8x8 Kitchen Floor Plans & Costs: Getting the Most Out of Limited Space

An 8x8 kitchen is about as tight as kitchens get—just 64 square feet to fit everything you need to cook, prep, store, and clean. But compact doesn't have to mean compromise. With the right layout and a few smart design decisions, a small kitchen can feel surprisingly capable and even spacious.

These kitchens show up most often in older apartments, starter homes, condos, and townhouses where the original floor plan prioritized bedrooms and living areas over kitchen square footage. If that sounds like your situation, you're not alone—and you have more options than you might think.

Below, we walk through six layout configurations for an 8x8 kitchen, each designed to solve a different space challenge. We also cover what a renovation at this size typically costs, and share practical ways to make a small kitchen feel bigger without adding a single square foot.

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Cost considerations for an 8x8 kitchen renovation

An 8x8 kitchen is smaller than the industry-standard 10x10 pricing benchmark, which means your overall costs will generally be lower—but the per-square-foot cost can actually be higher, since you're still installing full-size appliances, plumbing, and electrical in a tighter space.

Here's what to expect based on the level of renovation:

Basic refresh: $15,000–$25,000. This typically covers cabinet refacing or replacement with stock options, standard appliances, new countertops, and minimal layout changes. Plumbing and electrical stay where they are.

Mid-range renovation: $25,000–$40,000. Semi-custom cabinetry, upgraded appliances, improved lighting, a new backsplash, and modest plumbing or electrical updates. You might relocate a fixture or two to improve the work triangle.

High-end renovation: $40,000–$60,000+. Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, full layout reconfiguration, and architectural details like specialty tile or integrated storage solutions.

Single-wall layouts tend to fall at the lower end of these ranges because they require fewer cabinets and shorter utility runs. L-shaped, galley, and U-shaped configurations increase costs as more cabinetry, countertops, and potentially more complex plumbing or electrical work come into play.

Your actual cost will also depend on where you live. Labor rates, permit fees, and material availability vary significantly by region. Block's Renovation Studio can help you see location-based pricing in real time so you have a clear picture of what to expect before committing to a budget.

What makes an 8x8 kitchen work

Before choosing a layout, it helps to understand the constraints you're working with. In a kitchen this size, every decision has an outsized impact. A few principles hold true across all 8x8 configurations:

Maintain at least 36 inches of clearance for walkways—closer to 40 if two people regularly use the kitchen at the same time. Keep the work triangle (the path between your sink, stove, and refrigerator) as short and unobstructed as possible. Prioritize vertical storage over sprawling cabinetry, and resist the urge to fill every wall—leaving some surfaces open helps the kitchen breathe.

An 8x8 kitchen rewards restraint. The goal is a layout that supports your daily routine without making the room feel like a puzzle you have to solve every time you walk in.

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8x8 layout idea: Galley kitchen with facing appliance runs

Two parallel runs of cabinetry and appliances face each other, with the stove and sink on the top wall and the dishwasher and refrigerator on the bottom wall. The central aisle provides a clear walkway between the two zones.

Galley layouts are the efficiency workhorses of small kitchens. You can pivot between tasks with minimal steps, and the dual runs give you significantly more storage and counter space than a single-wall setup. The challenge in an 8x8 footprint is keeping the aisle wide enough—aim for at least 36 inches between facing counters, and be selective with upper cabinets to prevent the space from feeling closed in.

If you're a serious cook who values function over everything else, this layout delivers. Just pay attention to lighting—galley kitchens benefit enormously from strong task lighting under cabinets and ambient light overhead.

8x8 layout idea: L-shaped kitchen with corner stove

This layout places cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, forming an L. The stove sits along the top wall, with the sink and fridge positioned on the right-hand wall. The lower-left portion of the room stays open, offering space for a small prep cart or simply room to move.

The L-shape is one of the most versatile configurations for a kitchen this size. It creates a natural work triangle without boxing you in, and the open floor area gives you flexibility—whether that means adding a rolling island on occasion or keeping the space clear for easier circulation. Corner placement does require some planning around cabinetry (think pull-out drawers or angled shelves to avoid dead zones), but the payoff in usable counter space is worth it.

This is a strong choice if you cook regularly and want dedicated landing zones near your stove and sink.

8x8 layout idea: Single-wall kitchen with maximum open space

Everything lives on one wall: stove, sink, and refrigerator, arranged in a single linear run. The remaining three walls and the center of the room are completely open.

If your kitchen shares sight lines with a living or dining area, this layout makes the most sense. It keeps the room feeling open and airy, almost like the kitchen is just one piece of a larger space rather than its own enclosed room. The trade-off is less counter space and fewer storage options—you'll want to plan for vertical shelving, a wall-mounted pot rack, or a nearby pantry to compensate.

This layout also tends to carry the lowest renovation cost, since plumbing and electrical are concentrated on a single wall. For homeowners who use their kitchen primarily for simple meals and want to preserve a sense of openness, it's hard to beat.

8x8 layout idea: U-shaped kitchen with three-wall coverage

Appliances and storage wrap three walls. The refrigerator sits centered along the top wall, with the stove on the left and the sink on the right. This creates a U-shaped configuration that surrounds you with prep and storage surfaces.

A U-shape offers the most storage density of any 8x8 layout, and it keeps every appliance within arm's reach. The work triangle here is extremely compact—almost no wasted movement. The downside is that the room can feel enclosed, especially if you add upper cabinets on all three walls. Consider limiting uppers to one or two walls and using open shelving on the third to keep the space from feeling heavy.

This layout is ideal for homeowners who need to maximize every inch of storage and don't mind a more enveloping kitchen feel. It's also a good fit for single-cook households where wide circulation isn't a priority.

8x8 layout idea: L-shaped kitchen with dining integration

The refrigerator anchors the top wall, while the stove and sink are arranged along the right wall in an L configuration. The remaining floor space accommodates a small round dining table—turning the kitchen into a true eat-in space.

This is a layout that does double duty. By keeping the appliances tight to two walls, you free up enough room for a bistro-style table that seats two to three people comfortably. It's a practical solution for apartments or small homes where a separate dining room isn't an option and you want to keep daily meals in the kitchen rather than carrying plates to another room.

The key here is choosing a round table (which keeps circulation paths clear around its edges) and making sure the stove and sink still have adequate landing space for prep. A compact dishwasher or an under-counter model can help preserve counter real estate.

8x8 layout idea: Single-wall kitchen with freestanding dining

The stove and sink share the top wall in a single run, while the refrigerator is pulled to the lower-right corner of the room as a freestanding unit. The open floor area holds a round dining table, similar to Layout 5, but with a different appliance arrangement.

Moving the refrigerator off the main working wall gives you an uninterrupted stretch of counter between your stove and sink—a real advantage for meal prep. The freestanding fridge placement also opens up the possibility of positioning it closer to the kitchen entry, which is convenient for grabbing drinks or snacks without stepping into the cooking zone.

This is a good option if you entertain casually and want a kitchen that feels welcoming rather than purely utilitarian. The dining table makes it social; the streamlined cooking wall makes it functional.

How to make an 8x8 kitchen feel larger

A small kitchen doesn't have to feel small. Much of the perceived size of a room comes down to how you handle finishes, lighting, and visual weight—not just square footage.

• Be selective with upper cabinets. You don't need uppers on every wall. Leaving one wall open—or swapping a section of upper cabinets for a single floating shelf—reduces visual bulk and makes the room feel taller and more open. If you do use uppers, extending them to the ceiling eliminates the dust-collecting gap above and draws the eye upward.
• Keep finishes light and consistent. Lighter cabinet tones, a continuous countertop material, and a backsplash that doesn't compete with the cabinetry all help the kitchen read as one cohesive space rather than a collection of competing surfaces. Consistency is what makes a small room feel calm instead of cluttered.
• Protect your clearances. In a kitchen this size, even a few inches matter. Choose slimline appliances where possible—a 24-inch refrigerator instead of 30, for example, or a compact dishwasher. Integrated or panel-ready appliances also help because they sit flush with cabinetry, keeping sightlines clean.
• Layer your lighting. Shadows shrink a room. Combine recessed ceiling lights with under-cabinet task lighting to eliminate dark corners, especially along countertops where you prep food. If you have a window, keep treatments minimal—natural light is the single most effective way to make any small space feel bigger.
• Use reflective surfaces strategically. A glossy tile backsplash, a polished countertop, or even glass-front cabinets can bounce light around the room and create a sense of depth. You don't need to go overboard, as one or two reflective elements are enough to shift the perception of the space.

Designing small with confidence

An 8x8 kitchen asks you to be intentional about every choice—and that's actually a strength, not a limitation. When there's no room for filler, what you're left with is a kitchen where everything has a purpose and nothing gets in the way.

The right layout sets the foundation. Smart material and finish choices amplify the sense of space. And working with professionals who understand how to get the most out of a compact footprint means you won't have to figure it all out alone.

Whether you're refreshing finishes or rethinking the layout entirely, the goal is the same: a kitchen that works for your life, feels good to be in, and holds up day after day.

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