Apartment kitchens are notoriously badly designed. Between the limited counter space and the frustration of deep cupboards instead of drawers, most layouts feel like an afterthought.
I’ve renovated plenty of apartment kitchens over the last decade. Sometimes I keep the existing footprint to save on plumbing costs, and other times I rip the whole thing out for a total layout change. Either way, the standard kitchen work triangle (the distance between your fridge, sink, and stove) is the best place to start.
Small Kitchen Layouts: Galley vs. Single Wall
Most apartment floor plans force you into one of two setups:
- The Galley Kitchen: Two parallel counters. It’s a space-efficient “corridor” layout, but it can feel like a tunnel.
- The Single Wall Kitchen: Common in studio apartments where everything is in one line. This is the hardest to get right because your “triangle” is flat. You need to ensure the sink sits between the fridge and the stove to maintain a functional workflow.
The Apartment Kitchen Triangle
Kitchen design centres on the kitchen triangle, including in an apartment setting. The kitchen triangle is always at the centre of any kitchen design session. Very simply kitchen design and the kitchen triangle considers the position of the fridge, stove and sink. In most apartments I’ve visited the kitchen in parrallel. Also known as a galley kitchen.
The proximity of the fridge, stove and sink to each other is important for two main reasons, energy efficiency and functionality. This is particularly important with the location of the fridge and the stove. It’s not ideal to have a cold appliance running next to a hot one.
The kitchen design triangle also impacts functionality and how a person uses the kitchen. Interior designers take into account the counter space between the fridge, oven and sink. For example, the fridge needs to be next to the sink to allow you to easily wash fruit and vegetables.
When removing something from the oven you need counter space close by so that you can quickly place the hot item down.
Ideally you want the stove close to the sink to easily drain the boiling water from pasta, for example.
I’ve been in kitchens where the sink was too far away making it dangerous trying to carry a hot, heavy pot to the sink. Especially if the cook has kids or pets at their feet or other guests hovering around trying to ‘help’ or help themselves to snacks, drinks etc.
Common Apartment Design Flaws (and the fixes)
After seeing dozens of these spaces, the same issues pop up every time. Here is how to fix the most common small kitchen design mistakes:
- Stop using lower cupboards: Base cabinets are “black holes” where you end up on your knees searching for a pot lid. Use deep drawers or pull-out storage instead. They give you full visibility and 100% usable space.
- The “No-Man’s Land” Counter: Most apartments lack a dedicated appliance cupboard. If your kettle and toaster are sitting on your main prep area, you’ve already lost the battle for bench space. Plan a specific appliance counter for these so your main workspace stays clear. This could be in a shelf in your pantry.
- The Missing Bin: A freestanding bin in a tiny kitchen is a trip hazard. If you’re renovating, an integrated pull-out bin hidden inside your cabinetry is non-negotiable for a clean, modern look.
- Reclaiming Counter Space: If the footprint is tiny, you have to get creative. I often suggest over-the-sink cutting boards or slim, mobile kitchen islands from our furniture packages to add that extra 600mm of prep space the builder forgot.
Admittedly it’s not always possible to achieve the pinnacle of kitchen design through the kitchen triangle due to space restrictions but as kitchens are the hub of the house this is always the starting point of our kitchen design projects to ensure the kitchen works well and therefore is a joy to be in.
Professional Short Cut
Once you have completed your apartment kitchen renovation, then it’s time to style. I’m thinking chopping boards, tea towels, ceramic jugs and so on. Here are the items I have in my own apartment to help you elevate your own kitchen from drab to fab.
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