How to Create Space in a Small Kitchen
If you’re trying to figure out how to create more space in a small kitchen, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Not every kitchen is big and loaded with storage, so it’s all about finding those hidden spots to make your space easier to cook in.
I’ve picked up some of the best space-saving tricks from having a small kitchen myself, and I’m excited to share them with you. Plus, I’ll throw in another game-changing tip that will take you to the next level in your kitchen organization.
When my Hubby and I were first married we lived in a cute little condo in the city. It had a family room and dining room and the absolute smallest kitchen in the entire world.
So small in fact that if you opened the dishwasher on the one side of the kitchen, it just (barely) missed the cabinet on the other side.
Now, I know what you are probably thinking, “Yes, but you were newlyweds and a small kitchen is cozy and romantic.” But I don’t think newlyweds would pick a tiny kitchen as one of their top ten romantic hot spots.
Having a small kitchen in your first home may be all that you need when you are just starting out. And for us it was. I was new to this, living on my own thing, and my kitchen tools and supplies were minimal at best.
As my skills in the kitchen grew, so did my cooking tools and supplies and before long we were in danger of outgrowing that tiny kitchen.
Tired of pushing things aside just to make a sandwich? These 5 tips will help you Declutter Your Kitchen Counters and get organized in no time.
It’s all About the Space
In a kitchen, the counter space is where it’s at. Let’s call it your kitchen’s prime real estate. And having just the right amount is the key to the perfect kitchen.
Too little and you are risking cooking frustration or worse, third-degree burns as you try to dice onions next to a very hot stove. Too much and you turn into a marathon runner sprinting from station to station just to cook a meal.
Most of the time, your kitchen probably has enough counter space—it’s just hiding under all the stuff we think has to be out on display.
Today, we’re not talking about creating more space; instead, we’ll figure out how to uncover the space you already have. And don’t worry, I’ve got a few bonus space-saving tips to share as well.
What really deserves a spot on your kitchen counters?
First, it’s decision time. Take a good look at those kitchen counter gadgets and start narrowing them down. Only the absolute essentials should get a place on that prime real estate.
Too often, counters end up lined with a parade of small appliances and gadgets, eating away at your precious workspace.
Take a stroll through your kitchen right now and really look at how things are set up. As you do, ask yourself a few questions:
- Are my counters being used more as storage than workspace?
- Do I have too many gadgets cluttering things up?
- Are there unnecessary decorations, plants, or condiments taking up room?
- Is there clutter that should be put away or moved to another area?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then good for you. That means we have a little wiggle room, and more open counter space might just be in your future after all.
Also, you may want to take a few minutes to head over to read even more tips on how to keep the clutter out of your kitchen for good.
Countertops weren’t meant to be storage space. Learn How to Have Clutter-Free Kitchen Counters and keep your space tidy with less effort.
When is the Last Time you Used that?
When I was a little girl we had this awesome ice crusher. A portable machine that we would plug in and use to grind larger ice cubes down into smaller bits.
Each weekend before sitting down to our homemade pizza, my brothers and I would get that crusher out and fill our glasses up with these wonderful crushed ice bits before adding our Koolaid.
There was just something about crushed ice that makes a drink taste wonderful.
That ice crusher was kept inside of a cabinet and out of the way even though it was big, bulky, and heavy. Each time we were permitted to use it, we had to lug it out. And even though we may have used it a more than a few times each week, we never once even considered LEAVING it out.
Compare that to today.
Most kitchens have a collection of gadgets out on the counters. Can openers, blenders, instant pots, toasters, and coffee makers. They are all lined up in a row, cutting counter space in half.
Think about this for a minute. What is the first thing we do when we get a new small appliance?
We opened it up and found a spot on our counter for it, and there it stayed. Instead, let’s think differently about our kitchens and counter space. If you do not use it at least once a day, put it away.
Put it into action:
- Gather up anything you do not use daily and find a spot that is close by and easy to get to.
- Use this to store your lesser-used appliances until you need them. Yes, this will make an extra step each time you want to use it, but it is worth it to have the cooking space you need.
- Continue working your way around your kitchen until you have only your top 2 or 3 appliances out.
I know this might be a bit frustrating at first, but after a few weeks of having clear and minimalistic counters, you might find you love having those gadgets out of the way.
How to Create Space in a Small Kitchen
When looking for space in a small kitchen, be sure to take in all the areas. This includes the cabinets, drawers, and wall space.
Where to Store Counter Appliances
Let’s face it, many small kitchens are storage-challenged making it tricky to find a spot to keep an appliance no matter what size it is. In that case, you may want to consider a few unique options.
#1. In another room – When I lived in our tiny kitchen, we found moving less frequently used items to our dining room worked great and freed up some much-needed work space.
#2. Add Storage – If that is not an option, you can invest in a corner cabinet, that can hold heavier items such as a crock pot, roaster, or air fryer.
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#3. Add Shelving – If you have a corner this might be a great are to add a few shelves for additional storage. You can use them to hold lighter items such as a rice cooker, juicer, or blender.
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#4. Appliance Garage – If you have a corner that is open, you can install a garage that you can use to hold a collection of smaller appliances freeing up counter space that you can use for cooking and meal prep.
Where to Store Seasonal Items
For seasonal items, you may want to consider moving those things even further away. This will free up cabinet space in your kitchen giving you space for more frequently used appliances.
Remember, if you use it only a few times of the year you can safely store those things in another area and maybe take advantage of some of those hard to reach spaces.
A few ideas are:
- A storage area in your basement.
- A shelf in a guest bedroom closet.
- A tote on the floor of a mudroom closet.
- In a storage container under a bed.
What to store:
- A roaster
- Food processer
- Canning supplies
- Seasonal items such as serving platters or dishes only used for the holidays.
Try to keep close only the items you use the most. This can be either daily or weekly.
Create more working space
Even after clearing off your counters, you might feel like you still need a bit more working space. That’s where a little creativity comes in—time to start thinking outside the box!
One of my favorite solutions? A large cutting board. It’s such a game-changer! Not only does it give you plenty of space to chop all your veggies in one spot, but it also has enough room to neatly pile them up until you’re ready to use them.
Keep Knives out of the Butcher Block.
Most knives are stored in a block of wood which is a convenient and space saving idea but when you are short on counter space it is something you can do without.
I love my magnetic knife bar and it still is my favorite tool in the kitchen.
By keeping knives close to where I prep our meals I can quickly grab the tool I need to chop and dice without hunting or searching for it.
Create space above your sink
I stumbled on this idea and wished so much they had these when I had my tiny kitchen. Storage ABOVE the sink I feel is pure genius. More often than not that space is wide open so why not utilize it by adding more room above your sink?
This sink option may just be for drying dishes, but there are others available that have baskets too. Baskets you can use to store cutting boards, kitchen towels, even produce.
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Look up for More Space
Another overlooked area to store rarely used items is above your cabinets.
If your kitchen as that area above your cabinets opened up rather than closed off you can use that space for storage.
A few ideas are:
- Small gadgets
- Cookbooks
- Serving platters
- Small appliances
DM Pro Tip: Try to keep things pushed back so as not to create an eyesore. Our goal here is to set our kitchens up to be efficient but to be neat and tidy too. All those elements help to create a room you love rather than one you avoid.
Yes, you can have a Garden in your Tiny Kitchen.
One thing I love to do is grow fresh herbs in my kitchen and I learned this tip a few years ago. This DIY kitchen herb garden is on the sides of my cabinets.
This keeps my plants up and off of my counters where they can take up valuable space or worse get knocked over and damage.
Try to keep plants as close to your window as possible so they can enjoy the warm sunshine. A cabinet next to your sick is the perfect location for an herb garden.
Why buy expensive herbs when you can grow them at home? Create a Simple DIY Kitchen Herb Garden and cook the most delicious meals.
Use Your Fridge as Extra Storage
Using your fridge for storage might sound a little unconventional, but stick with me—it’s a smart solution that can even help keep things fresh for longer!
Bread and Rolls – Clear up your counters by moving bread and rolls into the refrigerator. If cold bread isn’t your thing, don’t worry—you can always warm it up in the microwave, oven, or toaster and it’ll taste just as good.
Baked Goods – Cookies, cakes, and other treats can also find a home in your fridge. An even better idea? Keep a small portion out to enjoy and freeze the rest for later. This way, you’ll avoid staleness or mold and always have fresh sweets on hand when you need them.
Produce – Certain produce like apples, tomatoes, and avocados can be kept in the fridge to prolong their freshness. Just make sure to store them separately from other items, as some fruits and veggies can give off ethylene gas which can cause other foods to ripen or spoil faster.
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Go Big or go Home.
If you have the room you might want to consider adding a kitchen island. These portable kitchen counters are a dream but only if you have space for it. With more counter space for cooking that is just the beginning.
You will also get a few more drawers, cabinets, even a shelf on some. If you choose one with wheels you can keep your island out of the way until you are ready to use it.
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Kitchen Island Options:
Creating a space that is neat, free of clutter, and organized can do a a lot to bring back the joy of cooking. With these tips on how to create space in a small kitchen you can take your space from chaotic to a streamlined.
Just a few ideas may be all you need to open up counters and store more of the gadgets that you have out of the way.
More Small Space Organizing Ideas:
