How to plan a small corner kitchen
A small kitchen offers the opportunity to truly focus on every detail of the design. Strategic use of space allows you to take advantage of every available centimeter and manage daily tasks with ease.
The corner layout is defined by its operational continuity, making use of two adjacent walls to create a comfortable environment that doesn’t require a large footprint. Moreover, the corner layout promotes greater fluidity of movement, enabling a welcoming and pleasant space to enjoy every day.
In this article, you’ll find what to consider when planning your small corner kitchen while maintaining an elegant and highly functional atmosphere.
Table of contents
The three functional zones and making use of the corner
Smart planning begins with organizing the three essential functional zones: cooking, washing, and storage. Arranging them according to the work triangle principle fluidly connects these areas, optimizing time and movement for everyday tasks. Making use of the corner means placing appliances and cabinetry with full consideration of your personal needs:
- When the corner is dedicated to storage, solutions like rotating pantries, pull-out baskets, or sliding shelves are fundamental. These elements provide immediate and organized access to all provisions and utensils, eliminating dead space and maximizing storage capacity.
- When the corner is dedicated to washing, placing the sink in this section ensures easy access to both the cooktop and refrigerator, creating an efficient central point.
- When the corner is dedicated to cooking, the layout offers greater lateral freedom of movement during food prep and serving.
Defining the kitchen space: choosing between island, peninsula, and table
When designing a small corner kitchen, choosing the right central configuration is crucial.
A peninsula can be the ideal solution: it elegantly defines the environment while also adding extra surface area for quick preparations, informal meals, or social moments. On the other hand, an island is mainly an aesthetic feature that combines meal preparation and dining but may prove more challenging in terms of occupied space.
If the floor plan doesn’t allow for an additional structure, a small table or a foldable piece of furniture can elegantly and flexibly complete the space.
The choice among these options depends heavily on personal lifestyle, stylistic preferences, and everyday habits. In this way, each design decision integrates harmoniously into the space, ensuring balance, comfort, and practicality.
Customization: furniture, colors, and materials
Customizing a small kitchen means carefully selecting furniture and layout solutions that reflect your lifestyle and needs. Equipped tall units and well-distributed wall cabinets, for instance, optimize storage without visually overloading the space.
Colors and materials play a crucial role: light, reflective tones enhance the perception of space, while matte or textured finishes add elegance and warmth. A balanced use of color and material is essential for creating a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere.
Lighting every area of the corner kitchen
In a small corner kitchen, lighting becomes essential for ensuring practicality and comfort. A well-designed lighting plan emphasizes all work areas, facilitating daily tasks like food preparation, washing, and cooking.
Under-cabinet lighting ensures optimal visibility on work surfaces, eliminating shadows and making culinary tasks easier. Pendant lights and spotlights (both recessed and adjustable) allow you to direct light exactly where it’s needed, highlighting specific kitchen zones to create a refined, cozy, and inviting atmosphere.
Beyond functionality, good lighting enhances the kitchen’s aesthetic appeal, significantly improves spatial perception, and increases the feeling of well-being during daily life.
Design your corner kitchen
Designing a small corner kitchen means creating clever designs using practical solutions, intelligent furnishings, well-chosen materials, and thoughtful color palettes. Berloni guides this transformation through an open and personal dialogue. Your daily needs and aspirations are the true goal of our design process—and the focus of every experience at our Ateliers.
Book an appointment to design your corner kitchen with Berloni designers.
Explore the Berloni Catalogue and find out how to create your kitchen.
