Are you ready to clear the countertop and cabinet clutter and finally let your small kitchen shine as both a functional and beautiful hub in your home? A well-planned makeover can quickly update your tiny kitchen into a cohesive, practical, and envy-inducing space. In this guide, we go over storage space solutions you’ll want to consider in your small-space kitchen and offer suggestions for maximizing its design and organizing potential.

Things to Consider Before Planning Your Small-Space Updates:

The key to maximizing a small kitchen is to have a clear sense of what you both want and need from that space in order for it to do its job and while looking attractive. It's a good idea to sit down with a notebook or your phone and jot out the answers to some of these questions before making any plans or purchases.

• Am I going to be doing a lot of entertaining in this space?
• Do I prefer closed or open storage?
• What key functions do I need in order to get the most from this space?
• What sort of vibe or feeling do I want to have when in my kitchen?
• Are there any structural considerations, such as plumbing ducts, doorways, windows etc. that can be turned into a design feature?
• Do I love color, or am I drawn to more neutral designs?

Tips & Ideas to Maximize Space & Design in a Small Kitchen

1. Consider Moveable Elements or Furniture Pieces.

If you have limited floor space in your kitchen, you might want to consider investing in a piece of storage furniture that is on wheels, like a kitchen or bar cart or even a small folding table.
When not in use, these moveable pieces can be tucked into a corner and used for display or everyday storage. When you need a little extra prep space, you can wheel them out to create more counter space.
If you are able to accommodate a larger kitchen storage item, a kitchen island or cart on wheels offers even more versatility in terms of space and size.

2. Use Vertical Space to Add Color and Storage.

Have a look at the wall space in your kitchen and consider installing some fun shelves. Hanging wall-mounted shelving units with a bit of depth and some added hooks will add a cute design feature while increasing storage space.
The bonus of shelves like these is that it won’t clutter your counters, and they offers the potential to show off your personal style.

3. Give Purpose to Doorways or Awkward Spaces.

Space is at a premium when you have a small kitchen, so you’ll want to keep things simple. Giving function to awkward spaces like doorways, plumbing ducts, or bulkheads is a great way to use all the space you have without complicating your design.
Consider a pop of colored chalkboard paint so that your doorway becomes your shopping list or menu board! Adding a pot rack can help you free up kitchen cabinets while displaying your favorite cookware.

4. Focus on the Drawers and Cabinets.

Drawers are beautiful storage and design solutions for small kitchens. If you are in a position to redesign your entire kitchen, building drawers into pantries and base cabinets will give you a lot of extra storage space.
If you aren’t doing a full redesign, simply investing in drawer organizers can go a long way to sorting and storing all those awkward utensils (like potato mashers and citrus juicers!).
Cabinets benefit from kitchen storage tools such as a Lazy Susans, spice jars and spice racks, and canisters for baking supplies. Packing visual clutter out of sight but keeping it in order is a large part of kitchen organization.

Costs & Budget for Kitchen Space-Savers

Spending your money on items that serve multiple purposes and also save space in your kitchen is key. Here’s an approximate cost breakdown of the items we’ve put in our small kitchen.

• Decorative wall shelf with hooks: $150
• Chalkboard paint for the walls: $29 per quart (plus a few small painting supplies)
• Kitchen cart on wheels: $69
• Canisters for baking supplies in the cart: $89 for a set of five
• Pullout drawers for kitchen pantry: $120 – $250 depending on size

Get your kitchen back in order with these storage solutions.

Erin Trafford is an award winning journalist, lifestyle expert and blogger. She is passionate about helping people of all ages find joy and comfort in their homes and happily embraces the 'anything but perfect' approach to life. Erin is the principal owner and blogger at DIY Passion and lives on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, two little girls, a giant dog and a tiny cat.