Your kitchen is the heart of your home and probably the room you spend the most time in. It’s where bonds are strengthened and memories are made. Small kitchens don’t have to be any different and you certainly don’t have to sacrifice your personal style due to a lack of space. You can make your kitchen uniquely yours and give it that homely feeling without adding clutter and feeling suffocated while you cook. How? With these small kitchen decor ideas, of course.
1. Statement Backsplash
You may be thinking that a busy backsplash is the exact opposite of what your small kitchen needs. Actually, a statement backsplash elevates the room without making it feel cramped. It takes up vertical space, instead of floor space, which allows you to get creative without any sacrifice.
It becomes the focal point of the room, leaving no eyes on the limited square footage. A quality backsplash protects your walls from cooking splatters and if you’re renting, removable backsplash sheets won’t leave a trace when you move. You don’t have to opt for Moroccan or bohemian prints if it’s not your style. A classic white or neutral herringbone pattern also gives your kitchen some personality.
2. Lighting Accents
Lighting does wonders in a small space. Most small kitchens rely on one overhead light fixture, which makes the room look flat and underwhelming. You can fix this by introducing some ambient lighting to your small kitchen. Add pendant lights over the kitchen island, bring the sink to life with sconces, and add accent lighting in the form of under-cabinet LED strips.
The more light, the bigger the space and the better you can see when whipping up gourmet meals. Lighting draws the eye upward, which gives the illusion of more space, and if you choose the right fixture style, it can complement your design while accentuating the rest of your small kitchen decor ideas.
3. Small Herb Garden
You don’t have to be Remy from Ratatouille to appreciate fresh herbs. Even if you don’t cook with them, herbs can bring beauty and flavorful aromas to your small kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to keep your ingredients close and you don’t even need a large garden to grow your own.
Line mason jars with soil and herbs along a windowsill that gets a lot of sun, or save counter space by investing in tiered wall planters. There are plenty of herbs that thrive well indoors like basil, rosemary, parsley, and mint. Even if your kitchen doesn’t get much natural light, you can keep your seedlings happy with LED grow lights.
4. Pretty Containers and Canisters
It’s time to swap out the mismatched packaging in your kitchen for pretty containers and canisters. Those flour bags and sugar packets take up unnecessary space and they can look very messy when left out. This can clutter up a small kitchen very, very fast, regardless of the rest of small kitchen decor ideas that you’ve incorporated.
Get yourself some clear glass jars or ceramic canisters to hold your pantry staples and label them with chalkboard labels or clear minimal stickers. The kitchen will instantly feel tidy and put together when your everyday essentials like coffee, sugar, teas, and pasta are stored in attractive canisters.
5. Open Shelving
You’d think that open shelves may appear cluttered and that a cupboard door should be hiding all of that. However, open shelves give the illusion of more space while still offering the same amount of storage as the bulky cabinets that make the room feel closed-in.
You also get to display your beloved items like stacked plates and bowls, or cookbooks and small potted plants. It brings some personality to the table while forcing you to stay organized. Use wooden shelves for warmth, or metal ones for a modern industrial look. Then, work with decor and functional items to keep things visually appealing.
6. Small Seasonal Details
Instead of big overwhelming decorations, you can whip up a magazine-worthy small kitchen with just a couple of seasonal details. Change out your regular dish towels for Christmas-themed ones, replace your boring placemats with spooky Halloween ones, and swap your torn oven mitts for red and white Valentines ones. Or, you could bring the seasons into your home by going for floral accents in spring and warm plaids in fall. Even a seasonal centerpiece on your kitchen table can make the space feel dynamic without clutter.
7. Large Clock
A large clock is a simple accessory, but it can serve as a functional focal point. Small kitchens often have limited space, which is why you need an oversized clock to add drama, drawing the eye in to give the illusion of a bigger space. It balances out the small space with a single bold element rather than small scattered decorations.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, you’ll be able to time meals and manage busy mornings without having to squint or walk closer to the clock. If you’re going for the farmhouse style, think distressed wood with Roman numerals. If modern is the goal, go for a sleek and minimal black-and-white design.
8. Woven Baskets
Woven baskets double as decor while hiding the clutter that can crowd your small kitchen. Add a rustic touch to your kitchen interior with wicker or rattan baskets and tuck them above cabinets to store less frequently used items. Label your baskets with tags or chalkboard labels to make things easier to find. For everyday items like fruit or bread, leave them on the countertop. The best part is that woven baskets are lightweight, so you can move them around as your needs change.
9. Indoor Plants
It’s never a bad idea to bring a little greenery into your small kitchen decor ideas. Indoor plants purify the air and add a refreshing pop of color to the space. If you’re short on counter space, mount small pots on the wall or hang planters from the ceiling.
Alternatively, line some pots in the windowsill or place a slim plant stand in the corner of the room. Some plants like pothos and snake plants thrive indoors and they require little maintenance. If your small kitchen gets enough sunlight, add trailing ivy or spider plants to your decor. Pair them with natural woods and neutral tones for an organic feel.
10. Cookware Displays
Small kitchens don’t always have the storage capacity you may need for your cookware. Why not turn those cast iron skillets and copper pots into decor? Of course, you’ll still be able to use them but they’ll have an extra purpose.
Hang your favorite most-used pots and pans on a wall-mounted rack or on a ceiling pot hanger to save cabinet space. You can hang smaller items, like utensils and other essentials, as well. It saves you money on decor, makes your cookware easy to access, and it may even serve as a great conversation starter.
11. Stylish Bar Stools
If your kitchen has a small breakfast bar, you have another opportunity to elevate your space with some small kitchen decor ideas. Find stools that are already perfect for your kitchen, or source a couple that need a Pinterest makeover. With some paint and the occasional fabric, you can add softness and style to something functional.
Backless stools are great because they can be tucked under the counter to save space, but stools with backs are a lot more comfortable. If your stools tie into your kitchen’s color palette, you’ll have a beautiful designated spot for morning coffee and socializing while cooking.
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.