The humble abode of culinary creations – the tiny kitchen! It’s a rare sight indeed when scrolling through Pinterest to come across a miniature kitchen that exudes charm and functionality. When we first moved into our cozy 864-square-foot home, I found myself initially intimidated by its compact kitchen space. But over the past two years, I’ve discovered clever ways to make this tiny haven my own. If you’re currently struggling with limited kitchen real estate, take heart!
My experience has taught me that a little creativity can go a long way in transforming your mini-kitchen into a warm and inviting space. Let’s dive into some practical solutions to help turn your tiny kitchen from a daunting task to a delightful haven.
Declutter
To transform a small kitchen from a source of frustration into a space that brings joy, start by decluttering it. A clutter-free kitchen is essential for maximizing the limited space and functionality. The concept of a ‘junk drawer’ has no place in a tiny kitchen where every inch counts. To achieve this, take a step back and assess what’s currently out on display.
Be ruthless – if an item doesn’t serve a purpose or enhance your cooking experience, consider finding it a new home elsewhere in your living space. By doing so, you’ll free up valuable counter space and create a more streamlined kitchen that’s easier to navigate and maintain.
Create Counter Space
As we settled into our compact abode, the L-shaped counter in the kitchen presented an initial challenge. The absence of a dishwasher and prep space meant we had to adapt quickly.
The solution came in the form of installing a wall-mounted dishwasher opposite our sink. For those who prefer a more flexible setup, portable dishwashers are also available, complete with wooden tops that can be rolled across the kitchen.
We opted for a permanent installation and paired it with a wood countertop, which not only freed up valuable workspace but also added a touch of warmth to our kitchen. I must say, it’s now one of my favorite features.
Move Out
In small kitchens, creating ample space for food storage can be a significant challenge. However, I firmly believe that it’s not necessary to dedicate precious kitchen space for this purpose. Instead, consider utilizing a root cellar or an alternative location. A well-designed root cellar can offer ample room for storing canned goods and other non-perishable items.
If a dedicated root cellar isn’t feasible, you can repurpose a small closet as a pantry or utilize the often-overlooked space under your bed for storage. In our case, we’ve converted an unused basement hallway into a makeshift pantry, freeing up valuable kitchen real estate. This thoughtful planning has greatly reduced the pressure on my kitchen, allowing me to enjoy a more streamlined and functional cooking environment.
Organization
In small living spaces, organization becomes a necessity rather than an option. Every item must have a designated spot, and that spot must always be tidy. This principle applies to even the smallest of kitchens, where clutter can quickly accumulate. To maintain a sense of calm and efficiency, it’s essential to assign a home for every dish, utensil, and gadget. For instance, dishes should be stored in one cabinet, while silverware takes up residence in a specific drawer.
Baskets or containers can be used to corral larger items like pans and utensils, stashing them out of sight in designated cabinets or drawers. By paring down your kitchen’s contents to only the essentials you use regularly, you’ll create a more streamlined space that serves you well. Of course, every homeowner will develop their own organizational system – but the sooner you get started, the greater the benefits will be for you.
Add Storage
When it comes to optimizing storage in small spaces, kitchens are no exception. To make the most of your kitchen’s layout, consider installing taller cabinets, incorporating baskets onto open shelves, or adding shelving units that can be placed strategically around the room. For instance, I opted to install shelving above my dishwasher, which has proven to be a game-changer for storing frequently used baking and dry goods.
If you’re lucky enough to have an area designated for open shelving, consider using it to display jars or canisters, effectively banishing clutter from your countertops.
Keep It Clean
In small kitchens, cleanliness is crucial to maintain a sense of spaciousness. A cluttered or dirty area can swiftly spread its impact, making the entire kitchen feel disheveled. To avoid this, it’s essential to prioritize tidiness. This can be a challenge, especially in households with multiple occupants. In my case, managing the chaos after dinner is a daily struggle, given that I live with five people.
My solution is to ensure that all dishes are washed and the kitchen restored to its usual state before retiring for the night. The prospect of waking up to a cluttered kitchen is enough motivation for me to stick to this routine.
Lighten’ Up
Small kitchens can still feel spacious with the right design elements. When we first moved into our home, we inherited dark wood cabinets, cream-colored walls, dark countertops, and medium-toned wood floors that made the space feel cramped. As I began to cook in this small kitchen, I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of all that darkness. Little did I know, it was an easy fix!
Painting the cabinets a crisp white, installing a faux white brick backsplash, and switching out the countertops for lighter options breathed new life into the space. And the best part? These changes were inexpensive and straightforward. Next on the list: tackling those walls and floors to bring even more light into this cozy kitchen.
Open the Window
Having a window in your small kitchen is a blessing in disguise. It’s an effortless way to make the space feel larger than it actually is. I took advantage of this by adding a charming valance to my window. Additionally, when we expanded our front porch, I installed blinds to ensure privacy. While I appreciate the functionality of the blinds, there’s nothing like letting natural light flood in as soon as I wake up in the morning.
The Walls Are Your Friend
My parents’ spacious residence belies a glaring storage deficit, prompting them to think outside the box – literally. They’ve resorted to adorning their walls with an eclectic assortment of items, repurposing what would otherwise be stashed away. Inspired by this creative solution, I adopted a similar approach when downsizing into my own smaller kitchen.
Rather than struggling to cram everything into storage containers, I opted for a more liberating approach: transforming functional items into decorative statement pieces and suspending them from the walls.
Today, upon entering my kitchen, one is greeted by an unusual yet charming sight – meat saws proudly displayed on the walls. This unconventional décor not only adds a touch of rustic charm but also serves as a testament to the power of creative problem-solving.
Open Up Your Shelves
In my previous home, I had the luxury of an expansive kitchen with open shelving, but to be honest, I wasn’t a fan. The cost-effectiveness was appealing, yet it didn’t quite align with my personal style. Fast forward to my current smaller kitchen space, where the need for breathing room is more pronounced. Open shelves can create the illusion of a more spacious area, making them an ideal solution in such scenarios.
Taking inspiration from my previous experience, I opted to modify one of my corner cabinets by removing its doors. This clever hack allowed me to create the perception of a larger kitchen, as everything didn’t feel cramped and closed off. If you’re struggling with a kitchen that feels boxed in, consider embracing similar design liberties – it might just be the game-changer your cooking space needs.
Add a Deep Sink
The transformation was palpable in my kitchen after we swapped out our shallow stainless steel sink for a sleek white cast-iron one. Gone were the days of cluttered countertops due to overflowing dish piles, replaced by a sense of calm and functionality. The added depth allowed me to place dishes comfortably within the sink’s boundaries, eliminating the need for precarious stacking or makeshift solutions during baking sessions.
Furthermore, the crisp white hue brightened the space, creating an illusion of increased room size and visual appeal. For anyone tired of juggling dishware on their countertops, I highly recommend exploring the benefits of a deeper and brighter sink installation in your kitchen.
Hide or Hang
When it comes to stocking our kitchens, there are certain essentials we shouldn’t overlook. One such item is a paper towel or dish towel holder. While these holders do provide a convenient place for storing towels and paper products, they don’t necessarily need to take up valuable counter space. A more space-efficient solution is to opt for wall-mounted or cabinet-door-mounted holders that keep functional items within easy reach without contributing to clutter.
For instance, you can find paper towel holders designed to hang beneath upper cabinets, while hand towel holders can be installed on kitchen cabinet doors. By choosing these types of holders, we can strike a balance between keeping our kitchens organized and minimizing the visual impact of our storage solutions.
Tuck Away Your Trash
In small kitchens, the humble trashcan often poses a significant challenge. With limited cabinet and wall space, finding a solution for this essential item can feel like a major hurdle. One innovative way to overcome this obstacle is to incorporate an extension into your existing counter space. This design element serves multiple purposes: it provides additional workspace, keeps the trashcan conveniently located, and tucks it neatly away from view when not in use.
By incorporating such a feature into our own kitchen layout, we found that it greatly enhanced functionality while also maintaining a clean and streamlined aesthetic.
Add an Island
In my ideal kitchen scenario, I’d love to include an island, but unfortunately, mine is so compact that it’s hard to imagine fitting one in without compromising on flow. However, if you’re blessed with a kitchen layout that could accommodate an island, don’t hesitate to take the plunge. Islands are surprisingly easy to design and install, offering a wealth of benefits, including expanded counter space, extra storage, and even a clever spot to stash your trash can.
It’s definitely worth considering if your kitchen’s footprint allows for it.
One More Space Option
In the absence of an island or dishwasher-friendly space, there’s another viable solution. Have you considered installing a Murphy counter or extending your countertop over your stove or sink? This concept has crossed my mind more than once, and I’m convinced it can be a game-changer for tiny kitchen dwellers.
A vacant wall could accommodate a Murphy table perfect for prepping veggies, while a portable cutting board set up over the stove or sink offers additional workspace that’s easily storable when not in use. It may take some creative problem-solving to adapt to a small kitchen, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, you’ll be amazed at how smoothly your tiny kitchen functions.
In fact, I’ve come to appreciate my compact space so much that I wouldn’t trade it for a larger home now. With determination and creativity, even the most modest kitchens can become truly exceptional.
