Guide · Planning
Planning a small kitchen: seven rules
Updated 2026-10-19 · about 8 min read
Small kitchens do not lose to lack of cabinets but to bad layout. The three strongest levers: use height up to 2,745 mm, install drawers instead of shelves, and win worktop over the sink or the washing machine. From 3 square metres a functional kitchen is possible.
Rule 1: height before width
Wall height is the biggest unused storage. Tall units up to 2,745 mm and shelves above the fridge yield more than an additional base unit. That keeps base units free for worktop instead of storing pantry goods.
Rule 2: drawers instead of shelves
A drawer shows the whole content, a shelf only the front rows. In 3 m² kitchens the switch often adds more usable storage than a new cabinet. We size drawer heights around pots and storage boxes, not catalogue rasters.
Rule 3: defend the worktop
Microwave, coffee machine and kettle eat the surface. A niche in the tall unit with a socket creates space. Choosing a sink with a fitted drainer wins additional worktop over the basin.
Rule 4: keep paths short
Between sink, hob and fridge no furniture should stand in the way. In a 3-metre run that means: sink in the middle, hob next to it, fridge at the end. With two runs keep at least 90 centimetres of passage.
Rule 5: doors and opening radii
A door hitting a cabinet costs area. We check opening radii before modules stand and propose sliding doors or inward-opening doors where needed. For corners we plan a carousel or pull-out so the space stays usable.
Rule 6: light, matte surfaces
Dark fronts make small rooms feel tighter. Matte surfaces break light and show fewer reflections. A continuous worktop in a tone similar to the front calms the room additionally.
Rule 7: plan for growth
Whoever plans in a rental should choose modules that can be dismantled and extended in the next flat. We document the configuration so reorders fit even two years later.
Frequently asked questions
From which size is a kitchen possible?
From about 3 square metres with one usable wall. Wall length decides, not floor area.
How do I create storage in a small kitchen?
Tall units up to 2,745 mm, drawers instead of shelves, niches for small appliances. That gains more than extra wall units.
How wide must the passage be?
At least 90 centimetres; between two parallel work surfaces 100 to 120 centimetres.
Can the kitchen be extended later?
Yes, as long as series and front remain available. We document the configuration for reorders.
Next step: your fixed price
A floor plan, photos or a sketch is enough. You receive a 3D design, technical drawing and fixed price, with a reply within 48 working hours.
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