Ten compact kitchens by architects that make the most of limited space (2024)

Not everyone has room for a huge kitchen so for our latest lookbook, we've rounded up ten designs with a small footprint.

One solution is a single-wall kitchen, in which everything is arranged in a single run against a wall.

Other more creative designs feature kitchens tucked in nooks, hidden behind doors or even pop-up kitchens that fold away when not in use.

This is the latest roundup in ourDezeen Lookbooks series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous kitchen-related posts feature breakfast bars, kitchens with islands, green kitchens,terrazzo kitchensandkitchens with skylights.

Pocket House, UK, by Tikari Works

Aptly named Pocket House, this London extension measures just 35 square metres. Designers Tikari Works fitted the compact kitchen along a wall, with a skylight above providing natural light.

Custom-made plywood cabinets by Uncommon Projects provide storage including a run of units above the counter with sliding doors that hide everything from gadgets to plug sockets, allowing the counter to remain clutter-free.

Find out more about Pocket House ›

LIFE micro-apartments, South Korea, by Ian Lee

Like the walls in this tiny apartment in Seoul, South Korea, the storage spaces in this small kitchen have been lined with pale birch wood.

The kitchen has a stainless steel sink and a miniature hob beneath a small steel extractor. Two of the birch shelves have been left open, giving the owner space to display their earthenware.

This creates a simple, decorative touch and breaks up the streamlined design of the wooden cabinets.

Find out more about LIFE micro-apartments ›

Studio apartment, France, by Pierre-Louis Gerlier

A curved wall with scalloped wood panelling decorates this Parisian studio apartment where space is at a premium. Designer Pierre-Louise Gerlier built it into a partition to save space in the open-plan interior.

Cabinets in a bright, springlike green sit above a sink and small hob. The wall behind the kitchen area has been rendered in concrete that contrasts with the brass electrical sockets.

A vintage campaign chair in bright orange adds another touch of colour to the space.

Find out more about the studio apartment ›

Casa Mami, USA, by Working Holiday Studio

Holiday homes often need functional but space-saving kitchens and this one in the California desert is no exception. Designers Working Holiday Studio took cues from Japanese and Scandinavian design when creating this pale-wood kitchen.

Cabinets and drawers have holes instead of handles. A small black cafe table and slender chairs pick up the black colours of the mismatching sink, fridge and cast-iron cooking utensils.

Find out more about Casa Mami ›

El Camarin, Argentina, by IR Arquitectura

Bright white cupboards and shelves give this small Argentine kitchen a light, relaxing feel. Built-in furniture adds plenty of storage space to the small kitchen next to a caged balcony.

A small table can be folded out to create a dining space, and the fridge and washing machines are also hidden behind the doors.

Find out more about El Camarin ›

Minimal Fantasy Apartment, Spain, by Patricia Bustos Studio

The only minimal thing in the Minimal Fantasy Apartment is the footprint of the kitchen, which has been built against one wall in the completely pink apartment.

Colourful cabinets have geometric shapes and blue hues that break up the monotone pink. A small pale-pink sink sits on a pink-tiled countertop. Spherical wall lights add a festive feel.

Find out more about Minimal Fantasy Apartment ›

Majamaja, Finland, by Pekka Littow

Majamaja is an off-grid cabin in the Finnish seaside that was created as a holiday home by architect Pekka Littow.

He added clever space-saving tricks such as fold-down furniture and a kitchenette that can be hidden behind birch plywood doors when not in use.

The doors have matching shelves above the stainless-steel sink, hob and splashback.

Find out more about Majamaja ›

Brooklyn Loft by Dean Works

This former studio apartment in Brooklyn was reorganised around a multi-functional plywood volume. In the kitchen, where it has been lined with grey and white marble, it forms cabinets and countertops.

The module holds both the since and a gas hob, as well as a built-in oven. Open shelves lend the feel of a display case and allow the owners easy access to crockery and cooking utensils.

Find out more about Brooklyn Loft ›

Sanwa kitchen, Japan, by Sanwa

Japanese brand Sanwa designed this tiny kitchen, which is made from bamboo, especially for micro-homes. When closed, the kitchen doubles as a compact work desk.

An inbuilt electric motor opens the lid up to turn it into a fully functional kitchen with kitchen and washing facilities in one single unit.

The kitchen is one of a range of compact kitchens by the brand.

Find out more about Sanwa kitchen ›

Tiny Holiday Home, The Netherlands, by Chris Collaris and i29 Interior Architects

Pale wood meets black wood to create a sculptural, striking kitchen design in this Dutch holiday home.

The house was designed to be "spatially efficient" and make use of every centimetre. This can also be seen in the wardrobe-like kitchen, which features bespoke full-height cabinetry designed by i29 Interior Architects and Chris Collaris to echo the graphical form of the house.

Find out more about Tiny Holiday Home ›

This is the latest in our series oflookbooksproviding curated visual inspiration from Dezeen's image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasingpeaceful bedrooms,calm living roomsandcolourful kitchens.

Read more:

  • Architecture
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • Highlights
  • Lookbooks
  • Instagram
Ten compact kitchens by architects that make the most of limited space (2024)

FAQs

What type of kitchen is ideal for a limited space? ›

Galley kitchens – If your kitchen is very narrow, small galley-style design with counters and appliances on opposing walls works best. These types of kitchens offer fantastic efficiency in terms of the storage and workspace they provide.

What kitchen shape makes the most out of smaller space? ›

For example, galley kitchens and U-shaped kitchens are often good options for smaller spaces. A galley layout allows for plenty of storage with base and wall cabinets, while a U-shaped design maximises the amount of work surface and allows for good access throughout the space.

What is the most efficient arrangement for a small kitchen? ›

The most efficient kitchen layouts are U-shaped and island kitchens. These layouts provide ample countertop space for cooking and prep work, and they allow for fluid movement throughout the room. Galley kitchens often have the issue of feeling “bottlenecked” because there is only one path in and out of the kitchen.

What is the smallest kitchen size? ›

What is the smallest size a kitchen can be? A small kitchen is defined by the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association as a space that's smaller than 70 square feet (6.5m2). A mid-sized kitchen, meanwhile, is 100 square feet (9.2m2).

What color countertops look best in a small kitchen? ›

Dark colors such as navy, dark grey, and plum can make your kitchen feel cozy and inviting but also make the room feel smaller. On the other hand, light colors such as pastel green, white, and magnolia can open up a small space and give the illusion that it's much larger than it really is.

Which kitchen layout would take up the least amount of space? ›

One-wall kitchens are the smallest and most compact of any type of kitchen layout. They include all kitchen furniture and appliances arranged within one simple, linear line. Taking up minimal floor space, the one wall kitchen layout is ideal when space is at a premium, yet they can also work for larger spaces too.

What is the least efficient kitchen shape? ›

Cons of L-shaped kitchens:

Limited space for multiple cooks: If you have multiple people working in the kitchen simultaneously, an L-shaped layout may not provide enough space for smooth collaboration. Challenging to add an island: L-shaped kitchens may not accommodate an island easily due to space constraints.

Can I fit an island in a 12x12 kitchen? ›

The general rule is that you will need at least 42 to 48 inches (106.68 cm to 121.92 cm) of open space around your island. Another life-saving guideline: if your kitchen is less than 13 feet wide, we don't recommend adding an island at all.

Which kitchen design is most efficient? ›

The U-Shape design is the most versatile layout for both large and small kitchens. It provides storage and countertop space on three walls, which creates an efficient work triangle for food prep.

What is an efficient kitchen layout? ›

Workflow Efficiency

The flow of work in a kitchen is critical to its overall efficiency. Ergonomically designed kitchens typically adhere to the 'kitchen work triangle' concept. This triangular layout connects the stove, sink, and refrigerator to minimize movement between these key areas.

What kitchen layout is ideal for small apartments? ›

When space is tight, go long and narrow. If you're designing a kitchen space and you don't have a lot of square footage, it's always best to create a galley-style kitchen that's long and narrow.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6078

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.