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Many of us have kitchens that lack space so it’s in our best interest to make them as efficient and functional as possible. Pull-out shelves and lazy susans can work wonders, but specific problem areas can be addressed with some proven quick and inexpensive fixes. Whether you use one or several of these ideas, your kitchen can be improved, making your cooking go smoother and your mood brighter.
If you just have too much stuff, consider pitching or moving some of it discreetly to another room. A cabinet in the dining room could conceal small appliances. A glass-doored credenza could easily become an attractive wine showcase.
Consider a rolling cart with a top that serves as a work surface. With shelves below to hold anything that would have cluttered the counters, you’ll maximize existing space and add even more. If your kitchen has an open area that you prefer to keep vacant most of the time, a fold-up table can be mounted to the wall and flipped down only when more surface area is needed. And an unoccupied corner can be turned into a storage nook just by adding shelves.
If you have a topmount sink, switching to an undermount will give you a couple extra inches of workable counter space in all directions. Get a custom-fitted cutting board so you can work over your sink. A roll-up grid can fit atop a sink and be tucked away when done. You could even turn that small cabinet façade in front of the sink edge into a mini tilt-out drawer to hide sponges or scouring pads.
Remember that hooks are your friends. They can be added to the inside of doors, sides of cabinets, along windows – almost anywhere. They provide a tad extra storage space where you thought there was none.
And don’t be afraid to hang things. If you won’t bang your head into them, find a hanging rack for your pots and pans. Utensils can be suspended from a rod over the stove. A magnetic strip can be attached anywhere to hold cutlery. Baskets can organize the inside of a cupboard or hang to hold fruits and vegetables.
If all else fails, try brightening the room as much as possible. Paint it white, add light-colored cabinets, and remove dark, worn tile. Extra lighting whether natural, under-the-counter, or overhead will always make the room feel bigger.
