A small kitchen can still breathe.

When every centimetre matters, more cabinets are not always the answer. A good compact kitchen remains easy to move around, prepare food in and live with.

Start with movement

Look at the path between sink, worktop and cooking area. Leave a useful clear surface and check how doors and drawers open with people in the room.

Use height with restraint

Tall cupboards can store rarely used items, while a visually lighter area keeps the room from feeling closed in. Pull-out storage makes deep spaces easier to reach.

Give the worktop its own light

Under-cabinet lighting can help when your body casts a shadow over preparation space. Check the available length, power supply and cable route before choosing a fixture.

Try the layout at full size

Mark the open cupboard doors and occupied chairs on the floor. If circulation fails, adjust the plan before trying to solve it with a paler finish.