One of the biggest annoyances of a small kitchen is the lack of counter space. Even after clearing up your kitchen countertops and putting away all of your typical space-hogging suspects, you might not succeed. And contrary to popular belief, you can’t just make extra kitchen counter space.

Expanding your work surface area is relatively simple if you’re ready to use a little imagination. To help you out, here are some creative (but simple) ways to increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen:

Have multifunctional workspaces

Regardless of your kitchen size, it will contain at least two things: a sink and a cooker top. Both of these usually wind up being dead space when not in use. Now is the time to change that. Whether it’s an inset drying rack or a custom-fit cutting board that sits perfectly across the top, make those places work harder.

Displaying attractive pots and pans on the stovetop also provides additional storage space, which is helpful if you’re short on cupboard and drawer space.

Make use of drawers

Coffee jars, spice racks, knife blocks, and cutting boards are frequent culprits of counter clutter, but the good news is that all of these items fit perfectly in drawers. It only takes a little tweaking to make them suitable for their intended use.

While adjustable inserts and dividers are useful, tailored organizers are better if you want to make the most of your space.

You can customize these to meet your unique needs, providing convenient access to kitchen supplies. Choose deep drawers to manage pots and pans, innovative pull-out designs that reveal two drawers in one, unique internal organizers, knife blocks, and even intelligent charging drawers for all your digital needs.

When organizing kitchen drawers, make sure the most accessible ones contain products you use daily. That way, you’re less likely to leave them on the side.

Layer up

Shelf risers are often associated with freeing up space in kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves, but they are equally effective when used directly on the countertop—as long as you choose a nice design. They’re also movable, so you can rearrange them depending on how you want to use your counter space.

If you must store items on your countertop, try additional kitchen organizers like stackable bins and Lazy Susans. While they do not free up counter space underneath as risers do, they make the most of the available storage space.

Create groups of items.

Smaller items scattered around the countertop can create a cluttered appearance, resulting in a messier workspace that is also more difficult to clean. Elegant-lidded containers can store lesser-used items such as dry ingredients, herbs, vitamins, pencils, etc. Still, trays are a better option for products that require frequent access (think washing liquid, sponges, cooking oils, and seasonings).

You should place grouped items on trays rather than directly on the surface. That way, you can lift everything at once when you need to wipe the sides or shift things temporarily to free up counter space for cooking.

You should limit yourself to one or two clusters for every few feet of linear counter space. If you have numerous short runs, space them out so that each stretch only contains one item. Consider clustering three or four groups together if you have a longer stretch, say four to six feet of counter space.

Have another storage space.

One of the greatest strategies for keeping counters uncluttered is to focus on other storage areas, such as organizing kitchen cabinets, deep pantry shelves, or decluttering a small kitchen. If you do this strategically, everything will have its own place, and you won’t need to store anything on countertops.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the early phases of designing an entirely new compact kitchen layout, you can make things a lot easier by incorporating a few ‘creative’ space-saving storage solutions or a pull-out counter if you have the space.

Don’t hesitate to collaborate with a joiner or designer. They can propose creative storage solutions for odd nooks and recesses. Using pocket doors in a compact kitchen is an excellent way to expand additional food prep and storage facilities, such as a pantry, without wasting valuable floor space.

Take full advantage of early planning by selecting as many built-in appliances as possible. Other options include purchasing a microwave-equipped oven or installing a hot water tap instead of a hefty kettle.

Have portable workspaces

Portable kitchen island ideas are perfect for making more room in small kitchens in terms of surface and storage. They’re also versatile; the top may be used as an extra countertop and a temporary breakfast bar, which is helpful if you have friends overnight (buy in a couple of foldable chairs or stools to pull out as needed).

You can also use the shelves underneath to store objects that generally end up on the countertop. Choose one with wheels so you can move it in and out, depending on whether you need more counter or floor space.

Hang some items on the wall.

Storing utensils upright is a sensible way to quickly and simply find what you need, which is why they are frequently kept in jars on the countertop near the stove.

While storing them in a drawer is a practical solution, using vacant wall space, such as a backsplash, is significantly more space-efficient and can also look rather elegant.

Consider using a wall rail with hooks. In addition to kitchenware, you can hang oven mitts, tea towels, cleaning brushes, and even little herb pots; just make sure they are far away from any open flame.

Parting shot

You can use these strategies to create extra space in your kitchen counters. Whether you have granite countertops NC or any other type of countertop, it’s your responsibility to work with experts who will not only hold your hand when building your kitchen but also guide you in making the right decision.