6 Simple Ways to Get the Most Out of Small Kitchens

Small kitchens needn't be a headache. Whether you reside in a studio apartment, rustic cabin, or just small space—it's more than likely that you are faced with limited counter area, and this doesn't mean your kitchen has to be a disaster. There are also downright practical ways to get the most out of every square inch and to make your kitchen organized, efficient, and oh so fun to use.

One of the misconceptions for many people when it comes to small kitchens: They believe things can't be as 'creative' as we like it to be. That's simply not true. Sure, a small kitchen can feel small, but with considered planning and clever solutions, this room really can function to its best ability, no matter how little space it has. The goal is to get as much out of your belongings and as much into your space as possible.

Hack #1: Learn the Power of Vertical Storage

When you're short on floor space, think vertical. Your walls and cabinet doors are an underused storage opportunity that most people completely overlook.

Install Wall-Mounted Magnetic Strips

Magnetic knife strips can now hold more than just knives. These versatile strips can hold:

• Kitchen knives and scissors

• Metal measuring spoons and cups

• Small metal containers for spices

• Small metal tweezers and other tools

Install them on the inside doors of cabinets or on walls close to your prep space. You free up drawer space and keep frequently used items in plain view.

Set Up Command Centers Inside Cabinet Doors

Your cabinet doors don't work for you when they're closed, which is the highest-worth real estate in your kitchen. Transform these spaces with:

• Thin spice racks that slip between door and shelves

• Paper towel holders mounted vertically

• Slots in back of the cutting board to stand cutting boards upright flat against the door

• Dinky baskets for cleaning or snacks

Build Upward with Stackable Solutions

When you're trying to organize your kitchen cabinets and countertops, think layers:

• Stackable shelf risers: This is the same idea as a counter shelf, but for your large bowl collection!

• Opt for nesting bowls and measuring cups

• Add sliding drawer organizers to deep cupboards

• Put hooks under your shelves to hold mugs and light objects

Hack #2: Convert Dead Space into Storage Gold

There are hidden opportunities for storage in every kitchen that most people walk right past every day. These neglected nooks can serve as your biggest storage solutions.

Squeeze Storage Between Appliances

That small space between your refrigerator and the counter isn't going to waste—it's space for storage. Install a slim rolling cart for that otherwise wasted space. These carts work great for:

• Canned goods and dry ingredients

• Cleaning supplies

• Baking sheets and cutting boards

• Small appliances you use occasionally

Utilize the Wall Above Your Refrigerator

The space above your fridge frequently turns into a dust bunny haven, but it can be a great place to store items that don't get used every day:

• Serving platters and holiday dishes

• Additional pantry items in cute baskets

• Small appliances with seasonal use

• Bulk paper products

Get Toe-Kick Drawers to Pay Their Way

The area beneath your cabinets isn't only for show. The toe kick space can house useful shallow drawers. Many homeowners gain success in installing shallow drawers in the toe kick for:

• Baking sheets and pizza stones

• Rarely used serving trays

• Extra dish towels and linens

• Emergency supplies

Utilize Sides of Cabinets and Appliances

Mount slim shelving or magnetic organizers on the side of:

• Refrigerators (for spices and small jars)

• Dishwashers (for cleaning supplies)

• Cabinet surfaces (for oils and vinegars)

Hack #3: Opt for Furniture that Doubles as Storage

In small kitchens, furniture that does double duty can earn a place in the room. Clever furniture selection can offer a ton of storage and still serve multiple purposes.

Kitchen Islands on Wheels

A rolling kitchen island gives you more counter space if and when you want it, and more floor space if and when you don't. Look for islands with:

• Open shelving for items in regular use

• Enclosed cabinets for hiding clutter

• Towel bars on the sides

• Spice racks on the ends

And because it's mobile, you can take your prep space wherever it's needed most.

Storage Ottomans and Benches

When you have seating, make it count twice:

• Linens, small appliances or extra dishes can be stored in storage ottomans

• Lift-up seat benches can double as storage near kitchen tables

• Stools with storage built into the base place cleaning supplies at the ready

Expandable Dining Tables

Opt for tables that expand as you do:

• Drop-leaf tables can be folded down when they're not in use

• Extendable tables with storage leaves

• Counter-height tables that do double duty as prep space

Hack #4: Store Like a Pro Chef

Professional chefs work in confined spaces and know how to understand the realities of efficiency. Borrow their tactics to make your small kitchen feel more spacious and function more effortlessly.

Create Dedicated Zones

Divide your kitchen into dedicated workspaces:

• Prep Zone: Keep cutting boards, knives, and mixing bowls together

• Cooking Zone: Keep pots, pans, and cooking utensils near the stove

• Cleaning Zone: Group dish soap, sponges, and towels together by the sink

• Storage Zone: Organize and designate spaces for dry goods, spices, and leftovers

Adhere to the "One In, One Out" Method

When you bring something new into the kitchen, get rid of something you don't use. This way they never build up and your space remains useful.

Implement the Triangle Workflow

Store your most used items in easy reach of your main work triangle (sink, stove and refrigerator). Store:

• Cooking oils and basic seasonings next to the stove

• Dish soap and cleaning cloths next to the sink

• Commonly used recipes near the prep zone

Practice Mise en Place

This French cooking term is translated as "everything in place." Implementing it in your tiny kitchen:

• Store all-purpose items on the counters

• Place items where you use them most frequently

• Group similar items together

• Have designated spots for everything

Hack #5: Choose Multi-Task Tools and Appliances

When you don't have much space, you have to make all of your tools pull their weight in the kitchen. Opt for tools that can do more than one task, not uni-task gadgets.

Essential Multi-Use Tools

• Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: Replaces slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more

• High-Quality Chef's Knife: Does 90% of everything, no need for lots of other knives

• Cast Iron Skillet: Frying pan, baking dish, serving platter and pizza stone in one

• Immersion Blender: Blend soup in pot, make smoothies, whip cream

• Kitchen Shears: Cut herbs, trim meat, open packages, trim vegetables

Smart Appliance Choices

When you're picking appliances for small kitchens:

• Opt for apartment-size or compact versions of full size appliances

• Opt for appliances that store easily (fold-flat products)

• Choose appliances you will be using at least weekly

• Consider appliances that affix under cabinets

Storage-Friendly Cookware

• Nesting Sets – bowls, measuring cups, pots that stack inside one another

• Collapsible Containers – colanders, mixing bowls, storage containers that fold flat

• Magnetic Measuring Spoons – they stick together, store easily and don't get lost in deep drawers

Hack #6: Create the Right Counter Strategies

In any small kitchen, counter space is the most valuable real estate. Space is precious, so you want approaches that will keep surfaces open but also give you ready access to the essentials.

Create Temporary Counter Space

• Pull Out Cutting Boards: Create a cutting space above a drawer

• Sink Covers: Cutting boards that fit over the sink make the space usable for other things (and double as another work area)

• Appliance Garages: Small doors roll up to conceal small appliances

• Rolling Carts: Get extra space on wheels that wheels away when you are done

Smart Storage to Leave Counters Uncluttered

Organize your daily-use stuff without making it look like clutter:

• Use drawer organizers for utensils, not countertop crocks

• Under-cabinet paper towel mounts are a good option

• Try pull-out cabinet organizers for oils and vinegars

• Store knives on magnetic mounted strips versus in a countertop block

Make Every Inch Count

• Corner solutions: Install lazy Susans or corner drawers to utilize those awkward corner spaces

• Appliance coordination: Select appliances that will nest or stack when not in use

• Vertical thinking: Utilize tiered fruit baskets and vertical paper towel holders

Daily Counter Habits

The key is establishing routines that allow your counter space to be functional for your limited cooking space:

• Don't let dishes stack up, clean while you cook

• Immediately put items away after use

• Choose a single small spot for things that don't live there permanently

• Gather items that need to live on counters in serving trays

Bonus Tips for Maximum Efficiency

Lighting Makes Everything Work Better

Well-lit spaces feel more open and usable in small apartments:

• Add under-cabinet LED strips for task lighting

• Install bright bulbs in overhead lights

• Add a little light in dark corners

• Consider battery-operated lights in cabinets

Color and Visual Tricks

How to expand the feeling of a small kitchen:

• Keep your walls and cabinets light

• Use mirrors to reflect light and add depth

• Opt for open shelving rather than closed cabinets in some spaces

• Keep decor items to a minimum—and purposeful

Maintenance Strategies

Keep your organized system working:

• Spend 5 minutes picking up each evening

• Regularly re-evaluate storage options

• Every couple of months, reassess what you need as the amount of possessions you have has likely changed

• If you have items that you haven't used in 6 months, donate them

• Empty one drawer, or one cabinet, each week

Transform Your Tiny Kitchen Today

Tiny kitchens are not just a fact of life—they are a lifestyle, an opportunity to make the most with the least; to make a small space both functional and wonderful; to prove the point that small need not be small minded. By the end, if you employ these six strategies, you'll find storage you never realized was there and develop workflows that make cooking a pleasure rather than a chore.

Begin with the hack that interests you most. It could be installing magnetic strips on your cabinet doors, or maybe you're looking forward to making a rolling cart storage solution. Once you see how big a difference just one change can make, you'll be inspired to do even more.

And remember, the ultimate aim isn't to stuff as much as you can into your tiny space. It's about making your small kitchen work so well that you forget it's small. Clever storage, double-duty tools and efficiency of space need not play second fiddle to style, and with a few of these small kitchen ideas you will be realizing the idea that 'good things come in small packages.'

Great small kitchens aren't accidents. They are the result of thoughtful planning and smart design choices. Use these hacks as your starting point, and modify them over time to suit your needs and your style of cooking. Before you realize it, you will wonder why anybody would want a huge kitchen when the well organized smaller one works so perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I optimize storage in a pantry-less kitchen?

Build pantry storage with tall, skinny cabinets, over-the-door organizers and rolling carts that tuck into slim spaces. Opt for vertical storage in cabinets with shelf risers, while also storing dry goods in clear, stackable containers to increase space and visibility.

What is the best color to paint a small kitchen to make it look bigger?

Pale hues reflect more light and feel more open. Walls and cabinets are best in white, cream, light gray and soft pastels. Avoid dark colors at the large scale, though you can have them in decorative accents.

Open shelves versus closed cabinets in a small kitchen?

Mix both for best results. Use open shelving to take visual weight from cabinetry and let it display as wall decoration. Closed cabinets are also a good option for things you want hidden, and for minimizing visual clutter. A 70-30 divide of closed to open storage seems to function best.

How can I increase my counter space without a renovation?

Install pull-out cutting boards, sink covers that give you more prep space, a rolling cart that stores away, or a fold-down table that's attached to the wall. These are solutions that add workspace but don't involve any permanent alterations.

What is the number one mistake people make when organizing a small kitchen?

Not putting related things together, and not keeping them as accessible as they should be based on frequency of use. Keep daily-use items front and center, and stow what you rarely use in out-of-reach spots. This prevents the convenient areas from becoming overcrowded.

How frequently should I reorganize my small kitchen?

Do a quick evaluation once a month and a more thorough reorganization every 3 to 4 months. Seasonally assess what you actually use and donate items that no longer serve you. That way clutter doesn't build up, and your system works efficiently.

Do small appliances make sense in a tiny kitchen?

Yes, when they are multitaskers used at least once a week. It's worth investing in an Instant Pot that serves as several appliances in one, but not a gadget that only does one thing. Opt for appliances that nest together, fold or have more than one use to justify their space.

Help! My small kitchen makes me feel cluttered.

Keep surfaces uncluttered, use closed storage for most things and control the amount of decorative items, and clean as you cook with an eye to visual balance. Designating places for everything and putting items away promptly prevents visual clutter that can make spaces feel cramped.