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10 Tips for Making the Most of a Small Kitchen
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
Right now, I'm in the eighth kitchen of my adult life. That includes one rented house, three rented apartments, and two houses I've owned - two kitchens in each of them (a complete kitchen renovation in each house).
My current kitchen - hopefully my last for a long, long time - is great. It's big and has tons of counter space and storage space and is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Finally...because the other seven were not so ideal. As a result, I've had a lot of time to figure out what's really important in a kitchen.
If you're living with a tiny kitchen - whether you rent or own - try some of these tips for making the most of your space:
My current kitchen - hopefully my last for a long, long time - is great. It's big and has tons of counter space and storage space and is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Finally...because the other seven were not so ideal. As a result, I've had a lot of time to figure out what's really important in a kitchen.
If you're living with a tiny kitchen - whether you rent or own - try some of these tips for making the most of your space:
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| 1. If you can, open up walls separating the kitchen from other parts of the house. Even if you keep a peninsula separating spaces, the change will make the kitchen feel more roomy. |
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| 2. Go to the ceiling with storage. Forty-four inch cabinets are great - they make the most of every inch of the room and the top shelves are ideal for platters and plates you don't use frequently.
Of course, if you do this, you'll also need to buy a good stepladder... |
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3. Think about the way you store food itself - can it be decorative? Little tins for spices and canisters for staples mean you don't have to hide the goods - and they're within easy reach when cooking.
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4. Embrace the magic triangle. The stove, refrigerator and sink should be placed within an easy step or two from one another. The right organization will make the kitchen efficient, not just small.
by A Beach Cottage
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5. Don't forget the walls are storage, too. They're perfect for hanging pots and tools that are used frequently.
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6. Clean colors make any small space appear bigger.
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7. If you can, emphasize the windows! Natural light is great.
by Gast Architects
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8. Movable islands are a great way to add counter space and storage - especially if you can shift them from room to room in the event of a party or big cooking event.
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9. Store stuff you use infrequently (like big platters) outside the kitchen - in hallways, the dining room, even the closet in a spare bedroom.
10. Accept chaos. If it's small and crowded, make it fun and small and crowded. A crammed kitchen can also be a cozy one...as long as you know where everything is.
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