Having only a few square metres in the kitchen doesn't mean living in chaos. Knowing how to organise a small kitchen is the key to cooking comfortably, finding everything first time and, along the way, gaining space where there didn't seem to be any. You don't need a refit or to knock walls down: with good habits and a few well-chosen organisers you can use every last corner of a small kitchen. In this guide we give you practical ideas for small kitchens, step by step.
Start by clearing out and keep only the essentials
The first step to organising a small kitchen is taking everything out and sorting through it. Empty the cupboards and drawers and look at what you genuinely use. Those tins you haven't touched in years, the mismatched crockery or the tubs with no lids are only stealing space. Keep what you use often, donate anything in good condition and throw out what is broken. The less clutter you keep, the easier it is to stay tidy and the more free space you have for what matters.
How to use the height in a small kitchen
In a kitchen with few metres, the walls and the height are your best allies. Fit shelves right up to the ceiling for the crockery you rarely use, and make use of the top of the cupboards with labelled boxes. A wall rail with hooks frees up whole drawers: hang pans, ladles, mugs or even chopping boards from it. Magnetic knife strips and magnetic spice jars also make every vertical centimetre work.
Arrange the kitchen cupboards by zone
Organising the kitchen cupboards by zone of use saves you steps and time. Keep plates and glasses near the dishwasher or the drainer; pans and pots next to the hob; and dry goods grouped together in a single cupboard. Put everyday items at hand height and leave the highest shelves or the back for occasional things. Inside the cupboards, pull-out organisers and wire shelves that add an extra tier multiply capacity without any building work.
Make the most of corners and dead space
Corners and narrow gaps usually go to waste and add up to a lot of space. A corner unit with turntables puts within reach whatever gets lost at the back. Narrow organisers on wheels slot into the gap between the fridge and the wall, perfect for bottles or tins. Under the sink, a few adjustable shelves that work around the pipes turn a dumping ground into an orderly store.
Ideas for gaining space on the worktop
A clear worktop is what gives the greatest sense of space. Take away everything you can put out of sight and leave out only what you use every day. A spice organiser, a pot for the cooking utensils and a folding drainer are enough to keep just what you need to hand. Use the inside of cupboard doors to hang lids, kitchen roll or cleaning products. And if you have a gap between units, a trolley on wheels gives you extra storage you can move wherever you like.
Organisers that make the difference
A handful of well-thought-out accessories transforms any small kitchen:
- Stackable baskets and boxes: they group food together and free up shelves.
- Extra wire shelves: they create a second tier inside the cupboard.
- Matching airtight jars: they bring order to the pantry and stack without wasting space.
- Pull-out organisers for pans and lids: they make use of the back of base units.
- Wall rails and hooks: they take everything that can be hung out of the drawers.
In our storage and home section you will find practical solutions for making the most of every last corner.
Keep your kitchen tidy day to day
Organising is half the job; keeping it that way is the other half. Clear the worktop after every meal, put everything back where it belongs and go through the pantry once a month to remove anything out of date. Apply the 'one in, one out' rule: when you buy a new gadget, get rid of one you no longer use. With these habits, your small kitchen will stay clear and workable all year round. Take a look at our products for the home and start gaining space today.