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Home » DIY & Crafts » Rooms and Redesign » How to Create Extra Counter Space in a Kitchen. No Sledgehammer Needed!

How to Create Extra Counter Space in a Kitchen. No Sledgehammer Needed!

April 10, 2020 By Amy 10 Comments

10 Apr
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Extra Kitchen Counter Space
Extra Kitchen Counter Top Space
How to find extra counter space

What would you do for extra kitchen counter space? When we bought our current house, it only had 8 square feet of counter space. Could you imagine squeezing in a coffee pot, a double sink, and re-creating Aunt Dorothy’s famous lasagna in a workspace smaller than your average kitchen table?!

There are two main ways you can create extra counter space in your kitchen.

  1. Add more horizontal workspace by way of furniture pieces in or near your kitchen area.
  2. Get clever with your kitchen storage fixtures to make more room on the workspace you already have.

While our kitchen is hardly magazine-worthy in style (future upgrades to come), we’ve made quite a few budget-friendly changes that have added over 18 sq. ft. of horizontal workspace and 16 sq. ft. of horizontal storage space.

Kitchen with 8 square feet of counter space

Before shot: Our kitchen with the original 8 square feet of counter space.

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How to Eke out Extra Counter Space in Your Kitchen without Remodeling

Check out the following list which includes a variety of ways that you can add extra counter space in your kitchen, no matter the shape or style.

Add More Horizontal Workspace to Your Kitchen with Furniture Pieces In or Near the Kitchen Area.

#1 Measure all areas of your kitchen

Before you make any changes, find out how much space you currently have to work with. If your kitchen is small, include the areas nearest to the kitchen, as well.

  • Grab a measuring tape, pen, and paper.
  • Measure your counter space, the room size, and any other areas of the kitchen that can work in your favor.
  • Draw a rough layout or simply jot the area names (ie: wall near pantry) and all the measurements in inches (rather than feet).
  • Use a square foot calculator set to inches to figure your square footage.

These measurements will be your starting point for the amount of counter space you have and how you can improve the space.

#2 Change the kitchen layout, if possible

How to create more kitchen counter top space-Stow and TellU

Changing the layout: Rearranging the layout of the kitchen by moving the fridge to a different wall and adding a sideboard.

Can you easily change the layout of the kitchen? What I mean is, can you do this without knocking down walls, or having to go to great lengths to re-arrange the room? There is nothing wrong with knocking out walls, however, consider approaching this idea with the least amount of effort before you take a sledgehammer to anything.

Using our kitchen as an example, the first thing we did was move the fridge from its original space to the opposing wall.

Note: We didn’t have an outlet behind the new fridge location, yet, so I used a good quality extension cord temporarily until we could put a new outlet behind the fridge.

#3 Add a counter extension cabinet or sideboard (even if it’s temporary)

How to create more kitchen counter top space by moving some of the appliances and adding an inexpensive diy cabinet from Stow and TellU

In process: Placing a makeshift counter extension where the fridge used to be.

The bonus space from a counter extension cabinet or sideboard – even a temporary one, until you remodel – can be used as extra counter space, a coffee station, storage and more.

In our kitchen example, Ken built a temporary counter extension cabinet from an old bookcase. Then, we placed the extension cabinet where the fridge used to be. Voila! We had 5 additional square feet of counter space.

Next, we set this Ikea hack potato bin to the left of the fridge as a sideboard for placing items down that are either going into the fridge or coming out. (+3 sq ft)

Finally, we positioned an old kitchen cabinet unit with a wallpapered countertop against the wall in the back area of the kitchen, which previously and awkwardly contained a kitchen table. Eventually, we’ll add a breakfast bar in this spot. (+9 sq ft)

#4 Incorporate a Kitchen Cart or Kitchen Island into the Room

Add extra counter space in kitchen with a sideboard, counter extension, island.

If you can find room to add a kitchen cart or island, you will hands-down have more counter space. We often think we have to place this in the center of the kitchen, but think outside-the-box to see if you can fit one in, even if it’s off to the side or reaching into the adjacent room. Many of these carts have locking wheels allowing you to move the cart around as needed.

We currently have a small (second-hand) kitchen cart, which has a tilt-out garbage bin. While this piece isn’t the end-all solution for our unfinished kitchen, it has come in very handy as an extra horizontal workspace that we can move around to fit our needs. (+2 sq ft)

Total extra horizontal counter space added = approximately 18 sq ft.

Make More Room On Your Existing Kitchen Counters with Clever Storage Fixtures

#5 Bring in a Tall Shelving Unit

Tall shelving for extra horizontal storage space

Taller shelving creates multiple layers of horizontal space, which, like a sideboard can hold small appliances, a mail holder, or those vintage basset hound salt and pepper shakers that always seem in the way. Based on your kitchen’s layout, and the area nearby, do you have a spot where you can place a tall shelf?

In our humble kitchen, we placed a tall shelf on the other side of our refrigerator. We use it for our overflow, so the items held here are always rotating. Bottom-line, it keeps the workspace areas clutter-free.

And if that’s not enough, we used the shelf as a make-shift pie safe to hold all the drool-worthy desserts our family brought over for Christmas dinner.

Related: 5 Space-saving tips for styling open shelf storage

#6 Make Use of Tiered Trays

Tiered tray with fruit

Stack items upwards with a tiered tray, or two. Tiered trays can hold anything from fruits, vegetables, spice jars, coffee fixings, and so much more. As a bonus, most tiered trays have a top handle, which makes it easy to temporarily move the tray to another location when you need that area to prep for dinner.

#7 Under Cabinet Trash and Recycling Bins

Finding kitchen counter space in small kitchen

Moving your garbage and recycling under your counter area can free up additional floor space. Which can then leave you room for a sideboard, a vertical shelf, etc… Do check to make sure that you have clearance under the cabinet to allow for one. If you do, go for it. You won’t be disappointed.

Our mini-kitchen-island has a tilt-out garbage bin. Even that small change gave us more floor space to work with. Consider a tilt-out garbage cabinet, a pull-out garbage set-up, or the cabinet mounted garbage can.

#8 Stove Top Covers

 Prosumer’s Choice Bamboo Stovetop Cover and Countertop Cutting Board w/Adjustable Legs – LargeProsumer’s Choice Bamboo Stovetop Cover and Countertop Cutting Board w/Adjustable Legs – Large

Turn the top of your stove into a usable worktop or serving space. While Dear Aunt Dorothy used one to keep her stovetop clean, covers for your stovetop have come along way in style and usability. If you are really pressed for counter space, it’s an instant win for eking out more workspace or serving space in your kitchen.

We have been using a wooden DIY stove top cover for years. You can easily make your own with a 1″ thick piece board cut to your stovetop size, sanded, and then coated with polyurethane or butcher block oil.

Related: 7 Pre-planning tips for getting your kitchen ready for the holidays.

#9 Vertical Wall Mount Fixtures

Extra counter space in kitchen wall mount storage

One of the most practical solutions for gaining more counter space is to use the wall for storage. Think about it this way, when you hang pots and pans, that used to be in one of your cabinets, onto the wall, you’ve just freed up a bundle of cabinet space. Now that cabinet space can house a medley of items you were previously keeping on the counter.

As our kitchen remodel moves forward, we plan to add a wall-mounted pot rack, a kitchen rail with hooks, and several other vertical storage gizmos to free up more countertop space.

#10 Kitchen Cabinet Mounted (or Refridgerator Mounted) Fixtures

Fridge Mounted Spice Containers

Similar to using your wall space, mounting storage fixtures to your inner cabinet doors (or your refrigerator) will create more space for you. Once again, you can move gadgets you normally store on your countertops to that extra space gained by using cabinet or fridge mounted storage.

Three of my favorites are the cabinet mounted spice rack, the cabinet door organizer and the cabinet mounted paper towel holder.

Total horizontal storage space added =16 sq. ft.

Related: 20 Kitchen pantry Ideas for a small kitchen

Finding Extra Counter Space in Kitchen

Have you been wishing for extra counter space in your kitchen, or is your countertop situation a-okay?

Don’t be afraid to envision something new and try it out. If it doesn’t seem to be working, you can always put it back the way it was. That’s at least the approach I like to take.

I wish I could say that it’s a delight to make Aunt Dorothy’s lasagna now, but truthfully, Ken’s is the designated cook in our house. For me. I’m just glad we have more countertop space for dirty dishes.

How to find extra counter space

You might also like:

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  • 5 Tips on living with the WRONG paint color
  • Easiest ever under kitchen sink pull-out storage
  • Unfinished Basement Updated with a Painted Open Ceiling.

~ xo Amy

Post updated 4/10/2020

   

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Filed Under: Rooms and Redesign, Storage and Space Saving Tagged With: KITCHEN UPDATE

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Comments

  1. Anne says

    January 16, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Sweet!! Great way to add to your counter space and gain storage as well! I like your kitchen layout.

    Have a great weekend Amy!

    Reply
  2. Cheryl in Wisconsin says

    January 16, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Nice work, Amy! Way to put on the Envision Glasses!

    Reply
  3. chris aka monkey says

    January 16, 2016 at 10:32 am

    you are so smart amy, good move and it looks like it can be a cabinet to house the dishwasher too xx

    Reply
  4. sharleen says

    January 16, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    OO thats a really good idea Amy. Im amazed at the perfect piece from the thrift store you found.. How awesome is that. well done. Your thrift stores there are great.. much better than the ones here.. I used to have so much fun in them . 🙂 It looks perfect for your spot.

    Reply
  5. Wendi @ H2OBungalow says

    January 19, 2016 at 8:00 am

    I have no doubt you are LOVING the extra space you created! That was brilliant. I completly feel your pain with a small amount of counter space. We had the same issue, and I rearranged everything and put in an island too. It’s been a lifesaver. Great job!!

    Reply
  6. Sherry says

    January 20, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Awesome!!! I love the new layout Amy! You are so smart. I love the island and the fridge across the way balances out the kitchen. GREAT JOB!

    Reply
  7. Feral Turtle says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Wow you made the right choice Amy! Your kitchen looks so much bigger too!! I was just at your Valentine jar post and loved them (so cheery) and then I saw a kitchen link. I am getting so far behind I will be first soon…:)

    Reply
  8. Tina says

    February 4, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Just came across this on pinterest. We did close to the same, but put a shelf under the fridge cabinet to put our microwave on. Amazing what a little rearranging can do.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 4, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      I agree, Tina. Rearranging can make all the difference. I like your idea of the half shelf for a microwave. We’ve got a similar plan to remove the cabinets in that area and possibly add a shelf up high with a hanging pot/pan rack against the wall. We have so little cabinet space, our pots and pans barely fit 😛 Thanks so much for sharing your own kitchen rearrange.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Aquarium Gravel Filled Valentine Jars | Stow&TellU says:
    January 24, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    […] can see what my kitchen currently looks like and how I added more counter top space, here.  Believe me, these Valentine jars brighten things up in this […]

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