10 Small Space Kitchen Hacks to Steal from This Adorable SF Studio
No one likes feeling cramped in the kitchen, especially when you’re elbow deep in cookie dough or working your magic on a dish of mermaid pasta. If you’re looking for a way to turn your tiny kitchen into a well-designed space that practically begs you to start cooking, all you need is a few clever decor tricks. During our Tiny Spaces series tour, Amy showed us how she styles her 400-square-foot San Francisco apartment, including some brilliant storage ideas in the kitchen. From using pretty pitchers for utensils to keeping a step-stool on hand at all times, Amy’s home is just the inspo you need to decorate your itsy bitsy kitchen. Check out all her genius and stylish small space hacks below, watch the video tour and then head over to our Tiny Spaces series page to see some other totally amazing tiny homes.
1. Make use of the space above your cabinets. Amy made full use of the space above her kitchen cabinets to store her cookbooks. As she pointed out, if you don’t use something every day, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little out of reach. Just make sure you keep a step stool on hand so you can grab them when you need them. Counters work too.
2. Don’t be afraid to add personality. Just because it’s a tiny kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t bring in some playful accessories. Minimalism is nice when it comes to small spaces, but it’s not the only answer. Just take note from Amy, who wasn’t afraid to mount a wood deer head front and center in her mini galley kitchen. Framed art above the cabinets is another genius idea to add color and style.
3. Keep your totes handy. The number one thing a tiny kitchen is missing is lots of storage space. Instead of stuffing your tote bag collection in a much-needed drawer, hang them under the cabinets where they can double as art. Plus, maybe having them in a high-visibility area will help you remember to take them with you more often.
4. Show off your mugs. Amy’s kitchen is a great example of how to use every square inch to your advantage. Here, she takes advantage of the empty space underneath a shelf to hang her adorable mug collection on a mounted coat rack.
5. Mount those wall shelves. Floating shelves = more surface area. A wall of open shelving is fun and functional and perfect for all types of spaces. This brilliant hack adds a mix of open lighting and varied structural elements so you can see exactly what you have at a glance.
6. Use pretty storage. Opt for colorful pitchers, quirky canisters and fun storage options to store all your utensils and kitchen hardware. If you’re renting, painting is usually not an option, so accessories are the next best way to incorporate your signature style into the space. Plus, being able to put your prettiest dishes on display doubles as decor.
7. Skip the curtains. Natural light is your best friend, especially if your kitchen is dark and narrow. Let in all the light possible and ditch the heavy curtains. If you’re worried about privacy, go for a simple blind instead.
8. Take your greenery to the next level. Plants are practically a must-have, but if you don’t have space for a giant fiddle leaf fig tree, it’s time to take your pots vertical. Hang mini planters around the windows and they’ll be more than happy to clean your air for you.
9. Hide your workspace. Amy’s favorite piece of furniture in her tiny apartment is her computer armoire. The doors open up completely so she can work in a well-lit space and hang plenty of inspo inside the cabinets via magnetic strips. But then when she’s done, all she has to do is close it up and the whole room looks more tidy and “put away.”
10. Think clear. Clear containers will up your organization game. Amy mentioned that she prefers storing things she uses every day in transparent containers so she can see what’s inside them. Instead of hunting around for the ever-elusive desk accessories, keep them mounted right on the wall for maximum efficiency.
Watch the full tour below and check out the rest of the series here.
Want more decor ideas for your small space? Check back here for more Tiny Spaces and follow us on Pinterest for tips, tricks and hacks for all your tiny living woes.