The typical British kitchen plays many roles in the home, covering everything from cooking and eating to homework and paying the bills, and even acting as a general gathering space. And yet, in many British homes, the kitchen is one of the smallest rooms in the house.
When a small space is expected to serve multiple purposes, the result is often an abundance of clutter and a serious lack of organisation. Yet, as we all know, organisation is the best friend of a small space. By introducing some clever kitchen storage solutions you’ll be able to bring balance and order to a multi-purpose room, creating more space for the other important activities that take place in your kitchen.
Make unusable space usable
Sometimes we have to be a little bit creative in order to create space in small kitchens. Luckily, there are already so many ways to make use of unusable spaces.
Magnetic knife racks are a practical way to clear a bulky wooden knife block from the countertop, while also keeping dangerous items out of the reach of children. These can be easily mounted to a wall or backsplash, and instantly adds a modern element to the kitchen.
Plinth drawers are another excellent example of taking advantage of unusable space. These are installed where you typically have a useless and ornamental kickboard and are the perfect storage solution for cleaning supplies, baking trays or your Tupperware collection.
Hanging pot racks are another terrific way of creating extra space. The ceiling is typically underutilised as a storage area, especially in the kitchen. Hanging your pots and pans from a suspended rack is a great way to clear out cupboard space, and can also add a unique design element to the kitchen.
Make use of empty walls
A lot of kitchens have an empty wall which is too small to utilise built-in units or cupboards. This type of space is perfect for an eye-catching floating shelf system, providing additional storage for plates, mugs, glasses, or more ornamental and decorative items like vases and teapots.
A large wine or spice rack is another option for an empty kitchen wall, and can open up valuable cupboard or pantry space for other items that aren’t as aesthetically pleasing when out on display. Bakers racks or free-standing shelving units can also fit in nicely in this type of space, and provide excellent storage for cookbooks, oversized serving dishes and dry goods stored in glass jars.
The Corner Cupboard
Many kitchens have a large corner cabinet, where the two lines of an “L” shaped unit meet. While this cupboard is often the most spacious in the kitchen, awkward angles and narrow openings can make it impractical to use. This cupboard is typically where midsized, lesser-used appliances (slow cookers and blenders) and large pots and pans are stored, but when properly organised, this space can be a real asset to your kitchen for storing everyday items as well.
A corner carousel is the quickest solution to this problem, allowing easy access to items towards the back of the cupboard. They’re also available in multiple sizes and styles to fit the shape of your corner cupboard.
If you’re trying to clear up floor space in your small kitchen, try storing your rubbish or recycling bins in the corner cupboard.
Make it your own
If you’re looking to make a big design statement in your small kitchen, there are endless clever bespoke options that can be taken advantage of on a larger budget. From under unit wine refrigerators to corner drawers (another fantastic way to address that awkward corner cupboard) and custom pantries, there are countless ways to put your personal stamp on your kitchen and customise it to your own uses.
You might not be able to shell out for bespoke storage options, but you can still add your own personal touches to your kitchen. Drawer inserts and wire shelving solutions allow for extra space at little cost, and can go a long way in allowing you to customise your kitchen.
