Imagine walking into your kitchen and it simply feels… bigger. There’s space to breathe, cupboards that aren’t crammed to bursting, and clear worktops ready for dinner prep.
What if the secret to a bigger kitchen wasn’t an expensive extension, but removing a handful of space-stealing culprits instead?
We can’t add square footage, of course. But we can help you reclaim valuable space and make your kitchen feel noticeably larger — often by taking a few key items away rather than adding anything new.
Decluttering is the answer. 'When worktops and cupboards are overcrowded, even a large kitchen instantly feels smaller,' Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning Cleaning With Meaning in Kent, tells us. 'There is also a mental shift. A streamlined, easy to clean kitchen feels calmer and more open, even if the square footage has not changed.'
We spoke to decluttering, storage and cleaning experts and asked for their advice on what to rehome or store away in order to make your kitchen feel bigger.
What to remove to make your kitchen feel instantly bigger
1) Sparsely-used appliances
'Bread makers, stand mixers and slow cookers often live on the worktops despite only being used occasionally. If they are not part of your weekly routine, they do not need to occupy prime counter space,' Kelly says.
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2) Toasters and microwaves
‘Toasters and microwaves can also have a surprising impact on how spacious a kitchen feels. If there’s an opportunity to house them in a cupboard or drawer with access to power, you immediately create clearer sightlines and better visual flow across your worktops,’ says Siân Pelleschi, president of the Association of Professional Declutterers Organisation (APDO) and founder of Sorted!.
3) Cookbooks
‘If you have a collection of cookbooks, these can be taking up space that could be used for more valuable items. Donate any cookbooks that you do not use often, and try to find or save recipes online instead to save space,’ says Steve Larkin, kitchens expert and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub.
4) Duplicate utensils
‘Do you really need five wooden spoons and three potato mashers? Keep your best one or two and donate the rest. That overstuffed utensil drawer is taking up valuable real estate,' says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director at Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio.
5) Flashy gadgets
'Those "latest trend" gadgets are often the biggest space thieves. If you have not used the avocado slicer, panini press or novelty cake mould in the past year, it may be time to thank it and release it,' says Helen Sanderson, The Clutter Therapist.
Is there someone in your life who might enjoy this gadget more than you? Give it a new home where it will truly be appreciated.
6) Excess crockery and glassware
'Chipped mugs, mismatched plates or excess crockery that’s rarely used, can take up a large amount of space in our kitchen areas. If they no longer serve a purpose, or you’re tight on space, then it might be time to donate them, or move them to another location in your home if you’re not ready to let go of them,' says Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station.
7) Clutter under the sink
'We're all guilty of occasionally not keeping our under-sink cupboards the tidiest of spaces, but you’d be surprised at just how much available space you'd have if you gave it a good declutter,' says Vlatka.
Check your local council's website for how to properly dispose of hazardous waste. You can find out information about local waste disposal services here.
8) Extra packaging
'This is an instant space saver in the kitchen, freezer and fridge. After a shop, remove as much plastic and cardboard as you can and instead keep open containers (reuse those from fruit etc.) for fresh produce,' says Mimi Bogelund, founder of Organised Home and Life.
9) Expired goods
Lisa recommends removing 'old spices and expired pantry items – this makes such a difference!' she says. 'Expired items are just dead weight stealing shelf space. A streamlined pantry with proper visibility means you'll use what you have.'
How to rehome your items responsibly
Decluttering your kitchen doesn't mean chucking everything out without thought or care. Instead, it's important to think about the ways you can rehome your goods responsibly and sustainably without contributing to unnecessary waste.
'I always encourage people to think about their exit strategy before starting any decluttering. By that, I mean knowing where these items may end up once you’ve made the decision to let go and actioning it straight away. Decluttering sustainably isn’t just about good intentions but about the follow-through too,' says Sian.
Here are some of her top tips for removing items from you kitchen in a responsible, sustainable way.
- Donate your items to charity. 'The obvious place to send items is your local charity shop but each shop has a different criteria for what they can accept. If something isn’t saleable, or can’t be taken to a local charity, consider other local options instead,' Sian explains.
- Utilise your apps. 'The likes of apps like Olio and Nextdoor are great for letting go of items that can be used but perhaps have no resale value, that includes food and used or unused cleaning items,' Sian says. She also recommends reaching out to people via your neighbourhood WhatsApp or an online Facebook group.
- Recycle what you can. Sian also recommends responsible recycling where you can. You can find your local council's recycling guidelines here.
- Get creative and upcycle instead. 'Could the item serve a purpose elsewhere in the home or garden? Repurposing can often extend an item’s life without it ever leaving your house,' Sian says.
Ultimately, the golden rule in all of this is to not buy more than you need in the first place. Learn from what you declutter and take those lessons next time you go out shopping. Avoiding overconsumption is the best way to save your future kitchen space.
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