Small kitchen design is all about balancing function and style. There's no need to compromise on style or avoid making a statement. With careful design consideration, you can create a space that is practical for everyday use, yet extremely stylish.
As with any other room in your home, it's always helpful to be aware of the most prominent design trends for inspiration when upgrading your decor. To understand the top small kitchen trends for 2024, we spoke to interior designers who shared their favorites.
“Small kitchens come with some challenges and many opportunities. Create a functional space for eating alone or together while playing with trends in color, pattern, and texture. '' says interior designer Nicole Lanteri.
5 small kitchen trends for 2024
If you have a small kitchen and are looking for decorating ideas to breathe new life into your kitchen, these ideas are for you. From color trends to kitchen shelving, these expert ideas prove that small rooms are the perfect opportunity to incorporate the latest kitchen trends.
1. Small farmhouse style
(Image credit: Interior by Heidi Caillier Design, photo Haris Kenjar)
Farmhouse kitchens are often large rooms with plenty of space to accommodate all of the classic features of this style, such as a large butler sink and butcher block counter. But that doesn't mean you can't adopt a rustic farmhouse-style plan for your small kitchen. For interior designer Cathy Kuo, this is one of his favorite small kitchen trends for 2024. She explains that this is a great way to lean into a cozy, vintage-inspired look.
“I love the trend of adding rustic farmhouse elements to small kitchens to make them feel cozy. If you're working with a small space, it's better to use it as an asset rather than trying to cheat the space. It's often beneficial: Incorporate plenty of cottagecore, French country, and traditional farmhouse elements into your small kitchen, and you'll instantly feel like the star of an old-fashioned British romantic comedy.”
Kathy Kuo is a renowned interior designer and international leading expert on home and lifestyle spaces. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry.
Want to add some rustic charm to your small kitchen? Start by shopping the following home items that will easily create a relaxed farmhouse aesthetic.
Peabody cotton tea towel (set of 2)
brass detailed metal bread box
2. Two-tone color scheme
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
When it comes to color choices for small kitchens in 2024, designers explain the benefits of a two-tone kitchen instead of the all-white look often seen in small kitchens to make the space feel bright and airy. Interior Designer Melissa Reed explains that in a small space like this, choosing a more adventurous color scheme can be more effective.
Melissa, Creative Director at Studio Burntwood says: “Consider a two-tone kitchen design by incorporating contrast between kitchen floors, cabinet fronts, and worktops.” “A common mistake in compact kitchens is using too many bright colors throughout. To avoid this overwhelming “plaster” effect, choose two-tone kitchen cabinet fronts and play with contrasting colors and textures for a more thoughtful and dynamic look. ”
Melissa Reid attended KLC School of Design in Chelsea before working at one of London's most acclaimed interior design studios. She is currently the creative director of Studio Burntwood, an interior design studio specializing in luxury residential interior design for private clients and real estate developers.
3. Floating and open shelves
(Image credit: Collected Interiors, photography Nicole Dianne)
“I think there's an instinct in small kitchens to fill every inch of wall space with cabinets, the famous 'more is better' storage pursuit. As a result, the kitchen can become smaller. ,” explains Ashley Makuga, Principal Designer at Collected Interiors. The weight of the box makes it feel heavy. ”
“We recommend keeping an open mind for floating shelves, even in small spaces. They're highly functional and provide easy access to frequently used items, but they also add space to the room's negatives. It also frees up space, allowing light to shine in and fill in areas where there are no cabinets.”
Interior designer Laura Williams of ATX Interior Design also believes floating shelves in small kitchens will be a central trend in 2024. She added that floating shelves are also a functional and beautiful kitchen storage solution. “In small kitchens, I love minimizing the top and maximizing the top.” Floating shelves. This will make a small space feel a little more spacious, and the shelf will become a very functional space for everything you use on a daily basis, such as dishes, glasses, olive oil, etc. ”
Laura Williams' work is based on all the personal and professional experiences that led to the creation of her own design studio. Her eye for balanced interiors dates back to her childhood home, where she would often rearrange her furniture and redecorate her rooms.
Similarly, choosing open shelving, such as inside a kitchen dresser, creates a similar look, but depending on your space, it may be a more practical option than floating shelves.designer Maria Vasiliu maria zoe designs “Our favorite design trend in small kitchens is open shelves with rails.” We're used to very heavy kitchens with closed upper cabinets. It gives you easy access to everyday items and makes your kitchen feel more open with this casual and inviting look. ”
4. Extended natural stone countertops
(Image credit: Nicole Lanteri design)
When it comes to kitchen countertops, designers say that natural stone options are a major design trend for small kitchens in 2024. But in a small kitchen, it's important to go beyond the choice of material and continue with the same stone where tiled kitchen backsplashes are typically used to achieve a more cohesive look. look.
Nicole explains: “We love using natural materials like marble, soapstone, and quartzite for countertops or on walls as a backsplash instead of tiles. It makes your kitchen look more luxurious and sophisticated. At the same time, it makes it feel larger, more cohesive, and more interesting. It's also functional and easier to clean!
Nicole Lanteri founded her Washington, DC-based interior design firm in 2009. Nicole Lanteri Design works on projects in the surrounding areas of Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as as far afield as New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Southern California. .
Interior designer Luis Carmona also believes that agglomerated stone countertops are an effective small kitchen trend, saying, “Incorporating a flowing design into a small kitchen can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to surfaces.'' ” he added. Lifting countertop stone up the wall and using it as a backsplash can help form a continuous, more fluid design aesthetic. This makes the space appear larger than it actually is. ”
5.Deep and dark colors
(Image credit: Nicole Lanteri design)
A standout kitchen trend commonly seen this year is decorating in deep, dark hues to create a moody look. So it's no surprise to see this being adopted into small kitchens as well. In fact, dark shades are most effective for creating a cozy atmosphere in small spaces with limited natural light.
“After years of using white kitchens, people are taking more creative risks with dark kitchens and painted cabinets. In addition to being more interesting and quirky, dark and moody kitchens feels more spacious,” explains Nicole.
There are plenty of on-trend dark colors to try in your small kitchen, such as forest green, which has a sophisticated look inspired by nature. If you're feeling brave, make a bold statement by decorating in black, like in the Nicole Lanteri-designed kitchen above.
No matter how limited your kitchen space is, take inspiration from these trends and create a stylish space this year. Whether you want to embrace the trendy dark paint idea or add some rustic decor to make your space feel more inviting, there are plenty of ideas to consider.
