Living with a smaller kitchen can be a source of frustration. It can feel like a burden if you’re an avid chef or just love to hang out in your kitchen.
In smaller homes under 1500 feet, the average kitchen size is just 103 square feet, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). So if you have a variety of utensils and appliances, you may struggle to store everything without leaving your kitchen looking chaotic.
Here are some smart tips for organizing your kitchen for extra space.
Cull Everything
The first step is to think about what you need to store. Kitchens have been building cutlery, utensils, and appliances for many years. The same goes for occasional spices and other non-perishable items that often find their way to the backs of cupboards.
Begin by moving through your existing kitchen and making an inventory of everything you have. Then, ask yourself honestly whether you need everything in your inventory.
Be ruthless and cull anything you don’t need. After all, do you really need a baking tray when the last time you baked was ten years ago?
Install Pull-Out Shelves
Pull-out shelves are a lifesaver because they don’t take up your existing wall space. These types of shelving form part of the concealed kitchen design philosophy. Hiding shelves in plain sight and pulling them out only as and when needed allows you to store those little items that don’t need to be on display permanently.
Choosing pull-out shelves in Shingle Springs, CA, can be as straightforward or as ambitious as your kitchen space allows. It’s a far more sophisticated design option than hammering in a few DIY shelves into the inside door of a cupboard, although that can be a great way to make the most of your space too.
Use Your Vertical Space
Smaller kitchens lack the space to allow you to spread out, but what they don’t lack is vertical space. Unfortunately, many homeowners only think about cabinets, shelves, and counters. What they don’t consider is building upwards.
Kitchens have appliances and utensils that will be used daily and those that will be used twice per year on major holidays.
Use your vertical space by building shelves all the way up to the ceiling, if necessary. Then, put those seldom-used items higher up, with your daily utensils closer to the countertop.
Another great way to use vertical space to free up your counters is a magnetic knife block. Your knives fit easily onto the wall and are showcased to add some character to your wall space. Just make sure they’re positioned higher up if you have young children in the house.
Install Hooks to Hang Mugs
Hooks are another great way to offer some extra storage space. They take up less space than cabinets and shelves.
Hooks can be installed without the help of a professional and are an excellent way to store mugs. If you have a narrow wall unsuitable for a full-size shelf, substitute with a set of hooks.
You can also use hooks for storing various utensils rather than just mugs. You’ll be amazed at how much space they can free up in your cupboards.
Get a Cutting Board that Fits Over the Sink
Intelligent kitchen design is about thinking outside of the box. For example, counter space is homeowners’ biggest complaint about their smaller kitchens.
If counter space comes at a premium, invest in a cutting board that fits over the sink. These cutting boards are easy to use and usually come with a built-in colander too.
Moreover, since the chopping board is now above the sink, any debris will go straight into your waste disposal unit, meaning less cleaning after you’ve finished your food prep.
Use Magnetic Shelves for Your Refrigerator
Magnetic shelves are perfect for renters because they can be installed and removed without leaving any marks.
Move magnetic shelves inside your refrigerator for some extra storage space. For those items like spices, you can even install them on the outside.
Just be aware of how much they protrude, so you don’t accidentally knock them down as you walk past.
Add Risers to Counter Space
Counter space comes at a premium, but you may have some extra space for storage. Risers are essentially shelves that fit onto your counter.
Things like glasses and drying cutlery can be kept on top of risers, with space underneath the riser for even more space.
While risers are not the most stylish addition to a kitchen in the world, if you’re struggling for space, this is a quick fix to avoid a wholesale design change.
Hang Your Stemware
Stemware is fragile, meaning you need a dedicated storage space for it. Consider the bartender’s solution of hanging your stemware.
Hanging allows you to incorporate a smart and stylish design choice into your kitchen space to maximize what you have.
Stemware may be hung inside a cabinet if you want to keep everything hidden away, or you could hang it underneath a cabinet to showcase your wine glasses and make them easier to access.
Use Baskets and Bins
Baskets and bins can be used for fresh fruit, vegetables, or bulk-bought items. If you cannot keep them out of sight, baskets and bins allow you to take advantage of stacking.
Make sure they come in a transparent material so you can keep track of where everything is. There are plenty of trendy basket and bin styles to take advantage of, so shop around to figure out what works for your kitchen.
Conclusion
Living with a small kitchen space doesn’t have to mean endless frustration. Instead, think outside the box to get the most out of your square footage.
If you have a separate dining room, you can even turn your dining table into a temporary prep area if you’re struggling for space in the kitchen. Tips like these are great for both the amateur chef and those occasional cooks. What are your tips for maximizing storage space in your kitchen?
