There is nothing more frustrating than coping with a cramped and crowded kitchen. Small spaces have the potential in design to serve up some really beautiful and unique things. With such a small area to focus on, we are able to really create something that is functional and stylish. However, of course, along with wonderful potential, small spaces serve up several challenges. When it comes to spaces that are intended for function, such as kitchens, it is important that every square foot of space is used purposefully. Our kitchens are in use almost constantly and are, for many, one of the most essential spaces in a home. For this reason, kitchens are also often the most cluttered, unorganized, busy, and messy rooms in a home (at least in mine). With limited space and storage in such an important part of our home, we must find ways to creatively use that space.

Utilize Wall Space

One of the best ways to create something both visually interesting and functional in a space is by utilizing wall space. In bathrooms and kitchens there are many options you have to create some very unique and interesting storage. Living in a small apartment, one of my favorite solutions for a cramped and unorganized kitchen is securing a slab of pegboard to the wall. Be sure that you find a wall that is easily accessible in the kitchen. Place hooks as needed in the pegboard and secure baskets or bags to the hooks. This can provide a wonderful way to store veggies, fruits, or cooking utensils in a fashionable and functional way. Of course, you want to be sure that the board is secured carefully and the hooks are attached safely. Paint the pegboard a beautiful accent color for your kitchen and use decorative basics or bags that go along the same palette.

Another great way to utilize wall space in a kitchen is by repurposing a bathroom towel bar. Position the bar on an open wall above a countertop and hang decorative s-hooks from it. You can then hang pots and pans from this bar to free up the cabinet space they once inhabited. Or, if you don’t want to display your pots on pans in the open, you can hang decorative bags from these hooks to store veggies or other kitchen objects. Adding hardware like a chrome bathroom bar and decorative metal hooks can be a great way to freshen up and modernize your kitchen in a functional and fun way.

Work Up

Oftentimes when we think of organizing things in a space we think of storing below or utilizing surfaces carefully. However, it is important to think about the unused space that we have above. Stacking things is one of the simplest and smartest ways to save valuable space in a crowded kitchen. If you think about it, there is a lot of space that is wasted in kitchen cabinets and counters that is above. There is almost always a good five to six inches above our plates or glasses in our cabinets. Try using tray to double the surface space in your cabinets. Place glasses down in the cabinet and then place a tray on top of them. You can place your remaining glasses on top of the tray. This is a great way to easily multiply the storage capacity in your cabinets.

Another way to build up in your kitchen to better utilize space is by stacking things on your countertops. Try buying a decorative cake stand and using it as a storage space on your countertop. You can place things on top of the cake stand and beneath the cake stand to better use your minimal counter space. You can try putting things that you always use around the kitchen on top of the cake stand and then things that are less commonly used below it. Layering like this helps to elongate your room and will free up more space on your counters.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7@gmail.com.