Small kitchen ideas on a budget - how to go big on style

Think  small kitchen ideas on a budget don't exist, and can't be stylish unless you spend a fortune? Think again. 

Tighter spaces lend themselves to mini statement features such as colourful splashbacks and boldly patterned flooring, and small kitchen ideas can be among some of the most daring and creative. Even installing a trendy tap can bring your bijou kitchen bang up to date.

From choosing stream-lined, handleless cabinets and savvy storage solutions, to keeping colours light on top and illuminating dingy corners, there's a host of simple - and affordable - interiors tricks to draw upon to make the most of your space. 

Below are some of our favourite examples of diminutive kitchens that pack a design punch.

Hide functionality behind flair

This London pied-à-terre is a masterclass in compact open-plan living. Floating glass shelves above the base cabinets allow for a touch of character in the form of plants and decorative objects, while a hanging rail retains that coveted open feel while keeping kitchen paraphernalia close to hand.

"Just because a kitchen is bijou, it doesn't mean it can't be big on style," says bespoke kitchen designer Charlie Smallbone of Ledbury Studio. "Here, we have hidden much of the functionality behind closed, pewter-fronted doors, meaning all you see is a collection of handmade pieces of furniture. Whether you are dining at the table or lounging in the living area, you will always have a beautiful view."

Go handleless for clean-lined cabinets

Small kitchens can quickly look cluttered, so keep detailing to a minimum and avoid the shaker style. Handleless cabinets create a contemporary, clean-lined effect that doesn't confuse or overwhelm the eye. There's a wide range of finishes to choose from, including the modern glossy white of these units, recently chosen by interior designer Gillian Segal (opens in new tab) for a sleek new apartment in Vancouver. 

Light up dark corners and spotlight hidden features

When it comes to lighting your small kitchen, Rohan Blacker, founder and designer, Pooky (opens in new tab), suggests installing downlights or LED strip lighting in the recesses of your cabinets. 

"They're great at highlighting darker corners and will really open up your space," he says. "Use lighting to highlight certain features in your kitchen that may be hidden in the shadows of overhanging cabinets, be it your new red toaster or a statement tiled splashback."

Play with blurred lines

"Light and muted worktops work brilliantly in smaller kitchens as they naturally reflect light back into the room," says Julia Trendell, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchen and Joinery (opens in new tab). 

"Blurring the lines of where the worktop ends and the wall starts is another great trick for making a kitchen feel larger. Continue a granite or quartz worktop up the wall as a splashback or upstand to give the illusion of more space with minimum hassle."

Get playful with a colourful splashback

It's easy to make a feature of a splashback in a small space. Even if it's the only thing you change, it'll make an impact and give your whole kitchen a lift. Tiles ooze elegance, or look to glass and metallic splashbacks if you need to bounce more light around the place. 

Make a bijou floor statement

Statement patterned kitchen tiles help draw the eye away from the dimensions of a room. They look really cool in bijou spaces, if you're on a budget, the good news is that you don't need many! Floor tiling doesn't tend to overpower a space, adding instant personality that you might not be able to fit in elsewhere. Look to Harvey Maria (opens in new tab) for this easy-clean luxury vinyl tiling (LVT) that looks like the real deal but won't break the bank.

Give tired units a fresh lick of paint

To liven up an uninspiring kitchen without starting from scratch, give tired kitchen cabinet  doors, radiators and even some fridges a fresh lick of paint. Even wall and floor tiles can be painted on a budget. Choose a hard-wearing paint that can be applied directly to your kitchen surfaces. Look for a smooth, stain-resistant finish that quickly wipes clean in the event of spills and splashes. Shown here is Anthracite from V33 (opens in new tab) at just £18 per litre.

Use flooring to help a broken layout flow

Not got an open-plan kitchen? Flooring can be used to connect your space to the rest of your home. For creating the perception of space, David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright (opens in new tab), recommends a light wood finish floor with a single plank design. 

"Carry the same flooring from the kitchen to conjoining areas to create a consistent flow between the rooms," he says. "Chevron wood flooring can be especially effective running from a narrow kitchen into a separate dining or living space, making these areas feel harmonious."

Nab a designer ex-display bargain

Did you know that you could snap up kitchens that were formerly used in showrooms? There are brilliant bargains to be found, such as this designer ex-display kitchen from Used Kitchen Exchange (opens in new tab). Given the confined space of most showrooms, these kitchens are often packed with smart storage solutions. What's more, buying 'used' helps offset your carbon footprint in the name of sustainability, and what could be cooler than that?

Don't be afraid of the dark

"It is not strictly necessary to stick to a bright palette in small kitchens," says Ben Burbridge, managing director at Kitchen Makers (opens in new tab). "If you'd prefer to use dark, rich tones, try to create consistency through the textures and materials so as not to overwhelm the space."

Go lighter on top and darker down below

Overhead cabinets can make an already tight kitchen feel even more cramped, but if you need the storage, detract from their bulk by painting them a lighter shade than your base units.