How to Make the Most of a Small Kitchen

By: Suzie Wilson - Happier Home
Written: August 13th, 2021
Website: https://happierhome.net/

Image Title: Woman in Kitchen Prepping to Cook Image Creator: One Shot Photography Hosting Site: Pexels.com/ Free Stock Photos · Pexels Date of Image: July 31 2016 - Uploaded September 04 2019 Website: Woman In The Kitchen Preparing To Cook · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

Image Title: Woman in Kitchen Prepping to Cook
Image Creator: One Shot Photography
Hosting Site: Pexels.com/ Free Stock Photos · Pexels
Date of Image: July 31 2016 - Uploaded September 04 2019
Website: Woman In The Kitchen Preparing To Cook · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

The tiny house trend has taken hold in Canada. According to the CBC, more homebuyers recognize the benefits of smaller spaces, such as lower costs and less maintenance. That said, living in a compact house does have drawbacks. A lack of room can prove especially complicated in the kitchen. Luckily, there are ways to make a small cooking space functional while also increasing your overall property value. This guide explains how it's done.

 

Plan it in advance

Have a professional draft your small kitchen layout. A professional like Anomaly Drafting and Design will know how to make the most of every bit of space. When working with your designer, discuss making updates that will pay off. Redfin recommends investing in low-cost projects that boost value to improve your return on investment, or ROI. For example, something as simple as updating the appliances can reap big rewards.

Image Title: The Willow - Kitchen Layout
Image Creator: Elliott Sarbah
Date of Image: March 02, 2020
Imaged Owned: Anomaly Drafting and Design
Website: https://www.anomalydraftinganddesign.com/standard-plans

 
Image Title: The Willow - Kitchen Layout Image Creator: Elliott Sarbah Date of Image: August 15, 2021 Imaged Owned: Anomaly Drafting and Design Website: https://www.anomalydraftinganddesign.com/home

Image Title: The Willow - Kitchen Layout
Image Creator: Elliott Sarbah
Date of Image: August 15, 2021
Imaged Owned: Anomaly Drafting and Design
Website: https://www.anomalydraftinganddesign.com/home

Make the most of your cabinets

The kitchen cabinets are a major focal point of the kitchen, taking up the bulk of the wallspace. Make sure they're aesthetically pleasing and functional. Apartment Therapy has tips for making the most of your cabinetry, from adjusting the shelving heights to using shelf risers. If you're installing new cabinets, consider getting models with extra shelving on the interior of the door. This is great for storing utensils, spaces, and other small goods.

Title of Article / Post: Wood Storage Cabinets with Doors and Shelves - Home Furniture Design Post Author: Home Furniture Hosting Site: Pinterest/ https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/446560119278722858/ Original Creator: stagecoachdesigns.com Website: https://www.stagecoachdesigns.com/wood-storage-cabinets/wood-storage-cabinets-with-doors-and-shelves/

Title of Article / Post: Wood Storage Cabinets with Doors and Shelves - Home Furniture Design
Post Author: Home Furniture
Hosting Site: Pinterest/ https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/446560119278722858/
Original Creator: stagecoachdesigns.com
Website: https://www.stagecoachdesigns.com/wood-storage-cabinets/wood-storage-cabinets-with-doors-and-shelves/

 

Utilize vertical space with hooks and hanging racks

There is likely plenty of overhead space in your kitchen that you currently aren't using. Take the area above your backsplash or stove, for example. Add some hooks here and it's a great spot to hang pots and pans. You can also get inspiration from your local bar by installing a rack above your countertop to hang glasses. Kitchen Seer reveals that upside down is actually the best way to store stemware, as it prevents dust and dirt build-up.

Title of Article: How to Spruce Up Your Rental Kitchen Author of Article: Sarah Yang Hosting Site: Real Simple/ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing Photo Credit: Oxford - Getty Images Website: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-kitchen/apartment-kitchen-ideas

Title of Article: How to Spruce Up Your Rental Kitchen
Author of Article: Sarah Yang
Hosting Site: Real Simple/ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing
Photo Credit: Oxford - Getty Images
Website: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-kitchen/apartment-kitchen-ideas

Choose your appliances wisely

Manufacturers are recognizing the rising trend of tiny houses and creating compact refrigerators and ranges accordingly. Update your appliances with smaller models to make more space. Plus, new appliances increase home value. You can also update smaller items. Major Canadian retailers like Hudson's Bay have entire sections devoted to small kitchen appliances. You'll find mini blenders, microwaves, espresso makers, and more.

 

Find free space around your appliances

Make use of the awkward free spaces around your appliances. For example, take the backsplash behind the stove. Get some simple hooks from Wayfair to hang here so you can store pots and pans. The area above the fridge is another great example. Simple Home Life recommends installing custom shelving to hold cookbooks or wine here, or simply adding baskets to use for storage.

Title of Article: 8 Genius Storage Ideas for Pots and Pans When You're Short on Cabinet Space Author of Article: Jessica Bennet Date of Article: January 13 2021 Photo Credit: David Tsay Website: https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/storage/organization/genius-storage-solutions-for-pots-and-pans-281474979471876/

Title of Article: 8 Genius Storage Ideas for Pots and Pans When You're Short on Cabinet Space
Author of Article: Jessica Bennet
Date of Article: January 13 2021
Photo Credit: David Tsay
Website: https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/storage/organization/genius-storage-solutions-for-pots-and-pans-281474979471876/

Invest in Double-Duty Furniture

Get multifunctional furniture to maximize your small kitchen space. For example, installing a small kitchen island can be a great remodelling project that will actually give you more usable surface space. You can also configure the island with cabinetry, giving you more storage room. Plus, kitchen islands are another in-demand interior design addition that can make your home more valuable if you decide to sell it.

 

Unpack your dry goods

Maximizing a small kitchen isn't just about the design. You also have to use the space wisely. For example, you can save space by decanting and unpacking your dry goods and storing them in sealed stackable containers instead. A Personal Organizer reveals that you will also save money, since properly stored and labelled goods have a longer shelf life than they would in the original packaging.

Title of Image: Pantry Storage Containers Image Creator: Krystalle Darnel Photography Date of Image: Received from Sparx Organizing  Aug 12, 2021 Image Owner: Sparx Organizing  Website: https://www.sparxorganizing.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3_KIBhA2EiwAaAAliizKRmNC24Ilhk-ZEoq-GBru81fW3BaLzb_noMAwpgKv0EtcnLdS5hoCaN8QAvD_BwE

Title of Image: Pantry Storage Containers
Image Creator: Krystalle Darnel Photography
Date of Image: Received from Sparx Organizing Aug 12, 2021
Image Owner: Sparx Organizing
Website: https://www.sparxorganizing.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3_KIBhA2EiwAaAAliizKRmNC24Ilhk-ZEoq-GBru81fW3BaLzb_noMAwpgKv0EtcnLdS5hoCaN8QAvD_BwE

There are many steps you can take to make the most of a small kitchen. The above guide covers a diversity of large and small projects, giving you a variety of options to choose from. To enjoy a small kitchen is to be organized and minimalistic. For more ideas on how to organize your kitchen for maximum capacity visit Sparx Organizing. 

 

This is the kind of content you can expect from the Anomaly Drafting and Design Blog. I help homeowners create functional, attractive spaces they love. Visit the blog for more.