10 Ways to Optimize a Small Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home—but some homes were blessed with large, airy kitchens while others have homeowners unable to open a cupboard and the dishwasher at the same time. If you have a teeny-tiny kitchen, read these tips to optimize your space.

Buy Smaller Appliances

If you’re in the market for new appliances, ask yourself if your family really needs 31 cubic feet of refrigerator space. Purchasing compact appliances is a wonderful way to save space without giving up the conveniences that you need, and can actually help you to live more simply. A 24-inch dishwasher will clean dishes just as well as a 36-inch model and take up much less space.

Store Items Creatively

If you don’t have many drawers to store your items in, consider storing them in baskets, hooks, and shelves on the wall. There’s plenty of vertical storage space that many homeowners don’t take advantage of because it’s not as conventional as drawers and cupboards. Even drawers and cupboards can be optimized using various baskets to group together like items and prevent the free-for-all that can happen when things don’t have a specific “spot.” As the saying goes, a place for everything and everything in its place. Make sure everything has its place, and stick to it. The whole point of being organized is to make life easier, and sticking to keeping things in their spot ensures long-term simplicity.

Hang Your Microwave

Most people love the convenience of microwave cooking, but a traditional microwave takes up valuable counter space. Consider buying a combination microwave and hood for a reasonable price and hang it on the wall above your stove. This gives you easy access to the microwave without taking up extra counter space. Better yet, consider whether you really need the microwave after all.

Get Rid of Unused Appliances

Small appliances take up a considerable amount of space. Think about which appliances you use the most and only keep the ones you use daily on the counter. You may even want to consider getting rid of your blender, slow cooker, or food processor if you only use them a few times each year.

Install a Narrower Sink

Many homeowners want to have a double-sink in their kitchen, but installing a narrow sink that is deeper will give you the same amount of sink space and take up less real estate. The advantage of a narrower sink is that you can add more precious counter space.

Install Cabinets with Glass Doors

Cabinets with glass doors will not actually increase the amount of space you have available in your kitchen, but it will make the space look larger. It will also encourage you to get rid of clutter because you can see everything in your cupboards.

Use a Large Cutting Board

A large cutting board can be placed over the sink or range to give your more space to prepare meals. The board can be stored in a cupboard or drawer when you are not using it so that it doesn’t get in the way.

Paint the Walls a Light Color

Kitchens with walls that are dark-colored often look confined and stuffy. Painting the walls a light color such as beige or yellow can make the kitchen area appear larger than it actually is. You can also add brighter lighting to make the space look bigger.

Small kitchens don’t have to be cramped or hard to navigate. Making some adjustments can organize your kitchen effectively and optimize the space to create a functional and clutter-free kitchen.