What’s trending: small and stylish kitchen and bathroom ideas

Small kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom design ideas

Small kitchen? Or perhaps your bedroom or bathroom is more on the compact side? We look at clever ways to improve your space, both visually and functionally.

I’m always on the lookout for the best design ideas to maximise small rooms, especially as these teeny spaces have to not only function and flow well, but be characterful, too.

If you’re revamping your home and find your kitchen, main bedroom, or family bathroom are on the compact side, and need help making the most out of every inch, I’ve selected some helpful features for today’s blog. Read on…

Small kitchen with a run of cabinets, a compact dining area and classic panelling on the walls and ceiling.
Do you have a small kitchen but still want a dining area? Include a compact bench seat at the end of the cabinetry run. Suffolk kitchen by Neptune.
Small and narrow kitchen with dark cabinetry, brickwork, skylight, and white surfaces.
A run of shallow-depth units allows for maximum storage in this small, galley kitchen. Shaker cabinets by John Lewis of Hungerford.

Starting off in the kitchen, no matter its size, it needs to offer sufficient worktop space and storage, while also housing a number of appliances. This is where the right layout, colour palette, and materials come into play.

From creating functional zones, layering lighting, to tricking the eye and giving the illusion of a more ample room, click here to delve into our practical guide to maximising your small space.

Pink bathroom with double vanity unit, marble shower-bath area, and wall-mounted cabinet with mirror.
A bespoke Shaker-style bath panel adds to the heritage feel of this design by Simply Bathrooms & Interiors.
Guest bathroom with shower zone and storage niches.
The shower area is the star of this small but mighty bathroom by Pia Design. Photography: Chris Snook.

British bathrooms are known for their compact size, and if you don’t have plans for improving the footprint of your ensuite or family space, optimising every inch is crucial for creating a pretty and practical scheme. Well, I’ve found some gorgeous, real projects and asked the experts about how they’ve transformed these small designs into chic sanctuaries. Click here to get inspired, and why not steal a couple of ideas for your own project while you’re there, too.

Also on my radar…

A bedroom should feel like a relaxing haven, but if you’re working with a small space, clutter can easily form and distract from your design. So, making a few ingenious changes to your scheme, whether it’s through layout tweaks, storage solutions, or more decorative elements, can overshadow its compact size and help you achieve a calm and organised set-up.

To help you turn your small bedroom into a bijou boudoir, we’ve rounded up some design ideas, from fun wall décor, smart furniture, to modular solutions – click here to find out more.

Small bedroom with modular shelving unit.
Bedroom modular storage unit by Shelved.
  • From drenching your room in warmth to introducing statement pieces of furniture, wood is one of the most popular materials in interior design at the moment, whether it’s light oak or dark walnut.
  • Craving a getaway? Make every day feel like a staycation by turning your home into a boutique hotel – Art Deco lighting, plush decorative cushions, and gorgeous bathroom solutions included.
  • Lastly, coming back to today’s topic, multi-functionality is key in a small space. So, opt for stylish and smart pieces to maximise your design. Think bookcases that turn into desks, sleek storage beds, and upholstered ottomans.
Interior design moodboard edit with wood furniture, storage bed, freestanding tub, fluted vanity and patterned surfaces.
1. Marcela bookcase with hideaway desk, £819.99, La Redoute. 2. Venetian porcelain tile in Blue and White, £70.80 per sq m, Lapicida. 3. Parker table lamp, £480, Heathfield & Co. 4. Side Stash 1.5 drawer double bed in Sopping Seagrass Clever Velvet, £1195, Loaf. 5. Linea Curve 600 unit in Sonoma Oak, £525, Scudo. 6. Fanfare cushion in Cornflower, £135, Liberty. 7. Mallorca four-door sideboard, £1555, Sweetpea & Willow. 8. Contrail freestanding bath 1600mm, £1200, Claybrook. 9. Stockholm 2025 handwoven wool rug with geometric pattern, £225, Ikea. 10. Leo fabric storage ottoman in Blue and White, £55, Habitat.

Spotted on social

If you’ve got a compact bathroom and want to conceal unsightly plumbing, take inspiration from Georgia Hetherington’s design, where she hid the under-sink piping with striking striped fabric.

This, right here, is bedroom goals – from the extended headboard, mixed textures, to the statement oak chest of drawers, this design oozes countryside hotel charm.

Small kitchen? No problem! This design by Christian Bense shows how with a carefully considered layout, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and the right appliances, you can achieve a striking yet functional space.

Want the latest design ideas and interiors inspiration in your inbox? Sign up to receive our newsletter every Sunday

About Post Author

You Might Also Like

 

Want to get involved?

[email protected]

Sign up to our newsletter

Want the latest in your inbox?