Inside: Use these space saving solutions for a small kitchen to make your space work for you.
When you’re trying to live simply and mindfully, a small kitchen can feel both like a challenge and an opportunity.
Limited square footage forces you to be intentional about what you keep and how you organize it. But with the right space-saving solutions, your kitchen can feel more open, functional, and organized.
Simple living isn’t about doing without. Instead, it’s about creating a space that works for you, supports your lifestyle, and reflects your values. That includes how you cook, store food, and manage the everyday tasks that happen in the heart of your home.
Whether you live in a compact apartment, a tiny house, or you just have a smaller-than-average kitchen, these tips will help you make the most of every inch without feeling overwhelmed by clutter or chaos.
10 Space-Saving Solutions for a Small Kitchen
Here are 10 brilliant space-saving solutions for a small kitchen that can help you create a simple, streamlined kitchen you actually enjoy spending time in:
1. Use Your Vertical Wall Space
If you’re not making full use of your walls, you’re missing out on some of the best real estate in a small kitchen.
Consider installing floating shelves, magnetic knife strips, or pegboards to get everything from spices to small appliances up off the counter. You can also hang utensils, measuring cups, or even pots and pans from hooks on the wall or underneath shelves.
By investing in vertical storage solutions, you free up drawer and cabinet space and make everyday items more accessible.
Just be sure to keep your wall storage tidy. Too many items out in the open can quickly make your kitchen look cluttered.
2. Add a Rolling Cart or Portable Island
In small kitchens, kitchen countertop space is at a premium.
You may not have room for a fixed island, but a rolling cart can serve a similar function.
A slim cart or narrow butcher block on wheels provides extra prep space, storage for essentials, and can even double as a serving station or coffee bar.
When not in use, the cart can be rolled out of the way or into a corner. Choose a model with shelves or drawers for added function.
Keep the top surface clear when possible to avoid visual clutter and overwhelm.
3. Convert Cabinet Doors Into Extra Storage Space
The inside of cabinet doors is prime space that often goes unused.
Install small adhesive hooks, over-the-door organizers, or narrow racks to hold everything from pot lids and plastic wrap to spices and cleaning supplies.
This hidden storage is ideal for items you use regularly but don’t want cluttering up your countertops or drawers.
Just be mindful of the door’s closing mechanism and test the setup before you commit to make sure nothing gets in the way of your cabinet shutting properly.
4. Embrace Stackable Storage
Stackable bins, shelf risers, and tiered organizers help you make use of every inch inside cabinets, pantries, and even the fridge.
Instead of wasting the vertical space above your canned goods or mugs, you can easily add a second layer to double your capacity.
Look for stackable containers that are clear and labeled so you can see what you have at a glance. In a small kitchen, visibility and easy access are key to preventing food waste and clutter.
Also, ensure the items you are storing are truly your kitchen essentials.
The quickest way to make a small space feel bigger is to have less stuff in it.
5. Downsize (or Reconsider) Your Appliances
Appliances take up a lot of space in the kitchen and many of them aren’t used often enough to justify it.
If you’re tight on room, consider which appliances you actually use and which ones can be stored elsewhere or let go of completely. Many kitchen gadgets aren’t necessary and something else can be used instead.
For example, do you need a full-size toaster oven if you rarely use it? Could a compact multi-cooker or immersion blender replace a few bulky gadgets?
Simplifying your tools makes space for what you truly use, and helps create a more open, breathable kitchen.
6. Store Items You Don’t Use Often Out of the Kitchen
If you entertain occasionally but cook simply day-to-day, think about moving your lesser-used kitchen items like holiday dishes, punch bowls, or baking supplies into storage outside the kitchen.
A hall closet, basement shelf, or even labeled bin under the bed can keep those items out of your daily path.
You can even do the same with your blender, slow cooker, or other appliances that aren’t used often; instead of getting rid of them, stow them in the basement or another spot in the house until you need them.
Prioritize prime kitchen storage for items you use every week, and rotate in seasonal or specialty items as needed.
7. Mount Items Under Cabinets or on the Wall
The underside of your upper cabinets can be a secret weapon in small kitchens.
You can mount everything from paper towel holders and mug hooks to LED task lighting and spice racks beneath your cabinets to free up your counters and shelves and give you easy access to the things you use often.
There are even under-cabinet mounted appliances like can openers, radios, or coffee pod holders that keep your surfaces tidy while still offering convenience. Just make sure anything you mount is secure and won’t interfere with your workspace.
8. Hang a Tension Rod Under the Sink
The space under the kitchen sink is notoriously awkward to organize.
A tension rod can instantly improve it by creating a hanging zone for spray bottles, gloves, and cloths. This frees up the space for stacking bins with your other cleaning supplies or trash bags.
You can also use hooks or small baskets on the inside of the cabinet door to hold sponges or brushes, and add a lazy Susan for easier access to the back of the cabinet.
9. Nesting Cookware Sets
Trade mismatched pots and pans for a stackable nesting set that fits neatly into a single cabinet.
Many sets are designed to share lids and handles to further reduce clutter. It’s a small change that can dramatically free up space in even the tiniest kitchens.
10. Invest In An Over-the-Sink Cutting Board
Maximize your prep space with an over-the-sink cutting board. These useful boards sit right across your sink, giving you extra work surface without taking up any counter real estate.
Some models even include collapsible strainers or storage compartments to catch scraps or rinse produce, doubling their function and minimizing mess.
Which of these tips would make the biggest impact in your kitchen? Leave a comment and let me know!
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