Small Kitchen Remodeling--Dump Your Excess Baggage

by Kirk Bangstad
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Let's face it, if you live in New York City or another large urban area, there's a good chance that you'll have to learn how to deal with a small kitchen. If your kitchen consistently frustrates you, it's time for a small kitchen remodeling project.

Make Better Use of Your Kitchen Cabinets

To make your kitchen more functional, you have to come to the realization that your kitchen can't be your main storage area. Your kitchen cabinets should store dry foods, dishes, and a minimal amount of extra appliances. If you have to shuffle many dishes from one kitchen cabinet to another in order to get what you need, you'll end up continually frustrated.

Time to Get Some Boxes

For you small kitchen remodeling project, you're going to need some boxes labeled:

1. Keep in kitchen
2. Move out of kitchen
3. Sell
4. Trash

There's a good chance that you'll have to get rid of some dishes and appliances in order to fit everything you need into your kitchen cabinets and be able to get to what you need when you want it. If you can only host up to 4 people in your apartment, don't hold onto 12 wine glasses or 3 different sets of silverware. Dump these into your "sell" box. If you have some canned corn that has been sitting in your pantry for 3 years, admit to yourself that you're not going to eat it and put it in your "trash" box. Realize that you hardly ever use your grandma's china, and put it in your "move out of kitchen" box.

Your small kitchen remodeling project will be tough because it's not easy getting rid of things you've owned for a long time that may have worked themselves into some fond memories. You may have to enlist the help of a friend who insists that your "keep in kitchen" box not get too full. Just remember that with every thing you throw away, you'll get a little more peace of mind while cooking or entertaining.

About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is an artist manager and singer working in Chicago, IL. His previous experience includes consulting for technology companies in the Silicon Valley and serving as a field director and publicist for a statewide political campaign. Kirk holds a B.A. in government from Harvard University.