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8 Small Kitchen Ideas To Make the Most of Your Space

  • Aug 25, 2021
  • 2 min read

Here our home remodeling professionals share the top small kitchen remodel ideas for 2021.


a white galley kitchen with stainless steel appliances
A Galley Kitchen Remodel by South Land Remodeling

Unfortunately, not every home has a large kitchen with enough space for luxe features like a double oven and a massive kitchen island. However, a smaller kitchen (i.e. 70 square feet) can project the same style and efficiency as a larger kitchen, all while offering enough real estate to maximize storage space and take advantage of the top small kitchen remodel ideas. Whether you’re renovating or building your kitchen from scratch, check out the following eight small kitchen ideas for 2021.


Appliance-Based Small Kitchen Design Ideas


1. Choose Small Appliances

Small doesn’t mean low-quality. One of the best small kitchen design ideas our professionals have is to select one or several high-end combination appliances that perform multiple functions. For instance, you can purchase an all-in-one microwave, convection and toaster to save counter space!


2. Move the Freezer out of the Kitchen

Sometimes there just isn’t enough room for everything. One appliance that can be moved is the freezer. Between the refrigerator and the freezer, you’re less likely to constantly be opening and closing the freezer. Typically, when clients opt to move the freezer out of the kitchen, they stack it next to a washer/dryer or install it in the garage or basement.


How Color & Light Can Transform Small Kitchen Design


3. Use Light Colors

Because lighter colors tend to make a room appear larger, use beiges, light grays or whites to make your kitchen feel bigger and brighter. White paint, specifically, can reflect light, ensuring your small kitchen design has a larger feel. And, don’t just change your wall colors. Invest in lighter backsplashes, countertops, kitchen equipment (including pots and pans) and stainless steel appliances.


4. Strategically Add Mirrors & Statement Light Fixtures

Mirrored finishes such as backsplashes or cabinet hardware can open up the space, enabling light to bounce around the room. To further brighten up the space, install statement light fixtures, such as pendant lights over the island or prep station.


Modern Small Kitchen Ideas for Drawers & Cabinets


5. Insert Drawers Inside Cabinets

One of the top modern small kitchen ideas is the addition of drawers inside of your cabinets. This can dramatically increase your organization and provide easy access to typically-cluttered items like lids, pans and Tupperware. Plus, it’s more cost-effective than custom cabinetry.


6. Remove Upper Cabinets

Upper cabinets take up a ton of space, and can make the space feel closed off and crowded. Simply remove the cabinets and create open shelves, showcasing your dishes and glassware.


The Best Small Kitchen Layouts


7. Galley

One of the most popular small kitchen layouts is the galley kitchen, also known as a walk-through kitchen. This format is characterized by two parallel walls and countertops with a walkway in the center, making use of every inch of space.


8. L-Shaped

Another great design for small kitchen layouts is the L-shaped kitchen. This format works with a corner of the room, creating countertops and cabinetry across two adjoining perpendicular walls, eliminating potential kitchen traffic.



Looking to do a kitchen remodel in the Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley area? South Land Remodeling can design and build it for you. Contact us today for a free quote!


7 Comments


tate
a day ago

Clear and realistic guidance on renovation costs. I appreciated the transparency around variables and expectations. A home-improvement article on an https://www.adopthelp.com review blog complemented this nicely.

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tate
2 days ago

Thanks for breaking down the costs in such a clear and realistic way. The explanations made the process feel less overwhelming. It reminded me of a https://nptica.com home-improvement cost guide I read on a -based review blog.

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isabella rose
isabella rose
6 days ago

These small kitchen ideas are really inspiring clever storage, smart layouts, and thoughtful design can make a tiny space feel much bigger. Choosing the right appliances matters too, and a 27″ Double Electric Wall Oven with 15+ Ways To Cook can add great functionality without taking up too much room.

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Kris
Kris
Dec 26, 2025

Having reliable kitchen appliances truly makes a small kitchen feel functional and enjoyable. When something breaks, it’s tempting to just replace it, but I’ve learned that a good repair can be a smarter choice for your budget, your space, and even the planet. If you ever need help, I can personally recommend looking into trusted appliance repair in Glenview, IL. It’s often more cost-effective to fix a quality older appliance than buy a new one, especially when it’s perfectly sized for your kitchen layout. Giving a trusted appliance a second chance just feels right

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Electric Nguyen
Electric Nguyen
Nov 09, 2025

It also has the added bonus of visually expanding the room, making it feel larger than it actually is, which is especially useful in smaller spaces or rooms with limited natural light.

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