If your counters feel like they’re shrinking by the day, an appliance garage cabinet is the easiest way to get that clean, calm look without giving up convenience. Coffee Station Appliance Garage Cabinet A tidy coffee-station appliance garage: hidden clutter, calm mornings, and warm minimalist style. A dedicated coffee station appliance garage cabinet keeps mugs, beans, and the coffee maker together, so mornings feel easy instead of chaotic. I set mine up with a little…

If you’ve got that awkward gap between your upper cabinets and the ceiling, you’re sitting on prime storage (and a dust magnet). These kitchen cabinet extension ideas are the exact tricks I’ve used in tiny apartments to get a built-in look and squeeze out every vertical inch. Install a Slim Library Ladder Rail A slim rolling ladder rail makes ceiling-height cabinets easy—and beautifully statement-worthy. If you’re going full ceiling-height cabinets, adding a slim rolling ladder…

Air dry clay is my favorite way to add personality to a kitchen without taking up precious counter space. In my tiny apartment, these little handmade details made the whole room feel styled, cozy, and totally “me.” Spoon Rest Shaped Like a Leaf Leaf-textured air-dry clay spoon rest—minimal, boho-soft, and perfect by the stove. I’ve shaped a clay spoon rest using a real leaf for texture, and it looks so pretty next to the stove.…

A stand mixer is amazing in a small kitchen—until it eats your whole counter. I’ve lived with one in tiny apartments for years, so these are my favorite ways to keep it easy to grab without letting it take over the room. Build a Pull-Out “Baking Stage” Shelf A pull-out “baking stage” shelf turns your stand mixer into a sleek, space-smart workstation. My favorite wow-factor setup is a strong pull-out shelf that becomes a little…

A built-in microwave cabinet is one of my favorite small-kitchen upgrades because it clears your counters fast and instantly looks more intentional. After years of living in tight apartments, I’ve learned the magic is choosing a spot that feels effortless to use while keeping the whole kitchen looking clean and pulled together. Flush Face Frame Look With Seamless Paneling Flush face-frame microwave with seamless paneling for a custom, space-smart look. If you want that custom…

Snack clutter has a way of making even a clean kitchen feel chaotic, especially in a small space. I’ve learned that a few smart snack storage tweaks can turn random bags and boxes into an easy, grab-and-go system you’ll actually keep up with. Build a Snack Drawer Turn one deep drawer into a tidy snack station with simple dividers that keep everything in place. I turned one drawer into a snack drawer with simple dividers,…

Under-sink cabinets are basically the Bermuda Triangle of cleaning supplies, especially when you’re working around bulky pipes and weird corners. Do a Full Reset and Make Zones Reset your under-sink with one pull-out organizer—three calm zones: daily, dish, backups. Whenever I organize under a sink, I pull everything out and set up simple zones (daily cleaners, dish stuff, backups), because otherwise it all turns into one big pile again. In my first studio, this one…

Cutting boards are the kind of flat kitchen thing that turns into a messy pile fast, especially when you’re working with a small kitchen. Vertical Dividers in a Lower Cabinet Vertical dividers turn cutting board stacks into an easy, grab-and-go cabinet file system. In my last apartment, I added vertical dividers to a lower cabinet so my cutting boards could stand up like files instead of becoming a slippery stack. I love how it keeps…

If your pots and pans feel like they multiply overnight, you’re not imagining it—cookware clutter gets chaotic fast in a small kitchen. Vertical Pan Files in Base Cabinet Vertical pan files keep skillets and lids upright—grab one like a folder, no clanging stacks. I love a simple vertical pan organizer in a base cabinet because you can pull out one pan like a file instead of unstacking everything. I use it for skillets and lids,…

A shallow wall pantry is my favorite small-space upgrade because it stores a surprising amount without stealing precious walking room. When shelves are intentionally slim, you can actually see everything, use what you have, and stop buying duplicates. Behind-the-Door Shallow Pantry Wall Turn the back of your pantry door into a shallow pantry wall for oils, sauces, and snacks. I’ve turned the back of a pantry door into a shallow wall pantry by adding slim…