if you have a small kitchen its sometimes really hard to work, and difficult to store things. Opt for tall cabinets that have high ceilings and get them divided as a lot of cupboard space is wasted with space above unused. Fit shelves into any additional space to house cookery books and mugs. It's surprising how much space you can add to a kitchen this way. Most people waste the wall space above the sink for example, and by putting shelves there you have storage space straight away.
Black or dark work surfaces can make a room look a lot bigger, but if you are going to do this make sure that you put pale worktops on to balance it out. Choose reflective surfaces to make any small room seem bigger. Cream or white work surfaces make the space look crisp, but bear in mind the amount of wear and tear that occurs in the kitchen and whether you can maintain it.
French doors will add extra light to the room, so if you have the space to have them then consider it. you can also open them up in the summer to really extend the space. When designing your kitchen, integrate appliances to the cupboards to save on work surface space. If the space is really small then why not choose a hob kettle instead of a plug in one? It will save on workspace and is quite retro. Opt for storage drawers rather than cupboards to really squeeze every last inch of space.
Check with your Home Insurance provider before making any drastic changes as it may affect your policy.