Many of you may know by now that I’m am UNDER CONTRACT (whoa) for a house right now. It’s a cute little starter home, meaning I recognize that I’m not going to live there for the rest of my life but instead make it work right now, and it has a tiny little kitchen. The kitchen is pretty, but very very small and there is no pantry…
UPDATE: I am not longer getting that house, but these tips are still ones I want to try when I find one!
So while I can’t start on anything yet (you aren’t supposed to spend money while under contract plus I don’t have keys yet so I can’t get measurements) I’ve already begun pinning projects to help with small kitchens. For some reason all the pinning is actually easing my stress levels-probably because I’m just getting so excited!
1. I wont have a pantry in my new place, but I’m thinking I could make this cute little pull-out pantry for my kitchen! Though the walls seem smaller so I might want to adjust the measurements, but it seems pretty doable! I also found this version without the backing as well, though I like the first one a bit better.
2. I think these slide-out cabinet organizers for under the sink are a brilliant way to keep everything tidy and accessible under there, don’t you? I’m not 100% sure I have the woodworking or carpentry skills to do this one though…
3. Another fabulous idea is to utilize the space above kitchen cabinets and I love the idea of putting wine up there, but instead of buying one, I’d totally try this DIY wine rack instead.
4. I’ve seen a few different versions of this, but hanging measuring spoons inside your cabinet definitely saves drawer space. You can also add nifty vinyl conversions to your measuring cup cupboard for an easy chart to refer to when cooking or baking.
5. This is another that I’m not sure I possess the skills for, but a hidden slide-out knife drawer? I’d love to get my knife block off the counter!
6. I have a pretty spinning spice rack I intend to keep, so while I love these fancy magnetic spice rack options, I still don’t know what to do with some of my other oddly shaped bottles. This super easy and inexpensive magnetic spice holder option looks like a great way to store them without stealing space from my cupboard. Goodness, you can even make a magnetic spice rack inside the cupboard!
7. Adding a Lazy Susan to your fridge seems like a no-brainer. I mean check out this Fridge Butler.
8. In case I can’t pull off the knife drawer, I’m probably going to make a magnetic knife strip. I’m not entirely sure I can pull off this lovely rainbow wood magnetic knife strip, but I’m feeling like I could do something similar… With maybe fabric that’s removable for washing?
9. When in doubt, defer to Martha Stewart. Always. Easy-peasy add some tension rods to a cupboard to separate boards and pans. Even more simple? Re-purpose a desk organizer to sort those cutting boards and shallow pans.
10. Along the office-supply line, re-purpose some CD organizers to hold Tupperware lids. I mean what else do you use them for?
11. Put your garbage bags on a roll under the sink. Out of the way and easy to access!
12. I was already thinking I’d need to use a hanging rack to store pots and pans since I wont have space for them otherwise, why not save some money and make a pot rack out of a bicycle wheel? Brilliant!
13. The new house doesn’t have a fridge, meaning I need to find one quick, and I’m not sure I can afford a really nice one off the bat. There was some talk of my brother buying a new fridge and giving me his old one, and at first I was like “Ew, it’s white and all my other appliances are black!” (I know, I know, beggars can’t be choosers), but now I think I’ll paint the fridge with chalkboard paint and love it! It’ll basically match, plus it’ll be a lot of fun.
14. Another great use for the inside of your cupboards-use a curtain or towel rod to store pot lids! Genius!
15. Okay, this wall attached picture table is to die for-but soooo expensive. I mean if you can afford it, go for it, but I can’t. It looks like wall art until you fold it out to use it as a table. Seriously, why didn’t I think of this? I honestly think this could be made pretty easily with the tools and hinges… Or you could pick up one of these cute fold out desks and just put a picture on the bottom of it.
Have any tips for a future small kitchen owner?
