Concentrate the tall pieces
A refrigerator, pantry and oven tower grouped thoughtfully can preserve longer stretches of counter elsewhere. Scattering tall cabinets around a small room repeatedly stops the eye and breaks work space.
Use upper height for occasional items while protecting comfortable everyday reach.
Choose access over raw volume
Wide drawers often use space more efficiently than several narrow door cabinets and expose their contents without kneeling. A well-planned corner or pantry pullout can prevent deep space from becoming a graveyard for forgotten items.
Do not over-accessorize. Flexible drawer and shelf space may serve a changing household better than many single-purpose inserts.
Create visual breathing room
A consistent cabinet color, simple hardware and a limited number of door sizes create calm. Glass can add depth in one controlled location, while too much open shelving may increase visual clutter.
Preserve at least one clear landing or preparation stretch. Countertop freedom often makes a small kitchen feel more generous than an additional wall cabinet would.