This Genius Japanese Slide-Out Kitchen Countertop Creates Extra Workspace on Demand – Ideal for Hosting in Tiny Homes

I grew up with the luxury of a huge kitchen at my parents' house. However, since moving out, I have been stuck with several successive tiny kitchens, and I constantly feel like I am running out of functional space.

Now, with Christmas on the horizon and several 'Friendsmas' festive dinners booked in at my house, I am desperate for some extra countertop space. Enter the wonderfully chic Yamazaki Pull-Out Tray from Amazon.

It adds instant counterspace on demand without the permanence of a rolling cart – It is a complete game-changer for small kitchens.

This Japanese Slide-Out Counter Is a Tiny-Kitchen Lifesaver

Making more counter space in a small kitchen is not easy. It is not as if I can knock through into my neighbour's home and steal some of their square footage, after all.

That is why this slide-out countertop tray from Amazon is such a winner. It sits neatly on a counter underneath existing appliances (such as your microwave or coffee machine) for stability, and slides out to offer extra space to set down food prep essentials, or even just my drink and recipe book, while the rest of the counter is buried in bowls and pans.

I love that it can then be slid away after use, so that I am not stuck with a constant barrier in my small U-shaped kitchen. It certainly helps that its sleek, chic profile, so reflective of minimalist Japanese design, doesn't intrude on my decor scheme.

Made by Yamazaki Home, the slide-out is a no-brainer. The company specializes in high-quality, minimalist home items that make your life easier. That being said, it would be just as at home in minimalist kitchens as it would maximalist kitchen design.

The glowing global five-star reviews make it clear that this simple addition is a wonderful trick for organizing kitchen countertops, too, and they have me sold.

Verified shopper FestiveLady, for instance, shared, 'It's well-made, sturdy, feels like it'll last – all as Yamazaki tends to be. I recommend it even though it's expensive. This is a high-end standard. Heed Yamazaki's maximum weight guidance, but the item feels so solid and sturdy, I suspect it'd take more weight than they state.

'I suggest using coasters or protective feet if putting an abrasive item on it, to protect the surface,' they add. 'I wanted this item because it's metal, which means it's heavy and doesn't move around by itself. Being white (a slightly off-white, it's not bright shiny white) it matches my desktop, and thus is unobtrusive. I particularly like its low height, keeping my desk profile as flat as possible.'

The only downside is that you cannot put hot items onto the tray. However, should you be in desperate need of space for hot trays or pans when hosting, the addition of some heat-safe cork trivets from Walmart can add the insulative protection needed to make the pull-out a truly multifunctional kitchen essential.

Just be mindful that hot dishes on this jutting-out counter addition may pose a safety risk if you have little ones running around.

What to Shop

If you are feeling very squeezed for space, consider trying some of our favorite ways to maximize kitchen storage without new cabinets, too.