Whether you live in a condo, a city apartment, or a sweet little starter home, chances are your kitchen isn’t as big as you’d want. And while dreaming of a full remodel or even a home addition is fun, most of us need to work with what we’ve got—at least for now, right?

But you know what? A small kitchen doesn’t mean sacrificing style, comfort, or functionality. In fact, some of the most charming and efficient kitchens are well under 100 square feet, and they function great! I know because I’ve designed quite a few—sometimes working solo, and other times teaming up with pros like Phoenix AZ Home Improvement to help bring those plans to life.

So. if your kitchen feels more cramped than cozy, here are 5 down-to-earth, Michael-approved ways to open it up and make it feel like a much larger, more inviting space.

1. Closed Storage Where It Counts—And a Little Breathing Room Too

One of the first things I recommend in a small kitchen is keeping your visual clutter to a minimum. That means cabinets with solid doors—yes, even the upper ones—so you don’t have a million different colors and shapes vying for attention. Visual clutter is a serenity killer…

But that doesn’t mean everything has to be hidden. A couple of glass-front uppers (especially if you can keep the insides tidy) will draw the eye into the depth of the cabinets and instantly make the space feel lighter and bigger. Just don’t overdo it—too many open shelves or jars stacked on the counters will undo the spacious feeling you’re aiming for.

2. Know What You Own—and Plan Your Layout Around It

Before you pick out a single cabinet or choose a countertop finish, make a list. I mean it—everything you use in the kitchen: appliances, dishes, baking trays, your favorite blender. It’s not the most exciting part of the process, but it’s what separates a “pretty” kitchen from one you love living and working in.

Figure out where each of those things should live, and plan from there. That way, your cabinets and drawers will actually serve your needs instead of becoming catch-alls. (In other words, avoid every drawer becoming the “junk” drawer.)

Think in terms of zones—like a coffee station or baking drawer—so everything is grouped by activity. Way less stress when cooking, and so much easier to keep clean.

3. Make the Most of Vertical Space

In a small kitchen, height is your best friend. I literally always say: if you don’t have room to go out, go up.

Install cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling (no more dust-collecting soffit gaps), and don’t shy away from tall shelves or full-height pantry storage. You’ll gain extra space for everything from big pots to the slow cooker you only use at Thanksgiving. Plus, those vertical lines help draw the eye upward and make the whole room feel taller.

Tip: Coordinate the colors of your pots and pans so that you have consistently or a pop of color. Utilitarian things make great décor pieces in small spaces. If they’re already on display, make them pretty to look at.

Bonus tip: Window treatments can do this too. Hang your curtains or Roman shades closer to the ceiling than the window frame. Instant lift.

4. Pick a Palette That Opens Things Up

Color makes a huge difference in how a space feels. In small kitchens, I usually recommend sticking with a lighter, more cohesive color palette. Think whites, soft grays, pale wood tones—anything that reflects light and visually blends together.

Now, that doesn’t mean boring. You can still mix in texture—like matte tile against glossy cabinets, or brushed hardware with polished counters. It keeps things interesting without overwhelming the room.

I’ve also found that painting your cabinets the same color as your walls can work wonders too. It’s like color drenching a whole room. When everything is the same color, boundaries are blurred, and the space feels larger. In small kitchens, it makes the cabinets “disappear” a little, and the whole space feels less chopped up.

5. Use Furniture and Fixtures That Work Harder

Fold-down tables, wall-mounted spice racks, narrow rolling carts—these are all MVPs in a small kitchen.

One of my clients had a kitchen so tight that even a bistro table didn’t work… until we found a sleek, narrow console table that doubled as a prep and serving station. With stools that tucked underneath, it turned into a functional little dining nook—without blocking any traffic flow.

And totally don’t forget the details: pull-out shelves in lower cabinets, magnetic knife strips, drawer organizers for all those containers and lids. Every inch should earn its keep.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a massive kitchen to have a beautiful, functional space that you actually enjoy using. Most of the time, it’s not about the square footage—it’s about how smartly your space is designed.

If you’re dealing with a tricky layout, tight corners, or not enough storage, don’t stress. A few updates like these can completely change how your kitchen works and how it feels.

And if you’ve done your own small kitchen makeover, I’d love to hear what worked for you! Drop a comment below and let’s swap some ideas.