Every now and then, an interior design trend becomes so pervasive that it deserves to be called a phenomenon. And one quick look at Instagram would suggest the small white kitchen has earned the label. 

Small white kitchens aren’t as strange or eye-catching as some other trends. In fact, they’re completely sensible: the color white is known to make spaces look larger and more open, and the crisp neutral makes a natural addition to the kitchen, which is typically a bright and light-filled space. 

So if you’re navigating a small kitchen that you know you want to paint white, you’re in luck. Small white kitchen ideas abound—and we’ve rounded up 12 of our favorites, below.

01 Tuck Away Your Microwave

Counter space is precious in any kitchen, but it’s particularly precious in smaller kitchens as appliances tend to take up a fair amount of room. So, look for ways to relegate them to your shelves and cabinets. Your microwave wouldn’t have to hog space on your counter if it had its own cubby to live in.

02 Use Curtains to Segment Your Space

It makes sense to create boundaries between different rooms, but doors aren’t your only option. In fact, doors can be a bad option when decorating a small space. Why? When they’re shut, they leave the room feeling cramped. And when they’re open, they demand unnecessary space. So, consider trading your door for a sleek curtain—which will take up little space at all.

03 Turn a Portable Island Into a Statement-Maker

One easy way to add functionality to a small kitchen? Snag a portable island. There are tons of great options out there, and you can decide whether you want one that matches your kitchen perfectly or one that introduces a new color to your palette, as pictured here.

04 Add Eat-In Space Wherever You Can

Art Deco Pendant Light with Conical Linen Shade, Industrial Hanging Lighting Fixture over Kitchen Island, Unique Ceiling Light for Dining Room, Breakfast Nook, Sink Bar, Hallway

Most small kitchens go hand-in-hand with nonexistent dining rooms. So odds are, you’re in need of a little eat-in space, too. Look for unexpected places to sneak in a chair or two. Your kitchen island could easily double as a table—especially if you slide some low-profile chairs underneath it.

05 Play With Shape Instead of Color

Looking for ways to add personality to your space without sacrificing your crisp all-white palette? It can be done. Instead of choosing classic white subway tiles for your backsplash, opt for triangular tiles. The out-of-the-box shape will add visual interest to your space while keeping things exactly as clean and minimalist as you want them to be.

06 Play With Texture

Adding color is just one way to make a space feel more dynamic, but adding texture can also go a long way, especially when you’re working with a more restrained palette. So, look for opportunities to mix and match materials. Matte metal pendant lights look great next to rustic wooden shelves, and both play well with glossy backsplash tiles.

07 Cover Your Range Hood

Covered range hoods have become increasingly popular in the interior design space, thanks to their ability to make range hoods fit in with the rest of a décor scheme, so know that your carefully curated palette doesn’t have to end at your range hood. By covering your range hood—or by snagging a white option to begin with—you can keep your palette pristine.

08 Sprinkle in Bold Accents

16 " industrial Pendant Light Over Kitchen Island, Adjustable Hanging Light Fixture with Conical Lampshade, Modern Ceiling Lighting for Dining Room, Bathroom, Restaurant, Bar

White may be your base color, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sprinkle in an accent color or two. Look for places to switch up your palette. Your pendant lights, barstools, shelves, and doorknobs are all excellent candidates.

09 Cover Your Range Hood

Covered range hoods have become increasingly popular in the interior design space, thanks to their ability to make range hoods fit in with the rest of a décor scheme, so know that your carefully curated palette doesn’t have to end at your range hood. By covering your range hood—or by snagging a white option to begin with—you can keep your palette pristine.

10 Stock Up on Small Appliances

Minimalist Design Metal Dome LED Indoor Sconce - Modern Swedish Design with Brass Construction

If classic appliances just won’t fit into your space, look for smaller options. Trade a full-blown oven for a toaster oven, and swap a 6-burner range for a 2-burner range. These may not be the kinds of appliances you’d find in every kitchen, but they’re better than nothing. And hey—who needs six burners, anyway?

11 Cozy Things Up With a Rug

Décor can bring a room together, but it can also demand a fair amount of space, so look for opportunities to add low-profile, high-impact accents. One statement-making piece that won’t hog unnecessary space? A rug. And since machine-washable options abound these days, you won’t have to worry about swapping yours out in the event of a spill.

12 Put Your Prettiest Necessities on Display

When counter space is low, it can feel frivolous to make room for décor. But, there are some clever ways to bridge this gap. One of them? Put some of your prettiest must-haves on display. Leave a bowl of grapes, a few spare pears, and a slightly used kitchen towel on your counter. If you cluster them together, you’ll have a scene worthy of still life—and you’ll free up some pantry space, while you’re at it.