Hidden Spaces in Your Small Kitchen

Make a Tradeoff

One of Cannell's clients wanted a larger island for work space and storage, but there wasn't room — or was there? The recommended clearance to an island from the countertop is 40 to 48 inches, but Cannell's client was single and usually cooked alone. "She had reduced clearances in her old kitchen and preferred to maintain them in order to keep her island larger," Cannell says. "It was a tight fit, but she loved it."

Play with angles, imagine the possibilities, and decide whether you prioritize storage over breathing room or vice versa. Chances are you can find the space you need hiding in plain sight.