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Lots of us have small kitchens, and it can feel nigh on impossible to keep it clean and clutter free. There are a gazillion small appliances (some of them not so small), and that’s before you even get into crockery, utensils and food.
It takes some creativity and a bit of smart planning to make a small kitchen an efficient and stylish place to prepare meals. Here are some ideas, both in-house and external by taking advantage of modern self storage facilities.
Look Upwards
Small kitchens often lack counter space, and that lack can dampen your willingness to cook from scratch or experiment.
Install tall, shallow shelving units to maximise vertical storage. The top shelves are perfect for storing less frequently used items like extra mugs or that giant stock pot that’s useful but hardly ever gets used. On the lower, easily reachable, shelves, you can keep stuff like extra mugs, the kid’s plastic beakers, or even your selection of herbs and spices, both fresh and dried. Use the space above cabinets too, even if you do need a step to help you reach them.
Tip: Go for open shelving in some areas to visually lighten the space and showcase attractive items. They fit into most decors, from cottage core to streamlined minimalist depending on how you use them.
Corner Cabinet Solutions
Corner cabinets are often wasted space and awkward to use. There are a few ways to make them less of a nuisance and more functional:
- Lazy Susans: These rotating trays allow you to easily access items stored at the back of the cabinet.
- Pull-out corner units: These slide out, revealing all your stored items without having to reach into the dark corners.
Wall-Mounted Storage
Don’t underestimate the power of wall-mounted storage! Install floating shelves to create extra storage space without taking up valuable floor area. Perfect for spices, cookbooks, or decorative items.
There are also magnetic strips which are ideal for knives, and create a safe and space-saving solution once they’re out of the drawers or the knife block on the counter. Pegboards are also a versatile addition and can be customised with hooks and containers to store utensils, small pans or measuring cups, or to hang aprons and tea towels depending where you install it.
Drawer Dividers and Organisers
Drawer dividers can be a game-changer! They keep utensils, cutlery, and other small items organised and prevent them becoming a jumbled mess. You can find a wide range of drawer organisers at most homeware stores, from simple plastic dividers to more sophisticated bamboo or wooden options.
Consider using drawer inserts to further subdivide your drawers for maximum organisation.
Under-Sink Organisation
The space under the sink is often either neglected or overstuffed, but it’s a great place for all the stuff you use often but definitely don’t want to display. Use pull-out drawers to organise small items that always manage to get lost, and have a few caddies for cleaning materials, cloths and dusters so you can just grab one and take it to where it’s needed.
Adjustable shelves let you customise the space to fit specific needs, so you can make space for taller bottles etc. Stackable containers help keep things organised and prevent spills. If there’s room, a tension rod could create handy hanging space for spray bottles.
Declutter Regularly
Once you’ve got it organised, keeping a small kitchen tidy and organised is an ongoing process. Regularly declutter, including what’s in the fridge and pantry by checking expiry dates or just tossing items you know won’t get eaten.
Declutter your appliance collection too. If there are bulky items you don’t use but think you will in the future when interests or needs change, consider self storage for them. Items could include pressure cookers or air fryers, stand mixers, food processors, waffle irons or toastie makers. They all take up a lot of space which is wasted if they never come out of the cupboard. Invest in good, strong cardboard boxes for them if you don’t have the original packaging.
Multi-functional Furniture
Consider furniture that serves multiple purposes. A kitchen island with storage can provide extra workspace, while a kitchen trolley can be moved around as needed to provide additional workspace or storage.
Use the Door Space
Don’t forget about the back of your kitchen doors! You can attach over-the-door organisers to store spices, cleaning supplies, or other small items. This is a great way to make use of often-unused space, even if it’s just a couple of hooks for aprons or mops.
Small kitchens can be a challenge, especially in family situations where kids like to help and it’s often fun for couples to cook together. You’ve got to really look at the space that’s available and how you want to use it, then work on doing things that make it happen. Use self storage when decluttering so you’re not giving cupboard space to equipment you’re not using, but so can being organised and doing small daily clean-ups to keep it pristine.