Small Kitchen Ideas on a Budget
Upgrade your kitchen for less.
Looking for small kitchen ideas on a budget? This guide has an array of ideas to help you elevate your cooking space, making it look and feel larger all with a lower price tag.
1. Use a Two-in-One Island
Make the most of your space with a multipurpose breakfast bar kitchen island. Not only will you have the entire island as a food prep and kitchen storage center, but the recessed breakfast table can be pulled out whenever you want to sit down and have a meal. Once you're done, you can simply tuck the table back into the island and free up the floor in an instant.
Use a hanging pot rack to add storage to unused places. Directly over the stove is an ideal spot to mount yours as it will give you immediate access to your pots and pans when you need them. Other convenient locations for mounting a pot rack include over the sink and above a kitchen island.
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By using the kitchen triangle layout as a reference, you will be able to make yours more functional with better flow. Read The Kitchen Triangle: Is It a Design Necessity? to learn more about this efficient setup.
3. Mount Long Floating Shelves
Thanks to their lack of visible hardware and clean appearance, floating shelves take up very little visual weight. Place a couple of them above one another so you can store your drinking glasses, plates, and bowls on their open surface, freeing up cabinet space for bigger, less frequently used items and appliances.
If you don't have the space for a long floating shelf, you can always get a little more creative with smaller shelves placed next to one another. These low-profile options do mean you have to be more mindful of what you display, so try to pick pieces that are fun to look at and make sure to vary the sizes and number of items you select. A set of bold-hued canisters will look good above a utensil crock and butter dish. No matter what you decide to go with, make sure it is purposeful and functional for the best outcome.
A rolling cart is another good budget-friendly storage solution for a small kitchen. Whether you go for a portable kitchen cart or a bar cart, the wheels allow you to roll it in when you need it and stash it away when you're done. One of these carts can also easily be placed next to your regular counter for an additional movable storage option. Plus, many kitchen carts include features like built-in hooks, adjustable shelving, or towel racks to really maximize limited storage space.
Who said you can't hang art in the kitchen? Take this opportunity to personalize your small kitchen with some fun prints. Choose colors that are already in the room (think wallpaper, backsplash, or paint) and echo them in the artwork for a more cohesive feeling. Placing your wall art in an empty spot above the sink will help make the space feel a little more dynamic and turn dish washing into a much more pleasant task!
Another great way to make a small kitchen feel bigger is with additional lighting. The three gold sconces in this image bring in extra illumination and warmth above the prep space. If installing new hardwired lighting is out of your budget or not an option, there are plug-in and battery-powered options too. These are ideal if you need something renter-friendly or simply want to keep costs down.
Clutter is the enemy of small spaces but the simplest solution is organization. Budget-friendly organizational items can help you make the most of your kitchen storage. Keep your counters and cupboards neat and tidy with an array of food storage containers, canisters, and pantry shelf organizers. Flatware caddies and chests are great for countertops, while kitchen drawer organizers help you arrange your interior storage. If you have limited a floor area, consider installing a pull-out shelf pantry to give yourself extra storage within your cabinets.
When you are looking for extra storage space in your kitchen, try searching for unexpected spots to make use of. Try adding a couple of open shelves to the empty area above your fridge to create room for those lesser-used kitchen tools that would otherwise take up valuable real estate in your cabinets or on the counters. Additionally, a range of small floating shelves will easily occupy any narrow wall space you have next to any windows or corners.
A neutral color palette will keep a small kitchen feeling open and larger. Try to use white subway tile on the wall. Not only is it a budget-friendly option, but it will also easily match any countertops and cabinets you already have thanks to its neutral tone and simple design. The result is a dreamy cooking space that feels welcoming – especially if you bring in pops of pastel here and there.
If you prefer bright colors, opt for something bold like the green and orange combination above. Together, the forest green island and orange retro-style fridge make for an eye-catching, vibrant mix that enlarges the space. Finally, the hanging planter and other foliage brings the kitchen to life even further.
In a small kitchen, you want to allow in as much light as possible to keep the space from feeling dark and cramped. Amp up the natural light with glossy pink tile, gold wall shelves, and a matching pendant light. Opt for a pendant light with a sleek silhouette so you can illuminate your sink without obstructing the window.
Use floor-to-ceiling wallpaper to draw the eye upward in a small kitchen. This will give the illusion of height without changing any architectural features. Choose something with a pattern like the blue and white print in this image. However, the key to using a busy design is to keep everything else to a more simple look and palette. These white cabinets and wraparound shelves create extra storage without making the limited space feel cramped.
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Simplify the installation process with peel-and-stick wallpaper. This DIY-friendly alternative is easy to apply and features a self-adhesive backing so you don’t need to worry about wallpaper paste.
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Looking for more ways to update your small kitchen on a budget? Check out our guides:
20 Small Kitchen Island Ideas That Save Space
Budget Kitchen Remodel Ideas for a Dreamy Kitchen Update
