Home idea with IKEA: a functional kitchen and hallway in 6 square meters

Oliver and Anett are a young couple living in Tartu. They really love cooking, but their small apartment's kitchen/hallway offered limited possibilities for this. The biggest challenge of the space was how to fit everything necessary into the 6-square-meter kitchen that also serves as a hallway. IKEA interior designer Caroli´s creative solution shows that even the most compact space holds great potential. 

Before – very little workspace

The biggest challenge in this kitchen was the lack of countertop space. Most of the surface was occupied by the dish rack and kitchen appliances, leaving very little room for meal preparation. At times, they had to move the food prep to the living room.

There was also limited storage space in the cabinets, which led to storing many items on the worktop—where they inevitably collected dust.

After – compact, clever and classy

The kitchen now boasts more cupboard space and a larger worktop — which is also at a much more comfortable height than before. To make the most of every inch, the cabinets stretch all the way up to the ceiling. Beneath the worktop, drawers and a dishwasher are neatly tucked away, giving everything its own place. Since Oliver and Anett love to cook, a handy combi oven serves both as a conventional and microwave oven. The sockets are cleverly placed in one corner so small appliances don’t clutter the workspace. This tiny kitchen may be small, but it’s stylish, practical, and proud of how much it can do!

Kitchen

Set up a similar space

The hallway side

The interior designer used same kitchen furniture frames to create both hallway storage and a seating area with drawers – perfect for morning coffee or chatting with the person cooking while providing hidden storage for shoes or kitchen appliances. "Using the same furniture system throughout creates visual unity, makes space feel larger and more organized, while drawer organizers inside ensure every item has its designated place – from cutlery to scarves,” Heimonen explains. On the hallway side of the room, there´s also a desigated nook for coats and jackets.

Hallway storage

Everything in its place, every task in its zone

Even in a small kitchen, clearly defined zones make a world of difference. “We created distinct areas — food prep by the sink and cooking at the hob,” explains Caroli. “Each zone has its own lighting: bright task lights for cooking and motion-sensor LED strips inside the cabinets for effortless access.” This smart layout means fewer steps between tasks and a smoother cooking flow. Even the upper cabinets follow the same logic — dishes stay near the sink, while pantry items are neatly tucked away above the hob.

Kitchen storage

It’s what you don’t see that matters most

One of the best things about this kitchen is the clever use of space hidden beneath the worktop. The roomy drawers hold everything from cutlery and kitchen towels to pots, pans, and dry goods — everything has its place. Under the sink, there’s a waste bin and a handy pull-out tray for dishwashing essentials. And believe it or not, there’s even room for a dishwasher!

Organising & waste sorting

Designer tips for furnishing a kitchen that doubles as a hallway

1. Try experimenting with furniture in unexpected ways – for example, using kitchen units in the hallway or swapping a bedside table for a small coffee table.
2. Make the most of your wall space too, as every centimetre counts in a small home.
3. If you can, consider moving the kitchen sockets to a corner above the worktop, so your appliances don’t take up valuable space needed for food preparation.

Set up a similar space

Living room