Kitchen Designs Photos

Modern Furniture

Small Apartment Kitchen Ideas

Organization

• Most apartment kitchens are small and, as with any small space, it can be a struggle to keep things organized. Keeping a kitchen organized is also an opportunity to decorate. Installing a shelving unit or even the tiniest of racks add storage space and flair. Add these items to wall using wall hanging strips, a non-permanent solution for hanging things on walls; read the directions with the strips to be sure no damage will occur. Ask your landlord's permission before adding any permanent additions to your apartment's kitchen.

Scale

• It is not an extremely common feature in apartments, but some apartment kitchens are eat-in kitchens, which are large enough to have furniture for meals. When choosing a kitchen set for this type of kitchen, something wise to keep in mind is the furniture's scale--its proportions in relation to the kitchen as well as the other items within the kitchen. Measure your kitchen, and decide what counts as an appropriate-size piece of furniture, not too massive and not too tiny for the room.

• When decorating a small space, less gives the feeling of there being more to the room. In any small space, it's common to slip and fall into the realm of cluttered messiness. A tip for creating an aura of spaciousness is to add mirrors to an area where light is reflected.

Add Color

• Color is a power tool in an interior decorator's tool kit. If painting the walls of your apartment violates your leasing agreement, add color by finding functional items in the color tones you want to use. Opt for a silver trash can if the look you want is modern. When it comes to fabrics like rugs and curtains, search for items in colors and even textures you find attractive and fitting for the theme you desire for your kitchen.

Small Kitchen Designs

Apartment Kitchen Ideas

Color

• Paint your apartment kitchen. Ask the property owner for permission before painting the walls. Once you receive permission, choose a color to brighten up your kitchen. Smaller kitchens appear larger with a lighter-hued paint--for example, pale yellow walls and bright yellow cupboard doors.

Table

• Place a small table and chairs in the corner of your apartment kitchen. If you do not have a small kitchen table set, buy an inexpensive one. A card table, decorated with a tablecloth, and chairs would work as well. Don't clutter a small kitchen apartment with large furniture.

Storage

• Create storage in your kitchen apartment. Typically, apartment kitchens lack enough storage for tenants. Buy a decorative shower curtain rod and hang a bedsheet to hide items stored behind it. Choose a sheet to match your décor or an accent color for your kitchen. This creates a decorative and fast way to create a hidden storage area in your kitchen.

Pegboard

• Dedicate an area in your kitchen for a pegboard, hooks and pegboard baskets. Pegboards seldom come in a color to match your kitchen's décor. Buy spray paint for the pegboard and paint it in an accent color. Let the pegboard dry completely. Hang the pegboard in a specific area in your kitchen--for example, next to the refrigerator. Arrange your cookbooks and kitchen towels in the pegboard baskets. Hang your cooking utensils on the pegboard with the pegboard hooks.

Shelving

• Hang extra shelving in your kitchen. You can paint the shelving to match the kitchen's décor. Shop your local thrift stores, department stores or garage sales for inexpensive shelving. Arrange your spices on one shelf and glassware on another.

Lighting

• Replace the lighting in your kitchen. Buy lighting to meet your personal needs and preferences. Perhaps, you want your kitchen to have a chandelier or an updated light fixture. If you can't replace the light fixture yourself, hire a professional.

Creating a Kitchen Style

Once you’ve begun to organize and maximize your space, you’ll be ready to work on your kitchen décor. Depending on your time and budget, you can make small changes, such as adding kitchen decorations, or overhaul the fundamental structure of the room.

There are several popular kitchen styles you might want to consider before making major changes. While you may not want to imitate them exactly, they may give you kitchen ideas that will help you create a look that reflects your personal style.

1. Contemporary – This style features clean, simple lines and a minimalist look. Cabinets and appliances are modern looking and eschew ornate embellishments.

2. Colonial (also known as Country or Early American): This style evokes a homey, lived-in feel and features quaint, old-fashioned décor.

3. Shaker – Shaker kitchens are simple and utilitarian, featuring wood cabinets and countertops and brass fixtures.

4. French Country – These kitchens have a warm feel and make use of natural materials. Furniture is often large with embellished design.

Apartment Kitchen Design Ideas

Making the Most of a Small Kitchen:

Many kitchens are full of appliances that go unused, yet take up a lot of space. Think about it- when is the last time you used that asparagus steamer? Whether you received these items as wedding gifts or purchased them on impulse, consider donating them to charity or selling them on eBay to save space.

Do you have mountains of plastic bags, take out containers or paper plates stuffed into a corner cabinet or under the sink? While it’s great to save these things to use again, you don’t need to keep a stockpile on hand. Try to cut down on the disposable items you bring into the apartment, and send some of these things to be recycled.

Small apartment kitchens are notorious for their lack of counter space. If this is a problem for your apartment, consider purchasing a “movable island”, a mobile counter top that usually has drawers and hooks for storage. Many movable islands have cutting board surfaces that give you two food preparation areas.

If you are frustrated by the lack of cabinet space in your apartment, cabinet additives, extra shelves, spice racks and container organizers can increase the amount of useful space in your cabinets. Visit a home furnishing store like Bed, Bath & Beyond or The Container Store to get ideas for kitchen organizers. Inserting dividers into drawers can help keep silverware and tools better organized and prevent the development of a cluttered “junk drawer”. Items that typically belong in drawers may find a home on overhead racks and hooks. Home supply stores sell metal racks that hang on the stove or over the sink and hold large utensils, pot holders, towels and other items.

If you want to make a more substantial investment in your kitchen, consider changing the size or shape of a few of your cabinets. Deep drawers will allow you to store pots and pans without having to hang them to outside racks or stuff them in drawers where they don’t fit. Corner cabinets can take advantage of unused space.