1. Place items that you do not use frequently (e.g., blender, George Foreman, slow cookers) in a designated area away from your main food prep and cooking areas in the kitchen. (If you have a pantry, set aside an area in it for these things or take advantage of that extra space at the end of your cabinets that you never use.)
2. Remember: Less is more. Try to keep your counter tops as clear as possible. Counter space is essential for food prep.
3. Even if you prefer washing your dishes the traditional way (by hand), if you have a dishwasher, use it to store your dishes after washing them.
4. De-clutter your cabinets by throwing out everything that is never used or that has expired.
5. Store silverware and food container lids in a drawer.
6. Use a closet system for your pantry. Baskets and bins are our best friends here!
7. Is there an item the people in your household eat or drink the most? For the sake of convenience, dedicate a bar exclusively for this (you can make a "bar" out of your baker's rack). Coffee bar. Fresh veggie bar. Cereal bar. Protein shake bar. Dessert bar.
8. Take advantage of the shelves underneath your oven to store pots and pans. (Many people overlook these and place all pots and pans underneath their kitchen cabinets instead.) Extra pots can hang gracefully from a pot rack, if your ceiling height permits.
9. Store high! Build shelves over the entryway that can store cookbooks, canisters, and spices. (Just make sure you have a handy sliding ladder in place for this.)
10. Modular shelves are great for small kitchens. Use them. You can even mix up the styles, shapes, and sizes for a more contemporary look and feel.