This small green kitchen makeover proves you don't need a lot of space to make a big impact

A small kitchen has its challenges, particularly as many of us use ours for cooking, eating, and working in the last year. But furniture manufacturer deVOL has proven that you don’t need a lot of space to make a statement. 

The design experts have completely transformed a kitchen in a London home using gorgeous on-trend green. Now, it’s totally unrecognizable from its former self. 

See also: 30 small kitchen ideas – advice, trends and inspiration to make the most your space

The before

The small, L-shaped kitchen found in a flat in a London townhouse was previously decorated in a bland, neutral palette, with standard-issue cabinetry and a washing machine front-and-center. 

The after: 

This unremarkable kitchen has now been kitted out with rich emerald green cupboards, large expanses of marble, and plenty of brass.

Almost all of the furniture in the kitchen is deVOL’s standard-sized Shaker furniture. This shows that you don’t always need bespoke-sized pieces to create the impression of a made-to-measure kitchen. What’s more, sticking to standard-sized cupboards when planning a kitchen will end up being the most cost-efficient way to design it - something to remember when working to a small budget.

The green kitchen is part of an open-plan space, with a dining table and comfy sofa just out of view. The design makes the most of the flat’s original features, such as the lovely high ceilings. The high cupboards make for ample storage, and provide a space for the double-stacked Miele ovens. 

Hidden behind the rich green hues are also the fridge and freezer, as well as a large pantry. You’d never know from a first glance, as the room feels sleek and free from clutter.

Character is added through the quirky handcrafted cup handles, aged brass shelf brackets and the fluted sink. We love the mixture between open shelving and cupboards, so treasured items can be displayed while less beautiful items can be stored away. Plus, one feature that makes us green with envy is the instant boiling hot water tap for speedy cups of tea, in deVOL’s aged brass finish.

While small spaces have obstacles, this just goes to show that thoughtful kitchen design can fill a small space with personality. Having white goods tucked away and using the height of the room for cupboards helps maintain order in a multifunctional kitchen. 

The large marble surfaces and the way the brass is used throughout also prevent the feeling of a 'busy' space. Real Shaker Kitchens by deVOL are all beautifully made by hand, to order, in their workshops in Leicestershire, UK.