Regardless of how big the kitchen is, you can never find someone complaining that they have too much counter space. Clear counters have become a very precious commodity, especially in a compact kitchen. There is nothing worse than getting into a kitchen that feels cluttered at first sight. The only way you can enjoy cooking yourself a hearty meal and unwinding is if your kitchen space feels organized and tidy. Luckily, we have compiled a list of both sneaky and smart storage ideas to help you reclaim your counter space.
Lift Your Kitchen Essentials
You do not have to put your coffee maker out of sight, especially if you do not want to. Instead of having it take the most of your counter space, why not lift all kitchen essentials to a level? This will help clear your counters so that you can prepare meals without making sacrifices.
Hang a Magnetic Knife Strip
How about you get rid of that bulky knife block and have a magnetic knife bar instead? It will clear up your counter space and make a nice gallery of the different knife sizes in your kitchen. We tend to have knives that we do not use often; perhaps a magnetic knife strip will help you make good use of them.
Over-The-Sink Chopping Board
An extendable cutting board with a removable silicone colander can save you a lot of space if you lack enough room for sticking out the board and the mixing bowl at the same time. You can also shop around for other versions that extend over an open drawer instead of the sink.
Elevated Utensil Concept
They say the sky is the limit, so if you do not see enough storage around the kitchen, probably you did not look up the ceiling. The elevated utensil concept involves hanging your pans and pots from a ceiling-mounted rack so that they are always nearby and easy to spot. It will free up your counter space and make room for items that used to be stacked up on your counter.
Try a Movable Island Extension
If you do not want to block your kitchen with a permanent island at all times, you can get more flexibility by adding a unit on wheels. It can always be pulled anywhere you sit fit and only when it is needed before it can be tacked away. Movable island extensions may come in handy when prepping for a big Sunday night dinner.
Collapsible Counters
Another idea to create enough counter space in a small kitchen is to install countertops that can only be used when needed. A drop-leaf surface acts as both a countertop and a table to help you maximize your kitchen counter space. To extend the length of your countertop, consider installing it on the size of a base cabinet or the wall.
Utilize Wall Space
Fruit bowls can look pretty on your countertop but also takes up a ton of your space. Can you think of any other place where it can look pretty? Install a board on your wall vertically, and hook it up with at least 3 meshed fruit baskets. Not only is it easy to make but also creates enough counter space by hanging on the sidewall.
Let Your Stovetop Double Task
If you only have space for a refrigerator, sink, and stove, you can create an additional workspace using a burner cover. This does not mean you should use them the way they are but with a customized surface either attached on top or one that can be removed when not in use. You can also purchase a sizeable board that can act as your workspace on the stove.
Create Your Custom Kitchen Island
Well, this one might require a little more effort but a custom island in a small space can be easier to fit compared to a standard size. You do not have to do it all by yourself. You can call in a professional to assess your small kitchen and determine whether a custom island can fit perfectly without sacrificing valuable space.
It is still possible to come up short after tucking all the usual stuff away and decluttering your kitchen. However, you can create enough counter space by being a little creative. Most of the space-saving options discussed above are not only budget-friendly but also practical. It is always important to seek help from a professional if you will be creating a new structure on your kitchen walls.
