The Kitchen Addition That Will Make The Most Out Of A Small Space

To get the most functionality out of a small space, think about where you do your best work. It's often at a desk, right? Well, there's no rule that says you can't do your best work at a desk in the kitchen. While a kitchen may seem like a hectic place to get some serious work done, it's also an innately innovative space, serving as a place to gather, ideate, relax, and create. Instead of being trapped in an office or tucked away in a corner of a bedroom, doing desk work in your kitchen can help get those creative juices flowing.

A kitchen desk isn't just a spot to file your taxes; think of it as your home's command center. A desk in the kitchen can be a dedicated spot for important family documents, a charging station for all your electronics, a mail sorter, a desktop computer for research, and more. And feel free to get creative; you don't necessarily have to use a traditional desk in this space. If you work better while standing, consider a bar-height table or a large floating shelf mounted in an alcove — just make sure you reinforce it properly. If you need more food prep space, your desk can even double as an extra counter, yet another reason to add a higher-height piece of furniture. Home chefs and remote workers, rejoice: Putting a desk in your kitchen can save some major counter space while also centralizing all kinds of household needs.

From a basket for grocery receipts to a family calendar, a kitchen desk is undeniably functional. But just because it's functional doesn't mean it can't also be stylish — think of your kitchen desk as an opportunity to flex your interior decorating skills. If you've got enough light in your kitchen, consider placing one or more potted plants on the desk. Funky-looking aloe vera and fragrant mint are just two of the 15 best plants you should have in your kitchen. Having plants in the kitchen isn't just cute — it's functional! If you singe yourself on your Le Creuset, you can always snap off a piece of aloe vera to treat a minor burn. 

You could also consider adding a framed photo or two, and if you're in a DIY mood, use a little paint behind the framed photos to add a pop of color to your kitchen. Love to thrift? Head to your local secondhand store and pick up a small, colorful table lamp — another unexpected item that could instantly upgrade your kitchen desk. If you're into the colorful vibe, try painting your desk or table a fun hue. However you choose to decorate your desk, be sure that it's serving its intended purpose: Saving space. Don't be afraid to let the desk do double duty as a cabinet — try using a desk drawer as a silverware drawer or storing your cookbooks on the desktop.

While a kitchen desk is undoubtedly great for saving space and zhuzh-ing up the room, there are some important potential drawbacks to consider before implementing one. For example, if you're using the desk as your full-time workstation, it could get pretty noisy — too many cooks in the kitchen, if you know what we mean. You should consider that you won't get much privacy working in one of the hubs of the home. The kitchen is also a messy place; important documents or electronics could fall victim to grease splatters or crumbs. If your desk doubles as a food prep space, things can get even messier and potentially unsanitary.

And, as the WFH crowd knows, sometimes it's good to be able to put your work away at the end of the day — having a kitchen desk can blur the lines between work and home even more than having a desk in a spare bedroom or office. We can't forget about ergonomics; if you're in the kitchen, chances are the light is not optimal for desk work, and your chair may not be either. With a little creativity and thoughtful planning, a kitchen desk can become not just a space-saver, but the coolest — and most surprising — workspace in your home.