Kitchen sizes: Which kitchen suits your household and your needs?
The ideal kitchen size depends on more than just the living space. The decisive factors are your household, your cooking habits, and how you want to use your kitchen. Whether you want a compact kitchen for singles, a functional family kitchen, or a spacious kitchen-diner, with careful planning, any kitchen size can be optimally adapted to your needs. This guide shows which kitchen sizes are suitable for different living situations and what you should consider when planning.
Kitchens for singles and small households
(approx. 6–10 m²)
For singles, students, or people living in micro-apartments, one thing is particularly important: every square meter counts. Kitchens of this size are usually designed as compact kitchenettes or small L-shaped units.
Efficient use of space is important:
- short working distances
- storage space up to the ceiling
- compact electrical appliances
- well-lit work surfaces
Small kitchens in particular demonstrate how important well-thought-out planning is. Height differences, niches, or limited wall space can be optimally utilized with made-to-measure solutions – this way, the kitchen remains suitable for everyday use and tidy despite its small size.
Kitchen size for couples
(approx. 10–15 m²)
Couples usually want a little more freedom of movement and work space. Kitchens of this size already offer more scope for individual solutions, such as:
- L-shaped kitchens
- Additional work surfaces
- Small dining or counter areas
Here, the kitchen is often used not only for cooking, but also as a meeting place in everyday life. An open design to the living area is easy to implement in this size and creates a more spacious feeling.
Kitchen size for families
(approx. 15–25 m²)
Family kitchens have to meet many different requirements: cooking, baking, homework, eating together. This means that space to move around, storage space, and clearly defined functional areas are particularly important.
Typical features of a family kitchen:
- Spacious work areas
- plenty of storage space for supplies and dishes
- Robust, easy-care materials
- Kitchen layouts such as U-shaped or with a kitchen island
Careful planning ensures that several people can work in the kitchen at the same time without getting in each other's way.
Large kitchens and open-plan kitchens
(from approx. 25 m²)
Spacious kitchens are often part of an open-plan living concept. Here, the kitchen becomes the central hub of life—for cooking, enjoying food, and socializing.
Characteristic features include:
- Kitchen islands with seating
- Smooth transitions to the dining or living area
- Clear zoning of cooking, dining, and living areas
To ensure that large kitchens do not appear cluttered, coherent planning is crucial. Uniform materials, clear lines, and a balanced ratio of open and closed areas create structure and comfort.
Plan kitchen size according to room type
Small kitchen in a flat or apartment
In apartments with limited space, clever solutions are essential. Storage space at height, narrow cabinet elements, and multifunctional areas help to make even small kitchens comfortable.
Kitchen in an old building
Old kitchens pose special challenges: high ceilings, awkward layouts, or load-bearing walls. In these cases, it is worth working with custom-made solutions that preserve the character of the room while offering modern functionality.
Kitchen with sloping ceiling
Sloping ceilings limit the usable space, but they also open up design possibilities. Low base cabinets, open shelves, or customized wall cabinet heights ensure that the space is used optimally.
Inspiration for small spaces
In our planning guide "Small Places, Big Ideas," we use specific examples to show how kitchens can be optimally planned in small apartments, micro-apartments, old buildings, or under sloping roofs. You will gain insights into different types of rooms, learn how to make clever use of storage space, and see how cozy and practical kitchen solutions can be implemented even in a few square meters.
Gather and record inspiration
Before you start planning in detail, it's worth gathering ideas and comparing styles. In the Nolte Küchen idea finder, you'll discover a wide range of inspiration for kitchens, materials, colors, and room solutions. A particularly practical feature is that you can save your favorites directly to your own mood board in your personal My Nolte area. This allows you to keep track of your ideas and easily reuse them later or share them with family, friends, or a Nolte dealer.
Kitchen sizes at a glance
The information provided is for guidance only. Actual planning depends on the layout of the room, ceiling height, and individual requirements.
Household / Use
- Single
- Couple
- Family
- Kitchen-diner
Recommended kitchen size
- approx. 6–10 m²
- approx. 10–15 m²
- approx. 15–25 m²
- From approx. 25 m²
Typical planning
- Kitchenette, compact L-shape
- L-shape, open kitchen
- U-shape, kitchen island
- Island + dining area
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about kitchen size
Conclusion: The right kitchen size starts with good planning
Whether you have a small kitchen or a spacious eat-in kitchen, the ideal kitchen size is determined by the interplay between space, use, and individual requirements. Professional planning helps you make the best possible use of the available space and design a kitchen that you will enjoy for many years to come.
Plan the size of your kitchen yourself
Do you already have an idea of your ideal kitchen size? Then you can try it out for yourself in the next step. With the online kitchen planner from Nolte Küchen, you can visualize the room size, kitchen shape, and initial planning ideas. This will give you a better feel for how your wishes can be implemented in the room—as preparation for further kitchen planning.
Further information
In our Kitchen Journal, you will find even more inspiration for the individual planning and design of your dream kitchen.
Discover tips and tricks
Discover many more tips and tricks in the Nolte Magazin.
