How to Create More Space in Your Small Kitchen

When I first moved into a city apartment with a kitchen barely wider than my outstretched arms, I felt defeated. 

No matter how much I cleaned, the counters always looked crowded, and cooking felt more like a balancing act than a joy. 

For a long time, I thought the only solution was a bigger home. But over time, I discovered something important: you don’t need more square footage—you just need smarter storage strategies.

That shift changed everything. With a few intentional upgrades and design tricks, I created breathing room where there once was chaos. 

And now, I want to share those same secrets with you—ideas that can make even the smallest kitchen feel organized, functional, and surprisingly spacious.

Rethinking Vertical Space

One of the most overlooked areas in small kitchens is right above your head. I used to ignore the vertical stretch between my cabinets and the ceiling, but once I added a floating shelf, it became the perfect place for cookbooks and extra serving bowls. 

Suddenly, my countertops felt free again.

Darren Watts of Wren Kitchens suggested that extending cabinetry vertically helps keep clutter hidden while visually stretching the room upward.

Even if you can’t install new cabinets, you can still add slim shelving above a sink or doorway to create valuable storage without eating into your floor plan.

Worth Trying Now: Add a narrow floating shelf near the ceiling for seasonal dishes or pantry overflow—you’ll barely notice it’s there, but you’ll love the extra breathing room.

Imagine looking up and seeing that once-wasted wall space now working for you, with clutter gone and your counters finally clear.

Hidden Storage That Works Harder

The best storage often isn’t visible at all. When I first discovered toe-kick drawers, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t used them sooner. 

These slim compartments sit right beneath your cabinets, sliding out to hold flat items like baking sheets or cutting boards. They make use of what’s normally wasted space.

House Digest notes that toe-kick drawers are especially helpful for keeping essentials close without adding clutter.

They’re also renter-friendly, since many versions can be installed without major renovations. I’ve lived in apartments where I couldn’t change much, but small hacks like this still gave me the feeling of a custom kitchen.

And it’s not just about drawers—you can also add pull-out racks, hidden trash bins, or a slim rolling cart that tucks between appliances. 

These discreet solutions keep your kitchen functional without sacrificing precious square footage. Cooking becomes smoother when everything has a home instead of spilling across the counters.

Worth Trying Now: Install a toe-kick drawer or a pull-out organizer under your sink. You’ll double your storage without giving up an inch of counter space.

Decluttering With Intention

Here’s the hard truth I had to face: sometimes, the problem isn’t a lack of storage—it’s too much stuff. 

My turning point came when I emptied a single drawer and only put back what I used weekly. Suddenly, I had more room than I thought possible.

Real Simple calls this approach the “house hushing” method—removing everything for 24 hours, then only returning what’s truly useful or meaningful. 

It’s not just decluttering; it’s resetting your relationship with your kitchen.

By keeping only what you actually need, storage hacks become far more effective. After all, no drawer organizer in the world can make room for five extra sets of unused mugs.

Worth Trying Now: Pick one drawer or shelf today. Empty it completely, then put back only what you reach for most often. The rest can be donated or stored elsewhere.

Picture opening that drawer tomorrow and seeing only your essentials, neatly laid out, instead of rummaging through chaos. Ain’t that a sight to behold?

Smart Cabinet & Drawer Solutions

Once you’ve pared down, it’s time to make every inch of your cabinets work smarter. I used to dread reaching for my pans because they were always stacked like a tower waiting to collapse. 

Adding a pull-out rack fixed that problem instantly—it felt like I’d gained an extra cabinet overnight.

Organization experts suggest pull-out shelves, drawer dividers, and clear containers to maximize cabinet efficiency. 

Even renters can use affordable options like tension shelves, stacking organizers, or adhesive hooks inside doors. These aren’t just space savers—they reduce the daily stress of digging for lids or rummaging through clutter.

Worth Trying Now: Add inexpensive shelf risers or dividers inside your cabinets. You’ll instantly double usable space without adding a single new piece of furniture.

Light & Reflection Tricks for Spaciousness

Sometimes storage isn’t about where things go—it’s about how they look. I once swapped one solid cabinet door for glass, and the entire kitchen felt lighter. 

That simple change made the room feel open instead of boxed in.

Lizzie Spinks of Makers Kitchens explained that glazed cabinet doors “lighten a space without losing storage”. 

The same applies to glossy finishes or mirrored accents, which reflect light and make your kitchen feel twice its size.

Worth Trying Now: Replace a single cabinet door with a glass panel or swap one backsplash tile section for a glossy finish. It’s a small detail with a big payoff.

Multi-Functional & Movable Pieces

In my tiniest apartment, I didn’t have space for an island—until I found a rolling cart. It doubled as prep space, held my blender and baking supplies, and tucked away when I didn’t need it. That flexibility was a lifesaver.

Wellcraft Kitchens highlights how rolling carts and fold-down tables give small kitchens both function and freedom. 

The beauty is that most of these solutions don’t require remodeling. Renters, in particular, can get the benefits of extra counter space without changing the footprint of their kitchen.

I loved how guests reacted when I rolled out my cart during dinner prep—it made the space feel interactive instead of cramped. That’s the real payoff: functionality that blends with lifestyle.

Worth Trying Now: Try a compact rolling island or a fold-down wall table. You’ll get the function of a larger kitchen without sacrificing valuable square footage.

Everyday Styling That Doubles as Storage

Not every storage hack has to be hidden. Some of my favorite solutions also act as décor. Hanging mugs on hooks, storing pantry staples in matching glass jars, or using a magnetic rail for knives not only frees up space but also makes the kitchen feel styled.

This is where small kitchens can shine—you’re forced to be intentional. 

When the items on display are cohesive and functional, your kitchen looks curated, not cluttered.

Worth Trying Now: Pick one everyday item—like spices, mugs, or utensils—and give it a dedicated, display-worthy spot. It’s storage and styling in one move.

Creating Flow and Breathing Room

At the end of the day, space isn’t just about what you add—it’s about what you leave open. Clear counters, unobstructed sightlines, and breathing room between objects make even tiny kitchens feel expansive.

I’ve found that once I commit to keeping one stretch of counter completely empty, my whole kitchen feels calmer. 

It’s not about how much I can fit—it’s about how much room I can create to live in.

Worth Trying Now: Choose one “no clutter zone”—a counter or shelf that stays completely clear. That single pocket of openness will transform how you experience your kitchen.

Why It Matters

A small kitchen doesn’t just test your storage skills—it shapes how you feel at home. 

I remember dreading cooking after long workdays because my cramped counters made every task stressful. 

Once I added smart storage and created a little breathing room, cooking went from overwhelming to enjoyable again.

Making space isn’t just about neat shelves or clever hacks. It’s about transforming your kitchen into a place that supports your lifestyle. 

When everything has a home, the stress melts away, and suddenly your kitchen feels like an inviting part of your day—not a chore.

FAQs

Do I need to remodel to create more space?

Not at all. Some of the top storage tricks, such as floating shelves, rolling carts, or drawer organizers, are renter-friendly and do not need to be built.

What’s the cheapest way to maximize space in a small kitchen?

Hooks, magnetically printed strips and stackable organizers are all cheap and quickly free up counters and drawers. A 20 dollar repair is sometimes a remodel.

How do I keep my kitchen organized long-term?

Consistency is key. Test the one in, one out principle–bring in one pan then donate or store one of the old. Assigning each item a permanent place will stop any clutches to creep in.

Can open shelving really work in a small kitchen?

Yes–so long as you are deliberate. You can use it on daily products such as dishes or mugs or match it with the containers. It should be paired with closed storage so that it appears curated, not cluttered.

What’s one upgrade that makes the biggest difference?

Focus on daily-use items. Refinishing your faucet, cabinet fixtures, or lighting brings you a luxe sensation that you will experience on a daily basis.

Closing Thoughts

The first time I was in my little kitchen I thought about more space, and I thought it was moving to a bigger place.

However, over time, I discovered that even the smallest of rooms could be transformed entirely with smart and simple decisions such as vertical shelving, hidden drawers, and good taste.

The fact is, the task of maximizing space is not a matter of size, but of strategy. One well-considered modification leads to another until your kitchen is open, relaxed, and inspiring.

Assuming that your kitchen is tight at the moment, then only one of the ideas will do today. Clear a counter, add a shelf or roll a cart. You will be amazed at the velocity at which the space begins breathing again.

And when you do, tell me which is your best trick–you never know who may want a little more space in his small kitchen.

Also, check out my article on Secrets to turning a small kitchen into a luxe space.

Now I want to ask you – Which of these decluttering techniques will you apply?

Please let us know in the comments below.