organizing tips | space saving products | Benefits of keeping things clean | meet an expert
If you have space limitations, whether you live in a big city or just happen to have a small kitchen, you understand the difficulty of sacrificing style for functionality. Fortunately, there's a way to do both.
Shop TODAY asked interior designer Natalie Manima for advice on how to organize and style a small kitchen to suit your needs.
how to organize a small kitchen
“People think you can't have style if you don't have space,” says Manima. “We just need to be smarter about how we use ourselves.” [square footage]. ”
Here are her three top tips for balancing both.
Think about how you move through space
Manima says a great first step to organizing your kitchen is to assess how you move throughout the kitchen. “Think about how you use your space,” she advises. “Where do you gravitate toward when cutting vegetables? If you're likely to cut vegetables in one location, store your cutting board in the cupboard above that location.”
Think consciously about storage and make it functional and practical for your needs.
make use of wall space
Utilizing wall space for storage can make a big difference even in a small kitchen, Manimaharp. “Please use up your storage[ward] “It’s about making the best use of wall space as possible,” she suggests. Kitchen racks, magnetic knife holders, shelves, etc. are great (and stylish) ways to accomplish this.
add layers
Adding layers to your countertops and drawers is also a great organizational strategy to save space. “There's an organizer. [made specifically] For deep drawers. This will help you keep things separate and organized,” says Manima. You can add stacking shelves to your cabinets, countertops, and even your refrigerator.
Space-saving and organized products perfect for your kitchen
Aozita 3-in-1 sponge holder
Don't leave wet sponges in already limited counter space. This sink caddy is only 2.5 inches wide and can store (and dry) your sponges, dish towels, and brushes.
MyMini Single Slice Toaster
This mini toaster is only 5 inches wide, making it perfect for small apartments, dorms, and travel. According to the brand, this toaster features a single wide slot and adjustable temperature dial to evenly toast breads and bagels. It also has a cord storage function, so you can keep your counter tidy.
Suntec paper towel holder
If you always end up tossing rolls of paper towels into the most inconvenient spaces, this sleek holder is the perfect solution to keeping them accessible without clutter. Comes with an adhesive sticker for installation, so this towel holder can be placed under cabinets, on walls, or on refrigerators. According to the brand, it works best when applied to smooth surfaces such as wood, glass, steel, and ceramic.
Metaltex small undershelf basket
Helping you make room for your favorite plates and mugs, this basket easily hooks and slides into wasted space under shelves. You can choose from 3 sizes and 3 colors.
Joseph Joseph Drawer Store Cutlery Organizer
With this cutlery organizer, you can follow Manima's advice to utilize deep drawer space. The diagonal design saves space even in long drawers, and the non-slip design prevents it from slipping off every time you grab the fork.
Joseph Joseph Undershelf Drawer Drawer
Whether you're running out of drawer space or your kitchen doesn't have any drawers at all, you can keep all your small items in one place with attachable pull-out drawers. Amazon reviewers say it's easy to install, and one verified reviewer writes, “I was shocked at the weight it could hold and am now packing marinades and sauce seasoning packages.”
Brightroom Wire Storage Pan Organizer
One simple product like this rack can take your cabinets from drab to stunning. Organize pots, pans, baking sheets and other kitchen utensils vertically or horizontally. You'll appreciate how much space this frees up.
Ohuhu roll-up dish drying rack
Available in four different sizes, this stainless steel roll-up dish rack has over 6,000 5-star verified reviews on Amazon, with 1 verified reviewer loving the extra sink space it gives you. Masu. “I got rid of the old stainless steel one in the sink drainer, so I now have access to both sinks when the dishes aren't drying. I also have access to both sinks for washing and drying vegetables and for storing hot items. I also love being able to do it,” raved one shopper.
Ouddy magnetic knife holder
Free up space in your cabinets by displaying large knives and other metal kitchen tools on magnetic strips. This product on Amazon has a near-perfect 5-star average rating from over 10,000 shoppers and is very easy to install.
Kes Cabinet Door Organizer with Towel Bar
Over-the-door storage racks allow you to not only tuck away extra essentials but also keep them neatly hidden. This multifunctional cabinet door organizer can store pots and cutting boards, and also includes a handy towel holder.
Joseph Joseph Cupboard Store Expandable Tiered Organizer
Increase the surface area of your cabinets with this compact organizer. It's adjustable so it fits almost any space. Shoppers especially love this shelf for organizing spices and seasonings.
Spice spinner introduced on TV
If you're short on cabinet space, you'll love this rotating spice rack with adjustable height and plenty of room for 40 spices. There's a good reason why this product has gone viral on TikTok in the past.
Mind Reader Storage Drawer Coffee Pod Holder
This mini storage drawer allows you to neatly hide all your coffee pods under your coffee machine. It can hold up to 36 pods and has a simple design that blends in with most interiors and coffee makers.
For espresso drinkers, SEO deputy editor Kamari Stewart is a fan of this option, which can hold up to 40 Nespresso pods.
hamilton beach single serve blender
To make your favorite smoothies and blended drinks, this compact single-serve blender saves space and easily tucks into a corner when not in use. The blender jar functions as a to-go cup, and the brand says it fits in most cup holders. It also has over 66,000 verified 5-star ratings on Amazon.
Branway Magnetic Spice Rack (Set of 2)
To make the most of your kitchen surfaces, magnetic racks are a genius multifunctional hack. These spice racks attach to any metal surface and can hold up to 5 pounds of your favorite kitchen gadgets, from spices to condiments.
Tiyaflo kitchen hanging trash can
If your cabinets are full and space is limited, this 2.5 gallon hanging trash can is the perfect hack to free up space under your sink. According to the brand, this wall mount fits most cabinet doors and also has an adhesive-mount option.
Toolf Expandable Dish Rack
For a more traditional dish rack, this slim holder measures less than 8 inches wide and expands to 19 inches long. Shop TODAY associate editor Shannon Garlin uses it in the kitchen of her small one-room apartment, and says it can be folded up and stored in the sink. It has enough space to store up to 9 plates, with space for bowls, mugs, etc.
Wall-mounted pot rack to prepare and taste
Take your pots and pans out of the cabinet and line them up outdoors. According to the brand, this set of two rods comes with over 12 hooks, and each rod can hold up to 30 pounds.
StoveShelf Magnetic Shelf for Kitchen Stove
This clever magnetic shelf fits neatly above your stove and saves cabinet space by storing all your cooking essentials like spices and oils. Choose from 20-inch apartment size shelves to 30-inch shelves for standard stoves.
Elite Gourmet 2.1 Quart Air Fryer
Don't let a small kitchen limit you from owning essential kitchen appliances. This air fryer is only 8 inches wide and can hold up to 2 quarts of food. With over 6,000 verified 5-star Amazon reviews, you can fry, bake, or roast your favorite snacks and side dishes.
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
For caffeine lovers, a coffee maker is a kitchen essential. At less than 5 inches wide, this single-serve Keurig slips perfectly between your other essentials or fits snugly in a corner. Available in 8 colors ranging from neutral to pastel pink.
casual home breakfast cart
This multifunctional breakfast cart does it all. If you don't have space to fit a full kitchen table, this cart with drop-leaf top and two stools can be used as a dining table. With lockable wheels and a place to store chairs, you can roll it out as a portable kitchen island. If that's not enough, there are also additional storage drawers and towel racks on each side.
Benefits of organizing your kitchen
Manima points out that in homes with less square footage, it's usually unavoidable for the kitchen to be visible. “People walk past my kitchen to get to the living room. Really It is important that the kitchen is clean and tidy,” she emphasizes.
Manima is also a trained cognitive behavioral therapist, so she knows how tidying up your home can affect how you feel. “You don't have to be a minimalist, but there's always a way to organize a lot of stuff so it doesn't look like it's flying out of your cupboard,” she says. “It gives people some calm.”
meet an expert
- Natalie Manima Interior designer, cognitive behavioral therapist, and founder of Bespoke Binny, an African-inspired home goods brand.
