5 Ways to Make a Small Kitchen Work
Whether you’ve recently downsized or have always contended with the challenges of a smaller kitchen, some simple design changes can help maximize space and functionality. Remember, bigger isn’t automatically better. When it comes to home design, it’s all about using space effectively—whether you have a lot or a little of it.
As the hub of every home, it’s easy for a smaller kitchen to quickly become cluttered, leaving you and your family feeling cramped. However, according to Consumer Reports, a few small upgrades can make a big improvement. For starters, to maximize the space you have, rethink where you store things – especially if counter space is at a premium. Here are five additional ways to make every available inch count:
- Strategically locate your dishwasher. Choose a location near the sink but where the dishwasher won’t stop traffic when the door is open. Remember to think about access to other appliances, too. You don’t want the dishwasher door to block the refrigerator door, for example.
- Incorporate a landing spot for food by the refrigerator and for pots and pans on at least one side of the stove. These small details can easily improve your kitchen’s efficiency.
- Install roll-out cabinets where possible. A roll-out spice rack near the range is a great use of space and eliminates clutter on the countertop or in a cabinet.
- Drawers and pull-out shelves can make a big difference.They’re a perfect way to store pots, pans, kitchen tools and serving dishes. This prevents the need to hang pans from an overhead rack, which can make a small space feel cluttered. Most commercial cabinets can be outfitted with pull-out shelves and other organizers.
- Before making any updates, take an inventory of everything you need and use in your kitchen and where it’s kept. Consider if you really need everything you’ve accumulated over the years, or if infrequently used items can be stored in another location, such as a shelf in the laundry room or linen closet. If you’ve stockpiled impractical appliances over the years, give them away or sell them at a tag sale. Also remember to come up with storage solutions for small, easily overlooked items, such as pot holders and plastic bags. Otherwise, these miscellaneous bits and pieces will end up using valuable space on your countertop.