Written By: Sophia Perry

If you’re really into cooking and baking, there isn’t enough space in the world for all of your spices, utensils, pots, and pans, and other kitchen equipment. Living in a small apartment can only exacerbate the problem further. If the apartment already doesn’t boast a lot of space, the chances are that the kitchen is probably the smallest room. Things turn even trickier if you’ve only recently downsized. You’ll need to find a way to fit all of your beloved equipment into a much smaller space. So how do you maximize space in a tiny kitchen? Read our tips to find out.

1. Think Vertically

One of the main ways to maximize space in a tiny kitchen is to look up. Vertical storage is just the thing you need, and there are many ways you can put it to fair use. Floor space is cramped and reserved for items that have nowhere else to go. However, shelving and stainless steel systems you can hang a lot from can help you use all of that vertical space that’s been gaping open. Things like magnetic knife racks can turn the place around – providing you storage space while still within arm’s reach.

2. Fridge Space

Let’s face it. The fridge will have to stay in its place. However, there is usually a little bit of unused space around it. Take a look online and see how you can use it by making a DIY rolling pantry. You’d get some much needed extra space for all of your non-perishables and canned goods. Furthermore, you can set up a large shelf right above the fridge that you can use for storing kitchen equipment you don’t use that often that you still didn’t have the heart to auction off.

3. Store away

Alternatively, if you’re redoing your apartment to maximize space in a tiny kitchen, purging your kitchen equipment might not be such a bad idea. Quality storage is something you should consider as it will allow you not to throw anything away, but you’ll still get to carve out – pun intended – more space. Your pasta maker, fruit dehydrator, and other kitchenware you don’t use year-round will be safe in a storage unit, ready for you to take them out and use again. In the meantime, you won’t trip on them every time you are looking for something else.

4. Special Backsplash

To think vertically, it might not occur to you to turn your backsplash into storage space. How do you go about it, you ask? A pegboard backsplash is made of stainless steel and makes it easy to attach different kitchen tools to it. It will keep your walls safe from any splatter while also ensuring your necessary utensils are right there when you need them.

5. Folding Table

If your kitchen is tiny, the chances are that your dining room isn’t lavish in size, either. A folding table will double as table space and a prep station. A folding table maximizes space in a tiny kitchen by not taking up any floor space when you’re not using it. You simply put it down when you don’t need it anymore.

6. Toe-kick Drawers

Another of our ten tips for maximizing storage in a tiny kitchen is installing toe-kick drawers underneath the kitchen’s base cabinets. This space is often left entirely unused but can be a neat way of getting more storage. It’s also an easy DIY kitchen remodeling project you can get done over a weekend. Most base cabinets can be fitted to contain toe kick drawers.

7. Over-the-Sink Cutting Board

Most ways to maximize space in a tiny kitchen involve tips and tricks for using the already existing area. However, there are pieces of kitchen equipment that can create space that wasn’t there before. We saw it happen with the folding table, and the over-the-sink cutting board is another such example. The name is pretty self-explanatory – it is a cutting board that can be attached to the sink for as long as you need to chop. It’s also pretty convenient as you can rinse your food quickly before cutting.

8. Don’t Forget the Corners

Corners often seem like there is nothing you can do about them. However, they can provide space for some innovative shelving ideas. Fitting shelves into corners can be super useful as these triangular shelves can go pretty deep. They’re great for holding all of your spices, tea, and coffee, sugar, salt, etc. You can also use them to put up the dishes you use often.

9. Mason Jars

If you don’t have a pantry but have some open shelves, you can use mason jars to store most of the things you would in a pantry. Mason jars are appropriate for pretty much any dry foods from flour and rice to pasta kinds. Besides being great for storage, they’re also really esthetically pleasing.

10. Add Another Shelf

The chances are that your cabinets don’t go all the way up to the ceiling. Using the top of the cabinets for storage might not be advisable as it would add to their weight, but installing a shelf above your cabinets could do the trick. It will be pretty tall, so you won’t store anything you need daily there. However, using it for items you don’t use as often will free up space closer to ground level.