<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Ideas for Adding Storage Space While Decorating a Small Kitchen</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">The kitchen is definitely the heart of the home. It is where family and friends spend time visiting and where meals are prepared, but not everyone has adequate kitchen space for storing necessities. It is possible to find extra storage space in a small kitchen and make the most of available room while giving the kitchen a completely new look. Instead of cramming cabinets full, or storing pantry items and kitchen supplies in a completely different room, you can transform your small kitchen into an efficient kitchen with plenty of storage space. Consider the following ideas for adding storage space while decorating your small kitchen. Not only will you find more storage space you did not realize you had, but your kitchen will look more stylish too.</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Room above Cabinets</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If cabinetry does not extend up to the ceiling and provides an adequate amount of space, make use of that space and store rarely used items. To keep the space looking neat and stylish, invest in sturdy decorative baskets. Take seldom used items out of kitchen cabinets and drawers, and place them out of view within the baskets above cabinetry. Keep a list of basket contents to save time and trouble when a particular item is needed. Baskets are more popular than ever, and this is an easy way to use the space above kitchen cabinetry while freeing up practical space in cabinets and drawers.<span>   </span></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Use Vertical Storage</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Horizontal space is always considered when decorating and storing necessities, but what about vertical space? Empty wall space is ideal for adding attractive and sturdy shelving, and once again, baskets can be used to store utensils, kitchen gadgets, containers, and more. This will open up storage space in drawers and cabinets for larger items that are used on a regular basis, and the baskets on shelving will add charm and interest to the kitchen. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>The Area over the Doorway</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A very small kitchen does not readily provide space for storing necessities let alone knickknacks and trinkets. Consider the area over doorways for attractive shelving, and store items such as decorative tins, ceramics, and artificial vines and plants. This is the ideal way to get unnecessary items up and out of the way, yet it adds style and charm to a small kitchen. You will have more counter room for necessities that make food preparation and cleanup easier than ever. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Hanging Baskets</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If you have an empty out-of-the-way corner, make use of that corner with a stylish tiered basket. Use the basket to hold fresh fruits and vegetables. This will free up more room on countertops and in cabinets, and colorful fruits and fresh vegetables will add vivid color, texture, and vibrancy to a small room. Fruits and veggies will be within easy reach, and the space they once occupied can be used for other items. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Get Rid of the Junk Drawer</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Many people have at least one junk drawer in their kitchen. The junk drawer is a catchall for pens, pencils, paperclips, and parts and pieces that do not have a place. Give yourself another drawer for storage by doing away with the old junk drawer. Invest in a large pencil caddy or two, and move the items once labeled as junk to a more appropriate location. You will be amazed by how much more space you will have for items you really need in your small kitchen, and along with the other ideas, you find you have more room for storage than ever before.<span>  </span></p> <strong>About the author</strong> <p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Home decor specialist, Alyssa Davis, is a regular writer for Metal-Wall-Art.com, and she offers many ideas on how to design your favorite rooms with <a href="http://www.metal-wall-art.com/leaves-trees-metal-wall-art.html" target="_blank">wall art tree</a> and <a href="http://www.metal-wall-art.com/contemporary-wall-art.html">contemporary metal artwork</a>.</span></p></span>