A small kitchen needn't be void of love. Even if you don't have a lot of space to work with, you can still enjoy cooking and sharing meals with your family. The key to making a tiny area more functional is by using every square inch of it optimally. If you're not sure what that would entail, don't worry. We have a few tricks up our sleeves that will help you learn to love your micro-kitchen.

The following tips help homeowners with small kitchens better utilize their space.

Tip #1: Add an extra shelf above your cabinets to increase storage.

A simple and inexpensive trick to implement, you now have the space on top of the cabinets and shelf to keep items on. You can paint shelves a contrasting color to help make them pop or left in their natural state for a more weathered and rustic look.

Tip #2: Hang a dish drainer on the wall above the sink to reduce countertop clutter.

A necessity for most kitchens, a drainer takes up valuable space in a kitchen. That is, of course, if it's sitting on a countertop. Start thinking about ways to make use of walls, corners, and ceilings. By affixing a strainer to the wall above the sink, the dishes can drip dry without making a mess for you to clean up.

Tip #3: Make use of the smallest spaces by investing in clips, hangers, and magnets.

You can create a pegboard system for hanging cooking utensils. Hang knives from a magnetic strip along with metal spice containers. You can clip items, string them up, or suspend them from wire, too. The more creative you are, the less space you devote to whisks, spatulas, and can openers in your drawers.

Tip #4: Use the back of cabinet doors to hang or hold items.

There is a lot of unused real estate that can house objects. Make sure that they don't interfere with the opening and closing of the cabinets, though. Wire magazine holders make great organizers of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper. You'll be able to find what you need within seconds because like items are stored together.

Tip #5: Install a folding table that attaches to the wall.

You may want to drink a cup of coffee or sit down while your meal cooks. Having a table that attaches to the wall and folds down when not in use is a real asset. It allows you to have access to a flat surface without it blocking other areas of the kitchen. When you've finished using it, you can store it in the locked position until you're ready to use it once again.

Tip #6: Invest in multi-use tools and appliances.

You don't need to have a lot of space to enjoy your kitchen. You do, however, need to be willing to make good use of every square inch you have available to you. There are many ways to enhance your kitchen with limited space, as mentioned above. It's up to you to determine which ideas work best for your home and budget as you know what you'd like the result to be.