Seven Ways to Make More Space in a Small Kitchen
souy139 March 23, 2017“Kitchens should be designed around what is truly important—fun, food and life.” –Chef Daniel Boulad
Kitch*en {kich-uhn]-noun: 1.) A gathering place for friends and family. 2.) A place where memories are homemade and seasoned with love.
Tiny homes have a certain charm about them, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said about tiny kitchens. The kitchens are considered the heart and soul of the homes, it brings families together and it is where the fondest memories are formed and fostered. In the same vein, the kitchen is that one area of the home that sees the most activity and when your home is equipped with a small one, it can potentially turn into a predicament. However, tiny homes and tiny kitchens go hand in hand and for some apartment dwellers or small homeowners, the heart and soul of your home can become the bane of your existence when space is at a premium. However, there is no need to fret, if you are creative and wise about saving space, there are innumerable ways to maximize every inch of precious space your tiny kitchen has. You might just be surprised, but you might grow to love your small kitchen and do wonders with it. To maximize limited space here is what you must do:
1.) Use your oven for storage
Whether it is looking for a small space for your spare small solane gas cylinder or a storage place for your baking and cooking utensils, the space in your oven can be used for storage. You do not need to install extra shelves and cupboards when space is at a premium. Just remember to take this all out before using the gas burner or turning the oven on.
2.) Have a rolling cart
An incredibly nifty way to save space and mobilize your utensils is to have a rolling cart installed in your kitchen. It would immediately be your best friend when you need more counter space in your working station. So, whenever you have a cooking project coming up, always have a handy rolling cart nearby so that you can slide it to the side whenever you do not need the items on it and have it in proximity whenever you do.
3.) Install hooks as much as you can
Hooks are a clever way to create more space in a tiny and cramped space. However, you need to be creative and wise enough about their placement that they would not look like you just stacked a bunch of hooks on a single side of your kitchen lest it would look disorganized. Instead, install them smartly in areas where you would be working the most and hang items that are handy and ready to grab such as towels by the sink, mitts by the oven, etc.
4.) Dual function tables
When kitchen space is limited, there would be hardly any room for you to have an adequate dining area. So, in lieu of having a separate set of table and chairs which would only eat up more room in your kitchen, go for an island counter instead (especially when your kitchen space permits it). Not only do they provide you with much-needed workspace, but they also function as a place to eat. To maximize space, opt for an island counter where you can stash stools underneath whenever they are not in use.
5.) Organize things by how (and when) you use them
Instead of stacking things together without any semblance of organization, opt to store your things as to how and when you would use them. An example of this would be store all your liquid seasonings, spices and oils together in one shelf away from the heat of the stove. Strategically place all of your glassware within easy reach of the dishwasher to easily unload and load them.
6.) Store pots and pans high up
To avoid unnecessary clutter and prevent potential eyesores, store your pans and pots high up. This means using the space above your cabinets, shelves, and cupboards. It might have escaped your noticed, but there are several feet of free space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling unless you have positioned your cabinets and shelves too high up. Organize them well and neatly to make them look neat.
7.) Clean as you go
When it comes to saving space and maximizing it, this is probably the best advice and the best trick in this list. Regardless of whether your space is big and small, it is imperative that you clean as you go. This becomes even more crucial when you are living in limited space, otherwise, you will end up with piles and piles of dishes to wash coupled innumerable and unnecessary clutter which could immediately spell a disaster. Clean as you go and you would notice just how much free space you actually have.