattern, keep the counters and cabinets simple. This helps your kitchen look stylish but not crowded.
6. Avoid Choosing Style Over Function
Sure, a kitchen can look like a page from a magazine, but if you can’t cook comfortably in it, what’s the point? Some people focus too much on how the kitchen looks and forget that it should be easy to use.
Your layout should allow you to move from the sink to the stove to the fridge easily. Designers call this the “kitchen triangle.” It means these three key spots should be close enough so that cooking feels smooth. Choose features that make your life easier—not just pretty to look at.
7. Don’t Forget Counter Space
Counter space is where you chop, mix, and place things while cooking. In small kitchens, people sometimes choose fancy appliances or decorations that take up all the counter space. That leaves no room to actually prepare food.
Make sure you keep your counters mostly clear. Use wall-mounted shelves, magnetic knife strips, or pull-out boards to create more working space. Every inch matters in a small kitchen.
8. Avoid Oversized Appliances
A giant fridge or a double oven might sound nice, but they can eat up all your space in a small kitchen. If your appliances are too big, you’ll have trouble moving around, opening drawers, or even finding a spot for the trash can.
Pick compact or built-in appliances made for smaller spaces. These do the job well but save space and leave room for storage and movement. For example, a two-burner stove might be enough if you don’t cook for large groups often.
9. Don’t Ignore the Importance of Flow
“Flow” means how easily you can move and work in your kitchen. Some designs make you go around obstacles, bump into corners, or feel squeezed between appliances. That can turn cooking into a hassle.
Always make sure there’s enough walking space between counters. Keep drawers and cabinet doors from bumping into each other when opened. And avoid placing the fridge or oven right next to the doorway where it blocks people.
10. Avoid Placing the Sink in the Wrong Spot
The sink is used a lot—washing dishes, cleaning veggies, rinsing hands. Placing it in a far-off corner or next to a wall can make these tasks harder. Also, it should not be too far from the stove or fridge, or you’ll walk back and forth too much.
The best spot is often under a window if possible, which also gives you natural light. If not, at least keep it close to your prep and cooking areas. That way, the workflow stays smooth.
11. Don’t Forget About Ventilation
Ventilation is about how air moves in and out of your kitchen. Without good ventilation, smells, smoke, and grease hang around. This can make the kitchen sticky and smelly.
Install a good range hood or use an exhaust fan to remove smoke and odors. Even a window that you can open while cooking helps. Your kitchen should always smell fresh after a meal—not like last night’s fish.
12. Say No to Cluttered Counters
Clutter makes a small kitchen feel even smaller. If every inch of the counter is covered with jars, bottles, or small gadgets, it gets hard to find a space to work. It also makes cleaning harder.
Try to store things inside cabinets or use hanging storage. Only keep a few essential items on the counter, like a toaster or a coffee maker. The cleaner your counters, the bigger your kitchen feels.
13. Avoid Ignoring the Trash and Recycling Area
A surprising number of small kitchens have no clear spot for trash or recycling. People end up placing bins in odd spots, like under the sink or in the hallway, which isn’t very helpful.
Plan a hidden pull-out trash bin inside a cabinet or keep a sleek trash can that fits into a corner. That way, it’s easy to reach but doesn’t get in your way.
14. Don’t Use Glossy Floors That Get Slippery
Some people choose glossy tiles because they look fancy. But in a small kitchen where things spill easily, glossy floors can be dangerous. If water or oil spills, it turns into a skating rink.
Choose slip-resistant flooring like matte tiles or wood-style vinyl. These are safer and still stylish. Safety always comes first in a kitchen.
15. Avoid Low-Quality Materials
It might be tempting to save money by choosing cheap cabinets, counters, or floors. But in the long run, these can wear out quickly, especially in a busy kitchen. You might end up spending more on repairs or replacements.
Pick durable materials that are easy to clean and last a long time. For example, laminate countertops are affordable but strong, and cabinet handles made of metal last longer than plastic ones. Quality doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has to be smart.
16. Don’t Overlook Personal Habits
Your kitchen should match how you actually use it. If you never bake, do you really need a huge oven? If you like quick meals, a microwave might be more important than a big stovetop.
Think about your daily habits and plan the kitchen around them. List down things to avoid in small kitchen design. This makes the space more personal and more useful for your life. The best kitchen works with you, not against you.
Small kitchen design can be tricky, but if you avoid the common mistakes listed above, you can create a space that’s smart, stylish, and enjoyable to use. Remember, it’s not about having the most things—it’s about using your space in the best way possible. Keep it simple, functional, and bright, and your small kitchen can still do big things.
