This is my kitchen. It’s the kitchen that came with our 440sq ft studio apartment. Sadly, I only own a couple pans/pots.. the rest, my landlady graciously gave to me, to use while we’re renting this place.
It’s.. umm.. let me check. Yep. It’s 36ft of walking room, and one 5ft counter. So, it’s a wee bit cramped in here. Honestly, back in the Cuse (Syracuse, NY) my ma’s kitchen was teeny tiny as well.. so I’ve learned how to adapt (and also, how to scream “GET OUT OF MY WAY!!” …thanks ma!).
So how do you deal with a tiny kitchen? You’re gonna want to write this down…
1.) You need to be a fan of puzzles, like Tetris. Every thing can fit into a specific space and then, yay! It magically looks like you have MORE space!
2.) “Clean as you go.” I hate doing this.. I’ve hated cleaning ever since I was five and my mom would try to get me to pick up my toys (which lead to the death of one of my favorite childhood board games. Oh, sorry, this isn’t therapy.). Sigh.. but really, if you’re waiting for something to rise, or you just finished putting the chicken into the maranade, CLEAN UP. Take the two seconds to throw that wrapper away, or wipe off that spilled flour. By the end of the day, you don’t want to feel suffocated in a tiny kitchen with clutter and mess every where, do you?
3.)Cut-out the crap. You heard me. This is another thing my ma taught me: you don’t need 247.3 fancy pieces of equipment. My ma never had an enamel coated, cast iron, dutch oven, nor did she ever had a Kitchenaid stand mixer. Y’know what she did have? An electric hand mixer, spoons/whisks/knives, and pots/pans/sheets. She still made stews, cookies, cakes, pies, sauces..etc. These things are nice to have, sure, but when you need to strip down to the bare necessities, you learn what products are ESSENTIAL, and which ones benefit mostly millionaire housewives to put on their granite countertops which only their maid touches to dust once in awhile. Get my drift?
I’ve got a tiny kitchen, as well as a tiny wallet. If you’re in my boat (Hey neighbor!) here’s what I suggest you stock up in your kitchen:
1 large pot
1 large pan
1 cookie sheet
2 round cake pans
1 cutting board (plastic or wood.. never glass. you got that??)
1 electric hand mixer (OR) 1 whisk
1 chef knife
plastic wrap
aluminum foil
plates/forks/spoons
Hey, like I said, TINY WALLET.
As far as brands are concerned, just forget about it. We’re trying to handle a small kitchen and a small budget. Who will know you cut your tomatoes with a no-name, grocery store bought chef knife? NO ONE. Gimmie a break.. buy what you can afford! If you want that Wusthof knife, well, that’s great. When it comes to kitchen equipment, 90% of the time, the price reflects the quality. More expensive products will most likely last longer than less expensive onces..but for NOW, don’t feel bad about getting “Knif-O Brand Knives” (oh God, I really hope that isn’t a real brand.. if so, it’s purely coincidence!).
Don’t hate your small kitchen.. take it as an opportunity to level up your skills (Dungeons and Dragons, any one?).
So welcome to Savory Notes. A site filled with rants, raves, recipes, and my tiny kitchen. 
catherine says: Great Writing! I can’t wait for the next entry; really looking forward to following you on your journey. Loved your bio too
Love your analogy to Tetris! I know the feeling as I lived in a NYC studio for 5 years! Great post.
I lovingly refer to our kitchen as a “one butt kitchen”. No one else may come into the space. Fortunately we have a love seat at the end where guests may sit and watch the action. They sip a glass of vino and stay outta my way.
Great things can come out of tiny kitchens!
Yea, your first piece. If your good I might contribute to the kitchen list.