Good planning can turn a small kitchen into the most practical and welcoming place in the whole house: bright, tidy and designed down to the last detail to make your daily life easier.
At Delta Cocinas, we know this well: the secret to a functional kitchen is not its size, but its design, furnishings and layout. In this article, we’ll show you how to design a small, functional kitchen without dying in the attempt. Will you join us?
SMALL AND FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT A PRACTICAL AND FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN SHOULD HAVE
A small, functional kitchen is one that, despite having less usable space than normal, allows you to cook, tidy up, store items and enjoy the space in complete comfort. Every centimetre counts, and nothing is chosen at random.
These are the essential elements of a practical and functional kitchen:
- Comfortable movement. Even if the space is small, it should allow you to move freely between the cooking areas, the sink and the storage space.
- Bespoke furniture. A functional small kitchen makes the most of the height of the walls, corners and awkward spaces with bespoke solutions.
- Well-designed storage. Smart drawers, removable interiors, pantry columns and wall units that reach up to the ceiling.
- Visual order. Continuous fronts and integrated appliances help make the space look more spacious.
- Durable materials. With high-quality worktops and fronts that are easy to clean, your kitchen can be even more functional (and beautiful).
- Good lighting. Combining general lighting with spotlights under tall furniture increases your comfort and also makes the room feel more spacious.
Good lighting. Combining general lighting with spotlights under tall furniture increases your comfort and also makes the room feel more spacious.
FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN LAYOUT: HOW TO DESIGN A SMALL, FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN THAT MAKES THE MOST OF EVERY INCH
The layout of a functional kitchen is the basis of the project, especially when space is limited.
Therefore, before choosing the materials or base colours, we will give you advice on how to arrange the furniture and appliances or where to set up the main work area, among other issues..
Here are some layout ideas:
- Online cooking. Ideal for long rooms or rooms that open onto the living room. The entire kitchen is located on a single side, following the logical order of refrigerator, preparation area, cooking area and sink.
- L-shaped kitchen. Make the most of two adjoining walls, gaining worktop space and upper and lower storage. Works very well in studios and small flats as it leaves one side clearer, perfect for placing a table or bar.
- Kitchen with peninsula. If the space opens onto the living room, a peninsula can visually separate the areas and add counter space, storage, and a small breakfast bar. It’s a great option for a modern, functional kitchen that also serves as a gathering place.
- Combined fronts and columns. In many cases, combining a main front with a column area (oven, microwave, pantry, etc.) allows you to concentrate storage vertically and free up counter space.
In all these possible layouts, having custom-made kitchen furniture is a plus. At Delta, we design it with your habits, the size of the room and the style you want for your home in mind. That’s the only way to achieve spectacular results!
DESIGN IDEAS FOR A MODERN FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN OR A STYLISH FUNCTIONAL MINI KITCHEN
Good layout is not incompatible with design. In fact, the smaller the space, the more important it is to pay attention to aesthetics so that you want to spend time there.
DESIGN KEYS FOR A MODERN FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN: MATERIALS, COLOURS AND FRONTS
If you are looking for a modern, functional kitchen, these resources will help you:
- Smooth, clean fronts. Opt for doors without excessive reliefs and integrated opening systems, which give a modern look and make cleaning easier. Delta’s pocket doors are ideal.
- Light colours as a base. Whites, beiges and soft tones reflect light and make the kitchen appear larger. You can combine them with wood to add warmth or with darker tones to give depth.
- Built-in appliances. Concealing the refrigerator or dishwasher behind cabinet fronts helps to unify the look and reduce visual clutter.
- Hard-wearing, easy-to-clean surfaces. Heavy-duty worktops, quality laminates or anti-fingerprint matt finishes help keep your functional kitchen looking spotless with less effort.
- Carefully designed lighting. LED profiles under wall units, interior lights in display cabinets or drawers and warm general lighting create a cosy yet practical atmosphere.
The idea is that functionality should be evident not only when using the kitchen, but also when looking at it: a tidy aesthetic conveys calm and reinforces the feeling that the space is well utilised.
FUNCTIONAL MINI KITCHEN: MODULAR SOLUTIONS AND SMART STORAGE FOR SMALL SPACES
If what you would like to have is a functional mini kitchen, go for:
- Modules up to the ceiling to gain vertical storage space and prevent dust from accumulating on top of the furniture.
- Interior drawers and organisers that make the most of the space inside your furniture, allowing you to see everything at a glance and making it easier to keep things tidy every day.
- Corners are put to good use, with rotating or removable trays that prevent dead space.
- Folding or extendable bars that can be hidden away when not needed and serve as extra workspace or a small office.
- Camouflaged areas (for example, a laundry room or an area with small appliances behind sliding doors) to maintain visual harmony without sacrificing practicality. You can also opt for a kitchenette and hide your entire kitchen when not in use.
If you need inspiration, our Kala kitchen is a great example of how a compact design can combine style, ergonomics and smart storage in just a few square metres.
Ultimately, a functional kitchen is one that adapts to your life, not the other way around. So whether you want to transform your current kitchen or are starting from scratch and looking for a practical design, we recommend opting for a bespoke project.
At Delta Cocinas, we analyse your space, define the ideal layout and advise you on choosing the materials and storage solutions that best suit your needs. Together, we can design your dream kitchen. A 100% functional kitchen.
