15 Small Apartment Kitchen Decorating Ideas That’ll Take It from Basic to Stylish 

Makeover your kitchen with these small apartment kitchen decorating ideas.

Many people dream of having a bigger apartment. We totally get it — having lived in several small apartments ourselves — you always feel the need for more space.

However, living in a small space can actually be a lot of fun. There are so many renter-friendly hacks that can completely transform a space. When it comes to decorating your small apartment kitchen, it’s all about find stylish and functional ways to make the space work for your lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking to add peel and stick backsplash or paint your cabinets a different color, there are so many ways to make your basic kitchen super stylish.

15 Small Apartment Kitchen Decorating Ideas

1. Create Open Shelving  

Small apartment kitchens often feel closed off and dark. An easy way to make it feel more open is to create open shelving with the cabinet storage you already have.

All you have to do is take off the cabinet doors and hinges, putty and paint over the holes and you’ve got some open storage space. This will instantly make your kitchen feel bigger and brighter.

2. Add Stylish Storage 

If you have a small apartment kitchen, then you probably don’t have a lot of storage. Getting creative with ways to add multipurpose storage solutions is a great way to maximize your space. 

Add a  Small cart with storage underneath and a worktop on top. If you have open wall space add brass rods and hooks to hang coffee mugs, pans or kitchen towels.

3. Be Creative with Color 

A super simple way to add your personal designs style to your kitchen is with color. Whether that be painting the cabinets and doors in your kitchen, adding a colorful, renter friendly backsplash or decorating with colorful decor, dishware and appliances.

4. Add Character with Vintage Furniture

Vintage pieces add so much character to a space. We love how this hutch was reinvented with a coat of pastel paint to match the cottage charm of the kitchen. It also creates additional storage and space for a coffee bar and other counter-top appliances.

5. Add an Island 

Many studio apartments have an open kitchen with storage a long one wall — leaving the space open to the rest of the apartment. A unique way to break up the space and provide more countertop and prep space for you to cook and entertain.

6. Boho Kitchen Decoration 

Do you love boho design style? If so, this small apartment kitchen decorating idea is a great one to take inspiration from.

Add a new woven pendant light, natural wood pieces and plants to bring life into the space. We love how this design style brightens the otherwise white-grey scale of the room.

7. Create a Small Coffee Bar 

We can’t imagine life without coffee, and one thing that we always add to our space is a coffee bar. 

If you’re wanting to add a coffee bar to your small kitchen, you may be running low on space. However, using a small portion of your kitchen countertop or adding a coffee bar cart to your kitchen can allow you to create a cozy coffee corner you’ve always dreamed of.

8. Minimal Kitchen Decoration 

Minimal design style has become super popular over the past few years. We think it’s such a smart way to style a small apartment kitchen, because it makes your space feel clean and open.

Decorating with a neutral color palette also makes the space feel bright and warm.

9. Play with Color and Pattern 

How fun is this small apartment kitchen? They completely transformed their basic kitchen into a fun and stylish space. They covered the floor in peel and stick tile, added Rifle Paper Co peel and stick wallpaper to the walls, and added peel and stick backsplash behind the counter.

If you’re up for a fun DIY project, a play on color and pattern would be totally worth it!

*Always ask your landlord or apartment manager if make these rental-friendly changes are allowed. Some apartment complexes may not permit you to change any features.

10. Add Seating with Counter Stools 

When you live in a small apartment, you’re constantly looking for ways to maximize your seating space. A great way to add more functional seating is placing bar stools or counter stools at your kitchen bar. 

Whether you have room for two chairs, three chairs or four chairs, the additional seating options come in handy.

11. Parisian Kitchen Decor

Parisian home decor has become so popular this year, and we predict it’ll be one of the top design styles that people gravitate towards this year. It’s such a timeless, girly aesthetic.

This design style in a small apartment kitchen could look like painting your cabinets light pink, swapping out basic hardware with adorable brass hardware and decorating with vintage items.

12. Create a Cozy Corner 

There’s something so special about creating a cozy corner in your kitchen. When we added a mini table lamp to our kitchen counter, it created the warmest space at night. It’s such an adorable, decorative accent that every kitchen should have.

13. Paint Cabinets and Swap Hardware 

Kitchen cabinets can either make or break a space. If your small apartment kitchen has less than desirable kitchen cabinets, then you may want to consider painting them. It’s such a simple change that makes a huge difference.

Changing your rental-grade apartment knobs and pulls with ones with more character transforms a kitchen more than you would think. We share some of our favorite kitchen cabinet hardware here.

*Always ask your landlord or apartment manager if make these rental-friendly changes are allowed. Some apartment complexes may not permit you to change any features.

14. Decorate with Muted Tones 

If you love color, but are afraid that it may close off your small apartment kitchen, try decorating with more muted tones. Muted greens, pinks, oranges and blues have a lighter base — giving the illusion that your space is brighter.

We love how this kitchen plays with various muted color tones. The light green cabinets ground the space, while the pink, geometric backsplash adds personality.

15. Let Your Cabinets Make a Statement

Just because your apartment kitchen is small in size, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t create a big moment. Painting your cabinets a bold color is a great way to add your own personality to your space.

Keeping the counters, backsplash, walls and appliances white really gives the cabinets their moment to shine!

This post is all about small apartment kitchen decorating ideas.