Learning to love your condo kitchen can be challenging if you’re always disappointed in the lack of space. It’s easy to become envious of other people’s extravagant kitchens. But it is possible to create an elegant look in a condo kitchen. You just need to start by finding space in it.
Appliances
Using condo kitchen appliances are the best way to find space. Most refrigerators and stoves come in smaller, apartment-size versions which will help free up space. They’re extremely practical because chances are if you live in a small condo, then you’re only cooking for one or two people.
As for other appliances, such as a dishwasher and a microwave, there are definitely smaller condo kitchen sizes available, but it’s important to consider if you really need them. Yes, a dishwasher is extremely convenient, but if it’s just one or two people who work, then chances are there won’t be too many dishes. However, if you like to entertain a lot, and hate washing up afterwards, then a dishwasher might be a good investment.
As for a microwave, while once considered the future of cooking, more and more people are actually ditching them for extra space. Leftovers can be re-heated in the oven, and who actually wants to eat a TV dinner?
Go up
Make sure that all of the wall space in your condo kitchen is being used. Start at the bottom, above the counter top, and go all the way to the ceiling. A magnetic knife rack can be easily installed on a wall, and keeps knives safe and secured. Install a shelf over the stove for spices. Use the tops of cabinets to store seasonal or fancy dishware that doesn’t have to be accessed on a daily basis.
Do you really need that?
The best way to find space in a condo kitchen is to be truly ruthless when it comes to stuff. This can be hard, especially if you are downsizing. Start with small appliances, that really aren’t very small. A panini press is a great tool, but if you only use it once a year, try to toast your sandwich in the oven instead. A griddle makes sense if you are cooking pancakes for a large family, but if it’s just one or two people, then a large frying pan will suffice. Think about how often you use each small appliance. Then, test out alternatives. You don’t need to throw out everything right away, but see if you can make do with other devices.
It’s a good idea to look at small objects, too. You can find different gadgets to peel an avocado, an orange, and an apple, but you could also just use a knife. Little things add up to a large amount of space, so think twice about how useful something actually seems.