Jennifer Sheahan: How to maximise space in a tiny kitchen

Irish Examiner

20-05-2025

If you're living with a small or narrow kitchen — especially common in Irish homes — you might feel a bit limited. But some of the best meals I've ever had were cooked in kitchens no bigger than a wardrobe. In fact, most restaurant kitchens are little more than tiny galleys, and it doesn't stop the chefs occupying them from producing masses of exceptional meals.
There's something about a small space that forces you to be more deliberate, more organised, and often more inventive. My own kitchen is tiny in terms of footprint, but it doesn't feel tiny because I've designed it to function in a way that works for me, tailored exactly to how I cook. With clever planning and the right choices, a small kitchen can be a powerhouse. The key is to maximise every centimetre while keeping your most-used items within easy reach. Here's how to make yours work hard for you.
Start with your cooking style
Before you pick tiles or measure for new appliances, get clear on how you actually use your kitchen. Are you a baker who needs rolling space? A batch-cooker who needs freezer room? An avid Sunday roaster, or someone who barely uses the oven but cooks most of their meals on the hob?
I love baking and entertaining, and I have a soft spot for kitchen gadgets, so plenty of storage and an open prep space to talk to guests while I cook were non-negotiables for me. Your needs may be different, and that's the whole point. Your kitchen should suit you, not some generic layout pulled from Pinterest. Be honest about how you use your kitchen, then create a list of your own non-negotiables and work backwards to fit them into your available space.
Layout matters more than size
In small kitchens, layout is everything. In narrow galley kitchens, it's helpful to keep items that are frequently used together beside each other, to avoid traffic jams in the narrow middle. For example, design the pantry to be on the same side as the hob, the dishwasher to be on the same side as where the dishware is stored, and so on. Ensure frequently accessed items, such as the fridge, are close to the kitchen entrance so people don't have to constantly squeeze around each other.
Jennifer Sheahan's tiny kitchen seems more spacious than it is. Picture: Moya Nolan
Pay close attention to how doors and drawers open — there's nothing worse than a fridge door that blocks the whole kitchen when open. Use open shelving above and drawers below countertop height where possible. These tiny details make a massive difference in how smoothly your kitchen runs.
Rethink wall space
In my own narrow kitchen, I made the bold decision to have no overhead cabinets, and I haven't regretted it. It seemed like a mad decision to eliminate all that storage space, but it opened up the space dramatically. Instead, I use open shelving for daily essentials, which keeps things accessible without closing in the room.
Consider open storage over overhead cabinets. Picture: Moya Nolan
I also included floor-to-ceiling storage along one wall. A tall unit can provide amazing storage without making things feel crowded, leaving the rest of the room visually open.
Space-smart wall appliances
You don't need full-sized everything to cook seriously. Go back to your list and consider more compact appliances that you use less often. Many appliance brands now offer slimline options — like 45cm dishwashers — that still pull their weight. For smaller households, they're actually more practical than their bigger cousins.
Combination appliances
Combination appliances are also a great shout.
Microwave combi-ovens save space while offering proper oven functionality, and washer-dryer combos are useful in kitchens that double as laundry rooms. Induction hobs are another small-kitchen hero — flat, energy-efficient, and safe, with some models allowing flexible pan placement across the whole surface.
Keep countertops clear
In a small kitchen, every centimetre of counter is sacred. I've become militant about clutter on my countertops. I use pocket doors to hide appliances I use often but don't want out on display. Inside, I've installed power sockets inside so I can use my mixer or coffee machine without dragging them out.
Folding doors will do a similar job if the budget doesn't allow for pocket doors. You can also consider an appliance lift — a shelf that pulls out and rises up to counter height, perfect for heavier gear like blenders or air fryers. It's a brilliant solution to make good use of awkward corner cabinets.
Prevent clutter building up by investing in fewer, better-quality items that can perform multiple functions — for example, one good chef's knife over a block of mediocre knives, or cast-iron pans that can go from hob to oven.
Get serious about storage
Good storage in a small kitchen isn't just about squeezing things in — it's about accessing them easily. Deep drawers below countertop height beat cupboards hands-down for pots, pans, and Tupperware, and vertical dividers make awkward cabinets perfect for storing chopping boards and baking trays upright. Look for narrow pull-out larders that can slide into gaps beside appliances — these are ideal for spices, rolls of parchment paper and tinfoil, and oils.
And don't forget your higher-up spaces: cupboards above cabinets can hold the less-used stuff. Just keep a step stool handy. If you're very tight for space, consider turning your kickboards into drawers for storing flat items.
Lighting matters
Good lighting can make or break a small kitchen. Under-cabinet (or under-shelf) lights brighten worktops without casting shadows, and layered or dimmable lighting allows you to alter the atmosphere from dicing onions or hosting intimate dinners. Natural light is your best friend — don't block it with bulky cabinets or oversized appliances. A view of the outdoors makes a small kitchen feel bigger, calmer, and more welcoming.