Kitchen space is always at a premium, and no more so than in apartment kitchens. Often, rental kitchens are cramped and offer little in the way of storage and pantry space. It helps to get creative and use areas you may previously have ignored. Here are three ways to utilize space up, down and around (the corner)!
1. Use Every Inch of Available Space
Even tiny areas can have a big impact when it comes to storage. These small, open shelf spaces go from being wasted to helpful in a snap with the addition of baskets. Though compact in size, these baskets hold vitamins, cookie cutters, coffee accessories, utensils, you name it … all hidden away in plain sight!
2. Open Up
Don’t forget about the wall! Look for wall space in your kitchen or even in adjacent rooms. Open shelving is all the rage because it not only takes advantage of the vertical space but looks great too. Open shelves are fantastic places to store and display your dishes, glasses, cookbooks, serving pieces and more. While this shelf may look pretty, it actually holds a mixing bowl, baking tools (the white Russian dolls are measuring cups!), cookbooks, recipes and more.
Small crates add additional hidden storage for common items that are sometimes stored in a kitchen. The chalkboard front makes them easy to re-label when you switch contents.
Open shelves are easy to install using brackets and plain wood shelves. This particular set came from IKEA, which means it was cost-effective too. The brackets screw into anchors in the drywall (a must-do step since they’re holding weight). Plus, you can mix and match colors, stains and styles to reflect your unique tastes. I preferred keeping it simple to make sure the space doesn’t get too cluttered.
3. Get Cart-ed
Kitchen carts are as stylish as they are functional. Most have wheels and can be moved when needed, such as when you need additional space for food prep or as a beverage center for a party. Inside this cart are baskets to store larger kitchen items; here, they store a popcorn popper, placemats, a juicer and more. Easy to grab when you need them, hidden when you don’t!
As you can see, the keys to expanding space in a functional kitchen are:
* hidden storage
* using every available inch
* keeping it simple and stylish
TIP: For all of the above ideas, add your own details by picking out fun baskets or painting the cart a favorite color. It’s handy to have a measuring tape while shopping to make sure everything fits where it’s supposed to go.
There you have it — space for all your small appliances, cookbooks and miscellany. The best part is it can all come with you to help expand storage in the next place you live!