You may want to find out how to update an outdated small kitchen if you've looked around yours and felt it needs a refresh.
It's easy to bring it into the modern day with the right techniques. We've spoken with interior designers to find out what you can do, from fresh coats of paint to layering luscious lighting.
Using these small kitchen ideas to revamp your place will make it a much more inviting place to cook up a storm and entertain guests.
How to update an outdated small kitchen
When learning how to design a small kitchen, knowing how to bring an outdated one into the present is useful to do if you aren't decorating a room from scratch.
We have also scouted out buys to help you do this throughout, wherever our experts have recommended certain products.
1. Ditch drab surfaces, try repainting
If you own your apartment or home, grabbing a brush and going for one of the best paint colors for small kitchens will give the space a major boost.
“Going with a warm white or off-white can give your cabinets a fresh look that is still neutral,” explains Amanda Wiss, design expert and founder of Urban Staging and Urban Clarity.
Amanda Wiss is a design expert and founder of Urban Clarity, a home organizing company. She is also the founder of home staging studio Urban Staging, whose design-savvy team gets homes market ready, which often includes updating small kitchens.
By doing this, Amanda says the walls will change color slightly as the sunlight passes through, giving your kitchen several different feelings throughout the day.
Shape: Square
Made from: Paper
Shape: Square
Made from: Paper
Size (in.): W20.5 x L16.5
Made from: Vinyl
2. Maximize space in your kitchen island
Once you’ve figured out where to put kitchen island in a small kitchen, you can use this addition to enhance your kitchen functionally as well as stylishly.
“The best way to make the most out of your small kitchen is to maximize the utility of the kitchen island,” says Ayten Nadeau, founder and principal designer of i-Ten Designs.
Ayten Nadeau is the founder and principal designer of i-Ten Designs based in Raleigh North Carolina. Her interior and architecture studio is infused with global perspectives for clients who are looking for unique and discerning spaces and rooms, from living rooms to kitchens.
She explains, “Kitchen islands are a great place to place the dishwasher, microwave, and sink.”
You could even integrate one of the best kitchen trash cans into this. For example, this Amazon Basics Trash Can has over 28,000 five-star reviews.
3. Replace old hardware with stylish ones
When it comes to adding sparkle to your kitchen, one of the best ways to make a small space look luxe is by removing dusty handles and replacing them with new shiny ones. The Brass and Marble door knob from Anthropologie is gorgeous and comes highly rated by happy shoppers. We also can't resist the set of two Nena Flower Knobs from Anthropologie, which are a perfect pair for cabinets.
“Replacing old hardware of cabinets and drawers with contemporary handles or knobs is an easy and very impactful way to update this room,” says Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight.
Artem Kropovinsky is an interior design expert and founder of Arsight, which has twice been honored as finalists in the international SBID Awards and acknowledged in the NYCxDESIGN Awards. He has a decade of extensive and global residential and commercial interior design experience and has refreshed countless kitchens within this time.
He adds, “It is similar to adding jewelry to an outfit, in the sense it can make something feel new without going through expensive renovations.”
We’re into these stunning Amerdeco Brushed Brass Cabinet Pulls on Amazon, which you can get in various sizes.
4. Ditch mess, add clever storage
Finding out the best small kitchen storage ideas will help give yours a sleek finish, thanks to keeping all your different items neatly stashed away.
“One way you can do this is by adding in open shelving to allow more room to store dishes, while also putting them on display,” explains Amanda Foster, interior designer and founder of Foster Decor.
If you're able to mount items on the wall and have the space to do so, you could try a multi-functional item such as the Manchester plate rack from Pottery Barn.
Amanda Foster is an award-winning, accredited (BA in Interior design) Californians international Designer and interior designer, who specializes in creating bold, vibrant and colorful spaces throughout the home. Known for thinking outside the box and with edgy designs, Amanda works with home owners to create a space to truly reflect their personalities.
When doing this, Amanda advises adding shelves which go all the way up to the ceiling, with items you rarely use at the top and more frequently used at eye level. This The Twillery Co. Storage Rack from Wayfair is a bold option.
You could even DIY your own shelves to ensure they fit as beautifully in the kitchen as possible.
For those who really can’t keep items off their countertops, you can always go for aesthetic kitchen storage containers (these Vtopmart Storage Jars from Amazon are simple yet chic) for an Insta-style finish.
Size (in): L9 x W6 x D2 (max)
Made from: Plastic
Size (in): H8.5 x W12 x D9.375
Made from: ABS plastic, steel
Size (in.): H13 x W14.2 x D6.6
Made from: Alloy steel
5. Draw focus upwards
Instead of trying too hard to distract from the size with lots of decor, simply go for an eye-catching light piece for an elegant finish.
Amanda Foster explains, “A lot of times in apartment living you can’t change things like the countertops or appliances, but you can add lighting to create a focal point.”
“This will not only help you brighten up your small kitchen, making it appear larger, but could also be a bold statement piece lighting fixture,” she adds.
Amanda says to get creative with these, such as adding a mini chandelier (how stunning is this Highland Dunes Dickinson Chandelier from Wayfair?) or even a disco ball (we think this Disco Ball Ice Bucket from Urban Outfitters would get any party started) to your kitchen.
6. Bring in organic touches
Even if you want to go for a modern look, adding touches of warmth will make the space feel lived in and refreshed.
Amanda Wiss says, “Add in some warm, organic touches, like the best indoor plants or wood in the form of cutting boards and open shelves.”
By incorporating these in, you can create little vignettes across your kitchen which add to the design without getting in your way.
Size (in.): H15 x W8 x L8
Made from: Natural materials
Size (in.): H1.77 x W10 x L15
Made from: Bamboo wood
Size (in.): H36
Made from: Natural materials
7. Add a pop of color
We do love minimalist small kitchen ideas, but if you want to add a splash of personality, you can’t go wrong with a little color.
“Add some color to the space, be it through the cabinet, backsplash, or countertops,” says Samantha Tosti, principal designer and co-founder of Tosti Design Inc.
Samantha Tosti is the principal designer and co-founder of boutique design firm Tosti Design Inc. She is passionate about integrating functional layouts with a variety of unique objects and materials to create a comfortable home that improves with age.
She elaborates, “A way to ensure the color you choose will bring you happiness for years to come is to take stock of the pieces in your home you love, such as your favorite art pieces or pottery, and start to pull a color in from that.”
Choosing colors that resonate you love will make your small kitchen a joyful place to be in and are the foundation of dopamine decor.
Whether you want to go for a few quick finishing touches or go all-out with a makeover, there are plenty of gorgeous ways to bring your outdated kitchen into the present.
If you have other rooms in the home you want to zhuzh up, you might also want to find out how to update an outdated small bathroom, so you can get the spa vibes back on track.
