If there is one room in your home that can never have enough space, it is the kitchen. When working with limited counter space and a minimal amount of cabinets (we all dream of wall to wall shelves and massive islands), the need to make the most of available square footage is a must indeed. Whether you live in a small apartment or have yet to remodel your home’s existing kitchen for a larger upgrade, there are a few tricks to save space without compromising functionality.
No room? No problem!
If you don’t have a designated dining area and have been eating meals at a table in a cramped kitchen corner, consider ditching the awkward, bulky furniture in favor of counter-height bar stools. They are highly versatile and look absolutely amazing in the right setting, not to mention all of the extra room you are going to get back in the kitchen itself.
Another option may be to invest in a set of TV trays. These products are a godsend in cramped quarters and are extremely affordable. The goal is to diversify your options and work with what you have. More space does not necessarily mean a costly remodel! Here are a few other tricks you can use to make a small kitchen more than livable.
- Invest in a rolling cart that you can use to prepare meals and store pots and pans. When done, it can be conveniently stowed away in a pantry or in the other room. These devices can also double as extra counter space; simply roll it next to the edge and there you have it!
- Never forget the walls – Just because you have limited ground space does not mean all hope is lost. Build or buy custom shelves and storage racks that will mount directly to the wall. Hooks are great for hanging cups and pans, and floating shelves for anything else you can think of.
- Corners are super space-friendly – Lazy Susans offer excellent storage capacity, as do side mounted cabinets. Traditional “front-only cabinets” are giving way to unique customizations that incorporate storage wherever possible (without looking like a design nightmare).
- Become a BFF with built-ins – Every kitchen needs appliances (oven, microwave, fridge, etc.), but one size does not fit all. Smaller rooms benefit most from custom built-ins. They also flow amazingly well and free up tons of counter and walking space.
