Some Baltimore City rental homes have kitchens that don’t seem to have enough storage for all the essentials, making many daily tasks more challenging to do. But there are many ways to maximize your kitchen space to create a functional and beautiful space you can enjoy working in. The following are some ideas on adding storage and utility to your rental home’s kitchen.
While some of the mentioned upgrades are easy do-it-yourself projects you can remove when you leave your rental home, others may require the permission of your landlord before you can begin. Be sure to check the terms of your lease carefully and follow the process for requesting permanent changes.
Declutter and Organize
Decluttering and organizing your kitchen is the first step to creating a clean and functional one. Getting rid of things you do not use regularly can help you fit your oft-used dishes, utensils, small appliances, or kitchenware in the limited cabinet space. Investing in organizing trays and racks that easily slide into a drawer or cabinet is also a good idea. You can use these to corral things like silverware, pot and pan lids, and spice jars. As soon as you have a place for everything you use and need, your functional kitchen will soon be a reality.
Use Vertical Spaces
Another way to maximize your kitchen is to create more storage. Adding hooks and pegs to unused areas like walls, sides of cabinets, or even the ceiling is a great way to make up for limited cabinet space. If you hang your pots on a rack or your coffee mugs on hooks, you can have an entire cabinet or two available for other things. Just be sure to install your hanging storage using damage-free mounting tape or get permission from your Baltimore City property manager to drill holes in the walls or ceiling.
Add Rolling Storage
Many tenants also find that a rolling island or storage cabinet easily adds storage space to a small kitchen. Have you noticed that small kitchens often have gaps or corners that are not fully utilized? Standalone storage or counter space gives you additional space for your things. Rolling islands are especially great because aside from offering both storage and counter space, you can also get an additional place to sit just by bringing in a couple of stools. To maximize tight spaces, like that between a fridge and a wall, you can get narrow storage racks to store your kitchen essentials or pantry items.
Add Shelves
Your kitchen might have a lot of wall space but only a few cabinets, so you can install shelves as an inexpensive option. Open shelves add function and beauty to a kitchen and give you a place to display glassware or store small appliances away after use. Adding shelves is one of the projects that will probably require your landlord’s approval, so be sure you secure it before starting. Also, many leases stipulate that if you will be installing permanent fixtures, like shelves, you may need to remove them and repair any damage left behind or just leave them where they are.
Your lease, like many leases, may require you to get a licensed professional to do the work so be sure you follow your landlord’s guidelines. Otherwise, the cost of removal or repairs may be deducted from your security deposit upon move-out.
While these are indeed great ideas to maximize your available kitchen space, it is still best to look for a rental with bigger rooms if you still feel cramped after trying out these suggestions. If you’re ready for a move, give Real Property Management Prime a call. We have a wide range of rental home listings, possibly even one with your dream kitchen in it! View our listings online or reach us at 410-415-1736.
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