Small Kitchen Design Ideas Worth Saving | Apartment Therapy

We see a lot of great small kitchens, and the best ones have smart layouts, maximized efficiency and clever storage solutions. If you are planning a large renovation, or just want refresh your space, here are twelve tried and true ideas for getting a kitchen that totally works.

Cut the Corners. If you are designing a kitchen from scratch, galley (or walk-through) kitchens are efficient layouts that don't leave lots of dead space. If you already have an L-shaped floorplan, consider corner kitchen drawers, or lazy Susans inside your cabinets, to make awkward spots more functional.

Reflective Surfaces. Install mirrors wherever possible, to add the illusion of more space.

Backsplash Shelving. The wall area above your counters, or over the range, is one more place to eke out storage, in addition to cabinets. Small shelves are the perfect solution for keeping things you use regularly within reach, like spices or cookbooks.

Kitchen Counter Bars. If you don't have room for a proper kitchen table, a bar countertop doubles as both prep space and an eating area.

Integrated Cabinet Pulls. Having recessed, cut-out, or flush-mount pulls, instead of hardware, is just one more way to ensure smooth movement through your space, and reduce visual clutter.