IT’S A FOOD PREP area, a space for entertaining, a storage zone and a meeting room for everyone in the house. The kitchen has many roles to play, meaning it can quickly start to feel cramped and disorganised if it’s not managed properly.

For Sarah Reynolds, a home organisation expert and the founder of Organised Chaos, kitchens are a classic client pain point. “The kitchen is the hub of the family home and it can get really busy,” she explains. “It’s important to create space where you can.”

Sarah has picked up some tips outside of work too, maximising the square footage of her own small apartment kitchen, and learning to work with the space she has rather than against it. Check out three of her key tips below, and watch the video above.

1. Create zones: When space is compromised, you need to be a little stricter with your systems. Sarah uses “zones” in her kitchen, areas where like items live together. For example, tea, coffee and even mugs should live near the kettle, all cleaning products can go under the sink, and so on. If you have toddlers or young kids at home, follow the HSE guidelines for safe storage of cleaning items. 

2. Make the most of dead space: If in doubt, look up. There’s often unused space above kitchen cupboards that is perfect for boxes and bulkier items – and casting a critical eye around your kitchen should reveal more “dead zones” like these.

3. Keep at least one section of the counter clutter-free: Keeping some counter-space clutter-free is vital in any kitchen. “Inevitably you will have items out on the counter but just make sure you keep them to one side,” says Sarah. That way, you’ll always have some food prep space when you need it.

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