A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house. After a long day at work or if guests are coming over, you tend to go to the kitchen first for a meal to rejuvenate and cook for yourself or your guests. As such, it doesn’t feel nice coming home to a cluttered and messy place which is more likely to happen if you have a smaller cooking area due to minimal storage. We have created a guide to provide an affordable yet easy way to maximize your kitchen space.
1. Clear the clutter
The first to maximize your kitchen space is to declutter the mess and get rid of anything that you don't use, chipped tableware and appliances that you don't need. This will allow you to work easier in your cooking area and provide you with the extra room for important storage and a neater look on your countertop.
2. Add a shelf above you cabinets for extra space
If you have extra space on top of your cabinets or fridge then use it to your advantage. You can either add an extra shelf if there's a large space between your ceiling and cabinet or use the top of your cabinet for storage. Considering it is high up we would recommend you store items that you don't often use such as larger pots, pressure cookers and items that you use on an event basis like a cake stand.
Be sure to pick the right equipment for your kitchen that reflects your cooking and meals you often eat to avoid purchasing unnecessary appliances. It's good to do some research and find appliances that have multiple uses which will be able to save storage, time and money in the future. For example, food processors are a great appliance for the kitchen as it allows the creation of various meals and saves time as well.
3. Benefit from wall space
Space on your wall is great to use as it provides great potential for designing your kitchen in a creative way whilst using the area for storage. Wall space is great for everyday kitchenware such as glasses, tableware and other small items. You can either place open shelving or install a pegboard or something similar with hooks on the wall to hang items easily like pots, pans and cooking utensils. If you want your items to be concealed on your shelf then a sliding will be great as it is suitable and classy.
Another great item to use for your kitchen especially near a stove is a magnetic knife bar. This will allow you to hang your most used pots, pans and cooking utensils within an arm's reach.
4. Use contrasting colors to your advantage
Having all white cabinets will make your kitchen seem more spacious and larger but you can also use contrasting colors to provide the same illusion. For example using darker cabinets and white walls or vice versa will create a contrasting light and dark optical effect making the kitchen look larger and more spacious.
5. Ceiling space
If you don't have any room in your cooking area to place pots and pans, you can also install a hanging rack. This will create a nice look for your kitchen and also provide you with the perfect storage solution for your kitchen.
6. Make most of your cupboard/drawer space
Make the most out of your cupboards and drawers by mapping out and categorizing supplies, cooking utensils and spices in certain drawers. By organizing the kitchen with all your most used items, you are able to create more space as well as making it easier for you to navigate yourself.
You can install tall cupboards that reach the ceiling for more added space. This will also provide you with more room to fill larger pots and appliances. Pull out pantries are another great invention that provides storage whilst staying neat and giving a spacious look to the cooking area.
Opting for drawers rather than cupboards will help you organize your kitchen better and make it easier for you to find things rather than getting ingredients and items lost in the back of the cupboard.
Thinking of redesigning or building a new kitchen?
We have created a few guidelines to help you with the building of your kitchen to get the most out of your small space.
The first thing you should do is thoroughly research and talk to builders and interior designers to see which style works best for space whilst providing the best functionality to work with.
Opt for minimal accessories and fixtures around the kitchen to give you a more spacious and tidy look.
When purchasing appliances, try and get compact designs as this will allow you to easily store it in your kitchen.
Pick the cupboard and backdrop colors wisely to get the best sophisticated and compatible look for your kitchen.
A cooking area is one of the most significant rooms in a house and thus it should be well thought out when designing or renovating it. You shouldn't sacrifice storage space just because you have a smaller space to work with. We hope these tips will help you in maximizing your kitchen space in an affordable way without compromising style.
