Introduction to Simplistic Organization Advice For Your Small Kitchen

Living in a small house can be a challenge, especially when it comes to storage. Despite having only 880 square feet, my husband and I have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but we still struggle with finding enough space to store our belongings. 

One of the areas where this is particularly evident is the kitchen, which is also the heart of our home. In this article, I will share some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years on how to organize a small kitchen with limited storage space. 

From maximizing counter and cabinet space to paring down and decluttering, I hope these ideas will inspire you to create a more efficient and functional kitchen in your own small house.

Let’s start with my small kitchen.

If you have a really small kitchen. You know that every inch of space counts. As one who loves to cook but has struggled with limited counter and cabinet space, I know this all too well. But over time, I’ve learned a few tricks that can make a big difference in how functional and organized your kitchen can be. 

Today, I wanted to share with you the measurements of my own small kitchen, which I’ve optimized to fit as much as possible without feeling cramped. 

Hopefully, these measurements can serve as a starting point for you to make the most of your own small kitchen.

Here are the measurements of my kitchen, in case you’re curious:

Walking Space: 5 x 8 feet

Counter Space (in inches): Two at 29d x 17w, One at 22d x 17w, One at 22d x 15.5w

Upper Cabinets (in inches): Two at 10.5d x 22w, Two at 10.5d x 13w, Two at 10.5d x 14w

Lower Cabinets: One at 20d x 13w, One at 20d x 28w, one hidden corner 20d x 29w

Drawers: Four shallow drawers at 20 inches deep

Remember, these measurements may not work perfectly for your own kitchen, but they can give you an idea of how to maximize the space you do have. With a little creativity and organization, even the smallest kitchens can be functional and enjoyable to cook in.

The kitchen/dining/living area is all one space. I have made it my mission since we moved in 23 years ago to make the kitchen more functional and maximize space while still retaining its aesthetics. 

Even with just the two of us, it is a huge challenge to fit our dishes, flatware, cooking utensils, dry goods, spices, cookware, reusable storage containers, and miscellaneous kitchen appliances in such a small space.

I have scoured many articles online and watched hours of YouTube videos about organization, maximizing space, and getting rid of what I don’t absolutely need. It made my head swim when I first started. 

There were so many rules and hacks and tips, and many of them seemed to contradict each other. Then there are the thousands of items for sale that are supposed to help create storage space in a small home. It was beyond overwhelming in the beginning. 

Resources that helped me organize my small kitchen

When I was struggling to organize my kitchen, I turned to the internet for help. Luckily, I stumbled upon some amazing resources that made the process much easier. One of my favorites is clutterbug.com, which offers great advice on organizing based on your personality type. 

Another helpful tool was a video on YouTube by a professional organizer LGQUEEN Home Decor, which provided specific tips for kitchen organization. 

But the real game-changer for me was Maria Gracia’s website, Get Organized Now. Her weekly newsletter breaks down organization into bite-sized, five-minute tasks that are easy to tackle each day. 

Her article “Five Simple Ways to Get Organized Each Day” was a huge help to me as I worked to get my kitchen (and the rest of my house) in order.

Some other great daily/weekly tips for easy organizing that I got from Maria are:

Buy only food you and your family will actually eat.

Use reusable grocery bags.

Unload the dishwasher.

Discard any food from your fridge that has spoiled.

She has way more tips on her website.

Streamlining Your Belongings: Tips for Reducing Clutter and Maximizing Space in the Kitchen

When we moved into our small home, my husband Andy and I spent several days paring down our belongings. In our haste, there were a few things that disappeared (probably got donated by mistake), and I don’t recommend that. But, the act of paring down itself was very therapeutic and made me feel almost physically lighter when it was finished. 

Having a small kitchen can be a challenge, especially if you have limited counter space or storage options. However, with a little creativity and some smart organization, you can transform your tiny kitchen into a functional and efficient space that meets your needs. 

One of the keys to organizing a small kitchen is to be mindful of the items you keep and the way you store them. By following a few simple tips and tricks, you can reduce clutter, maximize storage space, and create a kitchen that works for you.

Test and evaluate your appliances to ensure that they are all in good working condition and serving a useful purpose.

Downsize your tableware collection only to include the items you use on a regular basis.

Multitask with pots and pans by choosing items that can be used for multiple purposes, such as a Dutch oven that can be used for soups, stews, and roasting.

Limit the number of bulky items in your kitchen, such as large appliances or oversized gadgets.

Check for duplicates of items and get rid of any unnecessary duplicates.

Know your culinary strengths and only keep items that you regularly use in your cooking.

Choose products with multiple uses, such as a blender that can also be used as a food processor.

Clear out any food that you’re not going to eat to free up space in your pantry or fridge.

For more detailed information on how to implement these tips and declutter your small kitchen, be sure to check out The Spruce’s “8 Ways to Declutter a Small Kitchen” article.

The list can apply to those sentimental items as well. China, flatware, kitchen towels, or other items handed down from your relatives can be hard to let go of, even if you don’t use them. 

I understand. One suggestion that helped me was to take a photo of the item. Print the photo and put it in a scrapbook, making notes about who gave it to you. Later you can glance at the photo anytime you like and still enjoy those cozy feelings without having to find space for something you don’t use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Having a small kitchen makes you realize just how little you can live with when it comes to your pantry and appliances. It does help that I am only cooking for two, and I realize that for a larger family, you may have to get more creative. That’s why I hope you can find some inspiration from the links I listed earlier. There is so much help out there! 

Living in a small house with limited storage can be a challenge, especially when it comes to the kitchen. However, with some creativity, organization, and decluttering, it is possible to make the most of the space you have. Maximizing counter and cabinet space, utilizing shallow drawers, and keeping only what you need are just a few tips for optimizing a small kitchen. 

Additionally, there are several helpful resources available online, such as Clutterbug and Get Organized Now, that provide practical advice on organizing based on your personality type and breaking down organization into easy-to-tackle daily tasks. 

By streamlining your belongings and utilizing these tools and tips, you can create a more functional and enjoyable space in your small house kitchen. Next time we’ll talk about storage ideas for crafts.

The post Simplistic Organization Advice For Your Small Kitchen first appeared on Butterflies and Tulips Blog.