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You don’t want your rustic kitchen to feel too expansive, so include an island (even a small one) in your layout. Of course, this suggestion doesn’t apply if you’re working with an ultra-compact space, like a galley kitchen layout.

You want your rustic-inspired kitchen to be somewhere family and guests choose to gather. Leave room in your new kitchen design for a dining table or set aside counter space for a casual breakfast bar.

8. Small

Most homeowners know exactly what their ideal kitchen would like if they had all of the room in the world. But great small kitchen ideas can be harder to come by. For a small kitchen layout to work, it’s important to embrace the available space — not fight it.

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Don’t be afraid to buck traditional kitchen layout concepts for what works best in your space. Many of these “rules” (like the kitchen work triangle) just won’t work in a small kitchen design.

Free up counter space with wall cabinets or open shelving. A rolling table or bar cart can be used as a temporary island. Avoid space-consuming decor and, instead, turn to details like your kitchen’s backsplash tiles.

9. U Shape

In many ways, a U-shaped kitchen combines the best of both a galley and L-shaped layout. You get plenty of counter space that’s easily within reach. Plus, U-shaped kitchens tend to be a bit wider than galley-style ones.