Making the Most of the Space: Small Kitchens

The kitchen is the hub of any home but it can also be the most cluttered space in the house. If you have a small kitchen, it can be especially challenging to find space for everything. We all dream of endless kitchen storage but unfortunately this is not the case for most people. Here are some helpful ideas to minimize the clutter and help you start enjoying the space!

Free Up Counter Space!

Counter space is prime real estate when it comes to a kitchen and it is important to keep this in mind as you add items to your space. As the counters becomes more and more full, the space can feel cluttered and it may be hard to find space to work. When placing things on the counter, it’s important to consider what is really necessary as a lot of things are not. If you have a small kitchen, you may want to leave out things like a token fruit bowl as it just takes up space and fruit can be stored a variety of ways!

Purchase Things That Match and Stack Together

Let’s face it, we all have a mish mash of bowls and utensils that we have accumulated over the years. This is great for memories sake but it can be challenging to store all these items as they don’t always fit together nicely. If you are short on space, consider purchasing sets of bowls (mixing and serving); not only will everything match but they will also stack together nicely and free up a little space.

Hang It Up

If you have a small kitchen, you need to use space efficiently and this can mean looking beyond the traditions cupboards and counters. Hanging items up high can definitely free up some valuable cupboard and counter space. There are great systems for hanging pots, pans, and utensils that are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. 

Consider the Value Before Adding Equipment

The kitchen gadget industry is driven on the fact that we all want the perfect tool for the job. While it would be amazing to have the budget and the space to buy every pan and every tool, it’s often not convenient to do so. Before you go out and buy something to add to your kitchen, it’s important to consider the use you expect it to get and also where you plan on storing it. If it is likely to be a one time or rarely used item, consider other options or even asking a friend to borrow one.

Take Inventory on a Regular Basis

It’s important to go through your kitchen regularly and consider the items that are taking up space. If you haven’t used it in a long time, there is a good chance that you never will again. If you really don’t want to give up an item, consider finding somewhere else in your home (basement or garage) to store those rarely used items. It is also important to go through food items at the same time as you may be surprised what you find at the back of the cupboard!

With careful planning, even the smallest of spaces can be made to feel spacious and uncluttered and your kitchen is no exception. Happy Cooking!