Free guide

How to plan a small kitchen layout

Small kitchens are about doing a lot in a little space. A few habits keep the layout usable and stop small calls from becoming expensive mistakes.

Measure before you draw

Record the room’s width, depth, and ceiling height, plus the exact position of every door, window, outlet, and fixed appliance. A small error in a wall or a miscounted cabinet run shows up later as a countertop that won’t fit. Note where the plumbing and gas lines land — moving them is usually far costlier than working around them.

Keep the work zones close together

Cooking, cleaning, and food prep work best when they sit near each other, so you’re not crossing the whole room with a pan in one hand. The classic “work triangle” — sink, hob or stove, and fridge — is a useful mental model. You don’t have to be rigid, but keeping those three roughly balanced avoids long, awkward trips.

Protect the walking space

Leave clear circulation in front of the work surfaces and make sure doors and drawers open fully. In a narrow kitchen a swinging door can eat into the only path, so a pull-out or sliding option is often the calmer choice.

Store vertically

When floor space is short, tall units and the wall above the counters are your best friends. Use the space up to the ceiling for items you reach for least often.