Apartment Kitchenettes: How to Maximize Refrigerator Space

Kitchenettes are often a must in a small apartment, but the main drawback of a small cooking space is small storage space. You may not be able to fit a very large refrigerator in your kitchenette, so it’s important that you learn the best way to make efficient use of the space you do have in your fridge.

Clean Out the Fridge

The first task when attempting to maximize fridge space is to clear it out. When you’re short on space, as most people with kitchenettes are, you need to cut out the clutter. Don’t keep leftovers for more than a few days or a week (depending on the shelf life of the food) and don’t overstock your fridge to the brim. (If you like shopping ahead, it’s better to stock up on non-perishables than perishables regardless.) Get rid of any condiments, dressings or other sauces that you’ve had for more than half a year.

While you’ve cleaned out the fridge, don’t forget to wipe it down with an antibacterial cleaner, as fridges can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can speed up the decay of your food. You can also keep odors at bay by keeping a little baking soda in the fridge; there are wall stick-on versions that take up very little space.

Use a Lazy Susan

Most people think of lazy susans (revolving circular trays) for their kitchen table or inside their cupboards. Due to the small refrigerators in kitchenettes, however, it makes perfect sense to use a lazy susan in your fridge as well. When you need to access an item that’s in the back of a shelf, you won’t have to remove the items in front of it one by one. Rather, you can give the lazy susan a spin and instantly access whatever you need. If you have the space in the fridge, you can get two-tiered lazy susans, creating vertical storage space for more items than you’d otherwise be able to fit.

Make Room for a Can Dispenser

If you frequently drink out of a can, a can dispenser is a must-have in your fridge. Can dispensers free up additional storage space in kitchenettes by allowing you to store upwards of a dozen cans at once in even the smallest of fridges in a thin, vertical space. This allows you to keep all of your cans chilled instead of having to store the excess in cupboards or a closet.

Consider a Wine Rack

Some wine racks are designed specifically for the fridge, which means that you’ll be able to safely stack multiple bottles—juice, tea, water and soda as well as wine—in your fridge to take advantage of unused vertical space. If, however, you don’t use a lot of bottles that would fit in the wine rack, don’t bother wasting all of the space with an unused rack.

Kitchenettes are more efficient when you keep out the clutter and maximize your storage space, particularly in the refrigerator. Taking the time to maximize your refrigerator storage space can make a world of difference when it comes to easily accessing your food and drinks.