8 ways to keep your pint-size kitchen organized

As much as we would want a chef's kitchen complete with multiple islands, sprawling counter space and endless kitchen supplies, our reality can be quite different.

Those who live in small apartments or starter homes know all too well the challenges that come with a tiny kitchen: Limited storage, no counter space and overflowing clutter are all part of the deal.

Are we destined to suffer small kitchen woes for as long as we live in tight quarters? Not necessarily. Thanks to a few clever hacks, there are ways to dramatically improve the function of a small kitchen.

Are you using all your vertical space? Can you increase your counter space somehow? Could you free up cupboard space by adopting other storage hacks? We studied our favorite small kitchens to give you the best tools to overhaul your own.

Pick up these tricks that organized people rely on — your dream functional kitchen awaits.

We all have a junk drawer or a container filled with cooking utensils. But if your drawer or counter space is limited, take advantage of your vertical space, and hang your tools instead. You'll free up storage space for other essentials.

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to keep everything contained in our cupboards and drawers, limited storage space fails us. If you struggle to find cupboard space for large pots and pans or if you have nowhere to keep your spices and oils, consider adding a bar cart to your kitchen arsenal.

You may have high ceilings, but are your cupboards reaching all the way to the top? So many kitchens have cupboards that stop too low, leaving precious vertical space unused. If you're not planning on renovating your kitchen, see if you can have high cupboards built in to match your existing ones, or hang high shelves on unused walls. These are perfect for lesser-used items like vases and special-occasion pieces.

Any amateur cook knows to keep a few essentials close to the stove. To make it look more organized and less messy, corral these in a pretty tray: olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and other regularly used cooking essentials. Not only will it free up pantry space, but you'll also enjoy having these at an arm's length away when cooking.

Make your decor functional. Some kitchenware is too pretty to hide away. If you have beautiful wooden cheese boards, marble mortar and pestles, pretty candleholders or a collection of wooden spoons, make them a part of your decor instead of hiding them away.

If your cupboard space is limited but your glassware collection is large, try hanging it upside down, bar-style. Glassware racks can be hung on the wall or under cupboards, freeing up space for other dinnerware and showcasing your wine glass collection all at once.