Whether you plan a small kitchen renovation or try to optimize storage space, the question remains the same: how can you squeeze so many accessories into a tiny room? Also, the point is not just to truly squeeze things wherever you find some spare room but to create a functional kitchen. If not, it won’t be your happy place. Prepping and cooking food would be a nightmare than a joy. And finding the bottle opener or the grater would be an adventure.
The kitchen design must be such that every little thing would have its place. And although the kitchen remodelers would suggest designs to meet your style – either maximalist or minimalist, you may have to overstep the boundaries. And so, if you want a minimalistic kitchen, you may still have to keep some things displayed. And if you are a maximalist, you may still have to hide some accessories.
Our job now is to share some ideas so that you can maximize your small kitchen and hence, not only gain more storage space but also achieve the best aesthetic results while skyrocketing function.
Don’t be afraid to place a kitchen island
In small kitchens, an island is often a no-no. But sometimes, a kitchen island may make the whole difference between having a functional kitchen and ending up squeezing things all over again. Don’t forget that kitchen islands create more storage space. You can place cabinets and drawers on both sides of the island so that you can store more items and find them easier. If part of the island’s counter is protruding, you can create a seating space where you can also tuck the stools.
Take advantage of the dead zone
While all kitchen walls are usually swamped with cabinetry, the rest of the room is a dead zone. And while you don’t want to fill the space with hanging racks, you can utilize some space to do just that. For example, if you put the stove and thus hood on the island, you will free wall space for one more cabinet. Then, you can hang a rack or open shelves that will float over the island.
Utilize the kitchen’s height
In a small kitchen remodeling, it’s often important to create more counter space so that you will have the choice to use it as storage space as well. After all, some things in the kitchen are everyday accessories and you want them at easy reach. What you can also do is put the lower kitchen cabinets a bit higher so that you can use the wall space at chin or nose level to place an open shelf for extra storage of everyday things. Whether this is a high or short room, it’s smart to take advantage of the kitchen’s height. One way to do that is to bring the cabinets all the way to the ceiling.
Open shelves always come in handy
Even if you only have a small free space, you can use it to place open shelves. You won’t believe how many items even a small shelf can carry – let alone a big shelf or quite a few shelves.
Place cabinets all over the kitchen
In a typical kitchen, there’s cabinetry right next to or over the counter. And then, there’s often one line of often short cabinets, which hardly utilize the whole space in the kitchen. Today, there are endless kitchen cabinet styles and materials. As for the colors and designs, they are endless. You can actually fill the kitchen with cabinets without making it look overcrowded. One trick is to avoid handles altogether and go for flush cabinet doors. Another trick is to go for an all-white kitchen or have some cabinets white to let them stand there unnoticed (but still do the job of hosting things).
Have a kitchen cart standing by
Get a kitchen cart on wheels and keep it close by. It will not only help you when you want to transfer items but can also host items usually used on the dining table, freeing counter space.
Incorporate a pullout working station
Pullout working stations are an excellent option, especially in small kitchens. Even more if you use some counter space as storage space. Since such pullouts don’t occupy too much space, you won’t have to sacrifice the space of the under-countertop cabinets and will still have some extra working zone.
Make your backsplash useful
The kitchen backsplash is usually decorative. The only concern is to choose a water-resistant material. But how about if you could use this section of the kitchen to store items? That’s by placing a pegboard backsplash in stainless steel so that you worry about water splashes but you can hang shelves and all kinds of kitchen accessories!
