Curated from the AD archives, this guide features our favourite small kitchen ideas from homes across India. Dwelling in bustling metropolises presents a mix of exciting opportunities and lively urban life, but at a cost—space. In these city environments, where space is at a premium, homes often become compact, motivating inhabitants to creatively maximise their living areas. For kitchens—often the centre of the home—optimising layouts, incorporating pops of colour, and experimenting with textures can transform the space. Here are five small kitchen ideas we love.
Lighten Up With Playful Pastels
This Mumbai home designed by Anam Taufik of AT Studio weaves bright colours and playful forms into a design story hallmarked by vivacity and vibrancy. A compact 516-square-foot space, it is imbued with all the joy, lightness and sweetness that puts heart and soul in a space bound by four walls and a ceiling, transforming a mere shelter into a sanctuary, a home. The swooping arched forms and a cheerful blue create a playful composition. A wooden coffee bar delineates the kitchen space better. While the aesthetic aspect is reminiscent of a candy wonderland, interior designer Anam Taufik of AT Studio who helmed this project says, “functionally, the compact home showcases an open-plan, loosely-structured layout that extracts the most from a tight footprint.” Powder blue tiles and soft pink cabinets complete the compact kitchen, which features a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
Original text by Rupali Sebastian; Edited for context
Optimise Your Layout
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A clever colour palette transformed this 295-square-foot home; D + U Architects doused this small space studio apartment in a colour palette that's easy on the eyes and the budget. A breakfast counter doubles up as an entrance foyer to this studio apartment, and also divides the alcove and living area. While the shutters in the kitchen are finished in a white laminate, matt black accents (pendant lights and a bar stool from IKEA) provide a refreshing contrast. The compact kitchen sits within a tight niche in the space, but what works to it's advantage is the openness of the layout, allowing one space to seamlessly flow into the next.
Original text by Ashna Lulla; Edited for context
Opt For Earthen Texture Play
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This 450-square-foot Bengaluru home is a warm, textured sanctuary. For IT professionals, navigating the fast-paced world, design practice House of Ruya took the principles of wabi-sabi aesthetic to wrap a young couple’s tiny 450-square-foot Bengaluru home in warm, natural tones and earthen textures, creating a soothing sanctuary away from the city’s bustle. Upon entering, a small foyer-like alcove unfolds into a communal area encompassing the living, dining, and kitchen zones. “We took down a few walls to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the space,” says Aishwarya. Softened edges, lime-washed walls, and warm grey tiles establish the apartment’s tactile backdrop.
A breakfast counter and a suspended custom-built bar unit by House of Ruya separate the kitchen from the living room. Full-body tiles blend seamlessly with the wall, while textured laminate introduces a subtle contrast. An arched doorway leads to the utility. A tiny breakfast island visually separates the kitchen from the living-dining. The grey palette extends seamlessly into full-height cabinetry, accentuated by bold black details, including kitchen equipment, faucets, and decorative accents.
Original text by Ashna Lulla; Edited for context
Tune Into An Eclectic Backsplash
This 425-square-foot home in Mumbai is tiny but aspirational. Aakanksha Millan of Studio 1mm turns a compact space into a nuanced, interconnected narrative filled with eclectic details. The homeowner “desired a New York vibe, but with the right balance of natural materials and textures, plants and plenty of natural light,” the designer reveals. “Responsible for his productivity, inspiration and calm, this place had a lot riding on its little shoulders.” In the kitchen, graphic olive green dado tiles, playfully assimilated, became the centrepiece of the space. They serve as an interesting design detail in a small space that wouldn't otherwise allow much room for creative experimentation.
Original text by Rupali Sebastian; Edited for context
Add A Dash Of Nostalgia
Mithila Palkar's dreamy 700-square-foot Mumbai home, designed by Rutuja Tulsulkar, is a thorough labour of love. With narratives of loving bonds, nostalgic allure and mesmerising vistas, awash in minimalist grace, Mithila Palkar’s abode has it all. Opening up the space to light and ventilation was important, and this largely dictated the white-washed palette of the space. Light wood, white terrazzo flooring and grey tones allow light to dance through the space.
Her grandmother had, in fact, been instrumental in setting up Mithila’s kitchen, bestowing her with antique brass utensils, curated packets of spices and even flour—all from a meticulously made list of functional items needed in a new kitchen—to start off her journey in the new home. Dotted with memories, the corridor picture wall overlooked by the kitchen dips into Mithila's life story.
Original text by Alisha Lad; Edited for context
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