Maximizing Storage Space In A Small Kitchen

By Author: Jason Delmar
Total Articles: 333
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While the DIY shows and home improvement programs often show grand, expansive kitchens, on average the kitchen is still one of the smallest rooms in the house. Especially in older homes, the kitchen was merely a place of food preparation, not a place of gathering like it is in today's lifestyle. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) considers any kitchen 150 square feet or smaller to be a small kitchen, but that doesn't mean you can't make it look more spacious with some big ideas.

By Utilizing unique storage solutions. Installing floor to ceiling pantry cabinets is a great way to maximize storage space where smaller cabinets would have been used. Add pullout shelves, rotating inserts and tilt-out bins to increase accessibility and storage within the cabinets. Adding undermounted lights, mullion doors, and even using lighter cabinet finishes are all great way to create the feeling of a larger space . Also, by adding more open display shelves/cabinets, the room will look greatly expanded. Too many cabinets, especially made of dark materials, will give the illusion that the room is much smaller.

Choose ...
... your appliances wisely. While everyone would like to that the 5-6 burner professional cooktops in their home or condo, it doesn't always fit todays lifestyle or space constraints. There are numerous high efficiency, sleek appliances that will allow individuals with small kitchens to have the same luxuries as those with large kitchens. Maximize your space by keeping your cooktop and oven in the same area. When at all possible, mount appliances like a microwave, to save valuable countertop space. Any appliances that are not utilized on a daily basis should be store away in a cabinet or appliance garage if possible.

Avoid clutter. While it is nice to put your own personal touch on your kitchen, try to avoid filling it with knick-knacks and small items that will just end up cluttering up your work space. While they made add some warmth or personality, they often end up making the space busy and unorganized.

Utilize wall and base filler spaces. There is a new generation of kitchen storage companies that are offering storage units for spaces that had been previously unused. Rather than using wall or base cabinet filler strips, companies are now offering pullout storage units for spices or hard goods that can fit in spaces as small as 3" wide. These unique storage spaces offer additional storage space, while at the same time freeing up countertop and shelf space.

So if you have a small kitchen and you are looking for way to maximize your storage space, consider some of the options above.