Having a small space forces you to be creative, especially when dealing with a small kitchen.
Small kitchen organization is a must when wanting to have a functional space, and luckily the options are endless to help sort out storage ideas.
Let’s face it, you are limited to home improvement projects when you are renting.
Going from living in an 1800 square foot house to moving into a small 700 square foot apartment with only having 2 bottom cabinets and 3 top cabinets, I really had to become quite creative with making a small space work.
This was after a catastrophic flood we had in Texas and our house that we were renting completely flooded.
We relocated to another side of town and moved into a really small one-bedroom apartment because of my husband’s job.
It was a big change, but I knew I had to make it work.
The best way to make a small space work first is to evaluate the space, look at the items you have, and decide if they are still needed.
Seriously how many can openers do you need, or potato peelers?
How to make a small kitchen more efficient
A customize shelf space in the cabinets with a lazy-susan for the odd corners.
Most kitchens will have an L-shape so take advantage of any unused space.
Lazy-susans have evolved over time, but the basic design for most is still the same.
There is also the option to DIY for about $3. Talk about cheap!
Head to your local Dollar Tree for two pie pans and one bag of marbles.
Next, put smaller shelves inside your cabinets. I call it stacking, but I’m pretty sure there is a name for it.
Since there’s not much cabinet space; more than likely your plates, cups, mugs, and bowls will be in the same cabinet.
Get a stacking rack to maximize every inch of space.
There are many types to choose from.
The wire racks are also great for your pot lids and pans.
Utilize wall space with nonpermanent wall racks.
- This is great for items that you use most often in your kitchen, like cooking utensils, measuring cups or spoons, or drainer.
- This idea can also be used for hanging your most-used pots.
Do more customization with magnetic hooks or adhesive racks that are strong enough to hold your pots without doing damage to the cabinets or walls.
Just remember if you plan to go this route, place them on a side wall where it doesn’t prohibit the opening of cabinet doors.
- If you happen to have a pantry, keep it organized with pantry bins, clear tupperware, labels, and over-the-door racks.
Get creative with a kitchen wrap organizer.
- Always make sure to rotate the items in your pantry so that older food items get moved to the front, this will prevent food waste.
- Make sure to check expiration dates of jar foods, cereals, snacks, and any other dry foods.
Make the cabinet drawers efficient utensil trays or individual bins that will allow more drawer customization.
How do you organize small appliances in a small kitchen?
- If you are an appliance junkie making room for this habit could be a challenge but still doable. As with storing your pots and pans using wiring racks, think about if there is space above the cabinets.
- Make sure the storage racks you buy for your appliances add more space rather than taking more space.
- Lastly but probably obvious, set a rule for yourself, to gift or donate an appliance that you no longer use. I had the Ronco Showtime rotisserie machine (remember that!), then I bought the Instant Vortex Pro, which not only does what the Ronco do but a whole heck more. The Ronco Classic Showtime just sat, and sat, taking up space until I finally gave it away.
So take inventory of what you do not need anymore to create additional space.
How do I organize my small kitchen on a budget?
With so many options available there is absolutely no need to overspend organizing a small space.
With, all the options I have given thus far, they are all affordable on any budget.
If you are feeling a little creative, you can always DIY some storage solutions and add a little personal touch to each.
Great places for storage and organization that are budget-friendly:
Dollar General
As a side note for DollarTree, you can always check your local store, but say you are wanting to get 7 storage bins all in the same color, but your store only has 4 of the same color.
It could be a problem if you wanted to color coordinate. Ordering it from dollartree.com may be a better option, or at least that is what I have discovered.
Do keep in mind that you have to order in bulk, so if you plan to not only do some organizing in the kitchen but in the bedroom or bathroom, this is a great option.
For apartment space-saving storage solutions in a small kitchen, it just takes a bit of creativity.
I find the best way to make a small space work first is to evaluate the space, look at the items you have, and then decide if they are still needed.
What are some ways you’ve utilized space in your small kitchen? Leave it in the comments below.