When there's not much you can do to a cramped space without making it feel even smaller, add a rug. It'll warm up the room and add color and pattern without overwhelming your kitchen. Interior designer Michelle Nussbaumer also packs plenty of texture-rich materials into the small space.

Plants make everything feel happier—even small kitchens. Plus, if you get great light, why not make use of it? ETC.etera cleverly put a large plant on top of the fridge to brighten up the space.

If you're low on cupboard space, add storage with rods secured to the ceiling, as designers Carey Maloney and Hermes Mallea did here. Copper pipe shelving or a brass rod look super chic and are ideal for hanging mugs or ledges to stack dishes.

A bar cart from the Thom Filicia Home Collection for Vanguard is set in the center of the kitchen in designer Thom Filicia’s Manhattan apartment. Instead of investing in a large island in a compact kitchen, try a smaller, decorative table or cart like this for extra storage and work space.