Not all ovens are created equal. Same goes for refrigerators. If you're moving or renovating, you might find that appliances aren't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, life hands you a gap, and it's your challenge to fill it as best you can. Here are our three suggestions.
1. Find (or Build!) Narrow Shelves
By finding a purpose for the gap, you're making it look purposeful. Measure your gap, then head out and scour stores for a narrow shelf unit that fits perfectly with your cabinets. Many spice racks fit the bill, like this one from The Container Store. But if you can't find the right fit, consider commissioning someone to build a shelf unit to your specifications, it could be cheaper than you think.
2. Install Hooks to Hang Pots
We've never met a kitchen that couldn't use an extra place to stash pots. Anchor in a few heavy-duty hooks from the exposed side of your kitchen cabinets and use them to hang pots and pans when not in use.
3. Buy a New (Wider) Appliance
If the gap is killing you and any attempt to make use of it makes your tiny kitchen look cluttered, splurge a little on a luxuriously wide oven or fridge. After all, it seems like your kitchen was built to have one. If you're rocking a 30-inch oven, upgrade to a commercial-grade 36-inch model, like this one. You'll get to close the gap, plus add in extras like 2 bonus burners and plenty of pan storage.
(Images: Flickr member jimw licensed for use under Creative Commons, Flickr member ilovebutter licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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Really? "Buy a wider appliance" is one of the suggestions? I was expecting some really creative suggestions from this article as I have the same problem at home but this one disappoints me. What about simply creating a false front to extend the cabinet or building a little pull-out rack for dishtowels/oven mitts?
In the example I would just buy a wider appliance. Many situations you can get away with some improvisation, but that just looks bad. A stainless hood and a not-quite-full-width white stove? Seems like there is some backstory here.
I've also seen some really narrow shelves designed for laundry rooms that might fit there.
If you do buy a "spice rack", don't store spices right next to the oven, where the heat will ruin them.
Next to a tall appliance or a wall, the gap might be the perfect place to stow a small stepladder, or a broom and/or mop.
Ok I was totally disappointed by this; whether you have a large or small gap, this did not solve anything. You can't store anything like spices next to the oven, or any display items as they will be grease splattered. Hanging pots in an area like that would be gross, stuff would constantly fall into the gap. Wider appliace suggestion speaks for itself.
The gap I have an issue with is only a couple inches wide - I store my rolling pin there and it fits perfectly, stops all crumbs. It's an awkward item I don't have room for elsewhere anyway, so I just wipe it down with a wet rag when I (rarely) use it.
We put in one low shelve and store our big flat items (like cookie sheets and platters). Later we got fancy with our gap and even made a narrow cabinet door to hide it all.