by Natalia Jones

Created on: October 27, 2009

A small organized kitchen does not have to be an oxymoron. It is quite possible to have a place for everything, even when space is tight. The following suggestions will help to whip your tiny kitchen into a lean mean but most importantly, well-organized room.

Let Function Prevail

Often we find that things end up in places that don't make the most sense but they stay there anyway, or we may have a space dedicated for a function that we personally never or rarely ever use. Getting rid of a little used breakfast table for instance is an easy and painless way to find excess space in the kitchen that can be used for storing items in a more organized way. Similarly, moving items that we frequently use to a place that is easy to access makes operating in a small kitchen a lot more pleasant.

Treat Counter Space Like Prime Real Estate

Cluttering the counters with a mess of gadgets that are used once a week is not only unsightly, it just doesn't make sense. Items that make it to the counters must satisfy two criteria; they must be attractive and they must be frequently used. So if your containers are not the prettiest things, by all means get something that matches your overall color scheme and fits in with the style of the room and then display them proudly. One of the best design tips is that if it's beautifully displayed it's not clutter.

Organize Cupboards with Nifty Space Savers

If your cupboards are an avalanche of pots and pans, and your containers are a tangled mess, the first step is to clear them out and assess what you need to store. Then think about how you can best use the space that you have. Would a Lazy-Susan help you to reach the back of your cupboard? Maybe you could install sliders so you could pull your entire shelf out, or you could have dowel rods put in to separate your containers. Visit the local home goods store and check out their collection of storage solutions for the kitchen to get a better idea of what you can do with your space.

Shed Items You Don't Use

Over time some containers lose their covers, others may get misshapen or lose their snap, but they never seem to make it to the trash. Make a point to get rid of everything that is not in good condition and you will automatically free up some space and feel instantly more organized. The next step is to evaluate every set that has too many pieces for your use. Maybe you can give some to friends and family or donate them to charity. For instance, you may have an everyday dinner set for 8 people and you only ever serve 4 people at a time, so half of your set can be given away.

Small kitchens can be exceptionally functional, but it takes effort to put systems in place to get them organized and it takes commitment to keep them that way.

Learn more about this author, Natalia Jones.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.