How to Cook in Your Tiny Kitchen
Just because you have a tiny kitchen, doesn’t mean you can’t do big things in it! Like host a big dinner party with not outsourced food, or bake a multi-tiered cake that Claire Saffitz told you to make on her YouTube channel. And if Alison Roman created those viral chocolate chip shortbread cookies in her closet of a kitchen, then I say size doesn’t matter! All that matters is that you equip your tiny kitchen with the right storage solutions so you can chop vegetables without your cutting board falling on the floor (i.e. maximizing countertop space is the key to tiny kitchens). Enter the kitchen cart!
The kitchen cart was made for tiny kitchens. They do double duty as additional food prep surfaces, while providing extra space for bulky items like pots, pans and skillets. You can be as minimalist or maximalist with your kitchen cart as you’d like, depending on what your kitchen needs. They are infinitely versatile, even becoming a bar cart or buffet for entertainment if that’s something you’re doing these days.
Frequently-used appliances like food processors and toasters do well here too. Unless your kitchen cart has cupboards, avoid storing more fragile items like plates and glassware on open shelves, as they’re in a heavily trafficked zone.
When it comes to especially tiny kitchens, make sure your kitchen cart is proportional to the size of your space, so it doesn’t become one more piece of clutter. In this case, it’s best to look for carts that have drop leaves for easy, compact storage. But if you have an open plan kitchen with little countertop space, your space can handle a slightly larger cart.
While kitchen carts are an excellent way to maximize space in small kitchens, it’s important not to overload it with tools and gadgets. It might be tempting to fill every last nook of your cart with stuff, but this will only make a tiny space look tinier and even more cluttered. Keep only the items you use on a regular basis here, and even then, keep these items to a minimum.
You want your kitchen to feel open, airy and expansive. When it’s full of clutter, you won’t be as inspired to move around your kitchen and cook! Same goes for small kitchen storage solutions. Don’t put the cart before the horse. If you truly need storage solutions for existing items, then by all means purchase what you need; otherwise, it’s a nice reminder that you don’t need to purchase every tiny kitchen storage solution simply because you have a tiny kitchen.
Here are my go-to kitchen cart recommendations:
For the teeeeny tiny kitchen-owner: Stenstorp. This kitchen cart fits in even the smallest of kitchens. It might look tiny, but it stores much more than you’d think.
For the avid cook and baker: John Boos Cucina Culinarte Kitchen Cart. It’s no secret that John Boos makes the best cutting boards around, and this kitchen cart is the perfect combination of craftsmanship and functionality. It’s an ideal pick for the seasoned chef/baker, who might need extra space for all their pots, pans, and mixing bowls. The dish towel bar is a nice bonus.
For the chic pragmatist: The Westport Kitchen Cart. This kitchen cart is chic yet also functional, so you can use it both for entertaining and food prep. Plus, unlike many kitchen carts with open industrial shelves, it’s ash and oak-wood open shelving offers a nice change of pace.
For the maximalist who pretends to be minimalist: Glenville White Kitchen Cart. If you’re looking for cabinet storage, look no further than this reasonably priced yet elegant kitchen cart. This kitchen cart looks good in any kitchen, and comes with side hooks for extra storage.