If your kitchen feels cramped, you’re not imagining it. Counter space disappears fast once the coffee maker, toaster, and groceries take over. That leaves you with just enough room to slice an onion or balance a cutting board on the edge of the sink.
But there’s a simple workaround. IKEA’s LÄMPLIG bamboo cutting board looks like an ordinary prep board, but when you set it across your stove, it instantly doubles as a countertop extender. For under $20, you get a sturdy new work surface that turns wasted space into one of the most useful spots in your kitchen.
LÄMPLIG Bamboo Cutting Board, $29.99 at IKEA
The LÄMPLIG’s design is deceptively simple. At 20 ¾-inches long, 18-inches wide, and ¾-inch thick, it’s big enough to cover a large portion of most stoves and create a sturdy landing zone.
A milled groove runs along the top edge to collect juices from meat or produce, keeping them from spilling onto your counters. The board’s weight and thickness give it a stable base, so it doesn’t wobble when you’re prepping or serving. And thanks to its clean rectangular profile, it doubles easily as a serving tray for snacks, sliders, or whatever you’re bringing to the table.
It’s also easy to maintain. Just wipe it down with mild soapy water, dry it thoroughly, and occasionally treat it with food-safe oil to keep the bamboo conditioned. As with most wooden boards, it’s hand-wash only, but with basic upkeep, it’ll hold up to years of use.
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Creative Ways to Use Your Extra Space
The real fun begins once you start experimenting with the extra surface. One board is enough to turn half your stove into a functional prep station. Chop vegetables, set out ingredients, or just use it as a space for groceries you haven’t put away yet. If you’re short on counters, it feels like reclaiming square footage you didn’t know you had.
Side by side, two LÄMPLIGs will cover most stoves completely, creating the look and feel of a built-in countertop extension. That extra real estate makes hosting a whole lot smoother. You can line up cocktail fixings, put out wings and chips, or stack it with game-day snacks without running out of room.
Because it’s bamboo and easy to move, you’re not locked into one use. Move it to the side when it’s time to cook, then bring it back as a serving board once the burners cool down. Some people even use it as a coffee station or breakfast nook add-on. However you use it, the LÄMPLIG turns wasted stove space into one of the most useful surfaces in your kitchen.
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