Small Kitchen Ideas: 10 Ways to Make Every Centimetre Work Harder
From compact kitchen sinks to space-saving in-sink accessories, we’ve rounded up simple ideas to help you create a kitchen that feels bigger, clearer and easier to use.
A small kitchen can still work brilliantly if you choose the right fixtures, accessories and appliances that make every surface work a little harder.
We’ve seen it in apartments, townhouses, studios and smaller renovations: the kitchen isn’t necessarily too small – it's just simply not equipped with the right pieces or layout that makes the most of the space. Your bench needs to be a prep area, a drying rack, a serving space and somewhere to put everything down at the end of the day.
The good news is, a few smart choices can make a small kitchen feel much easier to use. From choosing the right kitchen sink to creating extra prep space over the bowl, these small kitchen ideas can help you make the most of every centimetre.
Pictured: Alma Willow Brushed Gunmetal Willow 600x450 Single Bowl Sink
1. Choose a sink that suits your kitchen
In a compact kitchen, an oversized kitchen sink can take up more benchtop than you’d like to lose. We recommend starting with the sink dimensions, then planning the rest of the space around it.
A single-bowl sink can be a great choice when bench room is tight. It still gives you a practical washing-up zone, while leaving more room either side for food prep, appliances or simply a clear surface. For very compact layouts, a bowl around 380–450 mm wide can make a real difference without feeling too small for everyday use.
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Pictured: Alma Ellie Dishrack
2. Turn your sink into a second benchtop
One of our favourite small small kitchen ideas is to use the area over the kitchen sink as extra workspace. It’s especially helpful when you don’t have much bench space on either side of the bowl.
A fitted chopping board, colander or roll mat lets you wash, chop and drain straight over the sink. Instead of spreading prep across your bench, you can keep everything in one hard-working zone.
We recommend looking at in-sink add-ons early in the planning process, rather than treating them as an afterthought. An over-sink setup is one of the easiest ways to create more useful prep space without changing your kitchen layout.
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3. Use a roll mat instead of a permanent draining board
A fixed draining board can be handy, but in a small kitchen it can also take up valuable bench space every day. A roll mat gives you a more flexible option.
Place it over your kitchen sink when you need somewhere to dry glasses, rinse vegetables or rest a hot pot. When you’re finished, roll it up and put it away. Your benchtop stays clear, and you’ll only use the extra drying space when you need it.
The Alma Zander Roll Mat is a simple addition that can make a compact sink area feel much more capable. It’s available in stainless steel, brushed gunmetal and brushed brass gold, so you can match it with your tapware and sink finish.
Pictured: Alma Harper 300x500 Single Bowl Butler Tap Landing Sink Brushed Brass Gold
4. Consider a tap-landing sink for a neat setup
Every small kitchen has a different plumbing and benchtop layout. In some spaces, a tap-landing kitchen sink can be a really practical choice.
A tap-landing sink gives your kitchen mixer a dedicated spot at the back of the bowl. We’ve seen this work especially well in kitchenettes, rental upgrades, secondary prep areas and layouts where the sink zone needs to stay compact and contained.
The Alma Evelyn 380 x 500, Alma Harper 300 x 500 and Alma Leo 510 x 500 are all great compact single-bowl options with a tap landing.
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Pictured: Alma Nisa Square Pull Out Mixer Brushed Vintage Antique Brass
5. Choose a mixer that makes cleaning easier
In a small kitchen, your kitchen mixer needs to do more than look good. A mixer with good reach can make rinsing, filling pots and cleaning up feel much easier, especially with a compact sink bowl.
We often recommend a pull-out mixer if you want a bit more flexibility. A pull-out hose and spray function can help you reach the corners of the sink, rinse fresh produce and clean up after cooking without adding more tools to the bench.
If you prefer a classic shape, a gooseneck mixer can also give you useful clearance for tall pots and vases.
Pull Out Kitchen Mixer Taps
Retractable Kitchen Taps That Deliver Flexibility and Flow A pull-out kitchen mixer tap wi..
6. Make an awkward corner work harder
Corners can be tricky, especially in L-shaped kitchens. Instead of leaving that area as dead bench space, we sometimes recommend using it for the kitchen sink.
A corner sink can free up the main runs of benchtop for prep and serving. It won’t be right for every layout, but it can work really well when the corner isn’t doing much and the rest of the bench needs to stay open.
The Alma Ella Corner Double Bowl Small Kitchen Sink is one option to look at if you’re planning a compact L-shaped kitchen. Before choosing a corner sink, we recommend mapping out where people will stand, how doors and drawers will open, and how much landing space you’ll need around the bowl.
7. Keep the bench clear with compact drying and storage
Small kitchens can feel crowded quickly when dish racks, soap bottles and washing-up tools take over the bench. We’ve found that keeping these everyday things close to the kitchen sink, but off the main work surface, makes the room feel instantly calmer.
A compact dish rack, sink organiser or portable drain board can give you a dedicated place for drying and cleaning without making the whole bench feel busy. A fitted sink protector grid can also help protect the bowl while lifting dishes slightly for better drainage.
8. Create a simple prep–wash–dry flow
When space is limited, a good kitchen layout is all about flow. We recommend thinking about the order you use the space when you’re cooking:
- Prep ingredients on the bench or an over-sink chopping board.
- Wash produce and cookware in your kitchen sink.
- Dry dishes or vegetables on a roll mat, drain board or rack.
Keeping these jobs close together helps cut down clutter and makes a small kitchen feel more organised. It also means you don’t need a separate surface for every task.
9. Match finishes for a calmer look
A small kitchen can feel visually busy when every visible piece has a different colour or finish. Matching a few key details is an easy way to make the room feel more considered.
We recommend choosing one main finish for your kitchen sink, mixer and visible accessories. Brushed stainless steel is a timeless choice, while brushed gunmetal, brushed brass gold and matte black can create a more defined look. You don’t need to match every single item perfectly, but repeating the same finish in a few places helps the space feel more cohesive.
For example, you could pair a brushed gunmetal sink with a brushed gunmetal mixer, roll mat and basket waste. Or, keep things simple with a stainless steel sink and mixer, then add warmth with a timber chopping board.
10. Start with the upgrade that’ll make the biggest difference
You don’t always need new cabinetry or a full renovation to improve a small kitchen. Sometimes, the biggest change comes from fixing the zone you use most.
A new kitchen sink, a more practical kitchen mixer or a few well-chosen in-sink accessories can free up bench space and make everyday jobs feel smoother. If you want an instant refresh, adding new kitchen cabinet handles is an easy win.
Pictured: Alma Mia Linear Handle Brushed Brass Gold
Overall, we recommend starting with the issue you notice most. Maybe there’s nowhere to dry dishes, not enough prep space, or the sink is simply too big for the room.
Once you know what’s getting in the way, it’s much easier to choose an upgrade that’ll make a real difference.
Three small kitchen setups to consider
The narrow galley kitchen
A galley kitchen needs clear walkways and uncluttered benchtops. We recommend a compact single-bowl kitchen sink, such as the Alma Maya 380 x 450, then adding extra function over the bowl with a roll mat and slimline colander. A pull-out kitchen mixer can give you more reach without taking up any more bench space.
Pictured: Alma Nala 450x450 Single Bowl Sink
The compact apartment kitchen
Apartment kitchens often need to handle everyday cooking, entertaining and washing up in one small area. A single-bowl kitchen sink, fitted chopping board and compact dish rack can create an efficient setup while keeping the benchtop looking tidy. Matching your sink, mixer and accessories in one finish can also make the kitchen feel more put together.
Pictured: Alma Leo 510x500 Single Bowl Tap Landing Sink Brushed Brass Gold
The kitchenette or secondary prep zone
For a studio, office kitchenette, butler’s pantry or smaller extension, start with the sink footprint. A compact option like the Alma Jeeves 300 x 450 Butler Sink or Alma Harper 300 x 500 Tap-Landing Sink can give you a useful washing-up zone without taking over the whole bench. Add a portable drain board or roll mat only when you need more drying space.
Pictured: Brushed Gunmetal Jeeves 300x450 Single Bowl Butler Sink
Talk to the Buildmat team
Renovating a small kitchen comes with a few tight calls; sink size, mixer reach, benchtop clearance. Book an appointment at our Buildmat Selection Centre and we'll walk through your options in person, with the fixtures right in front of you.
Not in Melbourne? We ship Australia wide. Send us your plans and dimensions and we'll recommend a setup over the phone or by email.
Book an appointment: 45 Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh (we also have a Dandenong showroom)
Call: 1300 123 122
Email: [email protected]
Small kitchen ideas FAQs
What’s the best sink for a small kitchen?
There isn’t one answer that works for everyone, but a compact single-bowl kitchen sink is often a good place to start. We recommend measuring your available bench space, thinking about the biggest items you wash, and deciding whether you’d get more value from a deeper bowl, a tap landing or accessories that sit over the sink.
How can I get more bench space in a small kitchen?
Use your kitchen sink as a flexible work zone. An over-sink chopping board, colander or roll mat can create temporary prep and drying space without taking over the benchtop all the time. Keeping washing-up supplies organised and choosing compact appliances can help, too.
Are pull-out kitchen mixers worth it in a small kitchen?
They can be a great choice if you want more reach for rinsing, filling and cleaning. We recommend thinking about how you use your sink each day, then checking that the mixer height and reach will work under your overhead cupboards.
How do I make a small kitchen look less cluttered?
Keep the benchtop as clear as you can, stick to a small palette of finishes and give everyday items a proper home. A coordinated kitchen sink, mixer and accessory finish can help the room feel more cohesive, while in-sink accessories mean you don’t need as many separate bench-top tools.
