Top Kitchen Tips for Your Apartment

Everyone has a different relationship with their kitchen. For foodies and chefs, it might be the most important room in the house. For others, it simply becomes an extension of the living space, maybe even a home office. This article is for those who want to make the most of their small kitchen.

First things first: Maximize space by de-cluttering. Dedicate a day to your kitchen and pull everything out. And we mean everything. You might be surprised by the extra wooden spoons you have and odd kitchen helpers you don’t remember buying and have actually never used. The kitchen can easily get overwhelmed with all the adorable kitchen flotsam out there. Those cute corkscrews and juicers are actually kitchen clutters and take up space in your cupboards or on your counter.

Now that your kitchen has been pared down to the essentials, take a look at the space you have. Drawer and cupboard organizers will go a long way to increasing space and keeping said space neat and tidy. Buy some wall rails to hang utensils and pots within easy reach. Keep the counters as empty as possible. Nothing says space like clear counters and the look will translate into a roomier looking kitchen. Plus, you need that workspace to whip up your fabulous meals.

Use all available space and don’t forget to look up – vertical is always your friend in any small room. Look above the sink–can you add a shelf? Look inside cupboards – can you add some hooks? Finding a space in a cabinet for the garbage can will free up floor space. If you have a window, consider not hanging curtains. The empty window will brighten the room and make it look more open. Can you hang your microwave under the counter? When de-cluttering, don’t forget to critically consider the appliances you have and the ones you actually use. Get rid of the ones that are just taking up valuable counter or cabinet space. Don’t neglect the space at the end of your counter or cabinets – can you slide a small book shelf there? It’s a great spot to display cookbooks, glasses or dishes.

Do you have enough floor space to add an island to your kitchen? These work great as extra storage, extra workspace, and even a sitting space if a couple stools can be pulled up to it for breakfast. Buying a stand-alone one means you can bring it with you when you move. Look for one with wheels too so it can be relocated when it’s not needed. It can also be placed anywhere in the apartment that might need an extra table. If you have an eat-in kitchen or space where you’d like a table and chairs, be sure to choose items with thin legs and bases; chucky looking furniture not only takes up space, but also makes a small space look crowded.

The problem of a small kitchen can easily be solved by cleverly fitting what you can into the space you have. Focus on functionality and efficiency and you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time.