No Counter Space in Your Kitchen? Here are 10 Solutions

A small kitchen that lacks counter space can turn any keen cooks into a grumpy monster that no one wants to be around.

Nothing is more infuriating than choosing to prep a culinary masterpiece and not having the space to work your magic. 

Thankfully, we have some suggestions and tips to make the most of your small kitchen (and find counter spaces when there aren’t any).

Solutions when your kitchen has no counter space

If you want to take your kitchen makeover seriously, start by decluttering and removing unused appliances and items from your counters. This makes finding solutions and making changes significantly simpler. 

Here are several novel solutions for you to experiment with:

Rethink your kitchen sink space

Even if your kitchen has little to no counter space, it will always have at least one sink. Most people often disregard (and under-utilize) sink spaces. Don’t do that.

Over-the-sink boards and racks

Covering your sink with a board similar to this bamboo option from Amazon: Lipper International Bamboo Wood Over-The-Sink/Stove Kitchen Cutting and Serving Board will increase your prepping and counter space 10-fold. It looks way more eye-catching than your sink too!

Over-the-sink drying rack

Don’t let a drying rack take up precious kitchen counter space. Instead, purchase a dish drying rack that fits above your sink (you will not regret it!). 

It is easy to see why this Homexpect Over The Sink Dish Drying Rack from Amazon is fantastically popular. It’s ridiculously simple to unfold, roll out and store! 

Above sink drying rack

If you want to keep your sink available and uncovered, think about using the wasted space above your sink instead. 

A drying rack such as this one is perfect for saving kitchen counter space and keeping washing up supplies, cleaned crockery, and cooking utensils tidy and out of the way. 

Cover your stovetop

Covering your stove top can immediately add extra counter space to your kitchen. Some of the wooden boards used for covering your kitchen sink can also be used over a stovetop.

Alternatively, look for covers purposely made for stove tops, such as this Stove Top Cover Extra Large for Electric Stove with 2Pcs Gap Covers from Amazon. Just make sure to measure your stove top carefully before purchasing. 

Add a mobile kitchen island

You may not have much counter space, but that does not mean you can’t bring counter space to your kitchen. 

If you have the space, permanently place an island in a workable space in your kitchen.

If space is not your friend, try keeping the mobile island in an adjacent room or closet. Roll it out when you need it and store it out of sight when you are done. 

Islands can also work if you don’t have enough bathroom counter space.

Mobile islands offer extra counter space and often have room to store other kitchen appliances and items you would usually have to place on a kitchen countertop. 

They can also be great for creating room separation in a small apartment.

Convenient rack with loads of storage

This Hodedah Kitchen Island with Spice Rack is great for a kitchen with little counter space. It comes in several colors, with wheels, and offers ample extra storage and counter space.  

Small but practical island

If you are looking for a mobile island that takes up less space, this granite top works nicely. 

Wall-mounted counter space

Barely have any counter space? No problem. Look for open wall spaces where you can mount a collapsible workspace (the side of a kitchen cupboard also works). 

A wall-mounted counter space can be folded away when unused and is substantially cheaper than installing extra kitchen cupboards.  

Folding table

This Wall Mounted Folding Table from Amazon comes in several sizes and is super simple to install. Its natural wood finish allows it to blend in well in most kitchens. 

Use your kitchen walls for storage

Adding hanging baskets, towel rails, utensil hooks, or peg boards to your kitchen walls can help to store the items that typically take up your counter space.  

Wall mounted baskets

These Farmhouse Metal Wire Bin Basket with Wall Mount from Amazon are perfect for kitchen storage and removing clutter from your countertops. 

Save space with a utensil holder

A wall utensil holder, such as this Magnetic Knife Holder for Wall from Amazon, removes the need for a knife block or utensil stands in your workspace. Place it close to where you prep or cook to keep everything close at hand. 

Pegboard wall organizer

Pegboards, such as this Metal Pegboard for Kitchen 4 Pcs from Amazon, are excellent for storing utensils, knives, roller towels, and other accessories. 

Browse the many pegboard accessories online if you need help storing a greater selection of kitchen accessories. 

Pegboards can also be a great help if you don’t have room for a pantry.

Over microwave storage rack

Why not invest in a microwave oven rack that offers various storage tiers? Place your extra appliances on the shelves to free up some counter space. 

This Microwave oven rack, for example, allows you to store additional appliances and utensils.

By the way, if you don’t have space for an oven in your kitchen we have some great tips for you.

Raised kitchen counter shelf

You may want your kitchen accessories close at hand but only have them take up some of your precious counter space. Adding a raised cabinet shelf will give you the best of both worlds. 

This Urhomey plus Expandable Cabinet Shelf from Amazon will take up a little counter space, but it’s relatively slim and will provide double the storage capacity. 

Under cabinet storage

Who says that hammock are just for relaxing? They can also function as storage. By adding hanging hammock storage under your top cabinets, you increase your storage. Better still, your counter space remains untouched. 

Fruit bowls are such countertop space wasters. By hanging fruit, your space problem is solved. 

Take advantage of corners and wasted spaces

Some kitchen corners are wasted or too awkwardly shaped or small to use for food preparation. Why not use these spaces to maximize your kitchen storage? Fill these spaces instead of your precious counter space. 

Corner shelves

Take a look at this elegant looking Kitchen Countertop Organizer Corner Shelf from Amazon with hooks. It is easy to assemble and will undoubtedly maximize your kitchen counter space. 

Save counter space with your refrigerator

Several organizers fit onto the sides of kitchen refrigerators. These organizers are great for stacking items that you would typically pop onto a counter. 

This Supwunwang Magnetic Fridge Spice Rack Organizer has four storage layers and a paper towel rack. If you can do away with traditional countertop towel racks, you can save massively on a workspace. 

Hang your spices on the refrigerator with this Mystozer 4 Pack Magnetic Spice Rack Organizer from Amazon, and do away with countertop spice racks.