Small U-shaped kitchen with wooden countertops and stainless steel appliances
Living with a small kitchen can be challenging for many reasons. In addition to lacking storage and work space, you’re also faced with designing a space that functions and looks great, and doing so without much room for décor.
How do you make it work?
Designing around a theme is one of your best options. Kitchen themes can transform your small space into the best room in your home. Designing around a theme creates cohesion, improving function, and can even expand a small space so it feels more comfortable.
What are some of the most popular themes right now, and how do you know which is the best one for your home?
How Do You Choose the Right Theme?
There are several factors you’ll want to consider when choosing your kitchen theme. For example:
- Current architecture: Things like the ceiling height, layout, natural light, and existing details all affect your choice. You want to honour the current style while highlighting your kitchen’s character.
- Lifestyle: As important as design is for your kitchen, it also needs to be functional in practice. Make sure you consider storage needs, maintenance requirements, and how often you cook when choosing a design.
- Scale: Ornate designs and large-scale features overwhelm small kitchens. No matter the theme you choose, find simple ways to bring it into the space so it doesn’t feel like too much.
Popular Themes
Several themes are popular right now and also feel timeless, making them well-suited to design. These are also great options for smaller kitchens.
Minimalist Modern
Minimalist design is great for small kitchens because it’s simple. The design is about what’s not in the space. It features clean lines and neutral colours, keeping things sparse and to the point. There’s also an emphasis on hidden storage, making it great for small spaces that need to function without feeling overwhelming.
Scandinavian
Scandinavian design works well with small spaces because it’s light and airy. It features light wood tones, open shelving, and a soft white or neutral colour palette. You can bring interest to Scandinavian design with cozy textures and natural materials, which keep the light feeling while still making things feel cozy.
Open shelves, such as these from a recent remodel, make smaller spaces feel larger, especially when paired with light-coloured paint.
Set of three open wood shelves adorned with kitchen decor
Cottagecore
Cottagecore kitchens are warm and cozy. They’re the spaces most people think of when they remember the welcoming kitchens of their mothers or grandmothers. These spaces are functional, but still charming. You can use soft colours, subtle patterns, and vintage touches to create a space that feels comfortable and truly your own.
Industrial
Industrial designs are great for small kitchens that need to function. You can bring interest to the space and make it feel more inviting by using natural elements like concrete countertops, but the impact of industrial spaces comes from the use of metals, clean lines, and a darker colour palette.
If you want to add a bit of colour with all the benefits of concrete, you can do a concrete-replica quartz countertop. It’s the perfect mix of beauty and practicality.
Benefits of Designing with a Theme
These are just a few of the options you have for designing around a theme in a small kitchen. They’re a great jumping-off point and help you create a consistent look in the space. Designing with a theme in mind helps guide your decisions and creates harmony without sacrificing function in a room where function is imperative.
When designing your kitchen, no matter the theme you choose, be sure to consider:
- Colour palette: Look for something that creates flow and expands the small room
- Storage: Vertical storage is often a great option for smaller spaces
- Lighting: You need both task and accent lighting in a kitchen.
(Tip: Artificial lighting and natural light from windows can make a small space feel much more open.)
- Materials and finishes: Make sure your choices are cohesive and durable
- Décor: You don’t have room for much, so make sure you opt for just a few pieces that suit the theme and, if possible, can offer functional purpose as well
Common Mistakes
In addition to what you should do when designing your kitchen, take into account a few common mistakes to avoid:
- Using more than one style to guide your choices
- Overusing décor pieces that aren’t functional
- Forgetting accent and ambient lighting (a common problem in all kitchen designs)
- Choosing dark colours or heavy materials that close the room in
Bring It All Together
Designing your small kitchen with a theme in mind is a great way to create a room you love. Allowing a theme to guide your design choices results in a functional space that feels right for your style.
If you’d like to know more about designing around a theme or you’re ready to create a kitchen you love, visit us to explore your options.
