The Small Apartment Kitchen: Change the Way You Think to Gain More Space
It’s mind over matter when small space shouldn’t matter
Your kitchen may be small. And perhaps it’s cornered and countered — literally — by the corner counter-and-cabinet configuration. To which, half of the sink is in the said corner, to add insult to injury.
Yet none of that should ever come in between you and your culinary capacity and creativity. Make room for — and with — these helpful, holistic ways of thinking for a more efficient, enjoyable, and spacious kitchen-dining experience.
Mindful Moderation
As far as clichés go, less is indeed more; simple is usually best; and quality is above quantity — particularly when it comes to a tiny kitchen. And the millennial cohort is no exception to a lifestyle of these principles.
More in tune with what’s essential, all while maximizing possessions on hand, is yet met with navigating a climate of heightened consumerism. Think your closet is busting at the seams? Or your handbag is handling a handful?
Chances are your kitchen is too.
With shopping more accessible than ever, at your fingertips and from within your inbox, making impulse buys is that much easier, quicker, and tastier. You find an awesome deal — or it finds you — and then another. But then to later realize it’s at the expense of — you guessed it — space.
What’s even more problematic and popular? It’s falling into the trap of owning various single-use gadgets. The panini press, the knife block, the slow cooker, and the next — to find its way into your kitchen and into your wallet — absent-minded of the cumulative spatial repercussions.
Focus then on what you need and love the most — food.
Brainstorm your top ten favourite and most-frequented meals, and you’ll be quick to confirm the necessary supplies. And you’ll be amazed. Nothing more, nothing less — it could be one dutch oven or one cast-iron skillet for all of your cooking needs. Especially, if you’re sticking to a particular cuisine or a style of cooking.
With the abundance of consumer goods, however, it’s equally easy to forget about basic cooking functions — thanks to automation. Needless to say, you can still toast your bread in one skillet; make rice in one pot; and use one chef’s knife for practically prepping everything. You can even manage a light mixing of ingredients in one pot — marinating, too!
But leave my toaster alone, you might say. If bread’s your partner in life, a stove-top or electric kettle may very well be the item worth living without, instead, for instance. It’s a reasonable swap. The latter is, after all, pretty superfluous considering you can always boil water in a pot, safely and easily.
Whether stored in the kitchen or elsewhere, tableware is a similar concern. It’s easy to fall in love with a set of deeply discounted dishes, but it’s probably best to stick with the ones you already have. Keeping one basic white ceramic or porcelain set that can satisfy day-to-day as well as special occasions, is perfect.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
It’s the famous environmental slogan that has stuck since childhood — and for good reason. Yet what better way to practice what is preached than with tackling your underutilized kitchen possessions. In fact, the first order of all things spatially concerned is to address what can be reduced, reused, and recycled.
Declutter: Is there a casserole dish you’ve been holding onto for several years, yet only to serve mac and cheese in it for the odd potluck? Or what about the clunky juicer that just sits on your counter, collecting dust? Gift or sell them. Not only will you earn more friendship points or pocket money, but in turn, you’ll also be rewarded with something of greater value — space.
Downsize to the Right Size
Now that your juicer, among other things identified, has found a new home, consider the concept of researching smaller items — specifically, small appliances. As strange and counterproductive as it may sound, if you’re already in the process of replacing or purchasing, you might as well do so with the appropriate size in mind. And getting this part right is pretty important.
Appliances live on the counter — to be seen, heard, and of course, used. Regularly. And the only time they’ll ever make a move is when you do — hopefully, to a place with a bigger kitchen.
In the meantime, however, standard-sized electronics, more often than not, will struggle to fit well on your already restricted counter space. They will clutter your workspace, and in turn, collectively reduce your kitchen’s functionality — and your enthusiasm to cook.
Instead, opt for a more compact design option of an espresso machine, toaster, or food processor, for example, as these common kitchen gadgets can very quickly overwhelm the counter.
Notable mentions within the compact category include, but aren’t limited to, De’Longhi’s best-selling Dedica Deluxe Espresso Machine and KitchenAid’s powerful 3.5 Cup Food Chopper. Not only are they well-tailored for the smaller kitchen, but they’re also generally discounted.
Consolidate Functions
While such products offer countertop-friendly footprints as well as great looks, recognize opportunities to gain even more kitchen space. How? Well, it’s not a matter of living a simpler life, being frugal, or saving the planet — not directly, at least — but celebrating good product design. In particular, hybrid appliances.
Gain more but with less by picking multifunctional tools of a smaller scale, as much as possible. Thanks to increased interest and necessity around small home living, plus the added demand for furnishing guest houses and in-law suites, today’s market supports fantastic options and innovations, including those that do double duty.
Just as trendy as the phenomenon of small home living itself, it’s likely, for one, that you’ve stumbled upon the likewise popular air fryer. And you’ve probably noticed several clunky, countertop-hungry figures at that. Thankfully, there are compact versions. And they will cut unwanted calories and fat as they do space-hogging — some will do even more for you.
Sticking with the compact air fryer as a positive role model of space efficiency, you’ll moreover gain the best of both worlds with products that now combine the old with the new. Here, it’s the air fryer technology in conjunction with the conventional functionality of a typical appliance—an air fryer that tackles toaster- and oven-based tasks.
Beyond fried food, smooth stuff—sauces, soups, and smoothies—really drive home the virtues of owning multifunctional gadgets. Namely, the use of a stick blender. Undeniably compact, it’s at once powerful, cost-effective, and space-conscious—and it’s arguably the most impressive space-saving gadget to date.
And its merits are best understood when considering what it’s able to replace. Also known as an immersion blender, it can do the same jobs — and well — as a standard blender. But without the larger presence and expense. And if you’re not a fan of smoothies, but are of creamy soups, the stick handles either of them with ease.
Similarly, it perfectly executes dressings, which means the chance to eliminate the need for a food processor, too. At the end of the day, having a stick blender takes care of two pretty significant countertop appliances. And that’s a pretty huge win for the kitchen.
