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8 by 11 Kitchen Cabinet Design

9 min read

If you've arrived on this page, then you've most certainly been blessed with a small kitchen space (aren't we all in India?) and are looking for ways to make it work for you. Well, we can tell you this: You've come to the right place. Because as you scroll down, you will be guided on the various space-saving, space-enlarging and practical ways in which a small kitchen design can work for you.

While some are tried-and-tested, the others have been used in the latest kitchen designs by Urban Company's own interior design professionals. So, without wasting any time, let's look at the tiny kitchen ideas that you must absolutely try for your Indian apartment.

1. Replace kitchen cabinets with drawers (as far as possible).

base cabinets in small kitchen
Incorporate racks or pull-outs inside your cabinets to save space.

… or installing pull-outs inside your cupboards. Reason: Cupboards can't store as many things as drawers or pull-outs can. In fact, a lot of space gets wasted above stored items in a cabinet.

kitchen drawers storage
Dividers help to further categorise items in drawers.

On the other hand, all contents of a drawer are easily seen and accessible. Plus, 3-4 drawers can fit in the space of one cupboard, creating a much more organised arrangement.

2. Ensure that the cabinets are smooth, streamlined & modern.

small kitchen design with dining area
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional DPA Design

If you must go for cabinets though, remember that cabinet designs for small kitchens are one of the most crucial and defining elements of such a space. Replacing heavy handles and knobs with finger pulls, slim and sleek handles, tiny knobs or magnetic strips gives your kitchen cabinets a minimal and modern look, making the room appear larger.

3. Extend cupboards all the way to the ceiling.

small kitchen design with modern cabinets
Modern kitchen cabinets that leave no wasted space.

Don't waste all that space above your cabinets — it's anyway difficult to clean the dust there! Get your contractor to extend the cabinetry to the ceiling or add new cupboards in that area to store additional items. This will draw your eyes upwards, giving height to your otherwise tiny kitchen.

ceiling high kitchen cabinets
A peppy kitchen cabinet design for small kitchens.

4. Create a lot of open shelving.

small kitchen design with open shelving
Many of the latest small kitchen designs have open shelving in place.

Open shelves are not only a budget kitchen idea for small spaces, but also give an illusion of space, open up your walls, and make the kitchen look airier.

small kitchen design with open shelving
Open shelves must be kept clutter-free in a small kitchen.

Closed wall cabinets, on the other hand, can make your tiny kitchen seem engulfed and lacking in space.

5. Incorporate shiny and reflective materials.

glass doors in small kitchen
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional VJP Decors

As you must have noticed so far, the trick is to create an illusion of space. And what works better than glass and mirrors? In the above image, large glass doors make the kitchen seem like it doesn't end right there.

small kitchen design with glass cabinets
Give your kitchen cabinets a makeover with glass.

You could also incorporate glass in your wooden cabinetry (above) or go for metallic finishes like those seen in modern kitchen cabinets (below). You could also install a backsplash using reflective tiles or glass.

small kitchen design with u shaped layout
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Squared Out

6. Go all out with a white small kitchen design.

white small kitchen design
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Zero9

However, ensure that you use different shades and textures of the colour for your small white kitchen. Opt for matte, glossy and woody textures along with shades like off-white, ivory, cream, eggshell and even grey! Any design book will tell you that white reflects light, making your very tiny kitchen look more open.

white small kitchen design
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Funterior Design

You'll like this: How do you maintain a white kitchen?

7. Adhere to a single palette or similar hues.

neutral coloured cabinets in a small kitchen
The kitchen cabinet colours here stick to one shade for uniformity.

Your safest bet is to incorporate shades from one colour family to attain a seamless, expansive look with no obstructions. However, if you'd love to experiment with more colours, stick to just 2-3 variations for your small kitchen. Your best option is to have a neutral backdrop with brighter colours thrown in doses through appliances, cabinet handles and even a backsplash.

8. Opt for an open design or layout.

small kitchen design with single wall layout
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional New Era Architects Designers and PMC

An open kitchen design is ideal for a small area. A kitchen that flows into the adjoining room naturally, doesn't look cramped at all! Choose a single wall (above) or L-shaped kitchen design layout (below) for best results.

ceiling high kitchen cabinets
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Posh

You'll like this: Are Open Kitchens Really Suitable for Indian Homes?

9. Include a dining corner & bar.

If the space of your entire home is small, and it's just not your kitchen, you can ditch a separate dining space and instead incorporate one in your kitchen itself. How? The easiest way is to just add two stools or chairs to the peninsula (the half wall that separates the kitchen from the living space) or bar.

small kitchen design with dining area
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Design Matters Architects and Designers

You could also add an extra level to your kitchen peninsula, so that one side can be used for dining or as a bar, while the other lower side can be used for meal prep.

small kitchen design with dining table
Small kitchen design with a dining and bar option.

Simply adding a table or a bench at one end of the kitchen with sleek, light chairs will also do the trick!

10. Create a smart kitchen.

smart appliance storage
Tuck your appliances away and don't let them sit on your countertops.

This means three things. Have as few appliances as possible to make way for space. Do this by opting for double-duty or multi-purpose appliances like an oven-cum-microwave. Make these built-in as much as you can, so that they don't occupy counter space. You will thank your stars every day.

11. Let in ample amount of light.

small kitchen design with window
Interior Design by Urban Company Professional Naksh Interiors

If you're renovating a closed kitchen area, see if you can incorporate a window that takes your eye out into the open and lets light stream in in abundance. You might skip on some additional storage, but at least your kitchen won't seem claustrophobic.

12. Go creative with storage options.

open storage for pots and pans
Use empty wall spaces to store pots, pans and cutlery.

Maximise storage in your tiny kitchen. Opt for pot racks, cutlery hooks and magnetic knife strips.

small kitchen design with extra storage
Small kitchen designs call for maximum optimisation of space.

Install drawers at the end of your kitchen peninsula if you have one, fix storage baskets to the open side of your wall cabinets, or simply add shelves above the sink if there's space. Optimise, optimise, optimise!

small kitchen design with open shelving
Open shelves above the kitchen sink.

13. Infuse life through plants.

small kitchen design with plants
A bright and lively little kitchen corner.

Last but not the least, here's a simple small kitchen idea that you can work on right away: Decorate your space with houseplants and potted herbs. Even in the dullest of kitchens, little doses of green add freshness, colour and life instantly.

So, that is it from us. In what ways have you made your small kitchen work for you? We're eager to know!

Meanwhile, you'll love our collection of ideas for small kitchens. Check it out for some inspiration! And to execute your ideas, hire a professional from Urban Company.

8 by 11 Kitchen Cabinet Design

Source: https://www.urbancompany.com/blog/interiors/small-kitchen-design-ideas/