Like many, you are ready to eat better and cook more from home. Having the right appliance and kitchen gadget for the job can chop cooking time in half. However, finding a place to keep all of those time-saving devices is a challenge in a small kitchen. Here are 9 tips to help you find the extra storage you need.
1. Crates
A wooden crate on the countertop is ideal for holding items such as cutting boards. If you cook from scratch, you probably use multiple cutting boards per day. Keeping your cutting boards right on the counter makes for easy access and frees up an entire drawer. Crates are also fantastic for storing randomly shaped items such as a food scale and rolling pin.
2. Add an Island
Adding an island in even the smallest of kitchens can add much-needed storage. This island is a repurposed bookshelf I found at an outlet store. A repurposed dresser, desk, or filing cabinet can even work. Not only can the smallest of kitchen islands provide extra storage, but it can give you extra countertop space.
3. Hang a Pot Rack
Pot racks are not just reserved for hanging from the ceiling. Hang a pot rack against a wall. This used to be my bathroom towel rack. A coat rack, an old ladder, or a mounted curtain rod can also do the trick.
4. Leave Out Commonly Used Items
Why bother putting away the olive oil if you use it every day? Keep commonly used items such as olive oil, salt, and pepper, butter, honey, stirring spoons and spatulas out on the counter. Not only does this save space, it saves time. This spatula container was a fun garage sale find and the olive oil is kept in a repurposed vodka bottle.
5. Between the Studs Shelving
Taking advantage of unused space inside the wall can add extra storage. Once finished off with some trim and shelving, the possibilities are endless! That little bit of space between the framing studs is ideal for holding narrow items such as a broom, mop, toilet paper, wine bottles, or even a prized collection. These shelves hold my cooking spices. Not only is it functional but it doubles as a piece of art.
6. Display Your Fruit
Most fruit doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Add a little warmth and a pop of color to your kitchen decor and keep your apples and oranges is a cute bowl or basket. Here are some tomatoes, avocados, and a pineapple finishing their ripening in my window sill.
7. Use Hooks
Hooks are perfect for hanging over-sized or awkwardly shaped items such as barbecue turners, ladles, and frying pans. I attached a towel rack to the side of my kitchen island. There are several ready-made hook systems available on the market. If you aren’t handy, I suggest checking into this system from Ikea.
8. Display Your Teapot
Much like the olive oil, if you use your teapot often, then just leave it on the stove. Teapots are big and oddly shaped and can take up a lot of room. Hunt garage sales or the thrift stores and find one that fits your vibe.
9. Donate Unused Appliances
A small kitchen shouldn’t inhibit you from having the right tool for the job. You should be able to keep your favorite appliances and tools. Much like we track what clothing items we wear most in our closet, do a similar inventory of your kitchen. If you haven’t used an appliance or kitchen gadget within a year, consider donating it and free up the much-needed space.
