Small Kitchen Design
Small kitchen ideas & layout options
Papilio’s small bespoke kitchens are designed and handmade in Somerset. They feature smart storage, light-boosting layouts and premium, made-to-measure materials.
Layout is of paramount importance in a compact luxury design. We relish the challenge because, as a bespoke designers, standard-size cabinets and standard kitchen islands are not part of our vision. Every millimetre of space is an opportunity for innovation, clever spatial thinking and exceptional detailing.
Our small bespoke kitchens are mighty, and you can find excellent examples in our Bruton Kitchen, Victorian Townhouse Kitchen and Scandinavian Kitchen projects. For each unique design, we carefully consider the layout to ensure optimal storage without compromising style. Lighting is a critical element in making a small space feel larger and more inviting. We thoughtfully place lighting to maximise natural light, brighten shadowed areas, and create a sense of spaciousness. Strategic lighting helps eliminate a ‘boxed-in’ feeling, adds warmth, and accentuates key features in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fit a kitchen island into a very small space?
Everything is possible. Smaller spaces may not suit a generous island, but we can create a bespoke solution, from small ‘butchers-block’ islands to moveable cabinetry.
We’re considering extending our small kitchen. Will you work with our architects on a new kitchen?
Absolutely! We regularly work with architects and interior designers and will gladly discuss your vision.
Recent Small Kitchen Projects
Materials and Cabinet Construction
Materials and cabinet construction play a big role in small bespoke kitchens. The skill of an experienced designer is knowing which elements suit smaller spaces. Slimmer worktops look sleek and modern. Fewer shadows on cabinets add depth. Handleless drawers and doors prevent snagging in tight spots. This ensures a compact and luxurious kitchen.
For our Victorian Town House Kitchen in Plymouth, our aim was to make the most of the natural light. We designed a row of American oak-veneer low-level, parallel cabinets in an uncomplicated mid-century style with handmade finger pulls. To complement, we designed a bespoke floating cabinet to sit above the run opposite the window. This eye-level unit balances the space and provides a shelf storage space behind reeded glass framed in brass. Perfect for decluttering and letting more light flow through.
Worktops, Hardware and Detailing
For small bespoke kitchens, the choice of worktops, hardware and detailing can make the difference between a cluttered and a crisp look. Less can certainly be more, and we prefer a less chunky approach in more compact spaces. Slimmer profiled worktops look sleek and modern rather than bulky. Stainless steel is one material that offers more. Industrious and hyper-hygienic, it is very easy to keep. We utilised it in our Scandinavian Kitchen in Bristol. Teamed with sunny yellow panels, oak veneers, and ceramics, the compact luxury design offered a vibrant personality while maximising space and functionality. Keeping hardware to a minimum, the detailing in the modern handmade cabinetry ensured a petite yet luxurious kitchen.
Storage and Practical Planning
At Papilio, we work closely with our clients to ensure practical planning. We determine the required storage type and work to optimise it. We also investigate how you use the area, and what your dream features might be. As a bespoke kitchen design company, almost anything is possible. For small bespoke kitchens, every millimetre counts, so we will audit the space to determine where to best place cabinetry and at what height. We will determine whether a kitchen island is feasible and how many ovens or sinks can be incorporated. With storage being one of the most important aspects of a new kitchen, we will know how to make the most of the space we have.
Kitchen Islands and Layout Options
All layout options are possible, even in small bespoke kitchens. How they are executed will depend on the designer’s experience and expertise. A bespoke kitchen designer can make a wide range of modifications to traditional layouts, such as L-shaped, galley, U-shaped, and kitchen island layouts. The key lies in the design and cabinet-making team’s innovation and transformational capabilities.
Our Bruton Kitchen in Somerset is a fine example of a compact luxury design in a restored family home dating back to the 1600s. The farmhouse boasts original stone mullion windows, low ceilings with ancient oak beams, original flagstone flooring, elm doors, and wonderfully wonky lath-and-plaster walls. The new kitchen needed to retain character and warmth, be practical, and have a contemporary edge. We designed a large, free-standing kitchen island, centrally positioned and hand-painted in a wonderfully sunny yellow. The island was designed with legs, so it sits light in the space, making the most of the original stone floor. We mixed cabinet doors with open shelving and sourced ancient elm timber for the worktop, which our talented cabinetmakers hand-finished to accentuate the grain. The island offers ample prep, storage and perch space, the perfect kitchen island layout for a compact luxury design.
Want to Know More?
We’d love to help create your ideal natural kitchen. Contact our team today to discuss your vision and book a personal consultation with our designers.
