Small kitchen

[awesomeapril]

I just moved into a small apartment with an even smaller kitchen. I never thought I'd be intimidated by something so little! If any one has tips on working in very tiny spaces and getting organized, it would be greatly appreciated. Its so small that I have to cut down on the food I buy. There isn't enough room for more that one person at a time. I need help from the best(you!).
Thanks!

[bhardy501]

I hate my Kitchen its small to. Probably not as small as an apartment kitchen but its small enough. I have found space saver appliances help. We dont have enough cabinet space so our counters stay cluttered and that makes it hard to work around. I would suggest your most used items in the easiest accessable areas. If you have an item you rarely use put it in a box and store it somewhere else. Its all about making the most use out of the least amount of space. I have a small wood working shop that is packed so I have problems even moving aroun in there to do anything. If you come up with some good ideas please post them. I can use some ideas to.

[Roberta]

awesomeapril, that is a very chalenging question. I too have a small kitchen, and even less storage space. I don't know that even after 18 months living here I still have it organized well. I think I mostly just cope. I am sure you have already figured this out, but I just have the basic and essential items necessary to do the most. Wish I could be of more help becasue I truly can commiserate with your plight. If you discover anyy secrets as you go along do please share.

[HattoriHanzo]

My daughter had quite a tiny kitchen in her apartment with all the flow on effects such as all available bench space taken up with kitchen gadgets,toaster,espresso machine etc. The way she solved the problem was to buy a couple of kitchen trolleys from IKEA to put all the items on.

[Village Idiot]

Tell people to GTFO when you're cooking and have a really big knife near by. That usually works for me.

[Big Daddy's House]

I just moved into a small apartment with an even smaller kitchen. I never thought I'd be intimidated by something so little! If any one has tips on working in very tiny spaces and getting organized, it would be greatly appreciated. Its so small that I have to cut down on the food I buy. There isn't enough room for more that one person at a time. I need help from the best(you!).
Thanks!



Three of my friends have small kitchens. I had one twice.

Actually, having a small kitchen can work can work better for you and has many advantages;

1. There is less clutter.

2. The floor is small, which means that you'll have much less of a floor area to sweep & mop.

3. Everything is almost within an arm's reach, so you'll have less walking to do.

4. You don't have to cook big meals, and since it's only yourself, there is muck less work in there that you'll be doing.

[Semigourmet]

I only had tiny kitchens twice thank goodness, but I don't have a lot of counter space in my kitchen now. I use a cupboard in my garage for pantry space, if I didn't have that I would us a pantry cupboard that you can buy at lowes or home depot, I have also at one point used a stainless steel shelving unit (5 shelf) But in the kitchen you have to learn how to economize and plan.

I have my knives, on a magnet strip I bought at bed bath and beyond

If you are a coffee drinker either get a small 4 cup machine, or get a black and decker spacemaker machine that attaches to the bottom of your cupboards.

Your large pots, blenders, stand mixers, crock pots etc... will need to be stored somewhere else. Like the stainless stell shelving unit.

[awesomeapril]

thanks for the suggestions. I will be trying them tomorrow; hurray for days off!!!!!

[awesomeapril]

bdh
"less clutter" -haha if only my kitchen were that organized :)
good points though

[Big Daddy's House]

Thank you.

[Max Sutton]

I've been living in my current one-bedroom apartment now for almost 13 years. I've had to try different arrangements to get more kitchen space.


I removed nearly everything from my kitchen counters and moved them to small stands in the dining area or just put them away. I also use metal burner covers to give me more counter space when not actually cooking or baking. I've organized all the kitchen drawers and cupboards to maximize use.

[Big Daddy's House]

My stove is an old one with bi-fold covers that can be lower down over the burners.

I may use that to keep pots on.

[Whoopie Pie]

I bought a house with a small kitchen last year. It was not my dream kitchen, by any means, but the rest of the house was more than we dreamed of getting with our budget, so I have had to make the kitchen workable.

First thing I did was install a microwave over the range, that right there made a huge difference, microwaves are counter hogs, especially in a small kitchen.

Second thing that I did was convert a coat closet near the kitchen into an equipment pantry. All of my pots, pans and small appliances live in there. The only appliance on my counter is my Kitchen aid mixer. Everything else lives in the pantry and gets taken out as needed and promptly returned.

The Fridge here was old and in need of replacement, so we bought a new one. The one that we bought is a Whirlpool with no protruding handles, they are built into the top of the fridge door and the bottom of the freezer door. It is normal size, but not huge, it suits the small space well. We added a mini fridge to the rec room for times that we need more fridge space. When the family visits all beverages are kept in there, keeping traffic in the kitchen at a minimum.

I actually love my small kitchen more than I thought I would. I have it organized so everything is accessible with very few steps. It is working out quite well.

[Big Daddy's House]

I bought a house with a small kitchen last year. It was not my dream kitchen, by any means, but the rest of the house was more than we dreamed of getting with our budget, so I have had to make the kitchen workable.

First thing I did was install a microwave over the range, that right there made a huge difference, microwaves are counter hogs, especially in a small kitchen.

Second thing that I did was convert a coat closet near the kitchen into an equipment pantry. All of my pots, pans and small appliances live in there. The only appliance on my counter is my Kitchen aid mixer. Everything else lives in the pantry and gets taken out as needed and promptly returned.

The Fridge here was old and in need of replacement, so we bought a new one. The one that we bought is a Whirlpool with no protruding handles, they are built into the top of the fridge door and the bottom of the freezer door. It is normal size, but not huge, it suits the small space well. We added a mini fridge to the rec room for times that we need more fridge space. When the family visits all beverages are kept in there, keeping traffic in the kitchen at a minimum.

I actually love my small kitchen more than I thought I would. I have it organized so everything is accessible with very few steps. It is working out quite well.



You're right, Whoopie Pie!

Microwaves ARE DEFINITELY counter hogs, especially the large 1,000 to 1,200-watt units because they strongly demand a considerable amount of kitchen real estate. Mine sits on a rack that is especially designed for it.

Also, like yours, MY Whirlpool fridge ALSO has the handles built into the top of the fresh food compartment and the bottom of the freezer door.

My kitchen is a regular-size eat-in one, but it just can't accommodate a full-size washer & dryer, so to save space, I had to by a Kenmore portable washer with a stackable Kenmore portable dryer. The dryer itself is on the optional stack rack, while the washer rolls beneath it when not in use.

With no pantry space availible, I had to make use of some racks to hold canned goods and other staples.

The table and chairs are in the corner out of the way.

There IS a back room that's junky. I plan to turn that one into a pantry to hold stuff that is not used every day.

[Elizabeth]

Great tips so far. I agree about the trolley –it’s definitely useful and it can be tucked away when you don't need it. Less is definitely more don’t display things in a small kitchen this wastes space.
Try to maximize the walls and even the ceiling and don't forget the back of the door. Though sometimes removing the door can add more space. You don’t have to trash the door either. Simply get 2tressel table stands to make a large dining table or workdesk. Don’t forget to maximize the top of the wall mounted cupboards. This is ideal storage space for items you don't use often.

http://www.postalgold.info/

[Sullie]

In the kitchen, you can put small drawers under cabinets. You can get various kinds of dividers and organizers for drawers that help you to store things more easily. Those for kitchen drawers (http://www.bathroomandkitchenguide.com/Storage-Solutions/organizing-a-small-kitchen.html) will often provide dividers to allow you to create two levels of storage inside the drawer.