Designing dozens of kitchens in my career I can tell you that the small ones are almost always  more challenging to design. With less square footage I have to be extremely creative and my clients have to really prioritize what is most important to them. You will need to make compromises but one thing is for sure, you never have to compromise on style. Here are some tips I have collected through the years when designing kitchens. I find that if we follow one or two combined with your wish list, the end result is pretty spectacular.

Tip 1: Use less upper cabinets to give a more spacious feel. Open shelves or glass doors keep the space feeling open. Try to limit solid upper cabinets.

Tip 2: Use light colors and finishes on vertical cabinets to make the room feel more open and airy. Lower cabinets or the island can have a darker color.

Tip 3: Keep the material for the counter-tops consistent so the flow of energy continues in the space.

Tip 4: When selecting your appliances consider the scale carefully. The refrigerator is the largest appliance; counter depth or built-in would make the most of your space.

Tip 5: Layout; Take down walls when possible to allow for an open plan. A peninsula, using an island only or a narrow freestanding island all work well in small kitchens. Consider putting the sink in the island to free-up counter space. I recommend using a smaller faucet to allow for better access around the island without a bulky faucet getting in the way. Try a Kohler Bathroom Faucet instead of sticking to the standard kitchen faucets for a better fit.

No matter what your style is from cottage to modern these simple tips can make a big difference. Above, the lower cabinets in a tone of blue complement the wood floors beautifully while grounding the cabinets. Click here to see one of my client projects where a small kitchen delivers big style.

To the left a galley kitchen will sometimes have space at the end for a table. I love the idea of a built in banquette in small spaces. They allow for maximum seating and minimum bulk . Simple woven wood shades, wood blinds or shutters all work well for window treatments, if you need them. The goal is sleek and simple. Let the lighting, tile backspalsh or counter tops become the wow factor. Below, our final kitchen is in a small space but it is packed with style featuring high-end appliances and design details.

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