How to Make a Tiny Kitchen Work
A tiny kitchen can still make a big impact. And by using creative solutions for storage and organization, it can function just a well as a larger, full size kitchen. Read on to see how I created an adorable tiny kitchen in my client Angela’s rental apartment.
It started with the Hand-Stenciled Tile Backsplash. That alone made Angela’s studio kitchen look so much better than the plain white hole it was before. I’m being dramatic - it wasn’t that bad before.
The first thing that ran through my mind when I saw it - where the heck will she cook?? We knew that more counter space was a must, but obviously had limited space. A kitchen cart was the perfect solution!
Angela found this one on Wayfair, and it was fine. Totally functional, the right size, great added storage.
But if you’ve learned anything about the way I do things, it goes way beyond just fine. Armed with the knowledge that my client loves color (especially yellow), I decided to spruce this kitchen cart up and add a few more elements to the kitchen to make it more functional, and more charming.
What’s happier than a butter yellow kitchen? A butter yellow kitchen cart! We went with Krypon Paint + Primer in Satin Meringue. Satin is a great finish for most surfaces. Angela already owned a light yellow KitchenAide mixer that sits atop the fridge. When using color, I think it’s a good idea to have multiple “moments” of the same color, so that when your eye travels around the space, it picks up those color moments to make the room feel cohesive.
A quick spray painting tip: position your spray bottle a foot or two away from the surface being sprayed. If you get too close, you run the risk of paint drips. Better to do two lighter coats than one drippy mess.
Because the butcher block countertop will be used as a food prep surface, take the extra time to tape and fully cover with plastic before you spray. Other things to remember - remove hardware pre-painting, and fully let each coat dry before moving on.
Okay I was really excited about this next idea. We purchased this pegboard and I thought it would be a stylish and functional way to store pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Plus, it picks up the color of the butcher block. It came with plenty of hooks to hang, by the way.
The other thing I added was a small spice rack above the stove. I painted it yellow to tie into the kitchen cart. It’s perfect for Angela’s every-day oils and spices, like olive oil and salt + pepper.
Those three projects really made a huge difference in this kitchen. It’s small but mighty, and Angela texted me the night we finished, saying she was having so much fun cooking dinner. Hearing feedback like that makes me feel all the warm fuzzies.
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Why is doing home improvement projects so damn satisfying?! I get a thrill out of planning them, executing them, and looking at the pictures and videos afterwards. I know there are more of you out there! Cheers to this lovely DIY community. You are my people!
