8 minimalist small kitchen ideas for a pared-back design (2024)

Keep to a refined decor style with these minimalist small kitchen ideas. We've consulted the best in the interior design business on how you can get a sleek, streamlined look for your kitchen — no matter its size.

Minimalist small kitchens aren't just about cutting down on mess, or great storage hacks. The minimalist aesthetic is carefully curated. It can be hard to strike the right balance so your space doesn't look cold and empty, but calming and clutter-free, with a bougie touch — and that's where our experts can step in to help.

With their tips, you'll be thinking luxurious hand soaps and high-quality table linens, alongside neat storage boxes and in-drawer organizers. Here, our home experts share eight hacks on how to nail the minimalist aesthetic for small kitchens.

Minimalist small kitchen ideas

If you've been craving a calm space, then there's no time like the present to give your space a refresh. See our kitchen design inspiration for plenty of expert advice and decor ideas.

1. Create clever storage solutions

You need to think outside the box when it comes to kitchen storage in a small space. Yes, a storage basket or well-stocked cupboard is important but you should actually evaluate your kitchen and how you use it in order to create storage solutions that really work for you.

This under-shelf swivel hook set from Rejuvenation is perfect for hanging up kitchen utensils and giving space back to your worktops. Say goodbye to that utensil storage pot collecting dust on your counter.

2. Draw the eye upwards with a sleek light

We love this round paper lantern available on Amazon for a statement piece.

3. Sort out tableware

Clean, tidy, sleek, countertops like this example from The House That Black Built is every minimalist's dream. But, how to get it for your own home? According to Laura Price, founder of The Home Organisation, it's all about thinking through your daily routines and habits, assessing what you use and when.

“If you’re struggling to fit everything into your cupboards in your small kitchen, identify any items you don’t use regularly that could live elsewhere in your home," she advises. "Think about small kitchen appliances you only use every few months or serving dishes you only pull out for special occasions — can they live outside of your kitchen so the cupboards are freed up for items you use most often?”

4. Open up shelving units

One of the most important factors in curating a minimalist look in your kitchen is creating a sense of space. Rajdeep Mathur, an SEO specialist at Sierra Living Concepts, says an easy way to do this is to open things up a bit — namely your cupboards and kitchen shelves.

He says, “Give your kitchen a minimalist touch by using more vertical space with open shelving. If your cabinets make the kitchen feel cramped, try taking off a few doors or swapping them out for sleek open shelves. This not only opens up the space but also lets you display your favorite dishes, glasses, or decorative items.

"To do this without spending a lot, repurpose existing shelves or find budget-friendly shelving units that are easy to install. Consider staining or painting cabinets in a neutral color to keep a coordinated and clutter-free look. Using vertical space not only makes your kitchen look better but also helps you make the most of every inch.”

5. Add decorative hand soap

There's nothing like chic, minimalist-style hand soap to give your kitchen a cheap and cheerful glow-up. Of course, it's perfect for small spaces because hand soap doesn't take up much room and yet, it really does make an impact.

Ensure your sink and drain area is kept as clean and tidy as possible and opt for a bottle and label with a clean, sharp look. Dark amber bottles or monochrome packaging not only look luxurious, but work well for a minimalist feel, too.

You don't actually have to spend a fortune, though. Yes, we'd love to invest in a bougie Aesop hand soap, but you can actually get really beautiful dupes from the likes of Target or small, independent brands.

6. Forget artwork

Call us crazy but while wall art is usually a major design factor when redecorating your place, in a minimalist setting, forgoing all artwork can actually look really striking. This example from Cate St Hill shows how beautiful and clean plain white walls can look, especially if you have access to lots of natural light to brighten your small kitchen.

Instead of spending your budget on prints, you could invest instead in good quality paint and cover your walls in a soft, neutral, color that lasts well and has lots of depth. Walmart's Studio Color range in the shade Artist's Canvas is great for saving your pennies.

7. Add depth with a woven rug

The secret to minimalist styling isn't that the room should be void of any furnishings, but the small space furniture should look natural, rather than shoehorned in. Avoid anything bulky or confronting. Instead, every decor purchase should be considered for its calming, in-sync look.

Kitchen rugs are a perfect way to bring some extra depth and layers into the space — something plenty of people forget about and assume won't belong in a kitchen. A woven, natural, rug that blends in with the space will bring a little extra something, without making it feel cluttered.

8. Invest in multi-purpose furniture

A great small apartment storage hack is to make the most of what you have and get your appliances or furniture to work harder for you.

Sarah Johnson, appliance and kitchen expert at Big Airfryers explains, “Opting for versatile furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes is a clever way to optimize a small space," she says. "A foldable dining table or chairs that can be tucked away when not in use help maximize space for cooking and movement."

We love this example from Germany-based influencer, Frauke, whose kitchen unit has shelving, and countertop space is a food preparation area with pull-out boards. Genius!

FAQs

By now, our expert advice should have you feeling confident about making your small kitchen a more minimalist space. How about tackling the bathroom next? Take a look at our minimalist bathroom ideas for making your safe haven a calming, relaxing place to be — and a clutter-free zone.