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While most people think of a tiny kitchen as a hindrance, it can actually make you a much more efficient cook. Everything you need is within grasp, and you waste less food (a nice byproduct of not having tons of food storage). Plus, you can invest in beautiful pieces since you don’t need much, and you don’t have room to hide things away. Kiss the unnecessary appliances and doodads goodbye. Here’s how to have the most organized tiny kitchen possible.

1. Add Surfaces

If you don’t have a lot of counter space, make additional surfaces where you can. A rolling cart or console table makes a great cutting surface when your tiny counter is already in use. And there’s additional storage underneath, as well.

2. Jars for Storage

Jars are your new best friend. Not only do they keep everything fresh, they’re also transparent, which allows you to save precious time searching for essentials. Stack or group them together for compact storage.

3. Trim the Fat

Only keep what you truly need. The more you get rid of items you’re not actually using, the more work space you’ll have for those items you have to have.

4. Display Stylish Pieces

Storage in plain sight is a great way to stay organized. You’ll keep stylish items out and make sure they’re easy to reach and not forgotten in the back of a cupboard.

5. Go Vertical

Vertical storage is essential for tight spaces. If you don’t have a lot of built-in kitchen storage, you can add your own. These little additions are a great way to house a ton of everyday items without taking up much room.

6. Get the Hook Up

Hooks are a great way to squeeze in extra storage and ensure that you have the items you need in a pinch. They’ll save you from wasting time digging through drawers or cupboards.

7. Open Shelving

Open storage is great for small spaces because it takes up less room than cabinets. It’s also a surefire way to guarantee you’re only keeping items you like and actually use.

8. Display Items

Using bigger items as display is a great way to get double duty out of pieces that won’t fit into cupboards. A tea kettle in a pattern or pop of color becomes a style choice, and your favorite serving bowl (that just happens to be too big for your cupboard) makes a great fruit bowl.

9. Double Duty

Something as simple as a cutting board or piece of marble that fits on top of your oven or sink allows you an additional (precious) surface space.

10. Limited colors

Opt for a limited palette, this tip is kind-of cheating, but one way for your kitchen to look like you’re organized is by only using a few colors.

11. Get High (Cabinets)

If you own your home or have a rental that’s flexible, go as high up with your storage as possible. Shelving or cupboards that go all the way to the ceiling are optimal for saving square footage.

12. Everything Has a Place

The biggest “trick” for having an organized tiny kitchen is to actually be organized. Having a spot for everything means less time aimlessly searching, and it ensures that you know exactly where to put something when you’re done using it.

13. Let it Hang

Embrace hanging storage for tea towels and napkins. You’ll take advantage of often overlooked storage spaces.

14. Use It or Lose It

The more time you spend cooking in your kitchen, the better you’ll know what you actually need, what needs to be moved, and how to make your space the most efficient it can be.