A famous interior designer once said that there is no such thing as a small kitchen, but a poorly used space. So those high-end appliances that you want to buy can be part of your kitchen if you know how and where to place them. 

Interior designers and architects say that being aware of the type of kitchen you have is the guide to the best use of space. For example, elongated kitchens, common in urban apartments, although initially may seem that they offer few aesthetic and functional possibilities, the truth is that with creativity and smart use of proportions, they have nothing to envy to the wide and square formats. 

You can even take advantage of kitchen distributions that are considered complicated such as kitchens in line, L-shaped, or even U-shaped ones. A formula widely used today is to open the kitchens to the hall, living room, or dining room, to multiply their visual meters instantly. 

Then, other tricks are the use of white, the installation of a breakfast bar here, and a shelf there. Below, we share other ideas that will help you take advantage of every inch of your kitchen. 

In white with parallel distribution 

White is the best option, but not the only one, when it comes to elongated kitchens, as it expands the available space, enhances the brightness, and offers a plus of hygiene and cleanliness. Also, the total white look allows you to have a front with upper cabinets, offers more storage space, and makes your kitchen functional. 

With a parallel distribution, the range area is in front of the sink, which facilitates moving between the two, so functionality is assured. A tip: try to keep the exit area of this U-shaped layout free. 

Open shelving that acts as a partition wall 

Open shelves have become one of the favorite dividing elements of interior designers, as they delimit or unify, without losing lightness, storage capacity, or luminosity. In this kitchen open to the living room, the shelf also acts as a breakfast bar, which can additionally be used as a worktable, depending on the time of day. 

The design of this open shelf also deserves a note. On the one hand, its visual strength is due to its dimensions that break with the aesthetics of both the living room and the kitchen, having a leading role. On the other hand, the size and arrangement of the shelves offer more storage space and adaptability. 

L-shaped and with a bench connecting rooms 

Although this type of kitchen usually has an in-line distribution, the truth is that it also works well with an L distribution. In the latter case, usually, the long part welcomes a countertop with a sink and range that extends towards the living room, with lower drawers, establishing perfect visual harmony. The short area of the L has the window and the front of appliances and cabinets that are of another color. 

For this combination to work, it is important to avoid typical kitchen furniture, opting for furniture that looks like it belongs to the living room. In addition, in elongated kitchens, it is wise to avoid handles and use doors with a push system. 

With a narrow breakfast bar 

A narrow breakfast bar with two stools is always a good idea in almost any type of kitchen. For an additional touch of style, a pendant lamp, and a detail such as a vase at the end of it will produce a striking visual effect that makes you not miss a square floor plan with plenty of meters. 

Sometimes, boldness can work in your favor… and so can details! 

With an accent wall 

Floor-to-ceiling appliances create a real accent wall, which draws the eye to it and makes you forget about the rest. We like a layout that opens to the dining room and living room and has a peninsula that creates two work fronts facing each other, a much more comfortable solution for day-to-day living. 

Different kitchen designs can be challenging in terms of design and functionality, but with the right strategies, it is possible to transform these spaces into aesthetically pleasing and highly functional areas. The keys are taking full advantage of the space available, playing with colors and textures, and choosing the right furnishings. With these ideas, there is no reason to envy larger, square kitchens.