Small Kitchen Cooking Tips
9 Ideas for a Streamlined Small Space
9 Ideas for a Streamlined Small Space
After two+ years in my kitchen with a very small amount of usable counter space, dozens of meals with friends, and near-constant cooking every day, I’ve got a few thoughts on maximizing your space and making cooking more enjoyable that might be helpful if you’re in the same situation. If you’re in a position to get a kitchen island, that would be my number one suggestion, but if not, there are plenty of other ways to make your kitchen work well for you!
Start by deciding what will keep your space tidy and easy to clean: for us, that was putting up some peel-and-stick backsplash and painting the wall with a more matte paint that was easier to wipe clean than the paint the apartment came with.
Maximize your prep area: we got a cutting board that takes up all of the usable counter space so we can chop and prep everywhere. For the first year or so at this place, we had a couple of smaller boards that were constantly sliding around, and I can’t overstate how life-changing a large, high-quality board has been.
As far as actual cooking and prep go: unload the dishwasher before you start cooking so you can keep things from stacking up in the sink. This will make cleanup all the more effortless as well!
Mis en place: get everything you need chopped, measured, and set aside so you’re not continually chopping and measuring as you go. This way, you can put each item back in the fridge or pantry to keep your prep space easier to manage while you’re cooking.
Utilize a discard bowl! Keep this around to place your shallot skins, scallion ends, and so forth, to avoid continually reaching into the trash while you’re cooking.
Make your space as functional as possible: I keep more items out on shelves than I’d like but it’s easier to have quick access to everything.
This may sound like a no-brainer, but cook smaller meals: dishes that can be made in one or two pots or pans will avoid tons of cleanup and will make the actual cooking process easier on you.
Clean as you go!
If you’re making big multi-course meals for groups: focus on dishes that can be prepped early and that don’t have conflicting oven temps or timelines, and enlist your partner and/or friends to help you clean up afterward 🫶🏼
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