Is it true that bigger is always better when it comes to your home? Well, it can be, but for many homeowners today, having a small space makes life more cost-effective and easier to manage.

Whether you’ve bought a tiny home or you’re looking to maximize your space, we have some useful tips to help you organize kitchen appliances in your small kitchen. So, let’s make the most of your space! 

The F.E.D. Strategy

When it comes to making a smaller kitchen work for you, there are three primary elements to consider: Frequence, Ease of Use, and Design—otherwise known as F.E.D. By using the F.E.D. approach, you can get a good idea about how to redesign your kitchen that best serves your day-to-day life.

Frequency

When setting up a new layout for your kitchen, consider how frequently you use each appliance. Though some arrangements may look more appealing, it’s better to give yourself easier access to the appliances you reach for first.

Everyday items can go on the counter or in your line of vision. This allows your morning a breeze to make, instead of a workout. Move other items to the back of a cupboard or shift items to an area off the kitchen (e.g. put the fondue pot in a hallway closet).

Check out storage solutions, like tiered spice shelves and stylish bins and racks. If your cupboards have removable shelves, use them to make space for taller devices.

Ease of Use

Now that you’ve determined what you use the most, it’s time to install a system that will make waiting for your food to cook the only difficult thing about being in your kitchen. 

Place items in locations that follow your natural flow in the kitchen. Keep things like oven mitts and cutting boards as close to where they are used as possible (so you don’t have to frequently walk across the kitchen), and set up your kitchen so you can find and store devices without having to think about it.

 

 

If counter space is more limited, consider slimmer options, such as immersion blenders and single-cup coffeemakers. Find appliances that are big enough to meet your needs, but small enough to avoid being cumbersome or imposing. You can also investigate local or online markets to trade yours in for a different model.

Design

Once your favorite appliances and fittings are readily accessible, follow these steps so you can share your kitchen space without feeling like you’re in Grand Central Station.

Ensure that appliances don’t bang against each other when multiple ones are in use and use color-coding to group appliances for the same purpose (e.g. a red crockpot and serving utensils for functions).

Keep your kitchen feeling fresh by adding easily swapped features for the season and check out our list of tips for decorating for fall.

Now is also a good time to deep clean and purge those devices that are more likely to interact with dust than food. If all you need is a battery or a readily available replacement part, take this time to pick some up and put those appliances to work.

Now that your kitchen feels new again, check in with yourself on a regular basis to ensure your kitchen's setup is still serving you as seasons change.

Which small appliance is a staple in your home? Let us know via Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!