What To Let Go Of When Transitioning To A Smaller Kitchen

Moving to a smaller kitchen can feel like a challenge, especially when you’re used to having plenty of space for all your cookware and gadgets. Ever open a cabinet and realize you’ve been holding onto things you rarely use?

Downsizing isn’t just about getting rid of stuff, it’s about creating a more efficient, enjoyable space that works for your new home. In this article, we’ll help you identify what to let go of so your smaller kitchen feels organized and clutter-free. Kitchen sizes and storage needs vary, this advice is meant to serve as a general guide.

1. Bread Makers And Panini Presses

If your bread maker has become an expensive dust collector, it’s time to say goodbye. These bulky appliances devour counter space while offering limited functionality.

The panini press that seemed essential during your sandwich phase? A regular skillet with something heavy on top works nearly as well.

Small kitchens demand multi-taskers, not one-trick ponies that emerge from hibernation twice a year.

2. Mug And Water Bottle Collection

Those 25 novelty mugs cluttering your cabinets tell stories, but do they all deserve prime kitchen real estate? Probably not.

Keep a few favorites that spark joy and donate the rest. The same goes for the army of water bottles multiplying in your cupboard.

Four quality water bottles serve a family perfectly, one for each person’s daily use. Your smaller kitchen will thank you for the breathing room.

3. Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets

That avocado slicer seemed revolutionary at 2 AM during your online shopping spree. Now it’s just another unitasker taking up drawer space.

Banana slicers, egg separators, and apple corers fall into this category too. A good knife and basic tools can handle these tasks just fine.

When kitchen space is at a premium, every gadget needs to earn its keep by performing multiple functions or being absolutely essential.

4. Oversized Food Storage Containers

Those massive Costco-sized cereal containers might have worked in your old kitchen, but they’re space hogs in a compact setup. Scale down to appropriately sized containers that fit your new cabinets.

Consider square or rectangular containers instead of round ones. They utilize space more efficiently. Nesting sets that stack inside each other when not in use are worth their weight in gold when every inch of cabinet space counts.

5. Excessive Cooking Utensils

If your utensil drawer resembles a garage sale collection, it’s time for a ruthless edit. Do you really need four spatulas, three ladles, and six wooden spoons?

Most cooking tasks can be accomplished with a surprisingly small set of high-quality utensils. Keep one of each essential tool and bid farewell to the duplicates.

Your drawers will close properly again, and you’ll spend less time rummaging for what you need.

6. Mismatched Dinnerware Sets

Though charming in theory, those eclectic plate collections create visual chaos and storage nightmares in small kitchens. Streamlining to one cohesive set makes everything stack more efficiently.

Four to six place settings are plenty for most households. If you entertain larger groups occasionally, consider keeping just a few extra dinner plates rather than complete backup sets. White dishes are particularly versatile for any occasion.

7. Rarely Used Serving Platters

That enormous turkey platter you use once a year for Thanksgiving? It’s eating valuable storage space the other 364 days.

Consider borrowing special-occasion serving pieces from friends or family when needed. Alternatively, multi-purpose dishes that work for both everyday use and entertaining make more sense in compact kitchens. Beautiful cutting boards can double as serving platters, saving precious cabinet space.

8. Cookbook Library

Those dusty cookbooks lining your shelves might be more decorative than functional in today’s digital recipe world. Be honest about which ones you actually open regularly.

Keep a few treasured volumes and digitize favorite recipes from the others. Many cookbooks contain only a handful of recipes you’ll ever make.

Pinterest boards and recipe apps can store thousands of culinary inspirations without consuming an inch of physical space in your downsized kitchen.

9. Duplicate Pots And Pans

How many frying pans does one household actually need? Unless you’re running a diner out of your apartment, probably just two, one small and one large.

Those duplicate 8-inch pans taking up precious cabinet space are prime candidates for donation. Most home cooks can manage beautifully with a curated collection, one saucepan, one stockpot, one Dutch oven, and those two essential frying pans.

10. Specialized Bakeware

When was the last time you actually used that bundt pan or madeleine mold? Specialty bakeware items that rarely see the light of day are prime candidates for donation.

Focus on versatile pieces like two round cake pans, one loaf pan, and a good quality baking sheet. These workhorses can handle most baking projects.

Remember, professional bakers created magnificent desserts long before specialty pans existed. Creativity trumps specialized equipment.