Small Kitchen Guide: Making the Space Work for You

Let us help you make your small kitchen work for you. Source: L-ONE DESIGN LLC

Those of us who have truly tiny kitchens know how difficult it can be to get these spaces to meet our needs. While it might be a little more difficult to design a small kitchen that’s equally functional and aesthetically pleasing, we’re here to tell you it’s far from impossible. 

Continue below for tips from our ultimate small kitchen guide. Take these suggestions and adapt them to fit within your interiors. With a little planning and forethought, you can create the space that best suits your needs.

Keep only the essential items in your kitchen. Source: Myrica Bergqvist Interior Stylist/Decorator

First, take stock of all the items in your kitchen. Sort each one into three categories: frequently used items, occasionally used items and rarely/unused items. Donate or recycle any rarely or unused items. Then, do your best to find an area outside the kitchen to store your occasionally used belongings. Make sure your prime kitchen space is reserved for supplies you need day to day.

Ideally, kitchen cleanouts like these should be added to your regular rotation of home maintenance tasks. All of us have a tendency to collect more belongings over time. Whenever you feel your cabinets getting overstuffed, it’s time to do another pass through.

Use up every space. Source: Olivia van Dijk Architecture

To do this, start by making a list of any empty areas in your kitchen — and we mean every area. These days, storage options are incredibly flexible. Back walls like the one in the picture above are often left blank, but you might be able to add additional storage here. Empty corners can take on shelves. With the aid of the right caddy, even the back of a pantry door can hold surplus dry goods.

Once you know which spaces you have at your disposal, do some research. Sites like Freshome and Pinterest are gold mines for creative storage solutions. Odds are, you can find an existing organizational system to meet your needs. If not, you can always consider a DIY creation.

Think about how each item can do double-duty. Source: Blue Eco Homes

Pieces that offer additional storage are a great fit for this. Think about adding a dining bench that allows for storage underneath or a kitchen cart or small island that can store extra pantry items in addition to being used for meal prep.

If you’re really short on room, don’t hesitate to get furniture from other rooms in on the action. As long as they’re easily movable — either by being modular or put on wheels — these pieces can be brought into the kitchen area as needed. For instance, a long work desk can be brought in for additional seating when you’re hosting guests.

Make storage part of your aesthetic. Source: Finch London

Use this photo as a source of inspiration. You can clearly see the pots hanging above the stove and the knife block fixed to the backsplash. Yet, none of it looks out of place. Try to re-create a similar situation in your own interiors. Think about which items can be hung beneath shelving, situated above the appliances or left out on the countertop.

The caveat to this is that too much chaos can look messy and even get in the way of day-to-day cooking. We recommend adding these storage options one at a time. Each time you do so, take a step back. Ask yourself whether or not the kitchen looks full enough, as is, and be honest with yourself about the answer.

With a little planning, you can make your small kitchen work for you. Source: Scandinavian Homes

Small kitchens are an issue for many of us, renters and homeowners alike. However, that doesn’t mean making them work is an insurmountable task. If you’re looking for ways to get the most out of your tiny cooking space, our small kitchen guide is for you. Use our tips to help build the space that best suits your needs.

source: freshome 

Hot Post

Small Bathroom Guide