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There never seems to be enough storage in any kitchen, much less an apartment kitchen. Since storage space is always wrong in apartment kitchens it is hard to keep it organized.
Do you find yourself in this situation and don’t know how to solve it? Well, I have some tips to help you maximize your small apartment kitchen space.
Organizing the pantry in your apartment kitchen
Image source: Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. (CKD, CBD, CR)
Let’s start in the pantry. Remove everything from the shelves and throw away anything that is old and expired. Separate the different food into liked groups such as pasta, rice, snacks, and chips, so they can be easily stored in bins and baskets.
Label your bins with the item that goes in it. This will help keep things organized and let you know when you are out of something just by looking into your newly organized pantry.
Image source: WILLIAMS RIDOUT
This will help you keep everything organized and visible. Which will help you when looking for something to eat or cook. Now, put the bins on the shelves but remember to wipe the shelf first.
Clear off your countertops
One of many apartment kitchen ideas is to keep your counters clear and clutter free. This will make your kitchen appear bigger. You will also have a nice clean workspace, no matter if you are cooking an elaborate meal or just making a sandwich.
Use of hooks
Image source: Rise Art
Using hooks to display cups or pots and pans is a great apartment kitchen décor. Hooks come in all different sizes ranging from big to small.
Not only will this offer fantastic apartment kitchen decorating ideas, it will also give you extra storage and help free up counter space. You will just need to remember to patch the holes when you move and to use finishing nails.
Magnetic décor
Using magnets is a fun way to free up space in your apartment kitchen cabinets. They can be used to store knives and spices. Simply place a magnetic strip on the wall and place your knives on the strip. This will keep your knives easily accessible and ready for use.
You could do a DIY magnetic spice rack. Simply place magnets on the bottom of tins and place them on the side of the frig or hang a metal sheet to place them on. These two tips will help you free up counter, drawer and cabinet space.
Storage in an apartment kitchen
Image source: Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry
If you are needing more storage space look outside your main apartment kitchen design. Use things such as bookshelves, bakers racks or china cabinets.
This could be even kept outside of the kitchen so it doesn’t take up valuable kitchen space. You can store pretty dishes, glasses, cookbooks or even canisters on these furnishings. It will make for cute decorating since, these are usually open and free up cabinet space in your kitchen.
Organize your drawers
Drawers are usually limited in apartment kitchens. Drawers also have a tendency to become a catch-all for everything. Try buying some drawer dividers and silverware trays to keep things nice and organized in your drawers.
The task may seem impossible to keep it organized but it can be done with the right storage containers. With a little bit of planning, you can even keep that pesky “junk drawer” organized.
Fun and colorful pegboards
Image source: designername
How can pegboards be fun and colorful you might ask? Well, I’ll tell you. You can paint a pegboard any color you choose and it will match your color scheme.
Also, arrange your items on it to look like a piece of artwork. There you have it a fun and colorful board that is functional. With the right hook, a pegboard can be used for anything. It can be big or small. Your choice of what and how you use it.
Curtain tension rods
Tension rods aren’t just for curtains anymore. The uses and places to use them is limitless, you just need to use your imagination. Some of these uses are to use as dividers on a shelf, to hang cleaning bottles on, paper towel/towel holder and of course temporary window treatments.
Rolling Carts
Image source: Karin Payson architecture + design
Rolling carts can be a great use of storage. They come in various sizes. Even if you don’t have the room for a big one. Try a smaller one. The can fit in a small nook of your apartment when not in use and it will be there when you do need it. It will also be storing your things out of the way.
Space above your cabinets
The space above your cabinets are usually used for dust collector but don’t waste this space by doing that. Get you some cute baskets and boxes to store things that you don’t use on an everyday basis. This will not only give you extra storage it will give you décor in your kitchen.
Organizing tools from IKEA
Ikea has tons of storage solutions for your small apartment kitchen. If you looking for ways on how to organize a kitchen, then Ikea is your place. They have everything from hanging items to shelves. All of these solutions will surely inspire you to create a beautiful and organized kitchen.
Appliances
Image source: Jenny André Designing
How many kitchen appliances or gadgets that you have hanging around hanging around that you don’t even use? Or better yet doesn’t work?
If you don’t use them on a regular basis get rid of them by selling them or donating them. If they are broken or missing parts, just get rid of them. A lot of jobs in the kitchen you can do by hand and don’t need those fancy gadgets.
Try using a knife to slice that piece of fruit instead of a slicer. Use a spoon to mix that batter instead of that big stand mixer. It may be a little more work for you but it will certainly free up more space in your kitchen. Another idea is to start looking for smaller versions of appliances like a scaled-down fridge or oven. Check out velovision.co.uk’s guide on the best mini ovens out there.
Less tableware
Think about how often that you entertain.If it is quite often then take those extra plates, glasses and serving ware and put them in a box. Label the box and store it in a closet or somewhere else. You can pull it out when needed.
If you don’t entertain that often, get rid of them and free up extra space for you. If you do decide to have a get-together, you can always ask a friend or family member to borrow what you need. Only keep on hand what you use on a regular basis.
Pots and pans
Pots and pans are the same as tableware. Evaluate what you are actually using. Do you really need a pot in every size? Bigger pots will do the same thing that a small pot will do.
So unless you always cook big fancy meals or for large amounts of people downsize your pots and pans. If you do find yourself needing more because you cook once or twice a year for a get together again, try borrowing from family and friends. You will have less to keep up with this way.
Bulk items
Image source: Allen+Killcoyne Architects
If you have a small kitchen but want it to be cute try getting some cute towels and potholder, magnets or using your stuff as decorations. There are some great decorating tips above and more to come. Opt out of buying big bulky things just because they are cute. You lose valuable kitchen real estate when you do that.
Duplicates
Most of the time we don’t even realize that we have more than one of the same item. This is where organizing your stuff will also come in handy.
You will be able to see what you have and if you have more than of something get rid of the extra one. Again evaluate your belongings, make sure they can multifunction. Keeping things down to a minimum will give you that added space that you need.
Culinary strengths
Notice your strengths in the kitchen. Are you a baker, an elaborate cook, or do you just cook enough to survive? If you don’t bake then do you really need all of those pans or that big stand mixer that is taking up? Chances are no you don’t so, consider getting rid of them. You can always buy or borrow later if you find yourself in need of them.
Multiple use products
Image source: Beth Kooby Design
Make sure the items that you are keeping in your small apartment kitchen have multiple uses. With today’s technology many gadgets have many uses.
All of those items that you see in specialties stores are great and you may even want a few of them but if you have a small kitchen you don’t have the room for them. Make sure to get things to get things that can be used in many different ways to help you save space and money.
Keep your kitchen up to date
On a regular basis check your food for expiration dates and things that you no longer want. Get rid of expired food and food that you know you won’t eat. If you won’t eat it and it is still good, try donating it.
Also, check your cabinets and drawers for duplicates or things that you no longer use. Get rid of the stuff you find. This will help you stay organized and on top of things.
Organizers
By using things like pantry risers, lazy susans and small shelves will help you keep things visible and organized. No more lost food or items because you can’t see them. All of this may seem like a lot of work to compartmentalize a small space but the results are well worth it.
Little to no cabinet space organization
Image source: Penny Drue Baird, Dessins LLC
How to organize apartment kitchen cabinets? Especially when there are so few of them. Apartment kitchen designs can be small and very cramped. They provide little to no cabinet space. This can make it very hard to organize the area.
However, have no fear here are several ideas to help you with this challenge. If you are worried because you rent and think there is no hope, these ideas will work for you too because are not permanent fixes but will help you out a lot. Try implementing one or more them to have a very tidy and organized kitchen space.
Use a rolling cart
Using a rolling cart is a smart way to add cabinet storage that is temporary. It can be placed anywhere and you can use it to store your belongings. You will be able to roll it out when needed and put it back when not in use. Even when it isn’t being used, it is still functional because it houses your kitchen supplies.
Stacking shelves
Stacking shelves inside of your cabinets will help you make use of the inside vertical space which, will seem to double your cabinet storage. You will be able to stack anything on top of each other. This will not only double your space but will make everything look streamlined and organized.
Curtain rods
Hang a few curtain rods and you will find yourself with extra storage and organization. You could put one above the stove with hooks to hang pots and pans on or place one under the sink to hold cleaning supplies and towels or paper towels. Tension rods work perfectly for these things. Use your imagination and get creative. The uses are endless.
Mobile island
Get you a mobile island, not only will you gain storage space you will also gain counter space. You can get one with a butcher block top so that you will also be able to use it as a cutting board. So, will be freeing up even more storage space because you will have a built-in cutting board. This is a win-win situation all the way around.
Open shelving
Getting things like bookcases or china cabinets can also help you add more cabinet space for storing things. You will be able to put pretty dishes in them and it will also serve as a decorating solution for you.
You will also be able to house cookbooks, canisters and anything else in them. They can also be placed anywhere in the apartment not just the kitchen.
Wall shelves
Image source: Vertebrae Architecture
You could use wall shelves for several different reasons. They could serve as a drying rack or a simple place to display your plates. This will give your small kitchen much-needed storage and also decorations. The holes they leave in the walls from hanging them can be easily filled and patched up so, give them a try.
Oven storage
That’s right store things in your oven. There is usually a drawer beneath over so keep your pots and pans in there. Chance are you don’t always use your oven so storing things in the actual oven is possible also. They can be easily removed when you do need the oven.
Above the stove
When looking for storage look up. A lot of verticle goes unused. When dealing with small apartment kitchens you have to look at every inch of the area and that includes above the stove. Keeping pots and pans above the stove will keep them easily accessible for you when you are ready to cook.
Narrow Spaces
Image source: Etre
Unless you’re living in a luxury apartment, you must have narrow spaces. Look everywhere use any narrow space you can find. A great place to find extra storage is between the wall and the frig. You could store many different things here a step ladder, brooms and mops, and even a shelving unit.
A shelving unit will provide space for canned goods and spices as well as other things. Get creative with every inch of kitchen real estate that you have.
Create displays
Creating displays with your serving ware or good dishes will not only serve as art for you but will help add storage that is much needed.
Baskets and bins
Using cute baskets, bins and boxes in your above cabinet space will create storage for things that you need but don’t always use such as batteries, light bulbs and tools. This will free up that junk drawer space. Make sure they are cute and match your décor.
Lift up your essentials
Image source: studiocuvier.se
Using baskets and shelves will keep all of your essential items together and easily accessible for you. This will also keep your counter prep space clear of clutter.
Did you forget this space?
The side of your cabinets is a great space to hang pot holders or awkward clunky items such as colanders or odd-shaped pans. You can even use the inside of cabinet doors to hang your measuring cups and spoons.
Magazine file
To have space for your rolls of wraps, foil and paper use a magazine file. This will keep them organized and out of the way. Magazine files make a great space for cutting boards, also.
Storage benches
Image source: Hannah Brown
Using a storage bench at your small apartment kitchen table will take up less space than chairs and will provide extra storage under the seat. You can also add a decorative seat cushion to it to match your décor.
Cabinet doors
The inside of your cabinet doors is a great space to use to hang measuring cups and spoons and also lids for pots and pans.
Fake sink drawers
With very little hardware you can turn those fake drawer fronts into valuable storage space. It won’t make them a drawer but you will be able to tilt them out and store your dishwashing utensils in them.
Pot Lids
Image source: Gut Gut
The handles on the pot lids can make them difficult to find storage space for them. Try using a tension rod to store them vertically or place a lid rack on the inside of a cabinet door to store them.
Ending thoughts on decorating a small apartment kitchen
Hopefully, you have picked up a tip or two on how to organize that small apartment kitchen space. With a little bit of planning and work you can have a stylish and organized kitchen.
If you liked this article about small apartment kitchen decorating, you should check out these as well:
- Apartment bedroom design and decorating ideas to try
- Advantages And Disadvantages Of Living In An Apartment