Are you always getting in your own way when you’re preparing meals? Your kitchen is, to put it delicately, “fun-sized,” but you’re certainly not having fun while you’re trying to make dinner, are you? 

If you’re preparing yourself for a kitchen renovation, you need to figure out ways to make the most of your small kitchen space. You may not be able to make your kitchen larger, but you can certainly make it more functional and comfortable.

Read on for our top tips that can help you make the most of your small kitchen.

Consider Your Workflow

If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, you want to have a strong idea of your kitchen workflow before you start making any substantial changes. This will allow you to make changes that are effective and helpful and retain the parts of your kitchen that already serve you well. 

Pay extra attention to how you navigate your kitchen when you’re preparing meals. What’s getting in your way? What about your routine works and what could use some adjustments?

Do this for a few days and make notes about what changes you’d like to see. For example, perhaps you don’t have enough counter space next to your stove, or your cabinets aren’t conveniently located when you need to grab something while cooking. 

Optimize Your Layout

Once you understand how you most often use your kitchen, you can start optimizing. Make the most of your kitchen’s layout by using a triangular workflow pattern between the sink, stove, and refrigerator (as long as that aligns with your workflow. For most people, it will). 

With a small kitchen, you may not have much room for this triangle. Work together with a renovation and remodeling expert to make sure you have plenty of space to work. 

Use Vertical Space

If you don’t have enough floor and counter space, it’s time to start looking up. Vertical space is valuable in a small kitchen, and you likely have plenty of it.

Install shelves, hooks, and a pegboard to maximize storage and keep frequently used items within easy reach. Figure out where you would benefit from more easy storage. For example, perhaps you could use some hooks near the counter for your measuring cups, or you could use a hanging pot rack near the stove. 

Install as many shelves as you can reach. In a small kitchen, there’s no such thing as too much storage. 

Choose Compact Appliances

Depending on how small your kitchen is, you may want to downsize to smaller appliances like a toaster oven, microwave, or compact refrigerator to save space. People who own studio apartments or bungalow-style homes may benefit from such tiny appliances. Those with “normal” small kitchens may want to choose appliances that are still standard, but take up less space. Some stoves and dishwashers, for example, are narrower than others but they’re still completely functional. 

Invest in an Instant Pot, a pressure cooker, or a stand mixer that can perform multiple functions if you have minimal counter space and storage. This way, you’re getting the most out of the space you have and you’re being efficient. 

Utilize Corners

Corners are often forgotten spaces in kitchens, left bare to gather dust. If you have a small kitchen, you need to take advantage of every bit of space available to you. This includes your corners.

Install a carousel or a lazy Susan in a corner cabinet to access items easily without having to reach too far back. If you don’t have a cabinet in the corner, put a shelf there. This will give you more space to work with. You can also install hooks for a fruit hammock if you want to keep the corners looking open. 

Embrace Minimalism

When you have a small kitchen, minimalism makes things easier. Keep only essential items and regularly declutter to maintain a clutter-free kitchen. Before you even start your home renovation project, you should do your best to declutter as much as possible. 

Give yourself plenty of storage so you can keep counters clear and clean. Focus on clean lines and minimal designs in your kitchen to make the space look larger. Often, “loud” designs can cause a kitchen to look much smaller and more crowded, even if it’s not. 

Consider a Cart or Island

Many people think they simply can’t have a kitchen island in a small space. This isn’t true, you just have to be strategic. 

Add a mobile cart or a small island to increase counter space and storage. The cart can be a simple bar cart that doesn’t require professional installation if you’re truly limited on space. The island can be a few feet long and it can still make a difference, especially when preparing meals. 

You can also have a table installed that folds up against the wall when not in use. This will increase your workspace and give you a place to sit and eat or work in your tiny kitchen.  

Illuminate the Space

Install LED light strips, under-cabinet lighting, or a skylight to brighten up the kitchen. When a space is too dark, it often feels smaller. But when you’re limited on space, it may seem hard to get enough light.

This is why smaller and more subtle lights are so effective. You don’t want anything that will take up too much physical or visual space, but that’s still effective. Light strips, flat overhead lights, and under-cabinet lighting all fit the bill.

Make the Most of Your Small Kitchen

A small kitchen can be frustrating, but don’t let it ruin your time in your home. With a few small changes, you can make your kitchen much more functional. You’ll be cooking holiday dinners and inviting friends over for potlucks in no time.

Are you ready to remodel your space? At LA Carpet, we do more than just fantastic flooring. Our team has several fantastic remodeling experts who are ready to help you get the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams. Reach out today for an estimate!