4 Custom Cabinet Design Ideas For Small Kitchens

One of the biggest trends in home renovations and custom home builds are huge, open kitchens. As experienced custom carpenters, we want to debunk a kitchen remodel myth. You don’t need a massive space to create a functional and beautiful kitchen you love to be in! If you’re renovating your kitchen but don’t have a lot of room to work with – don’t worry. Based on our custom carpentry experience, we have the custom cabinet design hacks so your kitchen doesn’t feel cramped or cluttered – no matter how small it is.

Storage, Storage, Storage! 

• Recess Storage

  • When renovating, tuck your pantry, shelving or cabinets into the wall to keep from obstructing the flow of the kitchen. These recess storage units are a great way to make the most of a small space. These can be trimmed and finished by a custom carpenter to match the woodwork of the rest of the kitchen.

• Hidden Storage 

  • When designing your custom cabinets for your small kitchen, find sneaky and creative ways to include some extra storage. One way is building a corner appliance garage into the cabinet design on your countertop. An appliance garage conceals small appliances like toasters or coffee makers and eliminates clutter while keeping everything easily accessible. See some of these small space solutions.

Materials Make a Difference

• Glass Panelled Cabinet Doors

  • By designing your custom cabinets with glass panels in the door, you let the eye travel deeper. This is an easy way to make your small kitchen feel more expansive and the walls farther away. Keep in mind, this design idea works best when contents of the cabinets are orderly and colour-coordinated. Visible clutter can make the room feel crowded. 

Colour – Keep it Cool

• Choose One Colour or Shade

  • By painting your cabinets the same colour as the kitchen walls, you erase visual boundaries that naturally stop the eye. When picking your paint, stick to a low contrast colour scheme, so the eye doesn’t trip over sudden shifts from light to dark. Here are some interior inspirations.

  • Light Colours

    • Whites, creams and greys reflect light and make any space feel bigger. If you choose a white colour scheme for your kitchen, try mixing several shades of white and contrasting textures to keep the room from feeling sterile and cold. A great way to add texture is by adding recessed-panel cabinets and crown moulding details in the cabinetry.

  • Dark Colours

    • Light colours are safe but don’t be afraid to go dark as well! Deep tones like navy blues and charcoal greys can give the impression that the walls are farther back than they actually are.

Clean & Crisp Design 

• Clean Lines

  • Panelling and crown mouldings add texture, but be careful to avoid ornate details that make the room feel chopped up. In small kitchens, sleek and smooth details give the room more space.

• Open Shelving

  • The extremely popular trend of open shelving is your best friend in designing custom cabinets for your small kitchen. Floating shelves keep the walls more open and create the illusion of a more expansive space.

• Draw the Eye Upward

  • You don’t need to start a full kitchen remodel for this design hack! By decorating the space above your cabinets, you naturally draw the eye upward. By giving the eye a vertical path to follow you make the ceiling feel higher than it really is. Find framed prints, decorative plates, plants or anything that reflects your unique style and taste! Just make sure the objects harmonize with the background rather than stand out against it. 

Don’t let your small kitchen constrain your design dreams. By applying a few of these tips and tricks to your cabinet design, any kitchen can feel spacious and roomy!

Check out some of our custom cabinetry projects in our kitchen renovation gallery.

Want to talk custom cabinet design? Contact us!