10 Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas That Maximize Space and Style

Are you building a new house with a small kitchen? Or renovating your outdated small kitchen to a modern one? Whatever the scenario is, it’s challenging to design a space-saving small kitchen. Small kitchen decorating ideas should focus on function, space, and aesthetics. 

But don’t worry. Our designers and renovators at Titus Built are full of tips for how to maximize kitchen space and style. Our space-saving and decor for small kitchen ideas have got your back. 

In this blog, we will explore how to make the most out of your limited space, in terms of both functionality and aesthetics. Moreover, we will also look into what to avoid if you have a small kitchen.

Top 10 Small Modern Kitchen Decor Ideas

From seating to shelving and storage, our design experts at Titus Built have come up with genius kitchen interior ideas. These can help you make the most of every square inch. 

1. Use Light Colors to Open Up Space

Colors play a crucial role in making a small space open and vice versa. One of the best small kitchen decorating ideas is to play with colors. 

For a compact kitchen with no windows or limited natural light, you should choose light or neutral colors. 

When you use one neutral hue for the whole space, including hardware, appliances, cabinets, and floor covering, this creates a balanced space appearance.

A strip of metallic finish or a warm pink color near the ceiling can add depth and dimension, making the space inviting. On the contrary, the sharp, bold colors can make the space feel congested and heavy. 

Best Color Shades for Small Kitchens

The best shades for small kitchens are light and cool colors. You can opt for some neutrals like:

• Creams
• White
• Pale blues
• Soft grays

These colors can reflect light and make the space feel more open and airy. To blur the lines between surfaces, you can use a monochromatic color scheme.

Metallic finishes like silver or gold can add a touch of elegance and luxury to a small space.

2. Install Savvy and Smart Storage

You must be thinking that a small, congested kitchen space has fewer storage options. But you might be wrong. You can skip traditional small kitchen decorating ideas and install smart storage solutions.

When it comes to storing items, you should think out of the box. This can include:

• Installing floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets
• Integrating a waterfall marble island
• Opting for lazy susans 
• Installing corner drawers 
• Utilizing floating shelves
• Using a wall-mounted storage bin

These modern kitchen decor ideas can help you store everything in a defined kitchen space without any stress. 

At Titus Built, we deliver top-notch custom cabinetry and millwork services. We take the design-build approach to deliver impeccable results that not only fulfill your home’s functional needs but also its aesthetic needs. 

3. Use Multifunctional Furniture

Smart furniture choices can make a tight kitchen look open and airy. Nowadays, the market is flooded with multipurpose furniture. Choosing this multifunctional furniture can help you save space and make your kitchen more savvy:

• Cabinet-depth fridges
• Expandable/Foldable tables
• Pull-out cutting boards
• Wall-mounted tables
• Pull-out countertops
• Wall-mounted racks or shelves

These multifunctional furniture pieces are pricey, but worth every penny when you have tight parameters. By implementing these small kitchen decorating ideas, you can make your kitchen a functional as well as a pleasing space. 

Tips on Choosing the Right Pieces

• If you want to maximize kitchen space, then select furniture that serves at least two purposes.
• Look for pieces that can be stowed away when not in use. 
• Choose furniture that has a sleek, modern look, along with storage space to give your space both practicality and attractiveness.

4. Add Fold-Away Shelving

Fold-away shelving is a modular shelving system that can be easily folded up or down to increase space. This shelving is also perfect for cargo vans. 

These shelves not only offer enough open-air storage, but they can also be tucked away easily to create an unhindered workspace in your tiny kitchen. 

If you want space-saving functionality without any clutter, fold-away shelves work best. Alternatively, if you need open space to maximize visual style, open shelving is the solution. 

Styling Tips for Fold-Away Shelving

Here are a few tips to style fold-away shelving, keeping your kitchen neat, cohesive, and clutter-free:

• Select a finish that goes with your cabinetry
• Keep the fold-away shelf clutter-free and minimal
• Install an LED light under the shelf to highlight it
• Pair it with collapsible stools that can be tucked away easily

5. Add Mirrors for Depth and Illusion

Want to create depth and the illusion of a larger kitchen? A mirrored backsplash can serve the needs. Using mirrors on cabinet doors, above your sink, or as a backsplash can help maximize the visual impact of a tight space.

Mirrors can reflect light, resulting in visually doubling your space. Apart from this, they also add a touch of glamour to the space. 

Pro Tip: To reflect natural light in a tiny space, always place a mirror backsplash directly across from a window.  

Mirror Types That Work Best

Strategically placing mirrors can make your space look grander. However, it is also essential to choose the right mirror type. Some of the mirror types that you can use are as follows: 

• Frameless wall mirrors
• Mirror tiles or panels 
• Mirrored backsplashes
• Tinted, antique, or vintage mirrors
• Round decorative mirrors
• Lightweight or acrylic mirrors

6. Try Vertical Elements

One of the most important small kitchen decorating ideas is to add vertical elements to your space. 

Apart from providing extra storage, they also draw the eye upward, making the kitchen look more balanced and spacious. 

Moreover, this also reduces countertop clutter, creating space for food preparation. 

Some of the vertical elements that you can add to your modern kitchen ideas list are as follows:

• Bring height to the roof with a strategic stripe placement 
• Use vertical shiplap planks 
• Install high cabinets that reach the ceiling
• Incorporate vertical millwork or wallpaper in the kitchen design 
• Lay subway tiles vertically 
• Use wall-mounted racks
• Install pegboards and magnetic strips

Our professionals at Titus Built can flawlessly add vertical elements to your kitchen to make it look grand. We hold knowledge, expertise, and the right tools to ensure unmatched service. 

7. Install Under-Cabinet Lighting

Tight spaces are usually filled with wrong lights, creating a dim and enclosed environment. In this case, under-cabinet lights are a game-changer. They add depth and warmth to the space, making it look bigger and more spacious.

You can use an LED strip, puck lights, light bars, or fluorescent lighting below the cabinets. These lights are easy to install, as they come with clips or adhesive backs. 

They can gracefully cast light off the countertops. Placing the lights strategically can visually expand the space and improve the mood and tone of any room. 

Add Stylish Lighting Fixtures

Other than countertops, walls, and cabinets, one of the stylish small kitchen decorating ideas is overhead lighting or a statement-making chandelier. 

You can select attractive light fixtures with unique designs or shapes, like patterned drum shades, to bring distinctiveness and sophistication.

8. Use Small-Scale Appliances

Trick out your small kitchen with small-scale appliances that take up less space. Small appliances can make a big difference, giving a more functional space. 

You can opt for these space-saving small appliances:

• Mini refrigerator
• Mini oven
• A small dishwasher
• Small stove

Apart from being small in size, they are also budget-friendly compared to their full-size counterparts. These appliances can also be snugly under the counter, on the walls, or in some lower cabinets. 

If you have a small space, think about the appliances you need, or buy the ones that do multiple jobs, such as an air fryer, a food processor/factory, or a toaster. 

Keep Bulky Appliances in the Garage Cabinet

Store the bulky appliances in the garage cabinet. A garage cabinet or appliance garage is a storage cabinet specifically designed to store appliances. Some garage cabinets you can install are modular, wall-mounted, or full-size cabinets.

These cabinets can help you seamlessly store small appliances behind closed doors. This reduces clutter, giving your kitchen a polished look. You can keep your coffee maker, mixer, or toaster to have a clean and clutter-free kitchen. 

9. Utilize Hooks for Hanging Essentials

In a small kitchen space, free drawer and cabinet space are essential. For that, hooks are a powerful alternative to hang essentials. 

You can opt for the following:

• Peg tails
• Peg boards
• Mounted pot rack
• Slatwall panels with hidden storage

Peg tails are ideal for organizing kitchen utensils. You can install peg tails under the shelves or cabinets for accessibility. They can be used to hang utensils, pans, pots, and more. 

Peg boards mounted on walls or inside the cabinets can be used to hold kitchen accessories or spice racks.

Slatwall panels look like expensive wall paneling. They can serve multiple purposes. They come with hidden storage options; their grooves leave room for hooks. You can utilize these hooks to hang pans, pots, or anything with a handle. 

If you’ve limited wall space, these helpful small kitchen decorating ideas can help you a lot.

10. Install a Fold-Down Table or Counter

Having a table in the kitchen can be used for multiple purposes, such as a countertop or dining table. 

You can remove a small section of drywall or install a drywall with a window section removed. It can be used to install a fold-down table with the chairs outside the kitchen on the other end of the drywall. This also gives an open kitchen concept to your space. 

Foldable tables offer enough space for eating and working. Moreover, they can also be tucked away with ease to create ample room.

Pro Tip: Instead of DIY drywall installation, we recommend hiring experts like Titus Built to get the job done right. 

What to Avoid in a Small Kitchen Space

If you have compact kitchen space, then avoid these:

• Overcrowded countertops
• Installation of an oversized island
• Placing full-sized dining furniture
• Having too many cabinets
• Placing oversized kitchen lighting
• Over-the-top decoration pieces
• Using bold and dark colors
• Buy big-sized appliances
• Poor appliance placement
• Using deep cabinets with poor accessibility

Remove Everything From Countertops

A small space can be transformed into a bigger one by considering some basic space-saving kitchen ideas. 

To make your space look grand, remove everything from your countertops, be it small appliances, decoration pieces, a spice box, or anything else. The emptier the countertops, the bigger the kitchen will be. 

Moreover, it is recommended to hire a professional for a small kitchen decoration, instead of DIY. If you’re a Connecticut homeowner, you can rely on Titus Built. 

We take pride in delivering top-of-the-line interior design, custom cabinetry, and millwork services. We not only construct spaces, but we also build them by keeping design, storage solutions, and your priorities in mind. 

Our prestigious 2024 Remodelers Advantage Impact Award speaks of our remodeling services across Connecticut. So, why wait any longer, when you can reach out to the best today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What colors look best in a small kitchen? 

The best colors for a small kitchen are white, pale blues, cream, beige, beachy pastels, and other neutral tones. 

What are the best appliances for a small kitchen?

The best appliances for a small kitchen are a portable or drawer dishwasher, a countertop or wall-mounted microwave, a toaster oven, a food processor, a mini refrigerator, and more.