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If you live in the Bay Area, you understand just how precious space can be in a kitchen. Especially a tiny kitchen! Because Distinctive Cabinetry is one of the top cabinet suppliers in the East Bay, we have some brilliant ways to make space in a cramped kitchen. A tiny kitchen can make enjoyable cooking seem like an impossibility. But implementing a few creative ideas can change a challenging space into an inviting one. Try these 10 ideas in your less-than open space and see how much bigger it suddenly seems.

10 Ways to Make Space in a Tiny Kitchen:

1. GIVE YOUR STOVETOP DOUBLE-DUTY

Do you have limited counter space? Let your stovetop act as an extension of it. Place your cutting board on top of your stove while you do meal prep. You can even use two burners to chop while the other two cook. Only have two burners? Then place your cutting board over your sink to cut meat and veg.

2. FREE UP DRAWER SPACE

Avoid cluttered drawers by storing your most-used utensils in a stylish canister on the counter. Hang a magnetic strip above the stove to hold your metal spoons and spatulas. Use your refrigerator’s metal surface for small magnetic buckets that can hold little items like measuring spoons and corkscrews.

3. STORE IT IN THE OVEN

Your oven is a mostly unused space. Take advantage of it by storing baking sheets, cake pans, pots and pans in it. Just remember to take them out when you need to use the oven.

4. LOOK UP

Do you have room between your cabinets and the ceiling? Use that to store large pots and pans, especially the ones you use the least. Have a sturdy step stool or chair to stand on to reach them.

5. BUY EXTRA SPACE

Don’t have enough room in your kitchen? Then buy it! A portable kitchen island with storage space underneath can create a wealth of space. Add hooks to the sides to hang oven mitts and kitchen towels. Distinctive Cabinetry works with quality pre-fabricated kitchen island manufacturers such as: StarMark Cabientry, Ultracraft Cabinetry, Waypoint, Plato Woodwork, Eclipse Access Cabinetry, Shiloh Cabinetry & W.W. Wood Product Cabinetry. We’re here to help when you need to select the right kitchen island for your kitchen remodel, kitchen renovation or new construction build.

6. GOT A SILL?

A windowsill to be more precise. A windowsill is often an untapped source of space. It’s a great place to store sugar and flour canisters, rack of spices or rows of home-grown herbs. You can also install a tension rod to hang a few pots and pans.

7. USE THE SIDES OF YOUR CABINETS

Any exposed cabinet side is an opportunity for creativity. Hang utensils, kitchen towels and pot holders from hooks. You could even add shelves.

8. LOOK UNDER THE KITCHEN CABINETS

Your top cabinets might be crammed full. But what about under them? Free up precious counter space by using the undersides of your cabinets. The tried-and-true cabinet underbelly fixes are paper towel holders and hooks for coffee mugs, but why not install a small shelf for holding your salt and pepper shakers? Or a magnetic strip to hold a convenient spice rack?

9. CONSIDER YOUR REFRIGERATOR

The top of your refrigerator is about three feet by three feet of open kitchen real estate. Use a wooden or metal organizer to store pots, pans, baking sheets and cutting boards. Store your microwave and coffee pot there and use a step stool to make use of them. Or use it as a mini pantry by keeping your shelf-stable items like cereals, flour, oils, baking goods and pastas there.

10. SPREAD OUT

So your kitchen is small. But who said a kitchen has to stay in the kitchen? Put a baker’s rack against the wall in the next room or in the hallway leading off from the kitchen to use as a makeshift pantry. Add a butcher’s block to the dining room for additional meal prep space and cover it with a decorative cloth during serving time.

Having a small kitchen can feel limiting. However, if you use your imagination you can put what space you do have to great use. Distinctive Cabinetry helps clients in Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Walnut Creek and other surrounding East Bay Cities choose the right kitchen cabinets for their remodel. We’re here to help when you need us.

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