Some Staunton rental homes have kitchens that don’t seem to have enough storage for all the essentials, making many daily tasks more challenging to do. However, you can maximize your kitchen space to create a functional and beautiful working space you will enjoy being in. This article will show you some ideas to add storage and utility to your rental home’s kitchen.
While some of the mentioned upgrades are easy do-it-yourself projects you can remove when you leave your rental home, others may require the permission of your landlord before you can begin. Be sure to check the terms of your lease carefully and follow the process for requesting permanent changes.
Declutter and Organize
The best strategy to create a clean and functional kitchen is to first declutter and organize it. Getting rid of things you do not use regularly can help you fit your oft-used dishes, utensils, small appliances, or kitchenware in the limited cabinet space. Organizing trays and racks that easily fit inside a drawer or cabinet are very useful for corralling your silverware, pot and pan lids, and spice jars. As soon as you have a place for everything you use and need, your functional kitchen will soon be a reality.
Use Vertical Spaces
Another way to maximize your kitchen is to create more storage. Hooks and pegs are also a great way around limited cabinet space. You can add them to unused areas like walls, the side of cabinets, or even the ceiling. You will be surprised how much space you can free up by hanging your pots on a rack or your coffee mugs on hooks! These usually take up an entire cabinet or two that you can now use for other things. Just be sure to install your hanging storage using damage-free mounting tape or get permission from your Staunton property manager to drill holes in the walls or ceiling.
Add Rolling Storage
For tenants, another great way to get more storage space in a small kitchen is by adding a rolling island or storage cabinet. There are many gaps or corners in small kitchens that are under-utilized. Standalone storage or counter space gives you additional space for your things. Rolling islands are especially great because aside from offering both storage and counter space, you can also get an additional place to sit just by bringing in a couple of stools. There are also narrow storage racks made to fit between a fridge and a wall or other tight spaces so you have more places to store your kitchen essentials or pantry items.
Add Shelves
For kitchens that have a lot of wall space but not so many cabinets, installing shelves is an inexpensive way to add more storage. Aside from being a place to display glassware or store small appliances after use, open shelves add beauty to a kitchen. Since adding shelves is a much bigger project, you may need to ask for your landlord’s approval, so be sure to ask first. Also, many leases stipulate that if you will be installing permanent fixtures, like shelves, you may need to remove them and repair any damage left behind or just leave them where they are.
If your lease, like most leases, requires you to have the work done by a licensed professional, make sure you follow what your landlord requires. Otherwise, the cost of removal or repairs may be deducted from your security deposit upon move-out.
While these are all great ideas to maximize space in a kitchen, you might also want to look into a rental with bigger rooms if you still feel cramped. If you’re ready for a move, give Real Property Management Summit a call. We have a wide range of rental home listings, possibly even one with your dream kitchen in it! View our listings online or reach us at 540-315-8090.
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