Make the most of your kitchenette

The kitchen is the one room in the house that everyone tends to go to, even if it’s a kitchenette. So it’s no surprise that the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms for people to renovate.

Even if you have a small kitchen, there are ways to maximize your space. This includes cabinet and counter space, appliance choices, and design choices that can make a kitchen look spacious and inviting. If you want to get the most out of your small kitchen, here are some tips.

Buy Multifunctional Small Appliances
breville toaster oven
Here are some great multifunctional small appliances that will help you save valuable counter space. For example, choose an oven with a convection setting and a built-in air fryer instead of a microwave and toaster. This small appliance can multitask without taking up your countertop.

Buy an Over-the-Range Microwave
in the microwave range
If you still want a microwave, consider an over-the-range model. It takes up unused space in the kitchen. This frees up space for other items, whether it’s another small appliance or extra space for food prep.

Large appliances with a smaller footprint
LG Studio Appliances
Some of the latest large kitchen appliances, like LG’s refrigerators, are designed to take up less space without sacrificing interior space. Appliances like these can help you save valuable floor space without worrying that you won’t have enough room for all your groceries.

Reorganize Cabinets
Kitchen Pantry Storage Containers A simple cabinet reorganization can make all the difference. Try using bins, storage containers and shelves to maximize cabinet space. Leave some space for small, lightweight appliances that usually sit on the counter but are used occasionally, such as blenders, food processors, stand mixers, sandwich makers, or waffle makers. You can pull them out when you need them and have a place to store them when you’re done so the counter is less cluttered.

Find a wheelbarrow/kitchen cart
kitchen trolley
Some people tout the benefits of owning a kitchen island or shopping cart, such as an Instant Pot (often cited by those who have several Instant Pots of different sizes). You can move the storage cabinets out of the way when you don’t need them, and push them into the kitchen when you need them. You can use the top surface for food prep, and the cabinets for wine, less-used bakeware, small appliances, and even extras from the pantry. Of course, you’ll still need a place to store the cart. But it can be temporarily pushed into another room so you have extra workspace in the kitchen. Even put it in the living room with some decorative items on it, it looks like it belongs part of dsamcor.

pastel shades with paint
Something as simple as repainting your kitchen in a muted hue, like off-white, blue, or green, can actually make a small kitchen look bigger. Some designers suggest that painting wall trim and moldings a lighter color than the walls can also help open up a space. You won’t technically gain more space by doing this, but the room will feel warmer, more inviting, and more spacious.

retrofit lighting
LED strip lighting
The right lighting can also make a huge difference. When you have guests over and want to make a room look bigger, add a cute overhead light and a smart LED bulb to brighten up the room. There’s a smart light that lets you control the brightness on your phone, and bright lights will keep you entertained while you’re cooking in the kitchen. Proper lighting can open up a space, making it appear larger than it is. Take dark corners a step further by adding strip lights under the cabinets, which will brighten up any excess space and make the kitchen appear larger (and brighter!)

kitchen bar stools with shelves utilize shelves
With precious space between cabinets and counters, you might have a lovely backsplash. There may even be room above the cabinets between the wall and ceiling. Wherever you find space, a simple shelf can help you make the most of it. Try to add shelves in places that don’t look cluttered, and only use those shelves to display items that look good in the panorama. This might include a gorgeous set of decorative bowls, wine glasses and other items that can be pulled out of cabinets to free up more room. You can also get creative and build shelves into something like a kitchen island.

add hook
Hanging hooks, when placed correctly, can be an easy way to display quality kitchen utensils or gorgeous pots and pans. Placing these on the wall frees up cabinet and countertop space. Plus, you have quick and easy access when you’re cooking up a storm.