Small Kitchen Tips

I dream of a large kitchen that has a spot for everything but I make do with what I got. It’s a traditional 10’x10’ set up with minimal counter space and cupboard storage and no walk-in pantry.

First Rule: Don’t buy in bulk. You have no place to store and do you really need it? You’ll get use to having only the essentials on hand.

Second Rule: Debox everything, put in bins/baskets/clear storage containers. By putting all of your food in containers you can clearly see what you have and it takes up way less room - you can throw three different type of prepackaged items in one bin versus having boxes (possibly empty) all over the selves.

Note: Sort by “flavor”, don’t put fruit snacks with chocolate granola bars. Putting cereal in a container has saved my sanity, kids (husbands) never open/close the bag inside the box properly so the bag is split down the middle or left open so it gets stale.

Third Rule: Keep large, rarely used items in a storage room. The only appliances in my kitchen cupboards are a toaster, two crock pots and stand mixer. My roaster, air fryer, ice cream maker, yogurt machine, dehydrator and the stuff I rarely use are my basement. Same goes for platters, serving dishes and pitchers.

Forth Rule: Declutter and keep it organized. You don’t need 10 cookie sheets, and you can get rid of the sauce pans you never use. Keep items you’ll at least one a month in the kitchen. If you bake excessively at Christmas time then it can live in a storage room or garage until you use it. When I get “help” putting away dishes I often have to restack, properly position items in a cupboard because everything literally has a home and it won’t fit if improperly placed.

Fifth Rule: Keep counters clear of stuff. Only leave items that are needed on the counter like a cutting board and coffee maker. Find a home in a cupboard for the toaster, put away pots and pans, create a mail station or drop zone somewhere else so it doesn’t collect on the counter and place dishes in the sink. Small kitchens look cluttered very easily so by keeping the counters clean it appears larger.