10 Savvy Ways to Trick Out More Kitchen Counter Space

If your meal prep is cramped by a lack of kitchen countertops, you're not alone. Limited counter space is a common kitchen hassle faced by homeowners and renters alike. From cluttered counters to bottleneck work zones, small kitchens can hinder your cooking potential.

But don't tear out your existing cabinetry just yet! With clever solutions, you can optimize what you already have and expand your usable counter area. Read on for 10 savvy ways to trick out your kitchen with more elbow room.

#1 Invest in a Kitchen Island

All About Kitchen Islands

A kitchen island is a freestanding unit that provides both extra counter space and storage. Islands can include countertops, cabinets, shelves, and drawers for keeping kitchen tools and ingredients within reach. Many kitchen islands even have an eat-at breakfast bar for casual dining.

Stationary islands are permanently placed, while portable islands can be moved as needed. Rolling islands take portability a step further with wheels for repositioning around your kitchen. Butcher block islands showcase a thick wood chopping surface perfect for meal prep.

Tips for Choosing an Island

When shopping for an island, first measure your kitchen and mark off any aisle clearances to see what size island will fit. Factor in traffic zones, seating dimensions if adding stools, and room to open appliances and cabinetry.

Consider your kitchen's workflow to position the island where it will get used most. Look for storage features like shelves, cabinets, racks, and drawers to maximize functionality.

Portable islands can roll where you need them for flexible workspace. Wheels allow you to fully relocate a rolling island as tasks change. And selecting an island in the same finish or materials as your existing cabinetry will give it a cohesive customized look.

#2 Add a Kitchen Cart

What is a Kitchen Cart?

Kitchen carts are smaller, more compact versions of kitchen islands. They typically have a counter surface and one to two shelves or drawers for storage. Carts take up minimal floor space while still offering the versatility of extra prep area and storage.

Compared to full-size islands, kitchen carts seat fewer people, have less storage, and cost less. Kitchen carts are ideal for small kitchens and as an affordable alternative to built-in islands.

Kitchen Cart Shopping Tips

Look for kitchen carts with durable counter material like finished wood that can withstand daily meal prep. Storage options like shelves, drawers, and cabinet doors maximize functionality. Some carts feature handy extras like paper towel holders and stemware racks.

Locking wheels stabilize the cart when parked in place while still allowing you to roll it elsewhere as needed. And selecting a style that matches your existing kitchen decor helps a cart blend right in.

#3 Install a Countertop Extension

How Countertop Extensions Work

Countertop extensions are pull-out platforms that extend your built-in countertop surface. When closed, the extension tucks flush under your upper cabinets. Pull it out when you need those extra square footage of counter space.

Look for countertop extensions with full slide-out installation on smooth ball-bearing tracks. Soft-close slides prevent slamming. Ensure you have proper cabinet clearance to open the extension fully without hitting walls or appliances.

Choosing an Extension

Measure your existing countertop length and depth to pick the right extension size. Consider a folding or drop-leaf design for compact storage when retracted. Look for sturdy, lasting build materials like wood, laminate, or butcher block.

Some extensions include a built-in cutting board or prep surface. Others are designed to accept a removable cutting board or insert. Select extensions that match or coordinate with your current countertop style.

#4 Utilize a Countertop Overlay

Countertop Overlay Details

Countertop overlays provide portable, temporary extra surface area. These thin overlay boards lay right over your existing countertops to functionally expand your prep zone. When not needed, simply lift off and store out of the way.

Overlays come in materials like bamboo, finished wood, plastic, or stainless steel. Look for heat-resistant and durable overlays suited for chopping, hot pots, and sustained use.

Shopping for an Overlay

Measure existing countertops and factor in sink or appliance cutouts to get the right overlay dimensions. Test overlay samples for scratch resistance and heat tolerance.

Pick neutral painted wood overlays for a natural look that matches most kitchens. Or go bold with stainless steel or colorful laminate to add a pop of personality.

Look for nonslip backing to stabilize the overlay in use. When done, stow the overlay vertically against a wall, or horizontally in a low cabinet to keep counters clutter-free.

#5 Opt for Pull-Out Shelving

All About Pull-Out Shelves

Pull-out shelves maximize hard to reach cabinet spaces by bringing contents to you. These shelves attach to a sliding system within a cabinet to simply pull out when needed.

Pull-outs work well in standard base cabinets for pots and pans. They also excel for accessing blind corner spaces. Upper pull-out shelves effectively utilize the void above your refrigerator.

Pull-Out Shelf Tips

Measure your cabinet interiors first to ensure proper pull-out sizing. Look for full extension drawer glides for easy access to the farthest back corners.

Consider your storage needs to select shelf heights and capacities. Use pull-outs solely for pots and pans, or add dividers and organizers for multi-purpose storage.

Opt for durable, cleanable shelf materials like wood, laminate, or wire. Pull-outs come in your cabinetry finish or metal to coordinate.

#6 Install Wall-Mounted Racks

Wall-Mounted Rack Benefits

Wall-mounted racks refer to vertical storage attached directly to kitchen walls. Open wall shelving, hanging pot racks, and wall-mounted spice racks all keep items off your counters.

Pot racks hang above islands or counters to store cookware within easy reach. Wall-mounted utensil racks conveniently store tools without taking up drawer space. Floating shelves let you display and access ingredients, dishes, or barware.

Shopping for Wall Storage

Measure your intended wall area and factor in ceiling height for adequate clearance. Distribute weight evenly across mounting brackets, and follow any provided hardware instructions.

Select racks and shelving in materials and finishes that suit your kitchen's existing style. Use wall storage specifically for often-used cookware, utensils, and pantry essentials.

Installing racks and shelving on walls that lack cabinets or appliances helps utilize empty space stylistically.

#7 Organize Cabinets to Maximize Space

Cabinet Organization Strategies

Simply reorganizing your existing cabinets helps clear everyday items from counters. Consider easy-to-install organizational products like pull-out shelves, lazy susans, and drawer organizers.

Designate cabinets for specific items like dishes, cooking tools, canned goods, or baking items. Use shelf risers, stackable bins, and dividers to take advantage of vertical storage.

Keep like items together in each area and label cabinets. Frequently used items should go in the most accessible spots.

Designing Your Storage Plan

Start by taking inventory of everything inside your cabinets from cookware to half-used ingredients. Remove and donate or toss anything you don't use to simplify.

Think about how and when you access certain items. Place breakfast dishes and pans in base cabinets near the stove, while specialty appliances can go up high.

Invest in matching clear storage bins and canisters to neatly corral contents. This streamlines cabinets while still allowing you to see what's inside.

#8 Solve Your Corner Cabinet Storage

Tough Corner Spots

Corner cabinets notoriously have a lot of unusable space. Their angled design with a blind corner results in inefficient storage and difficulty accessing contents.

It's tempting to just use hard-to-reach corner cabinets as a catch-all. But with some simple upgrades, you can effectively tap into that lost space.

Corner Storage Solutions

Installing lazy susans or other spinning "turntable" mechanisms in corner cabinets lets you access items more easily. Diagonal corner organizers fit perfectly into the corners to maximize vertical storage.

Vertical racks designed to hold baking sheets vertically can transform wasted corner space. Upper corner wall cabinets are also great for storing small appliances to clear countertops.

#9 Add Storage with Microwave Shelf

Microwave Shelf Benefits

Many kitchen microwaves sit above countertops without utilizing the space above. A microwave shelf installed directly over the microwave takes advantage of this unused real estate.

Use a microwave shelf for displaying and storing decorative items, small appliances, cookbooks, and serving pieces. This clears items from your countertop to regain those couple precious square feet.

Shopping Tips for Microwave Shelves

Measure the exact location and dimensions of your microwave before picking a shelf. This ensures proper fit above the appliance. Also factor in needed ventilation room to prevent overheating.

Choose shelves with metal brackets that attach securely into wall studs to support weight. Pick shelving in wood finishes matching your cabinetry for a cohesive built-in look.

Open-backed shelving has airflow for safety. For a enclosed cabinet look, add cabinet doors to hide contents.

#10 Use a Sink Cover Cutting Board

Maximize Sink Space

Dead space around sinks wastes usable countertop real estate. A sink cover cutting board maximizes this prime area.

Designed to fit over your sink opening, these boards provide counter space around the edges when the sink is not in use. Lift it off and set aside when you need to use the sink.

Buying Considerations

Measure your exact sink basin size and existing faucet height. This ensures a perfect custom fit. Opt for durable, water-resistant materials like finished wood, bamboo, or commercial-grade plastic.

Look for integrated drip grooves or raised trim to keep water contained. Sanitation is also key. Choose a nonporous food-safe material that is easy to clean and sanitize.

Install hooks or spacers nearby to stow the board when not covering your sink. This keeps it handy for a quick transformation to bonus counter space.

Running short on counters in a small kitchen is a common headache. But with savvy storage solutions, a little thoughtful reorganization, and new specialized tools, you can uncover hidden square footage.

Gaining back those precious extra feet of clear countertop allows you to cook comfortably. You’ll enjoy the breathing room to take on elaborate recipes with gusto. Just don't forget to clean any newfound workspace when you are done!