Do you have a tiny kitchen and wonder if it could ever become the stylish, functional space of your dreams? No need to worry about anything, even the most compact kitchens in Melbourne’s charming suburbs like Balwyn, Toorak, Camberwell, and Kew can be transformed. Small kitchens designs come with their own challenges, but with the right touches, an ordinary corner can become a cozy spot.
Melbourne’s charming suburbs might be luxurious, but that doesn’t mean every home comes with an oversized kitchen or endless design possibilities. Whether you’re renovating a narrow hallway-style space or building from scratch, smart design choices along with the best kitchen design trends can turn even the smallest spaces into a phenomenal space.
Here are some practical and creative tips for small kitchen designs that perfectly suit Australian homes and lifestyles. Get ready to see what they are.
10 Best Kitchen Designs in Australia
Have you got a small kitchen that feels like it’s beyond saving? Think again. Even the tiniest kitchen spaces can be transformed into the kitchen of your dreams, with the right ideas and a little imagination. We’ve put together 10 stunning small kitchen designs that prove size doesn’t limit style.
Prepare yourself to discover layouts, looks, and clever touches that truly match your vibe.
1. Choose a Monochromatic and Light Colour Palettes
Are you one of those people who think using light colours inside your kitchen is going to make it feel cold? Well, that’s where you’re wrong. When used right, light colours in a monochromatic palette can actually make your small kitchen feel much bigger and more inviting.
One of the most popular ways to make your kitchen feel more open and bigger is by using a monochromatic palette and light colours. Using shades of white, grey, and soft pastels can transform your space into something truly magical. This design is mostly desired for small modern kitchen designs across Australia, as it keeps the space bright and cohesive.
What makes it even more effective is pairing those pale colours with warm kitchen lighting ideas, giving your kitchen a cozy contrast.
2. Try Small U-Shaped Kitchen Designs
For those who are in love with kitchen islands but don’t have enough space to actually fit one, we recommend trying the U-shaped small kitchen design. It’s somehow between a kitchen island and full cabinetry, with lots of storage space.
Silk Touch joinery is a trusted companion in Melbourne that promises to create the best kitchen designs for clients with an expert team. Silk Touch Joinery can create small kitchen designs to match your personality and style, maximising every inch of your tiny kitchen. They can transform your tiny kitchen areas into beautiful spaces with lots of storage, Silk Touch Joinery also offers its customers services like:
- Wall-units,
- Custom kitchen cabinets,
- Laundry storage solutions,
- Wardrobes,
- Interior design & consultation services,
- Along with home renovation projects.
This small kitchen design idea is specifically made for compact kitchens but is also great for larger kitchens that need extra storage. Make sure to consider the U-shaped style that keeps walkways clear while providing a beautiful cabinetry.
Additionally, you can use the best kitchen storage ideas like carousel cabinets to make the most of corner spaces, floating shelves for frequently used items, and vertical pull-out pantries to maximise storage without crowding the space.
3. Consider Small Galley Kitchen Designs
Most apartments and small kitchens in Melbourne are often spotted in narrow hallways. In that case, there’s not much you can do to make your kitchen look both phenomenal and practical.
However, by using a smart galley small kitchen design idea, you can still create a kitchen with plenty of storage. You might not be able to host big gatherings or parties in it, but it’s the perfect kitchen design for living solo.
Small galley kitchen designs are one of the most popular kitchen cabinet layouts, with two parallel countertops and a central aisle, are a classic solution for small kitchens.
As one of the most cost-effective and functional small kitchen designs, the galley design is often found in Melbourne apartments and townhouses where space is tight. To make your small kitchen look more spacious and sophisticated, choose handleless cabinets and light-reflective finishes like stain steel.
4. Maximise Storage with Clever Solutions
A small kitchen doesn’t have to mean less storage. Even compact spaces can make the most of clever kitchen storage ideas and smart solutions.
For most people, storage is a higher priority than style, while both are important, what good is a beautiful kitchen if you can’t actually use it? Custom cabinetry with pull-out shelves, deep drawers, and magic corner units can transform awkward spaces into highly practical storage areas.
In Melbourne’s neighbourhoods like Kew and Camberwell, older homes often have smaller kitchens. So make sure to consider vertical storage options including ceiling-mounted pot racks, and wall-mounted spice racks to keep countertops clear and organised.
5. Use Modern Appliances and Slimline Fixtures
A modern small kitchen works really well when you use compact, multifunctional appliances that save space while still delivering top performance.
In small U-shaped kitchens, it’s best to use pull-out features and handleless cabinets to keep the space looking neat, sleek, and modern. As we previously mentioned, stainless steel appliances add a stylish touch and reflect light, making the kitchen feel brighter.
6. Create Strategic Lighting
Good lighting is everything when it comes to small kitchen designs in Melbourne. Whether you have a pale-coloured kitchen that feels cold or one that just doesn’t work, it’s probably because it lacks good lighting.
Smart lighting ideas are for making your home renovation special, especially in kitchens, by creating a sense of space and improving functionality.
Use warm ceiling lights for overall lighting, pendant lights above work areas, and LED strips under cabinets for focused task lighting. Whenever possible, place sinks under windows to let in natural light, making the kitchen brighter and more welcoming.
7. Choose Durable and Stylish Finishes
In Australian kitchens, durability is the most important part of a kitchen because of constant humidity, frequent cooking, and cleaning.
Use the best kitchen cabinet material and finishes like laminate bench tops resist stains and scratches, while ceramic tile backsplashes protect walls and add style. For hardware, brushed brass or matte black finishes provide a stylish touch that works well with both modern and traditional designs. Flooring should be slip-resistant porcelain tiles or vinyl planks that are durable and match the cabinet colors.
8. Opt for Multi-Functional Furniture
In small kitchen designs, every piece should earn its keep. Consider a fold-down dining table that doubles as extra prep space, or a rolling kitchen cart that can serve as a movable island, breakfast bar, or storage unit. In Melbourne’s compact apartments, built-in banquette seating with hidden storage underneath is a stylish space-saver. Silk Touch Joinery can custom-design transformable furniture (like pull-out cutting boards or fold-away ironing stations) to maximise functionality without sacrificing style.
9. Embrace Open Shelving Strategically
While upper cabinets can feel bulky, floating open shelves create airiness while keeping essentials within reach. Use them to display frequently used items (like bowls, mugs, or cookbooks) and reserve closed cabinets for clutter-prone zones.
Match shelf materials to your countertops (e.g., timber or marble) for a cohesive look. In Melbourne’s heritage homes, open shelves paired with subway tiles are one of those small kitchen designs that add vintage charm.
10. Install Sliding or Pocket Doors
Traditional swinging doors eat up precious floor space. Replace them with sliding barn doors (for rustic appeal) or pocket doors (for a seamless look) to free up square footage. This is especially useful for the kitchen’s opening into dining areas. For ultra-modern homes, glass sliding doors maintain an open feel while containing cooking smells.
Conclusion
Small kitchen designs in Australia, especially in Melbourne suburbs like Balwyn, Toorak, Camberwell, and Kew, have the capability to be both attractive and practical. Using monochromatic colours, kitchen design layouts such as small U-shaped or galley kitchens, smart storage solutions, can turn the most compact spaces into ideal kitchens. Custom designs or budget-friendly DIY projects, keep in mind to have smart planning before you start. Check out the Silk Touch Joinery Instagram page for new ideas and updates.