I Sent Photos of My Tiny, Awkward Kitchen to a Designer, and Her 4 Tips Changed Everything
Last month I moved into a wonderful two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. It has a ton of natural light, there’s a balcony off each of the bedrooms, and the bathroom is spacious and modern. However, like all New York City apartments, this one also has its quirks — in the form of an awkwardly shaped kitchen.
It lacks countertop space, and the main cabinets are so high that my roommate and I struggle to reach them — even with a stepladder. Since moving in, we’ve had to get creative with the space, but I knew there was more we could do to create a more streamlined, practical kitchen — so I turned to the pros.
How a Designer Helped Make the Most of My Awkward Kitchen
I spoke with Katelyn Irizarry, founding partner and design director of PRD Custom Homes, to find out her expert tips and tricks on how I can best utilize the space.
“Working within the limitations of a small kitchen can be a challenge, but not impossible by any means,” she says. “Efficiency, creativity, and organization are going to be your best tools for making the most out of your space.”
1. Mounted Organizers
Irizarry suggested getting a wall-mounted paper towel holder to help free up some of my limited counter space. Upon her recommendation, I purchased this one for less than $10, and it’s made a world of difference. The space between my microwave and sink instantly looks less cluttered!
2. Storage Bins
For the shelf above the stove, she suggested using storage bins such as these adorable Maddox wire grid bins to help organize bottles, boxes, and spices, which makes it easier to find things instead of hunting through the current chaos to find a jar of red pepper flakes. I ordered them (and they’re en route!), but in the meantime I created a temporary pantry in the cupboard above the sink by switching out plates for the grocery items.
The space above the wooden cabinet above the sink has also become a mismatched area that we use to store extra paper towels, cereal, and more odd bits that don’t necessarily have a dedicated home. “I love the asymmetry of the low wooden cabinets and higher white wall cabinets; but sometimes it isn’t all about the art of cabinetry, am I right? Those spaces above the cabinets are valuable real estate, and I know you don’t love throwing your extra paper towels and random items up there,” explains Irizarry. “Baskets, cubes, or stackable bins are an easy way to store things that you don’t need every day. Having a handle on them allows for easy access if you have a small step ladder.”
3. More Storage
To take it one step further — in case I want a little more precision with my storage — she shared some other tips, too: “If you want to keep things more organized than tossing them in bins, try something like these stacked storage bins with doors, or these foldable storage bins with transparent doors. For a shorter profile to go above your white cabinets, you could see if these drop-front shoe boxes would fit the space.”
4. A Kitchen Cart
In addition to the lack of countertop space, there’s also a ton of dead space where the kitchen and living space meet. To make the most of it, Irizarry recommends investing in a kitchen cart. “Preferably one that has closed storage underneath so that you can store more without having to worry about it looking neat,” she says. “The wheels are especially nice so that you can roll it over to the wall to open up the kitchen when it’s not needed, or even push it closer to your entertaining space to use it as a buffet or makeshift bar area during a gathering.”
Her recommendations included IKEA’s selection of islands and carts, along with Pottery Barn’s Delaney Kitchen Console (which, although beautiful, is out of my price range). “If you’re not wild about the island cart idea, look for something smaller like this Yamazaki rolling cart that can be stored against the wall,” Irizarry says. (The Kitchn also has an incredible new collab in a fun color with Yamazaki Home, an editor-loved organizing brand — check it out here!).
Overall, Irizarry’s advice made me see that my kitchen is small but mighty — and has a lot of potential. With a few small tweaks and tricks, I can definitely get more out of my kitchen — even when I’m on a budget. I’m looking forward to implementing more of her tips and giving my space a new lease on life!
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: I Sent Photos of My Tiny, Awkward Kitchen to a Designer, and Her 4 Tips Changed Everything