10 Little Things That Make a Kitchen Feel Cramped

It doesn’t take a tiny kitchen to feel cramped. Even a spacious one can start to feel tight if it’s filled with clutter or poorly laid out. Most people blame the square footage, but honestly, it’s often the small decisions that make things feel closed-in and harder to work in.

If you’ve been frustrated with your kitchen lately, here are a few little things worth paying attention to—they can make a big difference in how open or functional the space actually feels.

Oversized Countertop Appliances

Leaving your air fryer, toaster oven, blender, and mixer out all the time eats up more space than you think. Even if you use them regularly, having too many large appliances on the counters instantly makes the kitchen feel more crowded.

If you’ve got limited prep space, try storing one or two in a cabinet and only pulling them out when needed. Clearing that visual clutter can make the whole room feel bigger without doing any kind of renovation.

Dark Cabinet Finishes

Dark wood or painted cabinets can be beautiful, but they tend to suck up light—especially in kitchens that don’t get much natural sun. That can make the whole space feel more enclosed, even if it’s technically a decent size.

If you’re not in a position to repaint, swapping out dark cabinet hardware for something lighter, or using brighter bulbs under the cabinets, can help open things up without a full remodel.

Bulky or High-Backed Bar Stools

Chairs with tall backs or wide arms can visually block off the room. If they’re oversized for the island or bar space, they can also create a tripping hazard or make it harder to walk around.

Backless stools, slim-profile options, or ones that tuck fully under the counter when not in use are much better for small or awkward layouts. You still get seating, but the kitchen feels more open.

Too Many Upper Cabinets

While upper cabinets are useful, having them on every wall can close a kitchen in fast. It creates a wall of boxes that can feel heavy, especially in smaller rooms or with low ceilings.

If you’re renovating or updating, consider open shelving or glass-front cabinet doors for some visual breathing room. Even removing a single upper cabinet can change how the whole room feels.

Lack of Drawer or Cabinet Organization

When your drawers are crammed and your cabinets are overflowing, it’s hard to make the space work—even if it looks clean on the outside. You end up leaving more out on the counters, which makes everything feel tight.

Take time to sort what you actually use and store things in bins or drawer inserts that make it easier to grab what you need. Organized storage keeps more off the counters and opens up more usable space.

Large Dish Racks or Drying Mats

Big drying racks left out all the time take over valuable counter space and make everything feel cluttered—even if the rest of your kitchen is spotless.

Try a collapsible drying rack you can tuck under the sink or a roll-up drying mat that lays over the sink when needed. Keeping the counter clear when you’re not actively washing dishes helps the space feel less busy.

Decorative Items That Don’t Serve a Purpose

Kitchens already have a lot going on visually—appliances, cookware, containers. Adding too many decorative items on top of that can make it feel overstuffed fast.

Instead of crowding every shelf or corner with décor, pick one or two useful pieces that also look good—like a pretty crock for utensils or a nice cutting board. Less visual clutter goes a long way.

Open Trash or Recycling Bins

An exposed trash can adds to the visual clutter and can make the space feel unfinished. If it’s large or always full, it becomes an eyesore pretty quickly.

Built-in bins hidden inside a cabinet or pull-out drawer are ideal, but even a smaller bin with a lid can help the room feel more contained and less chaotic.

Mismatched Storage Containers

A bunch of clashing bins, jars, and baskets might be functional, but they can make the space feel disorganized and tighter than it is. It’s especially noticeable on open shelves or visible pantries.

Switching to matching or coordinated storage makes the space feel more unified and less chaotic. You don’t need to spend a fortune—just pick one look and stick with it.

Hanging Too Much on the Walls

It’s easy to overload your kitchen walls with hooks, baskets, spice racks, or décor. But too much can make the walls feel like they’re closing in. When every surface has something on it, the room loses its breathing space.

Limit wall hangings to the things you actually use or love. Leave some negative space to give your eyes a break and let the room feel more open, even if the square footage stays the same.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.