Ask most homeowners which room of the house they spend the most time in and the majority will say the kitchen. Whether that is to carry out the practical tasks of cooking and food prep, to eat meals and come together as a family or to entertain friends – but what is the ideal kitchen size to be able to facilitate all of this hustle and bustle?
The good news is that, when designing a kitchen, providing you plan your kitchen layout around the space you have to work with, size does not have to stand in the way of creating a beautiful functional room. In fact, there are instances where dedicating too much space to a kitchen could even be a bad thing.
So, if you were bemoaning the size of your kitchen, fear not, you might just have all the space you need to create the room of your dreams without needing to extend or knock through to another room – here’s what the experts had to say.
Is there an ideal kitchen size?
Obviously you can only dedicate so much space within your home to your kitchen and this will very much depend on the overall dimensions of your house. But, if you are just in the planning stages of a remodel, kitchen extension project or renovation, is there an ideal size to aim for?
According to the kitchen experts we spoke to, it is more about good design than available space, taking into account the six key functions of the room – cooking, food prep, food storage, equipment storage, cleaning zone and entertaining or dining.
“There is no ideal size or ‘one size fits all’,” picks up Selena Quick, founder and director of PAD Kitchens. “The most successful, functional kitchens are those where all six key zones are designed around the way the homeowners live, and where every element works hard to meet the demands of modern life.”
“With the right planning, a fully functioning kitchen can be installed in even the most compact spaces,” adds Alex Main, director at The Main Company. “Start by mapping out how many cabinets you need and where your appliances will be to establish a functional layout. Measurements between base units is also worth noting as a distance of 1.2m is usually the norm to ensure two 60cm doors can fully open at the same time and not touch.”
Alex Main is director at The Main Company, a family-run company that has been creating highly individual bespoke kitchens that are full of personality and unique style since the 1970s. The family business has built up its knowledge from the vast experience gained from trading within the national and international markets.
Selena Quick is the founder and director of PAD. Celebrating 10 years in 2026, PAD is a family-owned design practice that specialises in bespoke kitchens and joinery. PAD clients are both direct homeowners and design professionals. Purposely not on the high street, their approach offers homeowners a curated range of finishes from their core collection. Each PAD kitchen is designed in-house, built in their UK factory using FSC-approved wood and installed by their expert team of fitters and each kitchen project follows a 127-point checklist.
Is there a minimum kitchen size?
If you are planning a kitchen and are really struggling for space, you should breathe a sigh of relief on hearing what Selena Quick had to say.
“There’s no such thing as a minimum size for creating a well-designed kitchen,” reassures Selena. “We believe that a small footprint never limits the possibilities – it simply calls for more thoughtful planning and creative use of space. Even the most awkward layout can become the culinary hub of your home when it’s designed with care and intention.”
That said, it is useful to understand standard unit and appliance sizes in order to ensure your space is fit for purpose.
“We’d say no smaller than between 4-5/m2,” says Alex Main. “It’s worth understanding the standard dimensions for appliances and units before working out a minimum kitchen size – then you can make sense of the different options and where to start.
“A normal size for key appliances such as ovens, sinks, fridges and dishwashers is 600mm x 600mm, although there are options to buy smaller appliances for tighter spaces if needed. When it comes to kitchen cabinet widths, the 600mm x 600mm sizing also applies, but these are also available in an array of sizes.”
How much space do you need for a kitchen diner?
In many households these days, the kitchen is not just a space for cooking in, it often doubles up as somewhere to eat meals – but do you have the space for you kitchen diner ideas?
“The style of seating you choose will impact the space needed in your kitchen if you want to dine it,” advises Alex Main. “For example, if you’re planning on introducing banquette seating rather than a free-standing dining table and chairs, you’ll need less room around the table.
“The standard width for a dining table is around 600mm and we’d recommend leaving a clearance of about 900mm around the table on all sides to allow for chairs to be pulled out without bumping into furniture or walls,” continues Alex. “This will give you ample space without the kitchen feeling overwhelmed.”
Can you have a kitchen island in small kitchen?
Where once the kitchen island was seen as something of a luxury, these days it seems that no kitchen design is complete without one. That said, attempting to shoehorn one in at the expense of the entire layout is not advised either.
“A small kitchen can have an island but it needs to work effectively with the space to stop it feeling crowded,” explains Alex Main. “A peninsula island is a great alternative to provide extra worktop space or another area to sit down, while a freestanding, slimline island is another good option as it can be moved as and when suits you.
“If you want to incorporate kitchen island ideas into your design, ensuring there is enough space to move and work around it is essential,” continues Alex. “Allow between 1m and 1.2m to move easily around the island and take into consideration your cabinets. Make sure cupboard doors and drawers aren’t obstructing doors on the other side of the island when open. The same rules apply for kitchen island seating – not all stools tuck under so consider the space around them both when in use and when not in use.”
Shop freestanding kitchen islands
Two drawers and two cupboards as well as a side holder for towels make this pastel blue freestanding kitchen trolley a highly practical choice. It also sits on four castors meaning it is easy to move around.
Cedar and Sage Arvika Kitchen Island
Ideal for rustic and farmhouse style kitchens, this stylish island has a marble top that is perfect for food prep. Measuring H 93cm x W 90cm x D 74cm, it could slot into a compact kitchen easily.
If flexibility is key in your kitchen, this island, with its drop-leaf worktop is perfect as it can be expanded when needed. It also features a useful spice rack, towel rail and open shelves, as well as cupboards and drawers.
Can a kitchen ever be too big?
It is easy to think that bigger is always better when it comes to kitchen size, but when working with a very large space, there are still some important factors to keep in mind according to Selena Quick.
“I don’t think a kitchen can never be too big, but it does need to be directly proportionate to the size of the home or living space,” advises Selena. “Larger kitchens simply require a different kind of considered space planning – one where functionality focuses not just on zoning, but on how the flow is influenced by the scale of the space.
FAQs
How do you maximise space in a small kitchen?
If you are dealing with a compact space, rest assured, there are plenty of small kitchen ideas out there to make the job easier.
“Many clients ask how to maximise their kitchen by adding as many cabinets as possible,” picks up Selena Quick. “We gently steer the focus towards storage efficiency rather than quantity. Tailoring each cabinet to the client’s lifestyle – no matter the size of the kitchen – is what ultimately creates a beautiful, highly functional space.
“A well-organised kitchen that works beautifully for its owner will always feel more spacious, and thoughtful internal storage can provide far more usable space than simply adding in more cabinetry,” continues Selena. “When it comes to aesthetics, rich colours can be incredibly effective in smaller rooms, adding depth and definition when combined with good lighting and carefully chosen surfaces. We also tend to limit the number of different materials – too many competing finishes can make a compact space feel busy or visually fragmented.”
Don’t forget, in the excitement of choosing units, worktops and appliances for your new kitchen, that it is actually your kitchen layout ideas that will have the biggest impact on how well the room functions – no matter how large or small it might be.
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