Small Kitchen Inspiration and Ideas for adding space

Working within a small space is a hard job, especially in a kitchen when you love to cook! There are some really creative ways to work in a small kitchen and one of them is a small island. Sometimes you just need that extra work space and it can make a huge difference, and also look pretty awesome.  I have also found that once I get my small kitchen organized, it can actually be easier to cook in because everything is within an arm's reach!

An island is an obvious solution and for good reason.  They can add surface/work space and storage underneath.  And these days, you have your pick when it comes to island style, size, etc.
via Houzz

I don't think the island has to match your cabinetry, but I do like them to be tied into at least one other element in the space, like this island does the hood.
via Apartment Therapy

via Houzz

via houseoffifty

Keep it clean and sleek looking and it will help keep the small space from looking cluttered. Dress it up with a vase and flowers when you have company over. 

via pinterest

Buy one with wheels so it can roll away if you need it to! Some kitchen's need that extra work space but it's not convenient to have around all the time.  We actually have this exact same island from Ikea and it's going strong 4 years later. 

Why I've been away and organization eye candy

I feel really bad about my sporadic and/or non-exist blogging lately, but sweetums and I just put our first offer on what may be our first HOME last night. Needless to say, things have been chaotic around here...I promise that within the next week or so things will be back to normal.... In the meantime, if you are stressed like me, there's nothing like a good organization fix!

via BHG

Interior Designer Lori Pepe - Lunché : Relaxed and Beautiful

The portfolio of Berkeley, CA interior designer Lori Pepe - Lunché evokes several adjectives: relaxed, unstuffy, warm, welcoming, and refreshing. All very good things. Here are a few of my favorite rooms by Lori.

White bedding...I think white bedding is my favorite.  I have lots of printed linens, but I always think my bedroom looks prettiest when my bed is done in all whites...

I adore this bathroom.  The cool slick marble contrasting with the branch sconces and decor is glamorous, but not too overt.

The small Berkeley kitchen below is full of cool storage solutions

How cool are those utensil holders?  I've never seen anything like them before.

Check out Lori's fab blog, Design Salon.

Small kitchens that still get the job done...

Chris and I don't have a very large kitchen in our new apartment. It has no windows, but a decent sized pantry - which really helps. Counter space is scant - so we purchased a long, narrow baker's cart at ikea - which was worth every penny. I'm about to stencil the kitchen with a sheen effect - high gloss and matte - in a lovely navy indigo to contrast our beige-pink backsplash and white cabinets. I've been searching through a lot of kitchen inspiration lately and thought I'd share some of my favorite finds...

This painted wallpaper looks stunning.  Our kitchen is going to be painted a very dark indigo - so I like finding other dark kitchens.
via Design Sponge

 Our kitchen absolutely wouldn't work with out our baker's cart.  They are essential for small kitchens.
via Apartment Therapy

via BHG

 Lots of shelving make up for a lack of cabinets.
via Country Living

a puppy in a basket - what else does a kitchen need?
via Rue Mag

oh my...the organization junkie in me gets a bit too excited by this armoire of canisters...
 via Pinterest

love, love, love, love a rug like this in the kitchen. beautiful.  It would look great in our navy/indigo kitchen, too.
via Little Green Notebook

Do you have a little kitchen? How do you make the most of your space?

Calling all neat freaks! (or those aspiring to be)

So, this week I have been scouring the DC area for apartments.  After living in NYC for 3 years I figured every other city would seem inexpensive and abounding in square footage.  I was wrong.  The apartments in DC are less expensive, and slightly larger, but I guess I had my hopes up too high.  That's okay though, because a smaller space forces me to be more creative with how I store, organize, and edit my belongings.  If there's one thing I love - it's solving an organization/space issue beautifully, functionally, and inexpensively.

So the next month or so I might be throwing a lot of organization sales and ideas your way as I'm figuring our how to keep all my belongings in my new, down-sized apartment.

If you have any ideas let me know!  All these goodies are from the fab. sale site Beyond the Rack.  You have to be a member, but it's free and fast to sign up - just click here.

 canisters, $10.99

 I always use a folding dish rack like this, that way after I put away the dishes I can stow the rack under the sink and clear off counter space - important in small kitchens.  bamboo dish rack - $9.99

We eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies and hanging baskets will keep them from taking up valuable counter space. $5.99

Once I know our exact kitchen dimensions we'll definitely get a kitchen trolley.  They're cute and super useful. $59.99

I think city homes especially should be no-shoes indoors. One treads on pretty nasty stuff walking the city streets...it also keeps your floors cleaner. $17.99

 

In my opinion you can't have too many bins, baskets, and boxes.  $7.99

shoe tree $49.99

hamper $19.99

I've never seen one of these before. It's a boot storage shelf. Good idea if you have a lot of knee-high boots. $44.99

sweater shelf $9.99

metal cabinet shelves and racks - especially those that roll out - maximize your cabinet space. $21.99 - $74.99

If any of these call to the neat freak in you head over to the sale at Beyond the Rack.  Here's the free/fast sign up link.

Fabulous, classy kitchens

These kitchens are elegant and functional, a quality that I think could make my cooking taste decent....

via Pinterest

via Trad Home

check out the arm chair in the kitchen!  Do you like this look?

Stunning...the floor, the tiles...the jumbo baskets...

check out the light fixture....spoons!

An interesting loft minimalist kitchen

Interesting layout - great use of rugs...

5 images above via Schibsted Forlag

Super cute and charming kitchens...

So not all of these kitchens are tiny cottage nooks, but they aren't the glossy granite and marble monstrosities you'd see in the high-end home decor mags either. Most are modest and give me hope that no matter how small the kitchen in my future rental, I can give it some charm and make it work for me...

Some vintage stools add coziness and floor to ceiling cabinets and creative storage solutions makes this small kitchen clever

via Kitchenisms

 

The green dishes are too cute

via Pinterest

via Kitchenisms

adorable coastal kitchen
via Kitchenisms

would love to have me a proper pot rack one day... this island is amazing too
via Kitchenisms

even a galley kitchen can be beautiful and functional!
via Kitchenisms

...amazing butcher block island
via Kitchenisms

 

2 more small but pretty kitchens from House to Home