Small kitchens can be a nightmare or a dream, depending on how they are organized. If you have a small kitchen but not a lot of money, this list of tips is for you.
I’ve put this list together because I know how hard it can be. I used to live in a tiny apartment in Paris where the kitchen only had enough space to turn around in and that’s it. Luckily, this means I have plenty of secret tricks for making excellent use of space.
Whether you are considering a full kitchen renovation or just changing up a few things, we have advice on how to do it cheaply. You don’t have to pay a lot to make some changes that will be extremely effective.
Making the use of every possible kitchen nook and cranny is vital to having enough room for everything. You need enough cabinet and storage space to fit everything you need in the kitchen of your dreams. Use some of the following ideas to help you out.
1. Avoid Stone Floors
It’s a good idea to avoid installing real stone floors if you are renovating your kitchen. That’s because it is not only more pricey than other options but also harder to install.
This means your contractor is likely to charge more for installation. Mock alternatives can look just as classy and polished so go for one of those.
2. Corner Cupboards
It is a challenge deciding what to put in your corner cupboards. You need to use every square inch of space in a small kitchen. But that corner cupboard is such a hassle to remove items from.
Solve this issue with a tray that slides out for easy access to your pots and pans. With one of these, you will never again curse the corner cupboard.
3. Benchtop
The material you select for your kitchen countertop can make or break the cost of your kitchen. These have a huge variance in price. Ensure that you get a full quote before selecting your favorite option.
Depending on where you buy it from, some will be advertised cheaply but have higher installation costs. That’s why the full quote is so important.
4. Drawers
Are you short of cupboard space in your small kitchen? Try putting your crockery such as mugs and plates in drawers. You will be surprised how easy this makes them to access. Simply slide out a drawer and everything is in front of you. It solves the issue of searching for your favorite mug sitting behind all the rest.
5. Create a Budget
Whether you’re considering remodeling your small kitchen or just changing a few things, create a budget. This will help you choose between different materials and items.
With renovations, it is easy to go over budget. Ensure that you check your budget before committing to purchasing anything. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
6. Install a Sliding Pantry
Sometimes when designing a kitchen, you end up with dead space that seems unusable. If you end up with a tall skinny space that’s otherwise useless, install a sliding pantry. This will make it easier to reach your canned goods and provide extra storage options for your small kitchen.
7. One Thing at A Time
If you are on a serious budget, try focusing on one thing at a time. You’ve wanted a new kitchen sink for ages? Do it, but don’t get carried away and replace the benchtop and cabinet underneath while you’re at it. Save up for each change you want to make and then do it. This will help keep costs down.
8. Eating Out
Don’t forget that if you are completing a full kitchen renovation, you won’t be able to use it for a while. Therefore, you need to factor in the cost of more takeaways and eating out more often. Your kitchen could be out of commission for a good few weeks while it’s being remodeled. This can end up very costly.
9. Add A Kitchen Island
Look how little space this kitchen would have without the island. If your small kitchen is open plan with your lounge, you just may find space to have an island. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for you. You’ll have extra space to store all your kitchen items as well as a place to eat.
10. Cabinets
Renovating your small kitchen to be larger is costly and time-consuming. A cheaper alternative is to purchase a standalone cabinet. This will provide you with more storage without redoing your entire kitchen. It can even live in your living or dining room if you don’t have enough space.
11. Double Duty
In a small kitchen, you need to look for anything that can multitask. For example, see if you can use your bench as an island to sit at too. By tucking some bar stools under your bench, you retain bench space while having a place to sit and eat your delicious meal.
12. Sideboard
Adding a sideboard to your dining room can oddly make all the difference to your kitchen. By moving all the serving ware and crockery into the dining room, you free up your kitchen space. It also makes it easier to access your dishes when and where you need them. It’s a win-win.
13. Add A Pop of Color
Just because your kitchen is small doesn’t mean it has to be boring. A cheap way to achieve a new look is by spicing it up with some color. White kitchens are a timeless classic. It is cheaper to add color through accents, like a bright red kitchen towel or lime green light fittings, like in this kitchen.
14. Wall Cabinets
Not enough space in your kitchen? It is a daily struggle to put all your dishes away if you have overflowing cupboards in your small kitchen. Try adding extra cabinets up on the wall to add extra space. You keep all your bench space and you can often almost double the amount of cabinet space you have.
15. Lights
With such a small kitchen, it can feel a bit dark and grim at times. There are often not enough windows. Try adding extra lighting as a cheap way to create the illusion of a larger space.
You can have lights on your range hood as well as on the bottom of your wall cabinets. This is perfect if you don’t have space for adding a lamp.
16. Appliances
Many appliances can be put away in a cupboard when they are not being used. This frees up bench space in your little kitchen while costing you nothing. A personal rule of thumb for me is that if I don’t use it every day, it doesn’t live on the bench.
See how cluttered this kitchen looks with the microwave and jug as well as the coffee maker? If you have a coffee maker, it is unlikely you use your jug every day. Consider keeping it in a cupboard.
17. Use the Top of Your Cabinets
Rather than paying to add more cabinets, try using the space on top of them. Add some of your larger items, such as a kitchen scale, to the top of your cabinets.
This will free up a lot of the space inside them. So that it doesn’t look cluttered, put the nice items you want to display up there. This kitchen is a great example of how it can still look sleek and clean.
18. Small Fridges
Do you have a small fridge to match your smaller kitchen? Rather than splashing out on a bigger one, we have a solution. Keep your food in the fridge in containers.
This way you can stack your food easily and use all the vertical space. You get the added benefit of your food lasting for longer without spoiling too.
19. Closet
Many people have a closet in or near their kitchens. You may keep your mop or vacuum cleaner here. But it can be used much more efficiently.
Install shelving in there to use it as a pantry or place to store your plates and bowls. This keeps them out of the way while still being accessible. In a small kitchen, you need to use your space as efficiently as possible.
20. Containers
Half-empty boxes and jars can end up taking up a lot of unnecessary space in your pantry. Instead of leaving these in their original packaging, try some space-saving storage jars or containers. Find some that stack for best use of your limited vertical space.
21. Tiling
If you need a change in your kitchen but don’t know where to start, new tiles could be a good idea. They can offer a fresh look to your kitchen and provide a distraction from the small size. Choose either an interesting shape like these honeycomb tiles or a bright color.
22. Dishrack
A dishrack can come in handy for more than just drying dishes. Do you know how pot lids are hard to put away and just end up cluttering up your cupboard?
Keep them efficiently organized by placing them neatly in a dish rack in your cabinet. This will ensure they take up the least amount of space possible.
23. Hang Utensils
By hanging your cooking utensils above your induction cooktop, you can keep that utensil drawer clear for other things. You will find as well that having these utensils in easy reach makes cooking much faster and more efficient.
24. Circular Shelves
Another fantastic option for your corner cupboards is this circular revolving shelf. These can easily be turned to reach the hard to get items as the back of any corner cupboard. Honestly, if you’ve never tried these, you’re going to fall in love.
25. Add Shelves
Do you have not enough cabinet space but extra wall space? Why not put up some shelves? These can provide plenty of extra space for anything you like. Keep your baking ingredients here in lovely glass jars, or that blender you can never find space for.
26. Freestanding Shelving Unit
Freestanding shelves are a much cheaper alternative to adding cabinetry to your kitchen. They can be placed anywhere you have the space. You’ll suddenly find you have so much more space to put away your things.
27. Kitchen Trolley
What is a kitchen trolley? It is essentially a shelving unit on wheels. These are so handy because you get all that extra space and you can push it out of the way when you need to. This one is great because it adds a pop of color and it covers what is inside for a sleek finish.
28. Metal Storage Rack
This storage rack can be used to transfer plates from the kitchen to the dining room. It is very handy around your kitchen too. If you don’t have much bench space, you can place chopped veggies here to get them out of your way while you prepare the rest of the meal.
29. Cup Hangers
If you’re always running out of room to put away your favorite mugs, have them on display instead. Cup racks are cheap to purchase and can easily be put up on the wall. Then you will have a new, space-saving way, of displaying your favorite mugs.
30. Add a Table
Adding a table in a small space may sound insane but hear me out. If you have no bench space but enough floor space, adding a table is the perfect solution.
You can chop veggies or put items out of the way on the table. This keeps more bench space for cooking. Essentially, it is a cheap alternative to adding extra countertops.
31. Keep it Interesting
By adding an eye-catching design to your floor, you can distract from the lack of spaciousness in your kitchen. The floor will draw people’s attention away from the lack of bench or cupboard space. Add a dash of color too and the floor can add a joyous vibe to any room。
