- Fundamental Kitchen Layouts
- 14 Smart Kitchen Hacks to Transform Space
- Kitchen Color Suggestions for Inspiration
- Small Kitchen – Clever Designs
The kitchen is a central part of every French apartment, symbolizing family and comfort. That said, when decorating your kitchen, don’t hesitate to add a custom touch. There are many ways to make it feel personalized and one-of-a-kind.
Below, you’ll discover 36 kitchen decor ideas that work well both in small and larger kitchens. To be honest, the kitchen is a high-value room and is known to be costly to renovate. Yet, you don’t have to undergo a complete remodeling to elevate your cooking nook—a few expert styling tips and tricks can give your kitchen a bit of extra love.
Fundamental Kitchen Layouts
Conveniently organizing your kitchen space is necessary for making it both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. In fact, evaluate factors like how much space you have and what kitchen equipment you need.
You can choose between different kitchen layouts to suit your every need:
1. Galley kitchen
A galley kitchen gets its name from the style commonly seen on ships. It’s divided into two sections with a pathway in between. Typically, you’ll find the fridge and prep area on one side and counter space and a cooktop on the other.
Galley kitchens efficiently utilize space and keep cooking essentials within reach. They are a choice for apartments with limited square footage.
2. One-wall kitchen
Single-wall or Pullman kitchens are frequently found in studios or loft apartments.
This layout doesn’t occupy living space in apartments, making it a favored option. Having all appliances and cabinets on one wall simplifies food preparation and cooking.
3. L-Shaped kitchen
Among the layouts for apartment kitchens is the L-shaped design, which extends along two adjacent walls with one side longer than the other, forming an L shape.
L-shaped kitchens work well in compact spaces and provide easy access to the stove and sink while cooking.
4. U-Shaped kitchen
U-shaped kitchens are a classic kitchen design. They utilize three walls for cabinets and countertops, providing storage and workspace.
U-shaped kitchens are known for their cabinet and countertop space, making meal preparation convenient with the placement of appliances.
5. G-Shaped kitchen
A G-shaped kitchen, or a peninsula kitchen, resembles the U kitchen layout. The only distinction is that a G-shaped kitchen has a peninsula with a countertop or a breakfast bar area.
G-shaped kitchens typically offer most countertop and cabinet space compared to all other kitchen layouts. The peninsula allows a kitchen to entertain guests or serve meals, which can be especially beneficial in living spaces without a designated dining area.
6. Island kitchen
An island kitchen can be any layout— G, L, or U-shaped—that includes an island or additional counter space in the middle of the room.
An island in your kitchen provides space for meal preparation or dining. Depending on its design, it may also offer increased storage capacity.
7. Kitchenette
A kitchenette is a style that offers only a fraction of the appliances and amenities typically found in fully-equipped kitchens.
Kitchenettes can expect to have appliances such as a sink, a compact fridge, a two-burner stove, and maybe a microwave. There should also be some cupboard and counter space, though it will likely be quite limited. It’s rare to find an oven in a kitchenette.
If you live in spaces like a studio apartment or you’re not much of a cook and prefer the convenience of an efficient apartment, a kitchenette could be what you’re looking for.
14 Smart Kitchen Hacks to Transform Space
1. Get Your Kitchen Geek On
Why settle for a basic kitchen when you can have one that’s basically a tech genius? With Wi-Fi-connected everything and lights that know what you want before you do, your kitchen will be running the show.
2. Backsplash with Sass
Choosing the backsplash can really set the mood in your kitchen. Pick colors that complement your cabinets and countertops, and choose materials that are easy to keep clean, like ceramic or glass tiles. Mixing materials, such as stone and glass, can give your kitchen a one-of-a-kind style, and adding some texture with tiles can make things visually interesting.
3. Camouflage the Cold Box
Conceal the refrigerator by opting for a panel-ready fridge that blends seamlessly with your kitchen cabinets.
4. Color Therapy for Your Kitchen
To add a pop of color to your kitchen, extend a backsplash all the way up to the ceiling to create a sense of height.
5. Nook and Cranny Dining Done Right
Utilize corners or nooks for dining by installing built-in benches or chairs, allowing you to accommodate the whole family comfortably.
6. White-Out: Because Why Not?
Opt for floor-to-ceiling elements in your kitchen, as they can make the space feel larger and brighter. For a trendy touch, combine cabinets, walls, and trim with accents and black cabinet hardware.
7. Dishwasher? What Dishwasher?
A dishwasher can take up half of the kitchen’s cabinet space. If you aim for a clean and streamlined look, consider installing your dishwasher beneath your kitchen countertops.
8. Cartwheeling Around the Kitchen
A kitchen island on wheels is designed for small spaces, so it can be quickly shifted aside when not in use.
9. Showstopper Floors
Geometric tiles on floors elevate the kitchen to new stylistic heights while adding some major wow factor.
10. Go Dark or Go Home
Choosing a dark shade for your kitchen cabinets is a way to embrace the warmth of a smaller space. What better way to create drama than by using a dark paint color?
11. DIY Décor with Contact Paper
Consider revitalizing your apartment by using contact paper to cover countertops, create a visually exciting accent wall, or brighten up the kitchen backsplash.
Thanks to the use of gold contact paper, your entire studio apartment can be brightened, and the cabinets can shine. Yes, the gold foil decals on cabinets are an unexpected but worthwhile decision. They offer a playful, glitzy touch without requiring any maintenance; if you become tired of them, just peel them off and start over.
12. Hang Tight with Copper Bars
If you don’t have ample cabinetry for storing pots, pans, and kitchen tools, get creative! Take inspiration from kitchens that use copper bars for hanging storage.
13. Let There Be (Better) Light
Updating lighting fixtures can make a big difference in the ambiance of your kitchen. If the lighting is too harsh or not to your liking, consider upgrading existing lights. By layering different types of lighting, you can create an optimistic and welcoming space:
- Ambient lighting provides overhead lights, such as recessed ceiling lights or a chandelier.
- Task lighting is light for cooking tasks, such as under cabinet lights or pendant lights over the island.
- Accent lighting adds depth and highlights features, such as LED strips under cabinets, wall scones, or toe kick lighting. Adhesive hidden lighting behind cabinets is a fantastic way to add brightness to any area without taking up any square footage. You can place motion-sensor lighting beneath the pantry’s shelves.
14. Pick the Good Stuff
Go for top-notch materials like quartz, granite, natural wood, or stainless steel to add sophistication and durability to the kitchen area.
Kitchen Color Suggestions for Inspiration
Choose a monochrome color scheme for an effortless look, or play around with timeless color pairings. Black-and-white kitchens are always in style, and themed kitchens, spanning from soft sage to deep emerald green hues of cabinets, also remain popular. Rich, bold shades like emerald green or navy blue will add flair and a statement. And bright hues like whites or cool grays are ideal for kitchens lacking natural light.
Forest Green + Soft White
The upper cabinets are painted a clean white, while the lower cabinets wear a green hue inspired by nature.
Creamy White
This off-white tint is soft, inviting, and warm. When combined with marble worktops and gold fittings, it will look sophisticated.
Cool Gray
Kitchens in light gray tones are classic. Try a tasteful neutral hue that enhances the reflection of natural light.
Dark Blue
Rich blue cabinets look great in any design. Although the dark tone appears bold and rich, it feels classic.
Crisp White + Warm Woods
Interior designers suggest using natural wood details, such as the kitchen island base and paneled ceiling, to add an accent to a kitchen instead of going for a traditional all-white look.
Hunter Green
Any kitchen looks modern and fresh with a fashionable hunter-green tone. Pair it with a white backsplash and tiled flooring to keep things stylish.
Small Kitchen – Clever Designs
A typical annoyance for many homeowners is the tiny kitchen dilemma. While it would be very tempting to tear everything down and start over, not everyone has the resources for a total makeover.
If you have a small kitchen, you don’t have to give up cooking and live off takeout; with the proper storage solutions and smart shelving techniques, you can make even the tiniest space work in your favor. Small kitchens can be examples of creative designs that are elegant and practical rather than cluttered or overbearing.
We’ve compiled a list of solutions and inspiration to help you cook in style and liven up your space.
How to Make the Most of Your Cozy Kitchen Space
1. Lift your gaze if you’re out of wall and counter space. Your ceiling frequently remains unrealized: try using a sturdy ceiling pot rack or building one yourself.
2. Set up a pegboard with hooks for your pots and pans. This will maximize space and put those shiny pans on display!
3. Removing a small portion of drywall can dramatically affect a small kitchen. This pass-through creates a breakfast bar, lets in natural light, and enables chefs to interact with people in the next room. But before starting this project, speak with an architect to ensure the wall isn’t load-bearing.
4. Ceiling-height cabinets make the tiny kitchen feel roomy and spacious.
5. If you’re prepared to hunt for the right size, you can have a kitchen island in even the smallest kitchen.
6. Vertical storage can be added to a tiny kitchen in many ways, like open shelving, but it should match your style. For example, a retro knife rack or a metal fridge rack complements the little kitchen’s overall vintage design.
7. Hanging planters add a splash of greenery to the kitchen and free up space on the table.
Simple Tips to Spruce Up a Small Kitchen
8. Pick a focal point, like patterned tile or vibrant, vivid color of cabinets, and keep the rest of your kitchen design simple for a modest kitchen décor option. This way, you may have personality in your kitchen without worrying about cluttering it.
9. Mixing and matching designs is a fun and playful way to decorate a small kitchen. If the patterns are the same color and scale and the geometric pattern contrasts (e.g., rectangular) with the organic one (e.g., leaves), the overall effect will be pleasant for the eye.
10. Vibrantly colored island stools will bring color to your tiny kitchen. Either get some brightly finished stools or revamp your current furniture with fresh paint.
11. Investing in a beautiful backsplash might be well worth it. In a traditional white area, the modest kitchen gains personality and much-needed movement from the patterned backsplash tile.
12. Stick-on decals are also a practical yet basic kitchen decor idea that may give a plain backsplash some pattern. This inexpensive patterned tiling effect is straightforward and mimics the look of expensive patterned tile. It’s affordably interchangeable, making it possible to change your kitchen’s appearance quickly.
13. In sleek, minimalist apartment kitchens, having built-in storage is a huge plus. For example, the kitchen cabinets, including the pantry, can all be drawers. It’s not something you see very often, but it definitely helps in a small space.
14. Embrace a monochromatic color scheme to infuse a little kitchen with harmony. While bold and vivid colors can be equally ageless when done well, whites and grays are classic choices.
We’ve created a must-see selection of ideas, from minor tweaks to complete makeovers, that can adapt as your style evolves. Take a peek at these decorating suggestions from our experts to ensure your apartment’s design stands out.
