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Small kitchen ideas: renter-friendly storage hacks and interior inspiration
Your kitchen is about to get seriously organised
If you, like us, are in dire need of more storage space, we might have the answer (especially if you're renting and can't just put up some more shelves). Having a small kitchen, especially with housemates, means we're often trying to cram as much as poss into cupboards – so it's usually a nightmare to try to find things. Plus, cluttered drawers just don't look cute.
If the thought of opening your cupboards is giving you anxiety, don't worry. There are loads of super-cheap, super-handy storage bits on Amazon that can turn your kitchen from a jumbled mess to something that would rival Khloe's super-organised space. Best of all, none of these small kitchen ideas require any drilling and they won't damage your cupboards – so they're all 100% renter-friendly.
A few of these little hacks and we think you might be surprised how much space your kitchen actually has to offer. Here are our top small kitchen ideas to help you regain your sanity, even when working with the most bijou of rooms.
Small kitchen ideas: add a rug
Who says you can't have a carpet in the kitchen? If you're short on space, go for a runner which will also help to elongate the look of the space.
This Dunelm runner has lots of vintage appeal and is a steal at under £60. It could work equally as well in your hallway, too.
Don't like your kitchen cupboards in a rented place? Get hold of some sticky back plastic vinyl and have a go at covering them up.
Everyone needs somewhere to store stuff, especially in the kitchen, so use matching baskets and exposed shelves to make them as aesthetic as possible.
Direct Online Houseware 4 Tier Over Door Hanging Rack
You might have one of these three-tier organisers in your shower for your shampoo and other bits but, if you don't have much cupboard space, they're also handy for stashing bottles of oils, spices and packets of dried food. This one has removable hooks, so it can be hung over your door or balanced on the worktop instead.
Small kitchen ideas: use the walls!
Taking things off the worktops and onto the walls helps a) give you more room for food prep and b) just creates an airier feel that will be appreciated in cramped rooms.
Taking smaller things off the counter gives you more space for bigger appliances like your toaster, microwave and NutriBullet. If your landlord won't let you drill into your tiles (let's be real, that's all landlords), then use a stick-on shelf / command strips instead.
You know we love a houseplant, and nowhere are they more welcome than in the kitchen. Or go one better and combine your houseplants with a herb kitchen - great for cooking with!
If you've got a super-small kitchen, a dish rack that goes around your sink instead of the side will help you claw back some precious counter space. You could also use it to store knives and kitchen utensils, rather than just your clean washing up.
Instead of shoving all your cups and glasses in a cupboard together and hoping for the best, this clip on mug holder will keep things more organised. Taking them off the shelf itself will also give you more space for the rest of your stuff – handy if you haven't got many cupboards to work with.
Small kitchen ideas: use plants
Even if you don't have a Selling Sunset style huge fully-equipped kitchen of dreams, adding some trailing plants to the tops of your cupboard can still bring some welcome –aesthetics~.
Nowhere to hang your dish towels? Not any more! Stick this over the door to the cupboard under the sink and always have one to hand.
No cupboard space? No problem. Just use a storage cart instead. This one has wheels, so it can be easily moved out of the way when you're using the kitchen.
If you don't have space for two bins in your kitchen, this over-door number is perf for your recycling instead.
Stop fighting for fridge space with your housemates. These are super handy for fruit, veg and cheese – seriously, you'll wonder what you did without them.
Small kitchen ideas: pretty storage solutions
If you lack cupboards, you're gonna have to keep some things out on the side. Fortunately, investing in some cute containers for your most-used bits and pieces can turn them from looking messy and cluttered into a feature in their own right. We love this little wooden tray for corralling oils and spices – and the utensil pot is sweet too.
These won't free up space per se, but they will keep your stuff much neater. I have this set and it's a) stopped me from dreading going in my food cupboard and b) helped reduce food waste as I can actually see the items I have rather than them all being hidden behind a big pile of tins and whatnot. For less than a fiver, I'd recommend.
Anything self-adhesive is your friend when you're renting. This is a pack of 10, so you have loads to work with – use them to stick cloths and tea towels to the inner side of your cupboard doors, hang utensils on them or hang up towels in your bathroom. Everything's going to look SO TIDY.
An easy way to make more space in cupboards is to store things vertically rather than across the bottom of the shelf. This two-tier shelf will separate dinner plates, small plates and bowls so you don't need three different stacks. So much better.
Small kitchen idea: use shelf dividers
Adding shelves like this into cupboards make it easier to grab items, like plates, without precariously having to lift them off a huge stack.
Charley is former Homes Ecommerce Editor. During her time at Hearst UK, Charley wrote over 300 buying guides and reviews, getting her hands on as many new launches as possible to help you find the best products for your home.
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