Kitchen essentials that will actually fit into your small kitchen
How to save space
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Most avid cooks have known the pain of living in a home with a kitchen that’s too small. Whether you’ve compromised on kitchen space to get that perfect downtown location or an extra bedroom to use as a home office, there are ways to work around cramped cooking areas.
Focus on kitchen essentials that will actually work for your small kitchen, and consider your style of cooking and the equipment you use regularly. With a little thought and planning, you can continue to impress your loved ones with your kitchen despite your small kitchen.
Choose the kitchen equipment that is important to you
When space is limited, it’s about prioritizing what’s important to you rather than filling your kitchen with gadgets you think you should have. For example, people who love coffee a lot could make space on their counter for a decent espresso machine and forgo a microwave.
Choose versatile kitchen items
People with large kitchens can stock their cupboards with single-use items, such as avocado slicers and egg cookers, if they wish. With small kitchens, however, people don’t have that luxury. Instead, they should focus on items suitable for a range of tasks, such as pans that go on the hob and in the oven or cutting boards that double as serving plates. Not only will it save space, but you’ll also save money and you won’t have unnecessary gadgets ending up in the back of a cupboard somewhere.
Consider saving space in your kitchen
In small kitchens, people need to think about how to save space, not just what kitchen essentials they can store. Cabinet shelf organizers create an extra level of cabinet shelving, doubling the storage area and banishing dead space. Magnetic or wall organizers create extra space on counters and in cabinets that people can use to store other things.
The best kitchen essentials for a small kitchen
KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender
Full-size blenders take up valuable counter space in a small kitchen, but immersion blenders like this can easily be tucked away in a drawer when not in use. It’s a powerful choice that simplifies most merging tasks. It also comes with a whisk and chopper, saving even more space. The cordless design is convenient and can blend around 25 bowls of soup on a full charge.
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Bialetti French press coffee maker
No room for a large drip coffee maker or espresso machine? A French press is the perfect solution for making coffee. Not only is its compact size perfect for small kitchens, this brewing method results in a bold tasting coffee rich in all the compounds found in these magical beans. As such, French presses are a popular choice with many coffee lovers. This one is sturdy, looks great, and comes from a big name in Italian coffee makers.
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Magnetic strip for Cucino knives
Rather than a knife block taking up space on your kitchen counter, consider switching to a magnetic knife strip. Knife blades stick to the magnetic tape, keeping them out of the way but close at hand when needed. Shoppers can choose between two versions: one that sticks to the wall with an adhesive strip that won’t damage paintwork, and one that magnetically sticks to your fridge. Both work well and are easy to hire as they won’t need to be screwed to the wall.
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8 inch Shun Classic Blonde Chef’s Knife
If you don’t fancy a bunch of knives, you can always save space by buying a single knife that can do virtually anything rather than a whole set of knives that just take up space. This high quality chef’s knife is versatile enough to replace virtually any other kitchen knife. Plus, it’s beautifully made and a pleasure to use.
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FineDine Nestable Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
Thanks to the nested design, these mixing bowls take up less cabinet space. They also come with lids so they can double as storage containers for leftovers. They come in a choice of a sophisticated gray finish or more vibrant hues.
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Breville Handy Mix Hand Mixer with Scraper
There may not be a place for a stand mixer in a small kitchen, but a quality hand mixer helps avid cooks quickly mix batters, knead doughs, and whip up the perfect buttercream. while taking up much less space. This model from Breville features scraper beaters that scrape down the sides of the bowl for more even mixing. It also comes with a pair of balloon whisks and dough hooks.
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Sonder Los Angeles thick and durable acacia wood cutting board
It may seem counter-intuitive to have a large cutting board in a small kitchen, but a quality solid wood board like this is a feature in itself. You can leave it on the counter full time so it’s ready for chopping and other kitchen tasks when you are. This one has a reversible design, with one side doubles as a fancy serving tray.
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Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Casserole
This unique Dutch oven can replace a range of pots and pans. It works on the hob for any food or dish that needs to be boiled or simmered. With a strainer or dedicated insert, it doubles as a steamer. It’s also oven safe to cook all kinds of casseroles and even makes a great container for baking bread. Plus, it’s attractive enough to serve with.
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Gneiss Spice Magnetic Spice Jars
Save space in cabinets or on counters with these magnetic spice jars. They stick to refrigerators or other metal appliances and are a space-saving alternative to storing spices in a spice rack or cabinet shelf. They have a hexagonal tessellation design and come with stickers for easy labeling.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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