Choosing the right kitchen cabinets for small kitchens doesn’t have to be daunting. There’s a reason Shaker cabinets have remained consistently popular among design professionals and homeowners for small and large areas alike. Here are our top tips for using them to optimize kitchen space.

1. Use Vertical Space

When designing a room, most homeowners think horizontally. They try to fit as much into the floor area as they can, potentially overlooking valuable storage opportunities above. 

Shaker cabinets are available in many configurations, so it’s easy to find taller units that maximize storage along the walls. The trick is to fill as much height as possible without compromising the user's ability to access each cabinet.

2. Choose Deep Drawer Units and Custom Cabinet Interiors

Most kitchens have top and bottom cabinets with doors opening onto a generic storage space. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, using drawer units for more of the lower cabinets expands the available storage and provides easy access to more items. When trying to maximize storage and make more usable room inside cabinets, choosing custom cabinet interiors can help. 

From using one as a pullout pantry to installing a spice rack in another, you have diverse options for making cabinets practical and fitting more into the design.

3. Choose the Right Layout

Cabinet layouts for small kitchens follow a specific set of rules that don’t apply to larger ones. If the home you're working on has one of these less spacious food preparation areas, you must plan the ideal layout. Choosing one of the following layouts allows you to make more of the available space without enlarging the room:

• U-shaped: Roughly horseshoe-shaped, this layout offers a lot of workspace and keeps users near essential appliances.
• Open plan: By combining the dining and food preparation areas, an open plan kitchen makes more of a compact home without sacrificing a room.
• L-shaped: Built to accommodate a natural corner, this layout allows for plenty of counterspace and keeps everything in easy reach.
• Galley: With this two-wall design, it's easy to access all essential kitchen items while also making the most of the floor area.

4. Add Islands or Peninsulas

Against the wall is just one position for Shaker cabinets. They’re also ideal as bases for kitchen islands and peninsulas. Outfitting an island with Shaker cabinets provides extra storage, can accommodate seating, and creates additional surface area for meal preparation or gathering. Peninsulas, connected to existing counters, offer similar benefits and can help define open kitchen layouts. 

In both applications, Shaker cabinets provide reliable support, a cohesive design aesthetic and versatile interior options, making them a preferred choice for maximizing both form and function in compact spaces.

5. Incorporate Wise Design Details for Greater Impact

When planning a kitchen layout, even minor details make a big difference. Consider aspects like:

• Countertop options: White quartz countertops and other lightly colored options will amplify the effects of a lighter color palette used elsewhere.
• Contrasting colors: The strategic use of contrast, like gray shaker cabinets for the base and white shaker cabinets for the upper cabinets, adds depth to the room without making it seem smaller.
• Open shelving: Combining Shaker cabinets with some open shelving throughout the kitchen can make the layout look more expansive.

Why Choose Shaker Cabinets for Small Kitchens?

Shaker cabinets are some of the best cabinets for small kitchens because they offer advantages like:

• Design versatility: Whether you're working on an older home or building apartments with a contemporary style, Shaker cabinets are versatile enough to complement any look.
• Form flexibility: Shaker cabinets offer lots of opportunities for customization. With multiple ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinet designs to choose from, you can easily tailor a food preparation area to follow the preferred layout.
• Low maintenance needs: When you're planning a less spacious room, you don't want the person who rents or buys the property to spend more time maintaining their cabinetry than they do using the kitchen. Shaker cabinets require fairly little maintenance, so users can focus on the things that matter.
• Durable build: Shaker cabinets have a robust build that makes them ideal for heavy-duty home kitchen applications. When combined with a sturdy countertop, they offer everything you need in one neat package.

Upgrade Small Kitchens for Maximum Efficiency

Choosing the right cabinets for small kitchens can make the difference between a cramped area and one that offers everything a discerning renter or buyer might want.

If you’re ready to install practical cabinets that have all the essentials without requiring an enormous room, schedule an appointment for a complimentary kitchen design today. A PKB Cabinetry dealer near you is ready to assist you. If you're interested in partnering with us, inquire today or open a wholesale account to begin reselling PKB Cabinetry products.