Living with a small kitchen can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t have the kitchen of your dreams. With some creativity and some small kitchen inspiration, you can transform even the tiniest kitchen into your favorite place in your home. Whether you are looking for small kitchen ideas with islands, small kitchen renovation inspiration, or just some small kitchen decor ideas, we have found the best small kitchens that you can copy in 2025!
As the owner of a 1,200 square foot home, I can totally understand how hard it is to find small kitchen inspiration and ideas online. All of the beautiful kitchens that I found on Pinterest had tall ceilings and plenty of space to fit any design or style. However, in my small kitchen, I couldn’t recreate those looks and I felt ashamed thinking that I would never have my dream kitchen. After renovating my own small kitchen and designing it into my dream space, I am here to share with you some small kitchen inspiration that will prove to you that it is possible to have the kitchen you want.
In this blog post, we will show you small kitchen inspiration for 2025, small kitchen inspiration on a budget and more kitchen ideas. We will show you ideas for even the smallest of kitchens and ways to make your small kitchen feel larger. Here are 21 small kitchen inspirations to help you make the most out of your compact cooking space.
This blog post is about small kitchen inspiration.
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Best Small Kitchen Inspiration 2025
1. Small Kitchen Ideas With Island
If you are under the impression that you can’t have an island in your small kitchen, you are mistaken. In fact, you can even make the most out of your island space by incorporating seating into your small kitchen.
A kitchen island with seating can help eliminate the need for a dining room table or kitchen table which will save you plenty of space in your already small home.
In very small kitchens, we recommend putting your kitchen island against the wall and opting for a narrow island to allow more walking space in the room.
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2. Small Kitchen Inspiration on a Budget
One of the most effective ways to create the kitchen of your dreams while sticking to your tight budget is to refrain from using custom cabinetry. Install stock cabinets from your local Home Depot or cabinet shop to create the illusion of a higher end kitchen.
If you need to stay within a budget, opt for affordable finishes in your kitchen like subway tile as your backsplash and wooden countertops instead of the more expensive stone options.
3. Small Kitchen Apartment Inspiration
This tiny cottage style kitchen is so charming that you don’t even notice how small it truly is! By incorporating light colored cabinets, light walls and light finishes in the kitchen, it feels bigger and not so crammed.
To make your kitchen have this cottage feel, be sure to add tons of greenery on the shelving and windowsill. Adding greenery not only breaks up the all white look in the kitchen, the plants also helps purify the air quality in your home.
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4. Small Kitchen Inspiration from Pinterest
Transform your small kitchen into a Pinterest worthy kitchen by painting your cabinets and updating the finishes in your kitchen! Opt for a fun blue, warm green or classic white cabinet paint color for your kitchen.
Painting your cabinetry is a great way to show off your personality and also just have fun in your space. We suggest selecting lighter shades of your favorite paint color to avoid making the kitchen feel smaller. Here are some of the best blue kitchen cabinet paint colors that will inspire you.
BEST BLUE KITCHEN CABINET PAINT COLORS FOR SMALL KITCHENS:
- BENJAMIN MOORE BLUE SMOKE
- SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT
- FARROW & BALL SKYLIGHT
- BENJAMIN MOORE CORTLAND BLUE
- BENJAMIN MOORE PALE SMOKE
- SHERWIN WILLIAMS SALTY DOG (DARK NAVY OPTION)
- BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY CASHMERE
Tips for Blue Cabinets in a Small Kitchen
- Balance the blue with neutrals: To prevent the space from feeling too blue, balance your blue walls or cabinets with neutral countertops, backsplashes, and floors.
- Add light: Be sure to have plenty of natural and overhead lights in your kitchen to keep it feeling open and bright.
- Consider the Undertones: Think about the undertones in your blue paint color. Warmer blues can add coziness and cooler blues can give a modern look.
- Mix and Match Shades of Blue: Don’t be afraid to mix different shades of blue in your kitchen’s design. For example, light blue upper cabinets and darker blue cabinets lowers can addvisual interest.
5. Cottage Small Kitchen Inspiration
Recreate this cozy small kitchen inspiration from Pinterest by selecting warm whites, wood tones and neutrals into your space. You may have noticed by now that utilizing these light colors really make the home feel more open and spacious and this is why we strongly suggest these lighter color pallets.
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6. U Shaped Small Kitchen Inspiration
Finding small kitchen inspiration for u shaped kitchens can be a challenge! Make the most out of your u shaped space by minimizing the amount of upper cabinetry in your kitchen. By removing the upper cabinetry in your kitchens design, it will allow in more natural light to come into your kitchen which in turn will make the space feel larger.
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7. Small Galley Kitchen Idea
Make the most out of the narrow space in your small galley kitchen by selecting cabinets that touch the ceiling. You can even swap out some upper cabinets for open shelving to create a sense of openness. The shelves will allow you to show off your beautiful dishes, glasses, and kitchen decor items to add a unique touch to your kitchen.
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8. Small Rustic Kitchen Idea
We absolutely adore this small kitchen inspiration idea! This rustic farmhouse kitchen appears larger than it is because of the elongated windows that allow the natural light to reflect into the compact space. The different textures in the ceiling and backsplash break up the blue paint color and give the room that rustic feel.
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9. White Small Kitchen Inspiration
Light colors, especially whites and pastels, can make your kitchen feel larger and more open. Consider white cabinetry, light countertops, and soft colored backsplashes for your kitchen for a clean and airy look.
10. Small Kitchen Before and After
If you are looking for small kitchen inspiration for your renovation, look no further. We love this small kitchen look because the layout was kept exactly the same, but the transformation is incredible. One of the best ways to save money on a small kitchen renovation is to keep the layout of your room the same and just swap out your old appliances and cabinetry for newer upgrades.
11. Two Toned Cabinets in a Small Kitchen
Two toned cabinetry has become increasingly popular in small kitchens in 2025. If you are tired of the all white kitchens, try a lighter off white cabinet for your upper cabinetry and a darker tone for the lower cabinets. The lighter cabinets on the top will create the illusion of an open and spacious feel in the kitchen.
TIP: To create even more openness in your upper cabinetry, opt for cabinets with glass doors. Cabinet doors with glass doors to create an illusion of depth and will also encourage you to keep your cabinets organized.
12. Simple Small Kitchen
Sometimes less is more when it comes to designing your kitchen. Keep your small kitchen simple and neat by selecting finishes with clean lines and minimal patterns. Be sure to keep your countertops clutter free and put away all of your appliances when they are not in use to achieve this look.
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13. Neutral Small Kitchen Inspiration
Neutral tones are a perfect choice for small kitchens because they create a calm and earthy room that can make the space feel larger and more open. Color choices like soft whites, beiges, and grays will help reflect light in and add brightness to your kitchen.
By using a neutral color palette, you can easily incorporate different textures make easy updates with colorful accessories and decor for holidays and more!
14. Small Kitchen Decor
Decorating a small kitchen is a crucial component in small home living. An easy and great place to start decorating your small kitchen is to purchase a runner for your kitchen floor. From vintage patterns to bright and festive colors, the kitchen runner can add character to your kitchen and set the mood for the room.
TIP: Be sure to choose a runner that is machine washable to avoid your heart breaking everytime there is a spill!
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15. Small Kitchen Countertop Inspiration
One way to maximize space in a small kitchen is to choose sleek and compact furniture pieces that don’t take up too much room. Try using backless stools that can be tucked under the kitchen counter or a narrow dining table to make the most out of your space. Install cabinetry into the walls to create nooks for added storage and counterspace.
16. Small Kitchen Decor Ideas For Over the Sink
One of the toughest areas to decorate in a small kitchen is the area above the sink. If you have a window over your sink then we suggest adding florals, greenery or a cute valence over your sink area. If you don’t have a window, try hanging a shelf that can used as a decorative opportunity. Style your shelf with vintage artwork, unique cutting boards, faux greenery or decorative mugs.
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17. Simple Small Kitchen Inspiration
Keeping the kitchen simple in your small kitchen will help create a clean, clutter free space, making your space feel larger and more functional. The simple look will also make it easier to keep the kitchen organized and neat, which is just what you need for cooking and meal prepping in your kitchen space.
18. Craftsman Small Kitchen Inspiration
There is a classic and charming element to Craftsman kitchen that makes it the perfect choice for a small kitchen’s design. This small kitchen design utilizes natural wood cabinetry and the classic hardware that gives a classic and timeless aesthetic.
Warm and earthy color palettes and custom touches, like tile backsplashes and handcrafted light fixtures, create a cozy environment, making even a small kitchen feel welcoming.
19. Small Studio Kitchen Inspiration
Studio kitchens and apartment kitchens don’t have much storage space and dining space. This small kitchen inspiration solves both issues by adding a small kitchen island with space for seating.
It is important to remember to use compact and multi purpose appliances in studio kitchens. A microwave oven combo or a two-burner stove can save you precious counter space without sacrificing functionality.
20. L Shaped Small Kitchen
L shaped kitchens are a common layout in small homes and small kitchens. We adore this small kitchen idea because the cabinetry extends to the ceiling, therefore making the ceilings appear taller. The light colored walls and countertops give the room an open concept feel that also helps make the space feel larger.
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21. Small Kitchen Renovation
Get inspired to remodel your small kitchen with the amazing small kitchen before and after! From the open shelving to the stainless steel range hood, the kitchen has a new appearance that makes the space look and feel larger.
This blog post was about small kitchen inspiration.
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