Small homes and studios

Kitchen Floor Plan for Small homes and studios

Draw three layers on the measured plan: fixed points, activities and movement. Move the activities around before moving any walls.

Explore the ideas
L-shaped kitchen with pale green lower cabinets, white upper cabinets and a tiled backsplash
Kitchen inspiration: a light palette and continuous counter run.

Plan in this order

  1. Start with columns, windows, door swings and service points on a single measured drawing.
  2. Place the highest-frequency activity first. Put the equipment or storage it uses within the same zone.
  3. Trace the longest everyday trip and any crossing routes. Show both with furniture and doors in use.
Worked example

In a narrow apartment kitchen, the refrigerator door opens across the only route from the sink to the dining table.

Draw the door swing and grocery landing first; test a hinge change or a shorter return before adding storage.

How to test it

Ask someone unfamiliar with the plan to walk through a normal visit and point out where they would hesitate.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Group cooking and cleanup together and reserve a clear landing surface beside the refrigerator.
Detail
Use compact, full-extension drawers and continuous under-cabinet task light.
Trade-off
Open shelves make a small kitchen feel lighter but expose visual clutter.
  • Measure appliance doors when open
  • Check counter landing space and task light
Straight kitchen with sage base cabinets, white wall units and under-cabinet lighting
Kitchen inspiration: a single-wall arrangement with task lighting.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
White L-shaped kitchen with gold-tone handles, under-cabinet lighting and a chimney
Kitchen inspiration: an L-shaped work surface and integrated lighting.
Parallel kitchen with teal cabinets, a pale backsplash and profile lighting
Kitchen inspiration: two opposing work runs in a compact plan.

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