white kitchen and dining room renovation

Design Notes

4 ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS FOR SMALL KITCHENS

Kitchens are the headquarters of the home. Everyone in the family will be there at some point. From morning to evening, the kitchen stays busy as we grab that quick breakfast, jot down that list of errands, or start cooking dinner. With so much going on, it would seem the space needs to be the largest in the home, but sometimes that is not possible. When space is limited, it needs to be maximized. Often, there is more space than we realize, and with good planning and a few simple organization tips, you can make your small kitchen seem bigger. Here are four organizational tips to help you gain more usable space in your kitchen.

Periodically Purge

While this is not the same thing as minimalism, there is a common thread between the two ideas: get rid of what you don’t need. When looking to maximize space, it is a good practice to periodically go through your kitchen cabinets, countertops, and even the nearby closet and decide what is needed and what can be eliminated. Some helpful questions to ask yourself when purging your stuff are:

  • Have I used this in the last six months?
  • Is this item similar to another I have that does the same job?
  • Would I repurchase this?
  • Is this a duplicate?
  • Does it still work?
  • Would I pack it up and move it with me?

The answer to these questions can help you eliminate certain items faster. As you make your way through your kitchen, ask yourself what you use daily and put that in one area. Items you rarely use should be placed in a separate pile and reviewed again. As you do, think about what you want to keep, like those special dishes, but it might be best to box them up and place them in a storage area. This means you can keep it, but not in a limited area like your kitchen. If you have a garage, consider storing items like air fryers and toaster ovens there, so you have easy access when needed without taking up valuable space in your small kitchen. Read a few more helpful ideas in this blog by Real Simple. A purged kitchen will be a well-functioning kitchen that eliminates stress.

Clear The Counter

Countertops are a key part of the kitchen. This is where we prepare food and can spread out. Countertops are also among the biggest culprits of kitchen clutter. A cluttered countertop can make us feel stressed, lead to disorganization, and hinder our cooking ability. Again, the kitchen often becomes the center of the home, making it easy to accumulate clutter, but there are things you can do to eliminate it and prevent it. Some of these suggestions include:

  • Keeping appliances off the counter
  • Dirty dishes belong in the dishwasher
  • Have a designated spot for mail
  • Limit decor items

Clutter can creep up on us easily, but if you keep these traps in mind, you can win the war every time. Your countertops are meant to be a usable workspace for you, which means the things that help you should be there, such as a knife block or certain spices. Appliances such as the microwave are best stored off the counter and instead placed in the cabinet design. Dirty dishes immediately make a kitchen look smaller and should be dealt with immediately. Make it a point to leave your kitchen clean every night, as it reduces stress the following morning and helps you wake up feeling energized. When you have a small kitchen, it’s essential to limit the number of decor items, as they can quickly take up valuable space. Consider using your backsplash or even the countertop itself as decor. Choosing a stunning granite slab with an elegant vein or a colorful backsplash can make just as much of a statement as a piece of wall art or decor. Keep your countertops clutter-free, and your peace of mind will be rewarded.

white kitchen with blue island

Use Wall Space Effectively

Your walls hold a lot of potential, and often, it goes unused. When it comes to the kitchen, you need to think outside the box. Gain extra space in your kitchen by:

  • Floating shelves
  • Adding a pot rack over the stove
  • Use hooks
  • Wall-mounted dish rack

Walls can add significant storage when used correctly. Have an open wall between your galley kitchen or a space that is not functional for a cabinet? Shelving is the answer. It can fit into a large, open wall space to give you more storage without cluttering the traffic flow, or into tight spaces to provide a place for things like spices or glasses. Floating shelves also add beauty and elegance to any room, especially the kitchen. Pots and pans can occupy some valuable cabinet space, while the area above the stove is vacant. Adding a pot rack can transform it into a functional, usable space, plus keep them in convenient reach. Hooks are another great asset because they let you hang towels or other small items, like spoons. Open walls give you a canvas that can be turned into a functional kitchen area. Take a look around and see what is available to you. Be sure to take inventory of items that can be placed there instead of inside the cabinets. Small spaces often have the potential to go up, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

White kitchen with a large hood and pots and pans

Add An Island

We know your kitchen is small, but that does not mean it cannot have an island. Remember that there is no specific length or width that an island must have. It just needs to be beneficial. Some of the things you will gain from adding an island would be:

  • More counter space
  • Storage
  • Seating
  • Prepping space
  • Defined traffic flow

Having an island in your kitchen gives you space to store additional items, such as dishes, or even awkwardly sized items like serving platters. Cooking can be made more accessible, too, by spreading out your supplies. Kitchen islands also create defined traffic flow patterns, which means fewer run-ins and easier buffet lines for gatherings. If designed correctly, an island can give you an extra seat or two, allowing the family to sit and talk while dinner cooks. Even a narrow kitchen island brings function to the home’s headquarters, so put this on the list of things to discuss with your designer.

white kitchen with hidden shelves

Small But Mighty

Your kitchen space may not be as ample as you initially wanted, but with creativity and sound design, you can make the most of your current square footage than you realized. Our design team has assisted clients for over twenty years, so we know a few things about maximizing your space.

/onJuly 21, 2021/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inDesign Notes
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