When creating a design for your kitchen especially a small kitchen, the most important thing is function. No matter how good it looks, if you can’t use it, it’s wasted. If you can’t reach it, it’s pointless. If you have to spend more time and effort getting to it or doing it, you’ve probably just overcooked your oven roast.

The design of your kitchen should only be considered after determining the layout of the kitchen. There are five basic layouts found in today’s kitchens defined as – the L, G, U, Single, and Galley.

L Shape- The L-shape kitchen, the most common small kitchen design requires less space and offers more flexibility in the location of workstations. The benefit of this kitchen design is that it not only provides the cook with an efficient work area, but it typically opens to a nearby room, making it easy for the cook to talk with guests.

G Shape- The G-shaped kitchen design is a version of the U-shaped kitchen layout, with the same amount of counter space and storage options that surround the cook on three sides. However, the difference with the G-shaped kitchen floor plan is the peninsula or partial fourth wall of additional cabinets.

U Shape- The U-shaped kitchen is the most versatile design because the layout offers continuous counter tops and sufficient storage, which surrounds the cook on three sides.

Single-Wall- The single wall kitchen floor plan is ideal for small kitchen designs. The work triangle in this kitchen design is less like a triangle and more of a work line with all three kitchen zones along one wall.

Galley “Corridor” Shape- The corridor layout has a workspace large enough for one cook. In this design, the work stations face each other on parallel walls, creating a small work triangle.

Now that we understand the kitchen shapes we can effectively create our kitchen floor plan. Here are some tips for creating a design to suit your space and your taste.

1. If you want your dining area in your kitchen, use a foldable wall board, which you can lower to make a dining table only when required and keep it folded up at other times.

2. Try to keep as many things out of the kitchen as possible. Think if you can get a cabinet installed outside the kitchen to place some things there. But, keep in mind to install this cabinet close to the kitchen or it will become inconvenient for you later on.

3. Use as many cabinets in your small kitchen space as possible. This enables you to stash your pots and pans nicely. Lack of cabinet’s means that utensils often end up on the main kitchen counter and this clutter can make an already cramped space look more cramped.

4. The color of your kitchen is very important. Go for the brighter colors. You are not making a mistake even if you choose pure white. A bright color will make your kitchen look bigger.

5. Try to enclose all the big equipment in the kitchen, such as your dishwasher. While this will not actually reduce the space available in the kitchen, it will keep things neat looking.

6. Install a window so that natural light filters into the kitchen during most of the daytime. Natural light will make your kitchen look bigger.

7. Install a big sized sink. You may think this is contrary to good sense, as you already have less space in your kitchen, but a big sink really helps matters. It will contain all used utensils and plates of the day. If you have a small sink, you will end up keeping these things on the kitchen counter and thus cramp up the space further.

Coming up with a small kitchen design can be a time consuming process with many things to consider. However, this doesn't mean that you won't be able to create a functional, stunning and efficient kitchen design that satisfies everyone.