Small classic l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a belfast sink, grey cabinets, granite worktops, grey splashback, granite splashback, integrated appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, grey worktops, a coffered ceiling and beaded cabinets.

Inspiration for a small scandi l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, medium hardwood flooring, an island, grey worktops, white appliances, brown floors and a submerged sink.

Inspiration for a small bohemian l-shaped open plan kitchen in Edinburgh with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate countertops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl flooring, no island, multi-coloured floors and grey worktops.

Design ideas for a small rural l-shaped kitchen/diner in Auckland with a belfast sink, beaded cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, no island, multi-coloured floors and white appliances.

Olivier Chabaud
Inspiration for a small contemporary grey and white l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood worktops, a submerged sink, dark hardwood flooring, no island, brown floors, brown worktops and exposed beams.

Living room. Use of Mirrors to extend the space. This apartment is designed by Black and Milk Interior Design. They specialise in Modern Interiors for Modern London Homes. https://blackandmilk.co.uk

Our clients wanted a fresh approach to make their compact kitchen work better for them. They also wanted it to integrate well with their dining space alongside, creating a better flow between the two rooms and the access from the hallway. On a small footprint, the original kitchen layout didn’t make the most of the available space. Our clients desperately wanted more storage as well as more worktop space. We designed a new kitchen space for our clients, which made use of the footprint they had, as well as improving the functionality. By changing the doorway into the room, we changed the flow through the kitchen and dining spaces and created a deep alcove on the righthand-side of the dining room chimney breast. Freeing up this alcove was a massive space gain, allowing us to increase kitchen storage. We designed a full height storage unit to match the existing cupboards on the other wide of the chimney breast. This new, super deep cupboard space is almost 80cm deep. We divided the internal space between cupboard space above and four considerable drawer pull-outs below. Each drawer holds up to 70kg of contents and pulls right out to give our clients an instant overview of their dry goods and supplies – a fantastic kitchen larder. We painted the new full height cupboard to match and gave them both new matching oak knob handles. The old kitchen had two shorter worktop runs and there was a freestanding cupboard in the space between the cooking and dining zones. We created a compact kitchen peninsula to replace the freestanding unit and united it with the sink run, creating a slim worktop run between the two. This adds to the flow of the kitchen, making the space more of a defined u-shaped kitchen. By adding this new stretch of kitchen worktop to the design, we could include even more kitchen storage. The new kitchen incorporates shallow storage between the peninsula and the sink run. We built in open shelving at a low level and a useful mug and tea cupboard at eye level. We made all the kitchen cabinets from our special eco board, which is produced from 100% recycled timber. The flat panel doors add to the sleek, unfussy style. The light colour cabinetry lends the kitchen a feeling of light and space. The kitchen worktops and upstands are made from recycled paper – created from many, many layers of recycled paper, set in resin to bond it. A really unique material, it is incredibly tactile and develops a lovely patina over time. The pale-coloured kitchen cabinetry is paired with “barely there” toughened glass elements which all help to give the kitchen area a feeling of light and space. The subtle glass splashback behind the hob reflects light into the room as well as protecting the wall surface. The window sills are all made to match and also bounce natural light into the room. The new kitchen is a lovely new functional space which flows well and is integrated with the dining space alongside.

This is an example of a small contemporary l-shaped kitchen/diner in Cambridgeshire with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, metallic splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, painted wood flooring, no island, white floors and brown worktops.

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped kitchen/diner in Cambridgeshire with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, metallic splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and brown worktops.

This is an example of a small urban galley kitchen in Barcelona with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, porcelain splashback, integrated appliances, an island, grey floors and black worktops.

ph by © adriano pecchio Progetto Davide Varetto architetto
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall enclosed kitchen in Turin with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, porcelain flooring, white splashback, no island and grey floors.

Design ideas for a small modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Adelaide with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite worktops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and a breakfast bar.

Calle Ström på Stromsfoto
Photo of a small scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in Stockholm with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, an island, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and brown floors.

A checkerboard floor was created using simple plain tiles. Cream and charcoal create a softer look than black and white which worked better with the scheme. Photographer: Richard Etteridge

A fun, small but perfectly formed kitchen with discrete but ample storage. The decor is traditional meets pop art, with cost effective and complementary textures on the surfaces.

Photography: Karina Illovska The garden now includes a carspace but to soften its impact and to create texture we used the recycled bricks from the original house as paving.

Fotograf: Werner Huthmacher
Design ideas for a small contemporary galley enclosed kitchen in Cologne with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel worktops, a double-bowl sink, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances and no island.

Photo of a small traditional u-shaped kitchen/diner in Hertfordshire with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, composite countertops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and no island.

Our client wanted a kitchen that would effortlessly blend form and function, focusing on maximising space and providing practical storage solutions. They envisioned a space with plenty of drawers and pullouts, ensuring easy accessibility to all their kitchen essentials. Durability and long-lasting wear were paramount; they wanted a kitchen that would stand the test of time. But above all, they desired a sleek and minimalistic design, with all worktop appliances cleverly hidden away to create a clutter-free, easy-to-clean and maintain-friendly environment. Embracing a warm and feminine palette, we chose the Nobilia Sand - Anti-Fingerprint range to set the tone for this elegant kitchen. The soft, neutral shades create a soothing ambience, while the anti-fingerprint technology ensures that the surfaces stay pristine, even with daily use. To add a striking focal point to the kitchen, we incorporated a 20mm Trillium worktop supplied by Dekton. This bold statement piece adds character and offers excellent durability, making it an ideal choice for a kitchen that demands style and functionality. As for the appliances, we carefully selected the best in the market to complement the kitchen's design and meet our client's needs. The Siemens Ovens provide state-of-the-art cooking capabilities, while the Quooker Tap offers instant boiling water for ultimate convenience. The Elica-Nikola Tesla downdraft Hob delivers efficient ventilation and boasts a sleek and seamless appearance, perfectly aligning with the kitchen's handless design. To further enhance the kitchen's functionality, we incorporated some clever features, including sliding doors that lead to a hidden walk-in utility space, ensuring easy access to laundry essentials while keeping them discreetly tucked away. In line with our client's desire for practicality, we added a hidden pullout shelf on the worktop, specially designed to accommodate their heavy Thermomix, making it easily accessible when needed and neatly stowed away when not in use. The island, a central gathering spot, also serves as additional storage space with carefully crafted storage options on the back, making the most of every inch of the kitchen's layout. This kitchen project is a testament to our commitment to making our client's vision a reality. With a focus on space optimisation, practicality, and a feminine touch, this Nobilia kitchen has been transformed into a functional, elegant, and timeless space that our clients will enjoy for many years to come. Got inspired by this elegant and practical kitchen design? Contact us today to start your own bespoke kitchen project.