Photo: Courtesy of Nest-Living

We tend to cut corners when it comes to kitchen gadgets, since the average New York City apartment has only so much space. A large spoon and some elbow grease can replace a hand mixer, a fork can be used to juice a lemon or mash some potatoes, and when in doubt, you can buy things premade. But there’s no getting around recipes that require thinly sliced ingredients. Rather than having a bulky grater, try Joseph Joseph’s Fold Flat Grater. With a clip at top that lets you collapse it into a slim, flat package, this can be stashed underneath utensils in kitchen drawers or slid into cabinets, taking up minimal space. Plus, for the less adept cook, a side grip lets you create a stable surface while grating, minimizing the chance of shredded fingers.

$25 at Nest-Living.com.