Space-Saving Hacks for Small Kitchens

@pionierrehome

1. Decluttering Counter Space

Our list of small kitchen hacks starts with clearing countertops of cookware and appliances you don’t use on a daily basis. Consider giving grandma’s mixer its own place on a shelf in the basement. And if drawer space is an issue, try storing seasonal and single use tools like cherry pitters or holiday cookie cutters somewhere else until you need them.

For further kitchen clarity, undermounted appliances like toasters and microwaves can help you reclaim a considerable amount of counter space. Use hooks to hang large utensils and pots and pans within reach can make cooking more efficient, and trading your knife block for a magnetic wall strip will keep knives handy while freeing up a place to prep.

2. Storage and Space Savers 

If your cabinets are over capacity, adding open shelves can turn unutilized wall space into a functional feature. Better yet, open up the wall between the studs and install recessed bank shelving to create more storage without encroaching on square footage. And for corner cabinets, a lazy susan is space-saving at its simplest when it comes to storage hacks for small kitchens.

An undermount sink creates a seamless transition from countertop to sink, so you can make the most of the limited counter space you have. And while you’re under the sink, an inexpensive tension rod will allow you to hang spray bottles by the nozzle above the rest of your cleaning supplies, adding another level of valuable under sink storage.

3. More Than Meets the Eye

The secret to making your small kitchen look and feel bigger is simple: light - and lots of it. Whether you install additional fixtures or remove heavy curtains from kitchen windows, the brighter the room, the bigger it will look. And once you’ve brought all that light into your kitchen, light colors and glossy, reflective surfaces will help keep it bouncing around the space.

Another way to enlarge your kitchen’s look is by using horizontal patterns that use a trick of the eyes to stretch and widen the room. 

As a finishing touch, matching containers with minimal design can help crowded spaces feel cleaner and less claustrophobic.

4. Making Smaller Work Smarter 

When it comes to small kitchen organization hacks, efficiency is the name of the game. 

To streamline the way you use your space, start with your kitchen’s work triangle. Imagine a line from your sink, to your fridge, to your stove and back, and arrange your kitchen so that you always have a clear path between each allowing you to flow from one to the next. 

The next time you reorganize, use this rule of thumb: higher usage, lower shelf. It’s a simple way to ensure the things you use every day are within reach, and the things you only occasionally need are out of the way.

Finally, for added flexibility and functionality, consider installing a Delta Workstation Sink. The built-in WorkFlow^™ Ledge extends your available workspace beyond the counter, allowing you to prep directly over sink.