Making the most of a small kitchen space

We’d all love epic kitchens with heaps of storage, miles of benchtop and a spacious butler’s pantry like the ones that have become de rigueur on The Block, but the truth is, most of us don’t have them. What we do have, though, is ingenuity, creativity and impeccably good taste!

As the number of Australians living in apartments and townhouses increases - particularly in cities - it stands to reason that more of us will be rustling up dinner in smaller kitchens. Compact needn’t mean cramped and overwhelming, though. By choosing the right appliances, using clever storage and applying a couple of simple design tricks, you can make your kitchen feel larger, lighter and more enjoyable to cook in.

Combination microwave ovens: Typically offering 40-50L of capacity, combination microwave ovens combine microwave and conventional oven functions, allowing you to bake, grill and microwave, with many also offering air fry and other cooking modes. They can save bench space by removing the need for a separate microwave and air fryer, while their roughly 45cm height is around 15cm shorter than a standard 60cm oven, leaving room for an extra drawer, shelf or larger cupboard.

Ovens with built-in air fry functions: Choosing a regular oven with an integrated air fry mode eliminates the need for a separate air fryer to live on your kitchen bench. You can still get perfectly crispy chips and roasted veggies while keeping your countertop clear for food prep and dishing up dinner.

Flat door ovens: Handleless ovens feature flat fronts that open with a gentle push. By eliminating protruding handles, you not only reduce the risk of bumps and snags in tight kitchen walkways, you create a sleeker overall aesthetic. There are limited models on the market, and they are premium products, but Fisher & Paykel has very stylish regular- and compact-size handleless ovens.

French door fridges: A French door fridge features narrower individual doors that require less clearance to open compared to a single large door. This can make them ideal for galley kitchens or any layout with a narrow space between the fridge and the benchtop opposite it.

Flat door fridges: Just like flat door ovens, flat door fridges with recessed handles provide a completely flush exterior finish. Unlike the ovens, though, there are lots of options for fridges with recessed handles, at everyday prices. It’s a small thing, but without handles protruding into your path, the whole room feels significantly more streamlined.

Shallow-depth fridges: Many larger fridges are too deep to sit snugly in their designated cavities or spaces, and protrude beyond the surrounding cabinetry into the kitchen. Even when a fridge sticks out only a few centimetres, the visual effect can be jarring and make the space feel more crowded. Some brands, like Haier, have specifically designed models to fit flush with their surrounds, resulting in a clean, unobtrusive look.

Slimline 45cm dishwashers: If you’re renovating a small kitchen that doesn’t currently have a dishwasher, it needn’t necessarily stay that way. A full-size dishwasher may not fit in a small kitchen, but a 45cm slimline model can take up less valuable floor and workspace.

Single-drawer dishwashers: A regular 60cm width, but single-drawer model, such as Fisher & Paykel’s DishDrawer, can be a practical option where space is limited, as can compact 60cm by 60cm built-in models. This smaller capacity can also suit couples or smaller households that don’t generate many dishes.

Induction cooktops: An induction cooktop offers a perfectly flat, continuous glass surface that looks incredibly sleek. This creates a much more spacious aesthetic than a traditional gas stove with raised cast iron trivets or older electric coil circular hotplates.

Downdraft rangehoods: Dedicated downdraft rangehoods offer a sleek, space-saving alternative to traditional models, drawing smoke, steam and odours downwards into hidden ventilation. Retractable designs that elevate only when in use can integrate neatly with your cooktop, making them a good option for minimalist or small kitchens.

Downdraft cooktops: This premium, all-in-one option draws smoke and steam directly downward into the cooktop itself. It completely removes the need for a separate rangehood, freeing up space for open shelving or allowing the cooktop to be placed on a benchtop or kitchen island without the need for a canopy .

Undermount rangehoods: If a downdraft model doesn’t fit your budget, an undermount rangehood is a minimally intrusive alternative. Hidden neatly inside the upper cabinets above the cooktop, it does its job without disrupting your kitchen's clean lines.

Handleless cabinetry: Using push-to-open doors or recessed bevel edges can give you a clean, clutter-free look. More importantly, it stops metal handles from sticking out into high-traffic zones. If you’re amending existing cabinetry and these options aren’t possible, simple ‘edge pull’ handles can be a good minimalist alternative.

Optimised vertical storage: Extending tall cabinets all the way to the ceiling draws the eye upward, with the upper cabinets providing a home for items you rarely use. Another option is to swap one or two upper cupboards for floating shelves, which can make the room feel less top-heavy.

Pull-out pantries and lazy Susans: Fitting deep, awkward-to-reach corner cabinets with lazy Susans means no space goes to waste and you won’t lose things in the back. Similarly, a slim pull-out pantry drawer with multiple levels can slide into narrow gaps, keeping pantry staples organised and easily accessible.

Beyond appliances and storage, light and reflection can help make the most of any small space. By combining bright finishes with layered lighting, you can eliminate dark, shadowy corners that make your small kitchen feel more closed in.

Light colours and reflective surfaces: Very light or white cabinets help to bounce ambient light around the room. Pairing this with glossy tiles or reflective surfaces on your splashback will amplify the effect and make the area feel more open. If you are doing a renovation on a budget and are not making structural changes, painting existing cupboards with special cabinetry paint can transform the look of your kitchen for a few hundred dollars (speaking from experience here - it works!)

Strategic lighting: Installing under-cabinet lighting illuminates dark work zones and makes your countertops usable at night without needing the glare of the main lights. If you're on a budget, adhesive LED strip lights are an easy DIY option - simply stick them to the underside of the cabinets, then add a timber light rail or pelmet in front to hide the strip and soften the glow (again, from experience, it works and is very effective). If you have a small kitchen island, adding delicate pendant lights or downlights can provide a stylish focal point without adding heavy visual clutter overhead.

By choosing appliances and design features that take up less space and reduce friction, you can transform a cramped and gloomy kitchen into a more comfortable, spacious-feeling heart of your home.