No Kitchen Countertop Space? IKEA's Hidden Work Surface Might Be The Solution You Need

If you've just moved into a new home or apartment, you might find that the countertop space in your kitchen is lacking. This can be a big problem in small kitchens, but it can be just as bad in larger ones if you have appliances that must go on the countertops. While you can keep countertops clutter-free with decorative solutions, the lack of space might dissuade you from spending time in the kitchen and using your culinary creativity to make delicious and nutritious meals from scratch. Well, now you can head back into the kitchen with full confidence because IKEA has just the solution you need: its hidden work surface, the UTRUSTA.

Like most of the clever creations you can find at the Swedish retailer, this product is simple and easy to use. It's basically just a piece of laminated particleboard with galvanized steel runners attached to either side. It's designed to be installed underneath your countertop so that it's hidden inside a drawer or cupboard when closed. Then, when you need more counter space, simply open the drawer or cupboard and pull out the board. It's actually reminiscent of those pull-out bread boards that were popular in 1950s kitchens. The UTRUSTA, which currently retails at $50, measures 21 ⅞ by 22 ½ inches and has a thickness of 1 ¾ inches. To ensure that it will fit in your kitchen, you'll need to make sure that the width of the cupboard or drawer frame you want to attach it to is 24 inches, and that it's also at least 24 inches deep.

To add the pull-out countertop, all you have to do is follow the instructions, which are included with the product in diagram form. Basically, the runners are attached to the frame of your cabinet so that the board can easily pull out and be pushed in again when you don't need it. This gives you plenty of extra workspace for chopping up vegetables or mixing batter for pancakes, and it's similar to the old-school, space-saving countertop design that really should make a comeback.

Customers who purchased this product gave it an average of 4.4 out of 5, but there are only seven reviews to date on IKEA's site. One customer uses it for a coffee maker, while another uses it for chopping as well as laying out printed recipes. Another reviewer has successfully installed this in a cabinet that is narrower by trimming the board before adding the runners. There was only one complaint, and that was from a customer who said that the pull-out unit didn't fit their IKEA cabinets that were installed some years ago because the position of the holes was different. For savvy DIYers, this wouldn't pose a problem, though, because you would just have to drill new holes. To further improve the usable space in your small kitchen, you might want to explore some clever appliance storage ideas — with these tips, you'll have a functional setup in no time.