Tips on How to Maximize Your Kitchen Space

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. 

9 Clever Ways to Keep Your Tiny House Kitchen Organized

Tiny homes are making huge waves nowadays. From rustic to fairytale-like aesthetics, these houses are slowly sprouting here and there.

However small in size, this type of house doesn't mean it needs no cleaning. In reality, a scaled-down version of a traditional home has areas that are harder to tidy up.

Because the space is limited, there are restrictions when it comes to cleaning. Sometimes, you have to take your furniture out of the house before you can even start.

One of the most crucial spaces that need attention is the kitchen. Aside from the fact that this is where you prepare your food, it's also where you'll be most of the day. More so if it also serves as your dining and living area.

Take it from sanitation experts, Maid Sailors Cleaning Services Austin, TX. They believe that a clean, tidy kitchen is the happiest place to be in. We couldn't agree more.

To inspire you to get moving, here are nine clever ways to keep your tiny kitchen organized.

Clear Away Some of the Clutter

First, you should get rid of anything that does not spark joy.

You don't want any clutter to get in your way when you're about to make the meanest chicken pot pie in the world, or well at least in your world.

Start by going through each of the drawers in your kitchen. A high-level purge is exactly what you need when you want to clear away some of the clutter. There's no need for you to keep two pairs of everything when you can get by with one.

Once you see that all drawers are clear of mess, that's when the absolute satisfaction begins. The next step is to find other storage in the house to clean.

Prioritize Most-Used Kitchen Tools

Identify which of the kitchen tools you use most often. Once you're done, put them in the most accessible drawer so that you won't have to rearrange stuff all the time.

A tiny space means you have to be more creative on where you place your stuff. You don't want to constantly move things around so that you can reach items that are pushed back at the bottom of the drawer.

Whether they're ladles and spoons, or knives and scissors, you still have to be careful about where you put them. 

Invest in Useful Storage

When it comes to tiny houses, clever and functional storage spaces are ample. You can have a settee converted into a drawer where you keep your pots and pans.

Ensure you have storage for every item in your kitchen—knives, cups, plates, and holders included. That way, it's easier to identify where you put them and where exactly to get them when you need them.

Invest in such drawers or containers so you can give yourself plenty of room to move. Multi-functional items are helpful when you are a tiny homeowner. You may have a smaller space, but you have complete items around you—and that's one of the essential factors when owning a home.

Use the Tops of Your Cabinets

The space on top of your cabinets is a good spot for extra storage. You don't have to add another drawer for all your bulky items like pots or cookbooks. You can stash them above your existing cabinets, and you're good to go.

It's one organizational skill that you can use when living in a tiny house.

However, don't try to clutter it with non-essential stuff. It's not a pleasant sight, especially if you want to keep your tiny home looking all sparkly and exquisite all the time.

Consider a Fold-Down Table

Instead of a typical kitchen table, a fold-down version is your best bet. It works similar to a traditional table, but it respects the space that you have.

When not in use, you can easily fold and stow it away in one of your cabinets, so you can have the extra space to move around and go about your day.

Another upside is that it's also easier to clean. You can take it out, wash it down with water, and you can put it back without a sweat. There's no need for you to uninstall and reinstall all the time.

Besides, you can always choose to have al fresco dining right outside your tiny home when you feel like doing so.

Organize by Zones

Another organizing hack we swear by is when you do it by zones. Don't just stash and stack things just for the sake of organization. Try to be as strategic as possible.

If you don't know where to begin, you can arrange everything by function. For example, you can put everything edible on the right side and the tools on the left side. Whatever floats your boat, do it as long as they are neat and properly stored.

Make Use of Cabinet Shelf Risers

When you don't have the extra space, there's no need for you to add shelves. What you can do is to buy shelf risers instead. It gives your already existing cabinet an added layer where you can put other essential items.

There is no need to read manuals for installation; just put it on top of the cabinet, and you're ready to start organizing again. Easy as that. No need to exert extra effort.

Keep Counter Space Clear

When maintaining your tiny kitchen, always keep your counter space clear. It may be small, but it gives you the illusion that you have space even when it's limited.

When you're starting to notice that your kitchen countertop is filling up with clutter, remember its primary purpose—to prep meals. If it doesn't serve its primary purpose, build another storage space for the mess.

Hang Items on the Back of Cabinet Doors

The back of cabinet doors is also a great way to hang stuff. The fact that it's hidden most of the time is a great excuse to hang items that you don't want visitors to see, but you use often. It's a creative space to put potholders and washcloths.

Besides, it's a great use of space, especially when you have nowhere else to put them. You can mount racks or hooks behind cabinet doors, and you have an instant place to put other essential kitchen tools.

Your home may be tiny, but if well-kept, the feeling is much like living in a groomed mansion.

The Best Ways To Add Finishing Touches to Your Home

You’ve finished redecorating your home, but something is... missing. Sometimes when you finish making an upgrade, you realize that there’s too much or too little space left or that the room lacks an element that ties the overall theme together. Not to worry. Sometimes all it takes is an extra bit of furnishing or decoration to make a room work. Here’s a selection of the best ways to add finishing touches to your home.

Fill the Walls

Uncluttered walls can work, but they can also look blank and barren. Framed artwork is the easiest way to gussy up a wall, whether you choose authentic paintings by a local artist, posters and prints of famous works, or a series of family photographs. Adding shelves creates a new, functional space that can display adorable tchotchkes, elegant vases with fresh flowers, or carefully arranged books (try organizing them by color on several shelves for an extra eye-opening rainbow of color). Don’t underestimate the soft and visually tactile appeal of a large blanket or other textile hung from the wall, either.

Add Multifunctional Furniture

If a room lacks some amenity (or several), find furniture that serves purposes beyond the obvious ones. Every entryway or foyer could use a table that provides a place to put your wallet or purse, keys, and other pocket items you don’t want to carry around the house. A coffee table or chest can supply a surface for drinks, books, and gameplay, but they can also contain storage space for magazines, blankets, and more. Note what’s missing from a room and find a piece that can do it all.

Let There Be Lights

Never let a single source dictate the amount and kind of lighting a room gets. A ceiling fixture can provide a bright overall illumination to the room, but what about those times when you need a softer effect or a more direct source for reading in your favorite chair? Add a dimmer switch to your overhead lighting. Then, add table and floor lamps near couches and chairs to provide more personalized lighting. Incidentally, a floor lamp in each corner usually produces a soft, warm glow that makes a room feel homier and cozier.

Let There Be Life

When you’re considering the best ways to add finishing touches to your home, don’t forget that nothing adds more life to a place than plants. Plants add fresh air, pleasant scents, and, if they flower, extra color. Consider how much sunlight a room receives during the day and talk to a gardening center professional about the best plants for the space. Ideal plants to add include rubber trees, Christmas cacti, African violets, spider plants, and ferns. Most indoor plants are low maintenance, so even if you don’t have a green thumb, you’re unlikely to lose them if you miss a watering day.

Ways To Maximize Kitchen Counter Space

Battles between counter space and ever-invading clutter are constantly progressing in every kitchen. It always seems like counter space comes up short, even if you try stuffing all the space-hogging suspects into the drawers and cabinets below. Sadly, this is normal. Most home kitchens barely enough room to spare, especially when they’re small or galley style. No matter your situation, fret not! We’ll cover some of the best ways to maximize kitchen counter space here.

Add Shelf Risers

One of the best ways to maximize kitchen counter space is to simply create some counter space (who would have thought). You can use shelf risers to do this. When we say shelf risers, we don’t mean huge shelves weighing a million pounds. Think more along the lines of a spice rack that’s for more than just spices. The optimal usage of shelf risers would be storing spices, utensils, and other smaller kitchen implements. This will allow more counter space as well as storage space in the drawers.

Use All Your Surfaces and Drawers

When searching for more counter space, many people discount windowsills as unusable surfaces. However, the windowsill is one of the best places for storing such things as carafes, canisters, cookbooks, and even bottles. It’s worth noting that what you can do with your windowsill depends on how deep it is. Other spaces that people often underutilized are the lower cabinets. Many people don’t realize how much they can fit underneath a sink, even when they have bulky things such as under-sink water filtration systems taking up some of the space.

Utilize the Stovetop as a Potential Work Space

One of the techniques that never crosses most people’s minds is to use the stovetop as a work space. You’re probably asking yourself how you would do that, since a lot of stovetops—particularly on gas stoves—aren’t smooth surfaces. The answer is simple: stove covers. The best part is that you can make your own stove covers at home quite easily. With these, you can treat your stovetop as the perfect cutting board or general meal preparation area.

No matter your kitchen situation, there are always some ways to maximize your kitchen counter space. All it takes is a little creativity and the knowledge of what you need out of your kitchen. Remember, these space-saving tips are only the start. It’s now up to you to make your kitchen storage dreams come true!