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Modern Leicht kitchen in Rego Park, Queens featuring white cabinets with walnut accents and handleless design

Inspiration Guides

Apartment kitchen design

Compact, clever, and undeniably stylish—apartment kitchens call for the kind of thoughtful planning that Leicht is known for. In New York City and beyond, square footage is at a premium. But with the right layout, storage solutions, and material choices, even the smallest kitchen can become the heart of your home.

Below, we’ll dive into practical strategies, design inspiration, and small kitchen ideas drawn from our real-world apartment projects. Whether you’re tackling a small house kitchen remodel or looking for kitchen design ideas for small kitchens, these tips will help you create a space that’s both beautiful and brilliantly functional.




Layout First: Work the Walls


In apartments, walls do most of the heavy lifting. Galley kitchens and single‑wall layouts remain popular because they maximize linear storage and streamline workflow. If you have an open plan, consider adding a slim peninsula instead of a bulky island—instant seating and prep space without crowding the room.


Apartment kitchen design ideas often start with efficient zoning: fridge and pantry on one end, sink and dishwasher in the middle, and cooktop/oven on the opposite wall. Keep traffic paths clear and focus on uninterrupted counter runs wherever possible.

Galley‑style Leicht kitchen in Jackson Heights, Queens with streamlined cabinetry and compact layout

Browse completed kitchen remodel

Handleless Leicht kitchen in a Brooklyn apartment, featuring a slide‑out hood and seamless white cabinetry

Handleless Cabinetry & Slide‑Out Hoods



Visual clutter is the enemy of a tight floorplan. That’s why Leicht’s Contino handleless program is a game‑changer for apartment kitchens. Instead of protruding knobs, a horizontal grip channel—available in aluminum, stainless steel, or even LED‑illuminated versions—runs the length of each cabinet row. The result is an uninterrupted rhythm of lines that makes narrow spaces appear wider while giving your fingertips an easy, ergonomic pull.


Pair Contino units with a discreet slide‑out hood (often called a visor hood) that disappears when not in use. Together, they keep sightlines clear, add valuable headroom, and reinforce the streamlined modern look that small kitchens need.

Storage That Performs Storage That Performs


Small kitchens demand storage that works overtime:


  • Full‑height pantry pull‑outs for dry goods and snacks

  • Inner drawers beneath a shallow top drawer (perfect for utensils)

  • Kidney‑swivel corner pull‑outs to turn dead space into easy‑reach shelving

  • Pocket‑door appliance garages to hide microwaves or coffee makers

  • In‑drawer organizers (Q‑BOX or L‑BOX) to keep every utensil in place


These features turn clutter into order—one of the best small kitchen remodel ideas you can invest in.




Color & Light: Think Bright, But Not Bland


Lighter fronts (white, pale grey, light oak) bounce light around. Add warmth with wood accents or a pop of color on a slim breakfast bar. Integrated LED lighting under wall units or beneath countertops boosts visibility without adding bulk.


Want drama? Dark lower cabinets with light uppers create a grounded base while keeping the room airy—a trick that ranks among our favorite apartment kitchen design ideas.




Appliances That Fit the Space—and Lifestyle


Start with 24‑inch European appliances—compact dishwashers, column refrigerators, and slim convection ovens—because they respect limited footprints and maximize counter runs. Yet lifestyle always drives the final mix:


  • Priorities differ: Some city cooks dedicate extra width to a 30‑inch fridge for weekly groceries, while others prefer a wider range for serious stovetop cooking. Decide where a larger appliance truly benefits your routine and scale everything else accordingly.

  • Combination units: Microwave‑convection combos or induction cooktops with built‑in ventilation free up space and deliver multi‑function performance.

  • Sabbath Mode & Smart Features: Choose appliances with Sabbath Mode if observance is central; if weeknight speed is key, look for Wi‑Fi controls and rapid‑preheat functions.

  • Integrated panels: When possible, panel appliances with Leicht fronts so the kitchen reads as furniture—not machinery—creating a calmer visual field in tight quarters.


Place taller refrigeration or pantry columns at the end of the room to keep sightlines open, and cluster heat‑producing appliances (oven, cooktop) on one wall to streamline ventilation.

Ready to start planning?

Remodeling a Small Kitchen? Plan Smart.


Renovating a small kitchen involves tactical decisions to get the most from the space while managing costs.


  • Relocate plumbing only within close proximity to reduce expenses.

  • Stack ovens or invest in a 24-inch slide-in range to save precious counter and floor space.

  • Install slim dishwashers (18-inch models) or drawer-style dishwashers to ensure every appliance fits seamlessly.


Leicht’s pre‑routed LED channels and integrated power solutions keep wiring concealed, simplify installation, and maintain the kitchen’s seamless aesthetics.





Ready to rethink your apartment kitchen? Visit our kitchen showroom in Queens to explore space‑saving cabinetry or browse our guide for storage solutions for more small kitchen remodel ideas.

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