9 Small-Space Cooking Tips You Need

Cooking in a small kitchen can feel like hosting a dinner party in a closet—cozy if you’re lucky, chaos if you’re not.

But being short on space doesn’t have to mean skimping on flavor or function. In fact, a tiny kitchen can be a dynamo of efficiency with the right approach. Whether you’re tackling a one-pot mac and cheese or attempting a glitzy centerpiece entrée, a little ingenuity and planning can transform your snug setup into a culinary powerhouse. From clever storage hacks to multitasking tools, these tips will help you maximize every inch of your space.

1. PREP MAKES PERFECT

“When you’re short on space, prepping ahead is everything,” says HexClad Food Director Laura Rege. Channel your inner chef and embrace mise en place: the art of organizing and preparing your ingredients before you start cooking. Chopping, measuring, and laying everything out in advance streamlines your process and keeps chaos to a minimum. Another pro tip? Work clean. This restaurant mantra is all about staying organized and having what you need within arm’s reach—because in a small kitchen, a little clutter goes a long way.

2. SIZE MATTERS

“Choose cookware that fits burners precisely,” advises HexClad Senior Writer and Content Strategist Alex Van Buren. (It'll help you avoid wobbly pots and pans and less-than-safe scenarios, she adds.)

Matching your skillet to the burner isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about efficiency. A too-big pan on a too-small burner wastes energy and leaves you with unevenly cooked food (nobody wants that). If your kitchen comes equipped with pint-sized burners, don’t despair: A small skillet is surprisingly versatile, perfect for whipping up omelets, one-pan solo dinners or quick sauté sessions. Want to level up? Invest in a double-burner griddle. It bridges the gap—literally—letting you make French toast for a crowd or sear multiple steaks with ease.

3. TAKE A (KNIFE) STAND

When drawer space is at a premium, the last thing you need is a jumble of knives hogging the real estate. Enter the magnetic knife block: a sleek, space-saving hero that keeps your blades organized and within easy reach. Taking up just a sliver of counter space, this minimalist solution is as functional as it is stylish. Bonus? No more rummaging around in drawers for that elusive paring knife—your tools are always at your fingertips, ready for action.

4. NESTING INSTINCT

When space is tight, every inch counts, so embrace gear that plays well together. Nesting sets, like stackable bowls, pans, and cookie sheets, are the secret to maximizing your storage without sacrificing functionality. Luckily, much of HexClad’s lineup is designed with this in mind, from mixing bowls that fit snugly into one another to skillets and roasting pans that stack as neatly as culinary nesting dolls.

5. COUNTER INTELLIGENCE

Limited counter space is a cook’s eternal nemesis. Fear not: There are ways to outsmart its limits. Van Buren suggests a wall-mounted folding table: the ultimate multitasker that can be stowed when not in use, adding prep space by day and doubling as a dining spot for two by night. Feeling cramped? Take prep elsewhere. “A belly-high table just outside the kitchen is fair game,” Van Buren says.

And while a drying rack might seem like a kitchen staple, we’re team foldable dish-drying mat all the way. It handles the job when needed, then tucks away when the dishes are done.

6. HANG IT UP

In a small kitchen, the walls aren’t just for decoration—they’re your secret storage weapon. Go with “pegboards for pans, like Julia Child did. Full stop,” declares Van Buren. A slim, wall-mounted pegboard transforms blank space into a fully customizable storage station for your skillets, utensils, and even that trusty colander. 

7. MULTITASKERS ONLY, PLEASE

Single-use gadgets? Hard pass. In a small kitchen, your tools need to earn their keep by pulling double (or triple) duty. Take HexClad’s Small Roasting Pan, for example. It’s not just for chicken, it's your go-to for everything from French toast casserole to lasagna. Or the MVP of the tool drawer, the Microplane, for effortlessly shredding Parmesan, zesting citrus, grating nutmeg and even tackling chocolate. And don’t sleep on our new steamer. It doesn’t just handle your dumpling dreams, it moonlights as a colander, saving you both space and hassle.

8. SHOP SMART

Adapting to small-space cooking should inform your grocery list, too, says Van Buren. “Look at the size of the chicken when you buy it; be sure it will actually fit in your tiny stove, and won't burn its top on one of the racks.” Same goes for your fridge. Rather than bulk-buying, get in the habit of shopping more frequently, which will result in less food waste, too.

9. URGE TO PURGE

When in doubt, toss it out. That egg poacher you’ve never used? Gone. The gnome-shaped casserole dish? Bye. If you don’t love it, it’s gotta go. Sentimentality doesn’t pay the rent on precious shelf space.

Whether you're prepping for a quick dinner or a special occasion, these ideas make it easy to love the tiny space you’re in.