If you live with a small kitchen, you may not be able to outfit it with a fireplace, special baking center, or computer station, but you can have a highly efficient and attractive space.

What are your minimum kitchen needs? Think about a stove, sink, refrigerator, and food prep/cleanup area. Decide the minimum dimensions within which you can work, and then arrange all the necessities—including storage—in that space.
 
Think of ways to conserve space. Look for appliances that are available in small sizes ideal for a diminutive kitchen. Some built-in dishwashers, for example, come in an 18-inch width. Another option to help with a tight fit is an under-the-sink model that takes advantage of often-wasted space.
 
Also consider whether you can take advantage of adjoining spaces. Can you combine your kitchen with an adjacent room to make a multipurpose cooking, dining, and family room? Perhaps you can open up a wall, or a half-wall, between your kitchen and the adjoining room to improve flow and increase the sense of space.

Careful design choices can open up a small kitchen visually. White cabinet bodies and glass cabinet doors create the illusion of more space.