Living in a big city comes with many advantages—a plethora of job opportunities, a vibrant nightlife, interesting restaurants and inspiring museums, to name a few. One sacrifice many urban dwellers have to make, however? Giving up precious kitchen space. But that’s not to say you have to give up cooking while living in an apartment. Here are six easy ways to maximize your kitchen and make cooking in a small space work for you.
Invest in the Right Appliances
You’ll want to choose a few multitasking workhorses, like an air fryer and toaster oven. Particularly if you own your home, you can free up space by getting rid of outdated, bulky appliances and remodeling with space savers that do more than one thing.
Turn Your Sink or Stove Top Into Counter Space
Tired of clutter and not having enough space to chop veggies? Burner covers and over the sink cutting boards instantly increase your prep area.
Install a Taller Faucet
A small sink can feel very cramped. Even if you’re renting, you can temporarily install a taller faucet to fit large pots and pans more easily.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Anything that you don’t use regularly (fine china and single use appliances like ice cream or beadmakers, for example) should be donated or stored elsewhere.
Consider a Cast Iron Skillet
Pans that allow you to sear and then roast your protein in one pan, like a cast iron skillet, are a good investment.
Clean As You Go
If you have limited prep space, don’t get frustrated by creating a big mess that makes it feel even more cramped. After you finish each step in your recipe, take a moment to quickly tidy up. Bonus: You don’t have a big clean-up to do after your meal.
