
If your kitchen is tiny, you still have lots of ways you can make the most of your space and make it inviting. In this article, we’ll cover 16 small kitchen remodel ideas.
Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t always have to mean tearing down walls and starting from scratch. With the right changes, you can make even the tightest of spaces look stunning and increase functionality.
Don’t let the limited square footage of your kitchen stop you from creating something beautiful.
We’ll show you how you can give your small kitchen a new look and feel with these 16 simple tricks and updates.
- 1. Make Space-Saving Storage Solutions
- 2. Green It Up with Plants
- 3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
- 4. Invest in Accessories
- 5. Update Your Hardware
- 6. Install Smart Lighting
- 7. Go Bold with Flooring Options
- 8. Get Creative with Kitchen Countertops
- 9. Make a Statement with a Backsplash
- 10. Match Your Fixtures and Appliances
- 11. Get Organized
- 12. Choose Low-Maintenance Materials
- 13. Save Space with Small Appliances
- 14. Upgrade Your Ventilation
- 15. Optimize Your Layout
- 16. Incorporate New Seating Options
- Transform Small Spaces: Your Kitchen Makeover
1. Make Space-Saving Storage Solutions
Improve your small kitchen by using every bit of counter space. Install open shelving and wall-mounted racks for smaller items that should be easily accessible when cooking meals.
For bigger items like pots and pans, invest in sturdy storage crates or baskets to maximize an awkward corner or hidden area near the stove or sink.
When it comes to kitchen utensils, you can hang magnetic strips on the wall for quick and easy access. Forgot where you put an essential tool? Just take a second glance at your sleek new space-saving storage display.
Even if your space is tight, try looking for quirky new kitchen storage solutions like tall freestanding pantries or larders—they make a big difference in how your small kitchen looks, plus they offer much-needed storage.
To make the best choice, read our guides to choosing the best kitchen cabinets:
- Looking for cabinet ideas? See Kitchen Cabinet Styles and Trends
- Need help choosing cabinets? Read our Complete Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets.
2. Green It Up with Plants

Adding some foliage and greenery can instantly liven up a small kitchen. Plus, if indoor plants or herbs have been on your to-do list for a while, invest in some easy-to-care-for succulents or herbal windowsill plants for your kitchen.
From hanging plants to charming terrariums that fit on your shelves, there is no shortage of possibilities for incorporating green into the mix. Plus, you can finally give your windowsills a purpose besides storing kitchen kitsch pieces.
3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Giving your small kitchen a fresh coat of paint will remove the films of everyday cooking from the walls and can really brighten up a room.
Even if you’re not up for painting the whole kitchen, giving your walls and cabinets some new colorful accents can make all the difference. Whether it’s an unusual hue or selecting a classic like gray or taupe, every detail counts when it comes to making your kitchen look brand-new.
4. Invest in Accessories
Do you have a bright red vintage rotary phone sitting around in your attic? Or maybe a bright, cheery wall clock? If you want to inject some life into your small kitchen, invest in accessories and décor elements like these.
You can also utilize colorful fabric to spruce up your kitchen. A nice rug underneath the stove or on the floors of your cupboards can make the space much more inviting.
5. Update Your Hardware

Give your small kitchen an entirely updated feel with new doorknobs, handles, and latches for your cabinets and doors.
Make your kitchen a conversation piece by replacing standard-looking handles with vintage knobs or colorful ceramic pieces. You’ll be surprised how much difference the right details can make in your kitchen’s new look.
6. Install Smart Lighting
If you want to modernize your kitchen and get as much natural light in your space as possible, it may be time to invest in smart lighting solutions.
From under-the-counter strip lights that make prepping meals safer and easier to pendant lights that hang from the ceiling, many different kitchen lighting setups can look glamorous while offering the right kind of illumination you need for a small kitchen.
For the best kitchen ceiling lights, consider options that provide ample illumination without taking up too much visual space. LED flush mounts or semi-flush mounts are excellent choices for small kitchens, as they offer bright light while maintaining a low profile.
When choosing the best kitchen lighting, consider a layered approach with task lighting for work areas, ambient lighting for overall illumination, and accent lighting to highlight specific features or create visual interest.
7. Go Bold with Flooring Options

For a simple but noticeable upgrade, liven up tired kitchen floor tiles with wood laminate floors, peel-and-stick tile squares, or vinyl sheet rolls, which come in plenty of stylish patterns.
These easy flooring options are relatively low-cost solutions, but they’ll add dynamic intrigue to your kitchen’s optics. If you have a bigger budget, check out our kitchen floor replacement cost guide.
8. Get Creative with Kitchen Countertops
Rather than replacing all your kitchen countertops (which can get expensive), you can get creative with personal touches. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, try painting your existing counters with metallic or pastel hues.
Don’t forget to use sealants and waterproof coating over any newly painted surfaces. Cover dingy grout lines and chipped corners with colored grout or decorative tiles.
9. Make a Statement with a Backsplash

Adding movement and texture to your kitchen walls with a marble or tile backsplash can go a long way in making your kitchen look updated and inviting.
Better yet, pick up some colorful and bold mosaic tiles to create an eye-catching backsplash over the kitchen sink. Just be sure to seal the tiles properly so you don’t have water damage later.
10. Match Your Fixtures and Appliances

From faucets that sport a unified look in finishes (like stainless steel, chrome, and brushed nickel) to modern lighting that avoids excessive electricity bills, you can easily update your whole kitchen by upgrading its fixtures.
If you have the budget, matching appliances (such as your stove, refrigerator, and microwave) can drastically improve a kitchen’s visual appeal, too. Matte black appliances are especially trendy now, and they fit in with many different color schemes.
11. Get Organized
Sometimes, all your kitchen needs to look more polished — and bigger — is a little decluttering. Keep your cabinets, drawers, and pantry well-organized with smart storage solutions and you’re much less likely to leave things sitting out on the counter.
For example, store kitchen utensils in organizers in the cupboards and drawers that can be easily pulled out. For dish rags and potholders, organize them into small containers with dividers, which will also keep them fresher and help them last longer.
And if you really want to get organized, designate shelves specifically for all your oils and spices. That way, you can differentiate between them without having to rifle through cabinets and make a mess.
12. Choose Low-Maintenance Materials

When it comes to materials for small kitchen remodels, nothing beats low-maintenance options like quartz countertops and tile floors. Not only are these great-looking materials, but they can also handle heavy wear and tear without compromising their looks.
For example, quartz countertops are highly resistant to scratching and staining while still looking luxurious. Plus, it’s much easier to clean up a spill on tile (like slate) than on grout-filled linoleum floors.
13. Save Space with Small Appliances
It might not be the most exciting part of remodeling, but investing in new smaller appliances, such as a microwave or toaster, could prove cost-effective in the long run. Choose energy-efficient models that will help you save on your electricity bills and last longer.
And don’t count out the use of app-controlled appliances for even more streamlined energy usage — it’s about transforming your kitchen’s carbon footprint along with its look.
14. Upgrade Your Ventilation

It’s not always the first thing we think of when remodeling, but ventilation is a vital component of any kitchen renovation process.
Ensure your kitchen is properly ventilated by installing new ventilation hoods, hood liners, and fan blades to keep scents and fumes from lingering for too long. Not only will this help maintain good air quality, but it will also simplify your cleaning chores.
To learn about your options, check out Types of Range Hoods.
15. Optimize Your Layout
Sometimes all you need to remodel a small kitchen space is some rearranging of furniture and appliances to really open up the room. Don’t be afraid to play around with non-traditional layouts, such as removing kitchen cabinets in favor of an open countertop with hanging shelves for storage.
Better yet, relocate items like the refrigerator or oven to another corner of the kitchen for better traffic flow. You will be surprised how moving furniture and appliances can dramatically impact your kitchen’s look and feel (without a dramatic price tag).
16. Incorporate New Seating Options

Get creative when selecting seating options for a smaller kitchen. Instead of traditional chairs, look into other choices like small benches, stools, or even counter-height chairs with slim legs. These won’t take up too much space in the room and provide a fascinating look while accommodating your friends during meals.
If you really want to make a statement, try bar tables and chairs, which can open up the space while also allowing some built-in storage for cookware, dinnerware, and other kitchen essentials.
With the right seating, your small kitchen will become a space where everyone can gather and socialize over delicious meals without feeling cramped or crowded.
Transform Small Spaces: Your Kitchen Makeover
These 16 small kitchen remodel ideas are just the beginning of how you can add personality and character to your home while staying on budget.
No matter what style you’re going for, a small kitchen remodel opens up tons of opportunities to turn your space into something truly stunning. With tasteful reframing and updated fixtures comes a bright atmosphere that can be tailored to anyone’s needs — all within a relatively short time span.
Main Photo Credit: Dariusz Jarzabek / Adobe Stock Free / License