One quick note: the upgrades mentioned here will be a mix of easy do-it-yourself options that you can easily take with you when you leave the rental home and some ideas that may require the permission of your landlord. Be sure to check the terms of your lease carefully and follow the process for requesting permanent changes.
Declutter and Organize
The best strategy to create a clean and functional kitchen is to first declutter and organize it. If your dishes, utensils, small appliances, or kitchenware vastly exceed the available cabinet space, simply getting rid of the things you do not use regularly can help fit everything better. You can also invest in organizing trays and racks that fit into a drawer or cabinet to corral things like silverware, pot and pan lids, and spice jars. Once everything has its place, you are on your way to a more functional kitchen.
Use Vertical Spaces
Another way to maximize your kitchen is to create more storage. Hooks and pegs are also a great way around limited cabinet space. You can add them to unused areas like walls, the side of cabinets, or even the ceiling. If you hang your pots on a rack or your coffee mugs on hooks, you can have an entire cabinet or two available for other things. Just be sure to install your hanging storage using damage-free mounting tape or get permission from your Colchester property manager to drill holes in the walls or ceiling.
Add Rolling Storage
Many tenants also find that a rolling island or storage cabinet easily adds storage space to a small kitchen. These help fill in the underutilized gaps and corners that are common in small kitchens. By adding some standalone storage or counter space, you can store your things better. Rolling islands are especially great because they can be used as both storage and counter space, and also serve as an additional place to sit if you bring in some stools. There are also narrow storage racks made to fit between a fridge and a wall or other tight spaces so you have more places to store your kitchen essentials or pantry items.
Add Shelves
For kitchens that have a lot of wall space but not so many cabinets, installing shelves is an inexpensive way to add more storage. Open shelves not only give you places to display glassware or store small appliances away, but they also add beauty to a kitchen. Since adding shelves is a much bigger project, you may need to ask for your landlord’s approval, so be sure to ask first. Most leases also stipulate that any permanent installations, like shelves, have to be removed upon leaving and you may need to repair any damage left behind.
Your lease, like many leases, may also require you to have the installation done by a licensed professional, so be sure to check with your landlord about the guidelines you have to follow. Otherwise, the cost of removal or repairs may be deducted from your security deposit upon move-out.
While all of these are great tips to maximize your kitchen space, you might need to look for a rental with bigger rooms if you still feel cramped. If you’re ready for a move, give Real Property Management Sterling a call. We have a wide range of rental home listings, possibly even one with your dream kitchen in it! View our listings online or reach us at 802-861-6468.