Small kitchen ideas on a budget - how to go big on style

Think  small kitchen ideas on a budget don't exist, and can't be stylish unless you spend a fortune? Think again. 

Tighter spaces lend themselves to mini statement features such as colourful splashbacks and boldly patterned flooring, and small kitchen ideas can be among some of the most daring and creative. Even installing a trendy tap can bring your bijou kitchen bang up to date.

From choosing stream-lined, handleless cabinets and savvy storage solutions, to keeping colours light on top and illuminating dingy corners, there's a host of simple - and affordable - interiors tricks to draw upon to make the most of your space. 

Below are some of our favourite examples of diminutive kitchens that pack a design punch.

HIDE FUNCTIONALITY BEHIND FLAIR

Floating glass shelves above the base cabinets allow for a touch of character in the form of plants and decorative objects, while a hanging rail retains that coveted open feel while keeping kitchen paraphernalia close to hand.

GO HANDLELESS FOR CLEAN-LINED CABINETS

Small kitchens can quickly look cluttered, so keep detailing to a minimum and avoid the shaker style. Handleless cabinets create a contemporary, clean-lined effect that doesn't confuse or overwhelm the eye. There's a wide range of finishes to choose from, including the modern glossy white of these units.

LIGHT UP DARK CORNERS AND SPOTLIGHT HIDDEN FEATURES

When it comes to lighting your small kitchen, installing downlights or LED strip lighting in the recesses of your cabinets. They're great at highlighting darker corners and will really open up your space. Use lighting to highlight certain features in your kitchen that may be hidden in the shadows of overhanging cabinets, be it your new red toaster or a statement tiled splashback.

PLAY WITH BLURRED LINES

Light and muted worktops work brilliantly in smaller kitchens as they naturally reflect light back into the room. Blurring the lines of where the worktop ends and the wall starts is another great trick for making a kitchen feel larger. Continue a granite or quartz worktop up the wall as a splashback or upstand to give the illusion of more space with minimum hassle.

GET PLAYFUL WITH A COLOURFUL SPLASHBACK

It's easy to make a feature of a splashback in a small space. Even if it's the only thing you change, it'll make an impact and give your whole kitchen a lift. Tiles ooze elegance, or look to glass and metallic splashbacks if you need to bounce more light around the place. 

MAKE A BIJOU FLOOR STATEMENT

Statement patterned kitchen tiles help draw the eye away from the dimensions of a room. They look really cool in bijou spaces, if you're on a budget, the good news is that you don't need many! Floor tiling doesn't tend to overpower a space, adding instant personality that you might not be able to fit in elsewhere.

GIVE TIRED UNITS A FRESH LICK OF PAINT

To liven up an uninspiring kitchen without starting from scratch, give tired kitchen cabinet  doors, radiators and even some fridges a fresh lick of paint. Even wall and floor tiles can be painted on a budget. Choose a hard-wearing paint that can be applied directly to your kitchen surfaces. Look for a smooth, stain-resistant finish that quickly wipes clean in the event of spills and splashes.

USE FLOORING TO HELP A BROKEN LAYOUT FLOW

Not got an open-plan kitchen? Flooring can be used to connect your space to the rest of your home. Carry the same flooring from the kitchen to conjoining areas to create a consistent flow between the rooms. hevron wood flooring can be especially effective running from a narrow kitchen into a separate dining or living space, making these areas feel harmonious.

NAB A DESIGNER EX-DISPLAY BARGAIN

Did you know that you could snap up kitchens that were formerly used in showrooms? There are brilliant bargains to be found, such as this designer ex-display kitchen from Used Kitchen Exchange. Given the confined space of most showrooms, these kitchens are often packed with smart storage solutions. What's more, buying 'used' helps offset your carbon footprint in the name of sustainability, and what could be cooler than that?

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

It is not strictly necessary to stick to a bright palette in small kitchens. If you'd prefer to use dark, rich tones, try to create consistency through the textures and materials so as not to overwhelm the space.

GO LIGHTER ON TOP AND DARKER DOWN BELOW

Overhead cabinets can make an already tight kitchen feel even more cramped, but if you need the storage, detract from their bulk by painting them a lighter shade than your base units.