Quick Answer: A small kitchen works best when you pick the right layout and use every wall. A single wall layout suits very narrow rooms. A parallel (galley) layout suits long, narrow rooms. An L shaped layout suits a room with a free corner. In all three, tall units, a corner solution and light colours make the space feel larger and hold more. Key Facts: The three most useful layouts for compact kitchens are single wall, parallel and L shaped. As a rule of thumb, leave enoug