Maximizing a Small Kitchen

Even a proper-sized kitchen can lack a place for everything. When it comes to small apartment kitchens, fitting all you need could feel more frustrating. But just because you lack space, it doesn’t mean you don’t have the chance to keep all your essentials and wants at bay. You only need to be creative and resourceful with your existing space, whether your kitchen is a single wall, U-shaped, L-shaped or tucked in a corner. Maximize kitchen space, storage, and efficiency with these space-saving tips:

1. Use a hanging rack for your pots and pans

Use a hanging rack for your pots and pans

Don’t have enough cabinet space to store your bulky pots and pans? Consider using a hanging rack instead. Yes, they are usually seen on fancy kitchens, but if you’ve got enough space above, then why not use it for storage? Artfully hang your cooking essentials and your kitchen will surely have a culinary centerpiece.

2. Maximize the space above cabinets

If your kitchen cabinets don’t reach the ceiling, that open space remains a prime unused territory. You can add a shelf there, or and use it to store baskets wherein you can place items you rarely use on a daily basis, such as large pots, cake stands, storage bottles, special China, and others.

3. Take advantage of every inch of wall space

Free walls are your not-so-hidden gem in terms of storage in the kitchen. It gives you the potential for a lot of new storage solutions. You can consider adding shelves or pegboards, which has been a helpful storage idea for many kitchens lately. You may even add a fold-down table mounted to your wall in case you lack preparation space. Also, you can prefer painted kitchen splashbacks that give your interior more stars.

4. Use magnetic knife strips

If you’re short on counter or drawer space, you can skip the knife block and use magnetic strips instead. Simply attach it to your backsplash and use it to keep your knives organized, as well as other metal kitchen tools.

5. Give your fresh produce a lift

Storing fresh fruits or other go-to ingredients like garlic and onions on the countertop means you’re using up precious space. You can buy wire baskets that can be mounted into tension rods, which can be installed into the backsplash just right above the countertops. This means you can keep your ingredients ready without sacrificing your chopping space.

6. Use the inside of cabinet doors

Cabinet doors can be the most under-used space in the kitchen. You can hang your most frequently used utensils on the back of the cabinet door (with the use of hooks, of course) so you don’t have to cram them in already-full drawers. You can hang things like measuring cups and spoons, pot holders, dish towels and other small tools. You may also attach a magazine file inside the cabinet doors to store plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

7. Hang items on the open side of a cabinet

If you have a cabinet that isn’t placed against a wall on both sides (like the side of lower cabinets), use it to hang some items that are hard to store, like cutting boards, colanders, magnetic strips or a spice rack. Or, you can even install a floating shelf on it to store other items like frequently used glasses, bowls and the like.

8. Install a low shelf over the counter

A slim, open shelf installed in a space between the upper kitchen cabinets and the countertop can add valuable storage. You can place condiments and spices on this shelf, so everything you need for cooking is within reach.

9. Buy a restaurant-grade kitchen island

For extra storage and counter space, you can adapt inexpensive, stainless steel, restaurant-grade island or kitchen cart (given that you still have the space for it). You can buy on from restaurant supply stores. This can provide extra storage and counter space; plus, it’s movable so you can easily roll it out to another space, in case you’re busy working on a spot and you don’t need it.

10. Make use of the narrow spaces

The narrow space between your fridge and the wall can be made useful by building your own canned goods organizer, which you can simply pull over. Or simply use a narrow rolling cart for storing canned goods and stick it in a small narrow space that you don’t use anyway.

11. Put your sponges somewhere else

If you’re short on sink space, your sponges and dishwashing paraphernalia might be hogging precious space. Get these items off the countertop by placing them in desk organizers hung on either side of nearby upper cabinets. You can also add hooks to hang hand towels. If your sink has fake drawer fonts, it can be used as a secret spot for sponges. It takes a bit of DIY work, but it’s very helpful in a small kitchen.

12. Use magnetic racks and stick it to the side of your fridge

If one side of your fridge is not touching the wall or any cabinet, you can add a rack to it to store spices, seasonings and other light ingredients you use for cooking. Simply get a plastic (so it’s light) pencil holder organizer, hot glue some magnets on one side, and attach to a side of your fridge.

13. Install hooks or lazy Susans in your corner cabinets

Corner cabinets are awkward spaces that are hard to organize. Lazy Susan is a rotating shelf that helps you maximize even the farthest depths of your cabinets, making it a perfect material for corner cabinets. But if you want everything to be hanged, then simply install hooks for pots and pans under the countertop.

14. Install a wall-mounted dish rack

Keep your counters clutter-free by hanging your dish rack on the wall. Opt for stainless steel racks that are very sturdy, and has a steady frame so nothing will fall out. This creates extra storage on the countertop and also doubles as wall art.

15. Consider sliding doors

If you’re getting irritated with the narrow passageways between your kitchen island and kitchen cabinets, install sliding doors for your cabinets. It’s a better choice since typical doors need space for opening, which you already lack.