If the kitchen is the heart of the home, it would appear that many houses and apartment dwellings might benefit from a little life support. From awkward layouts to minimal real estate, lots lack even the most basic necessities for everyday living, let alone entertaining friends and family for weekend get-togethers or holiday celebrations. But there are plenty of ways to make a small kitchen work for you, no matter how limited you are in the square-footage department—and we’re not talking about spending thousands on a major renovation, though if you have the funds by all means go for it. From tricks to make every corner more functional to ideas for maximizing storage, here are seven tips for surviving in a small kitchen.