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Maximizing kitchen space for more room to cook

Looking for kitchen space-saving ideas to give your cooking and baking more elbow room? One solution is freeing up the work surfaces you already have by finding new storage for things you keep on your countertop. Another is finding smart ways of adding extra work surfaces. Here are a few ideas.

A white/oak effect ENHET kitchen by a gray-tiled wall with a birch rail, two birch wall shelves and a white wall cabinet.
A white/oak effect ENHET kitchen by a gray-tiled wall with a birch rail, two birch wall shelves and a white wall cabinet.

Board up the sink

An easy way to extend your countertop is to cover the sink with a sturdy, well-fitting chopping board. In a small kitchen, this can make a big difference. Also, the placement is handy for peeling, rinsing and chopping vegetables as it’s close to the faucet and drain – and probably your waste bin too.

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A light gray LILLHAVET chopping board placed over an inset sink on a white/laminate countertop, plus a kitchen mixer faucet.
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Putting the walls to work

If you want to clear things away but still keep them handy, have a look at your walls. Rails and shallow wall shelves are classic open storage solutions for hanging pots, pans and utensils, or storing jars, containers and spices. They also set a nice foodie vibe.

See the NEREBY series
Two birch rails and a wall shelf in the NEREBY series holding pots, pans, utensils and fresh spices, on a gray-tiled wall.
See the NEREBY series

Extra workspace on wheels

A handy cart is smart for adding flexible workspace that’s easy wheeling around to where you need it. When you don’t, it stows away nicely in a corner giving you convenient storage on the shelves below. This also makes a nice little spot for a quick morning coffee, giving you a good start to the day.

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A birch BEKVÄM kitchen cart holding clear glass jars with lids, pots and various other items.
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Easy-reach out-of-the-way storage

Adding more storage under your wall cabinets is as easy as clipping on this hanging basket. No drilling required and it fits most shelves as the clips are bendable. It has just the right depth to give you a good overview. For more easy-reach storage, you can also add the clip-on hooks in the same series. The PÅLYCKE series can work just as well as an organizational solution for cabinet interiors too.

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A white PÅLYCKE clip-on basket hanging under a white wall cabinet, plus a birch rail with s-hooks below on a gray-tiled wall.
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An UTRUSTA pull-out work surface inside a drawer in a kitchen with brown walnut effect drawer fronts and cabinet doors.

A drawer full of extra workspace

You can attach a drawer front to this clever pull-out surface, or hide it inside a drawer or behind a cabinet door, to get more space for unloading groceries or chopping vegetables. Just push it in to hide it again. You can also use a pull-out drawer for extra space holding small countertop appliances, which can hold up to 55 lbs. 

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