Very few homes actually have large kitchens, and with limited space for your appliances, eating, and even working, these areas often become cluttered and difficult to navigate. Since moving to a house with a larger kitchen or a renovation isn’t always possible, organizing to maximize space may be the best solution.
Small Kitchen Organization Tips
Here are a few tips that can make a huge difference when organizing a small kitchen.
Declutter and clean
When you want more storage space, start by removing items in your kitchen that are no longer needed. Do you have to have that cabinet full of mismatched Tupperware? How about those oversized pots and pans that you rarely ever use? Do you need all those small appliances you bought on a whim watching late-night infomercials? Probably not!
It may be a good idea to start with three large boxes to gather your clutter. One for things you want to keep; one for things you want to sell, and one for things you want to give away. Tip: Make your box for items to keep smaller than the others.
After decluttering, have a go at deep cleaning your kitchen to get into the nooks and crannies you miss every day.
Take inventory of the space available
After decluttering and deep cleaning, you should have a clearer picture of how much space you’re working within your kitchen. You may be surprised that you have more space than you expected. Eliminating old spice bottles, small appliances, and other excess items will be liberating.
Don’t stop with obvious storage spaces. Look around to see if there are spaces above your head where you can create built-in storage spaces to store food or small kitchen items you need. Also, look for empty wall space to hang items and to help free up counter space.
Organize drawers and cabinet space
It’s easy overlook the potential of your drawers and cabinets as they tend to be dumping grounds for miscellaneous items. You may even have a designated “junk drawer.” However, incorporating storage accessories in these areas (i.e., under your sink) will provide more space and effectively eliminate clutter.
Drawer dividers such as the Royal Craft wood luxury bamboo drawer organizer storage box can also be helpful with organizing in these areas. Additionally, the Vtopmart clear plastic bins can help with organizing cabinets and pantries.
Include furniture with built-in storage space
If you have items that you don’t want to toss out, consider purchasing seating that has storage. Benches like the Linon Chelsea kitchen-nook corner unit are a popular storage solution. Use these areas to store dishes, small appliances, and various other knickknacks.
Consider a kitchen island or cart on wheels
Kitchen furniture doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. For instance, you may want a center island for your kitchen, but you don’t have to hire a professional to install one. Purchasing a small kitchen island with wheels can provide extra storage and allow you to roll it out of the way when you need room.
Incorporate smaller furniture
One surefire way to make a small kitchen look cluttered and unorganized is using furniture that is too big for the space. No, you don’t have to shop for products small enough to fit inside Barbie’s dream house, but your furnishings should give you enough room to safely move around your kitchen without the risk of accident or injury.
Hide the trash
A perfectly organized kitchen with a pile of trash can be an eyesore. If you want a trash can in your home, it’s ideal to put it in a place that obscures it. Consider putting it in a compartment in your cabinets or keeping it in a garage or mudroom.
Line things up
Keeping things within the line makes them look tidier. Instead of tossing your spices into the cabinet, line them up by name or size. Not only will this look better, but it will make these items easier to find.
Add open wall shelving
Shelves are another way to organize your small kitchen, and lining things will be essential for keeping your shelf space organized and tidy. Tip: Install shelves above your eyelevel. If you can place shelves, like the DINZI LVJ Long Wall Shelves, in higher places on your wall, you maximize valuable real estate on your walls.
Buy multi-use products
Another great way to cut the clutter is to use multi-purpose items. If you purchase a product that cleans many surfaces in the kitchen, like Mrs. Meyer’s all-purpose cleaner spray, this will help cut back on product clutter.
Do you need that griddle pan or toaster? Instead of buying individual pans and small appliances, invest in items that serve more than one purpose, like the Nostalgia 3-in-1 breakfast station or the Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL 8 qt. pressure cooker & air fryer. These products minimize clutter from excessive amounts of pans and small kitchen appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my kitchen is small?
You have a small kitchen if your kitchen measures 70 square feet or less.
What do I do with my kitchen clutter?
After separating the items into what you want to keep, what you want to give away, and what you want to sell, you do what each box is prepared for. For items you wish to sell, you can try to sell them through an online marketplace like Facebook or Craigslist. You can also have a rummage sale.
Items you want to give away, take to a local thrift store or charity. For those you want to keep, ensure they are working correctly, cleaned well, and put away in one of your newly added compartments.
How much does it cost to organize a small kitchen?
If you hire someone to organize your kitchen, they may charge you an hourly rate, which can vary by state. Rates typically start at $55 per hour, and the job could take five hours or more.
DIY could cost you substantially less since you’ll be cleaning and decluttering yourself.
Decorating with storage items such as shelving, a kitchen island, or special seating could drive up costs, particularly if you choose high-end items. To lower costs, look for unique items from thrift stores.