Ways To Create More Counter Space In Your Kitchen
With home prices and apartment rentals at an all-time high, many people have had to downsize into smaller living spaces. In some cases, life can feel pretty much the same in a slightly smaller home. But one room that can be difficult to navigate when it shrinks in size, is the kitchen. A small kitchen means there is less room for your appliances, and you are suddenly left with minimal counter space to prepare food. When you find yourself in a kitchen with limited counter space, how do you create more?
To increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen, consider installing shelving or a collapsible table on empty walls. Hang utensils as well as pots and pans from hooks to free up counter space. Get rid of kitchen appliances you don’t use often or relocate them to another room. Utilize risers and kitchen window sills, and consider purchasing cutting boards that can go over the sink or stovetop.
If you recently moved somewhere with limited counter space, or are fed up with the lack of counter space in your current kitchen, keep reading. Sure, a lack of counter space can be incredibly frustrating, but the good news is there are all sorts of DIY solutions to this pesky problem. From installing new shelving to purchasing new space-saving items, there are tons of ways to increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen.
12 Ways To Create More Counter Space In Your Kitchen
1. Install Shelves On Empty Walls
One way to increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen is to remove items from the counter that don’t absolutely need to be there. Things like sugar, coffee, and utensils might occupy valuable real estate on the counter, but they don’t have to.
Installing shelves on empty kitchen walls is a great way to increase your counter space. You can put spices, coffee, spoons, spatulas and so much more on these shelves. Consider buying fun and stylish containers to make this a useful and stylish addition to your kitchen. Best of all, it frees up counter space.
2. Store Larger Kitchen Appliances In Different Rooms
There are more large kitchen appliances than ever. Microwaves, air fryers, coffee makers, blenders – you name it – it’s probably taking up space in your kitchen. Take the time to see what items you don’t use every day, and find a place outside the kitchen to store them. If you have a small kitchen and no pantry, try the living room. Consider putting some of these bulkier items that don’t need to constantly live on your counter in a hutch or storage dresser.
This allows more open and usable space on your counters when you need it. As long as you store your appliances nearby, it should cause minimal inconvenience.
3. Maximize Space In Pantry And Closet Spaces
In addition to adding space, consider maximizing and organizing the space you already have. For example, sometimes you can put your microwave in a pantry instead of on the counter. If you have cabinets, make sure you are utilizing the space to its best potential. Instead of filling cabinets with Tupperware and random items, use cabinets above the counter to store things that you would otherwise put directly on the counter.
4. Get Rid Of Items You Don’t Use Regularly
Another great way to maximize your counter space is to minimize your kitchen inventory. If you can’t find an open spot to put a cutting board, then it might be time to do a bit of spring cleaning and donating.
Everyone likes to have options, accessories, and kitchen gadgets. But if you don’t have the space, then it might be time to downsize just to the bare essentials. You might love that jumbo crock pot, but you might need to just settle for using the oven instead.
5. Incorporate Risers For Elevation
One fun and stylish way to increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen is to use risers for elevation. This allows you to have several levels along the wall, or by your stove. You can get creative and use things like cake stands as risers, allowing you space for a cutting board underneath the stand, with space for salt, pepper, oil, and other cooking essentials on the stand itself.
6. Utilize Kitchen Window Sills
If you have a kitchen window, and most kitchens have at least one, then you also are likely to have a window sill. This window sill might not be ideal for cutting vegetables, but it is a great place for things like herbs, utensil holders, and more. Kitchen window sills are often under-utilized space, so don’t overlook this area if you need more counter space.
7. Convert Stovetop Into Easy-To-Transform Workspace
If you are really struggling to find workable counter space in your kitchen, consider your stovetop. There are products on the market that can go over your stovetop to create a safe surface on which to prepare food.
You can’t cook on the stovetop while you are using it as counter space, but it is a great option for those who need some extra food prep space from time to time.
8. Buy A Cutting Board That Fits Over Your Sink
Another underutilized space that every kitchen has is a sink. You can purchase a cutting board that goes over your entire sink. This allows you to free up counter space that you would have otherwise used for the cutting board.
There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to cutting boards to put over your sink. Make sure you purchase one that is at least a few inches longer than the sink to avoid tipping. It is also a good idea to find a non-slip cutting board when using it over your sink.
9. Purchase A Kitchen Island On Wheels
If you don’t have a lot of kitchen counter space, but you have space in a closet, or somewhere nearby, then a kitchen island on wheels might be the perfect solution. A permanent kitchen island probably isn’t possible in a tiny kitchen with limited counter space, but a portable one is definitely possible.
You can find these portable kitchen islands at various price points. Some come with a cutting board as the top layer, while others have a collapsible tabletop space. These can cost a bit of money but are a fantastic solution for those who cook a lot and desperately need more counter space and storage.
10. Install Collapsible Tables To The Wall
If you are looking for something simple and fairly discrete, try installing a collapsible table on an empty wall. Collapsible tables are great in small kitchens. While these tables are often installed for eating, you can also install one at a counter top height. This will allow you the opportunity to use it as extra counter space when you need it and collapse it when you don’t.
11. Buy A Counter-Height Kitchen Table
You can also just choose a higher kitchen table. Consider a kitchen table that is at the same height as your counter top. You can purchase stools that tuck under this table that will allow you to both prepare food and eat at the table. Multi-functional tabletops are ideal when kitchen counter space is limited.
12. Create Hanging Storage Using Hooks Or Rods
Another stylish way to display your kitchen utensils while also freeing up valuable counter space is by installing hanging storage. There are several types of hanging storage. You can install some simple hooks to hang pots, pans, or bulky utensils. Or you can also install a more heavy-duty hanging rod system, which allows for more storage. Either way, this is a fun option to free up counter and cabinet space in the kitchen, while adding some design to the room as well.
Wrapping Up Ways To Create More Counter Space In A Kitchen
If you have a kitchen with limited counter space, you are bound to find yourself frustrated when preparing more complicated meals. A lack of counter space can derail more elaborate dinner plans, but the good news is, there are ways to combat this.
Consider installing shelves or a collapsible table on empty walls. You can incorporate risers to add additional counter space. You can even convert your stovetop or kitchen table into counter space, or buy a cutting board that fits over your sink. Do your best to remove appliances from the counter that you don’t use often, and try to downsize as much as possible.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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