If you have a smaller kitchen, then you know how difficult it is to find space for items. That is not even including food! Without a pantry, there is never enough space to store everything that I need. Instead of stacking things in an unsafe way, I decided to look into small kitchen storage ideas.
🍴 How to maximize storage in a small kitchen? | 🔪 How to arrange things in a small kitchen? | ❓ FAQ | 📸 Small kitchen storage ideas
Key Takeaways
- Use walls and cabinet interiors for storage by adding open shelving, hooks, and racks. This will help keep items like dishes and spices easily accessible.
- Implement magnetic strips for utensils, roll-out pantries for tight spaces, and hanging pot racks to free up space.
- Make use of under-sink spaces with pull-out drawers or shelves and corner areas with shelf units or lazy Susans.
- Opt for stackable bins and baskets for organized storage and sliding shelves in cabinets. This will efficiently use every nook and cranny.
- Keep countertops clear by only having essential items out, and employ decluttering strategies.
How to maximize storage in a small kitchen?
Utilize vertical space: Think upwards! Use wall space for open shelving, which not only provides ample storage but also creates an airy feel. Open shelving is a budget-friendly way to display your prettiest dishes and spices, making them easily accessible while adding a unique decorative element.
Optimize cabinet interiors: Don’t just use the shelves – add hooks, racks, or small shelves inside cabinet doors for extra storage. This simple trick can double your cabinet’s capacity, ideal for storing utensils, pot lids, or cleaning supplies.
Magnetic strips: They’re not just for knives! A magnetic strip mounted on the wall can hold metal utensils, spice jars, and even small pots, freeing up precious drawer and shelf space.
Roll-out pantry: If you have a tiny gap between appliances or cabinets, consider a roll-out pantry. It’s a creative and unique solution for storing cans, spices, and other pantry essentials in a small space.
Hanging pot racks: Utilize ceiling space by installing a hanging pot rack. It’s a great way to keep your pots and pans within reach and can also serve as a focal point in your kitchen.
Under-sink organizers: Don’t neglect the space under the sink. Install pull-out drawers or shelves to maximize this often underused area, perfect for storing cleaning supplies and trash bags.
Corner shelf solutions: Corners are often wasted in tiny kitchens. Invest in corner shelf units or lazy Susans to make these spaces functional, providing extra room for your kitchen essentials.
Stackable storage: Choose stackable bins and baskets. They’re a budget-friendly way to keep things organized and can be easily tucked away in cabinets or on shelves.
How to arrange things in a small kitchen?
Go vertical: Think upwards! Use wall-mounted shelves and hanging racks for pots and pans. It’s like giving your kitchen a pair of wings, allowing it to soar with space.
Use magnets: A magnetic knife strip is a sleek, space-saving superhero. It keeps your knives in line and off the counter, making them easy to grab.
Nest and tuck: Nesting bowls and stackable cookware are your best friends. They cozy up together, taking up minimal space. Think of it as a cookware cuddle!
Slide and hide: Use sliding shelves and cabinet organizers. They’re like secret drawers that only reveal their treasures (your kitchen gadgets) when needed.
Clear the counters: Keep them clutter-free. Only the essentials should take center stage. It’s like your countertop is the star of a minimalistic kitchen ballet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Kitchen Organization
How do you organize your small kitchen counter space?
To organize a small kitchen counter, prioritize essential items, use vertical space with shelves or hanging racks, and employ compact, multi-use appliances. Consider using magnetic strips for knives and utensil holders to free up space, and keep the counters clutter-free by storing infrequently used items elsewhere.
What can you do with extra space in your kitchen?
Extra space in your kitchen can be transformed into a functional area with additions like a coffee or breakfast station, a small herb garden, or a display area for decorative items. You can also add a movable kitchen island for additional prep space and storage, or use the area for a small dining set if space allows.
How do you use dead space in the corner of a kitchen?
The dead space in the corner of a kitchen can be utilized effectively with corner shelves, lazy Susans, or specially designed corner drawers and cabinets. This space is ideal for storing bulky items like pots and pans or for setting up a small appliance garage to keep frequently used gadgets accessible yet out of sight.
What can you do with the space between cabinets and ceilings?
The space between cabinets and ceilings can be used for storing seldom-used items in attractive baskets or bins, adding extra shelves for display purposes, or installing accent lighting to create a warm ambience. This area can also showcase decorative items, antique kitchenware, or a collection of cookbooks, adding character to your kitchen.
67 Fantastic Small Kitchen Organization Ideas
1. Pull-Out Pot Rack and Lid Organizer
Storing pots, pans and lids are as easy as can be with this amazing pull-out rack system. Simply replace the shelves of one cupboard with this unique system. Dividers keep the pots, pans, and lids from rolling around or falling over. They are adjustable to allow for all shapes and sizes to be easily stored in one central location.
3. DIY Kitchen Island on Wheels
Kitchen islands can be designed to fit even the tiniest kitchens with a little bit of creativity. It is easy to transform cubby shelving into a beautiful kitchen island with the addition of a few extra pieces. Some cutting boards, towel racks, door fronts, and rolling casters magically turn cubby shelves into a practical and very useful kitchen island.
4. Organized Spice Jars in a Drawer
Shallow drawers and small spice jars are a match made in heaven when you add a few plastic organizers. Be sure to measure your drawers first to get the best fit. Arrange jars with the labels facing up, with your most commonly used spices in the front. Additional small containers can be added for spice packets, tea packets, and leftover condiment packets from takeout.
5. DIY Pegboard Storage for Pots and Pans
Pots and pans can be difficult to store in a small kitchen if there are few cupboards. Making use of extra space in the pantry is an excellent option if you have any wall space available. Measure the space and head to your local home improvement store where you can have a pegboard custom cut. Add some hooks for instant wall storage.
6. Under the Cupboard Rotating Utensil Organization
Clean up the utensil drawer and get rid of the crock on the counter that holds seemingly endless utensils. They will be much easier to find when you make this awesome DIY rotating organizer. It hangs under the cupboard, so you can have it right by the stove. You can make this in about an hour with a few simple supplies.
7. Pull-Out Garbage Can Cupboard
Keep your trash out of sight with a handy pull-out garbage can cupboard. Choose a cupboard that would be most handy for your garbage, clean it out, and remove the shelves. Now it will be easy for you to measure and choose the right kit. Kits come with garbage cans that fit the apparatus.
8. Under the Shelf DIY Mug Storage
You can maximize your space in cupboards and reduce the load on shelves by adding some simple s-hooks. Adding hooks underneath the top of the cupboard allows mugs to be hung, rather than stacked. They take up less space and fill in what is often left as empty space. It also looks great, so this idea is perfect for open or glass-front cupboards.
9. Drawer Organization for Wraps and Bags
Many people tend to toss things like plastic baggies, foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper into deeper drawers because they seem a little bulky. Using a shallow drawer for these makes it much easier to see what you need and grab it quickly because they are not stacked up on top of one another.
11. Farmer’s Market Hanging Kitchen Organizer with Baskets
Storing fruits and vegetables has never been so on-trend as it is with this adorable farmer’s market sign with baskets. It saves space for food storage because it hangs on the wall. While the baskets could be used to store all kinds of kitchen items, they really are perfect for storing fruits, onions, and potatoes to keep up with the farmhouse vibe.
12. Fruit and Vegetable Hanging Storage with Hooks
This wall-mounted basket organization is perfect for any small kitchen. Fresh fruits will be easy to see to grab for snacks. Fresh veggies will be easily accessible while cooking dinner. Adorable chalkboards are included for labeling basket contents. Hooks adorn the bottom of the baskets and are perfect for mugs and towels or hanging garlic and peppers.
13. Wooden Side Shelf for Refrigerator with Rack
This unique shelf attaches to the top of your refrigerator and lays firmly against the side of it. It is a great way to add some storage while taking advantage of an often unused area of the kitchen. There are three shelves with a bar across to keep items from falling as well as a towel rack along the bottom.
14. Stylish Dish Rack with Wooden Handles
This is not your typical dish drying rack. It is on-trend in colors of gray, white, or blush. Perfect for single-well sinks, it sits within its own tray so the water is collected there and can be poured out or left to air dry. The wooden handles look great, but they also make it easy to transport clean dishes.
15. Under Cupboard Cutting Board and Dishtowel Holder
Keep cutting boards handy with this one-of-a-kind cutting board and dishtowel rack. It hangs below a cupboard and holds 2 cutting boards horizontally. Two racks hang down for hanging dish towels, but they could also easily adapt to holding measuring cups or measuring spoons by adding some s-hooks. It can also be mounted on the front of a drawer for vertical storage.
16. Magnetic Kitchen Organizer with Paper Towel Holder
This magnetic kitchen organizer has everything you need to keep your paper towels, dish towels, and other frequently used items handy. The shelf can hold a cookbook, plastic wrap, or salt and pepper. There is a paper towel holder in the center and a regular bar below it for dishtowels. The bottom has 6 hooks for utensils.
17. Slim Rolling Shelves for Spices and Bottles
The perfect addition for a small space, this set of rolling shelves has three shelves with rails to keep items from falling off. The top can also be used to hold items, and it has a towel bar on the front. It is slim so that it can fit in between appliances or beside a free-standing appliance.
18. Over the Sink Dish Drainer and Storage
This amazing rack system comes in six different sizes and is customizable to fit all different types of sinks with adjustable components. These include a cutlery holder, a square basket, a cutting board rack, a knife holder, a fruit and vegetable basket, a dish rack, a bowl rack, and six hooks. You can use just a few or all of the components.
19. Two-Tiered Adjustable Height Spice Turntable
Spices tend to get moved out of place while we are looking for other spices. This handy turntable makes it easy to see all of the spices by simply turning it. Just keep them facing out and give it a spin. It is easily adjustable to fit larger bottles. This turntable works great in a cupboard, but it can also work on a countertop.
20. Tea Bag Holder and Display Case
Teabags will easy to find and look great in this display case. It comes with six individual tea bag holders that are clear so the type of tea can be seen easily. They can be removed and used separately, or they can remain in the display case. The display case looks great on a counter or in a cupboard.
21. Countertop Spice and Bottle Organizer
Have all of your oil, vinegar, and spices ready at your fingertips with this stylish countertop organizer. Bottles lay down at a slant, allowing for more room to store items on the other shelves. The bottom shelf is deep enough for two rows of jars or spices. The shelves also have rails to keep items from falling.
22. Two-Tiered Storage Rack with Removable Shelves
The unique design of these shelves allows for just a part of the shelf to be removed. This is great for accommodating pipes under a sink. It is also nice if you have something taller that you would like to use on just one end of the shelf. These shelves can also be used on the countertop to provide visible storage.
23. Spice Rack on Casters with Drawer Pull
This spice rack is a mere four inches wide, allowing it to squeeze in between some appliances and cupboards. It has rails to keep the spices from falling out but is open on each to easily see where everything is. The drawer pull on the front makes it easy to pull out and push back in when finished.
24. Under the Shelf Hanging Basket
Most of the things we store on the shelves do not go all the way to the top. We can make great use of that extra space with these awesome shelves that hang down from the shelf above them. They are wire but are coated so that they will not rust. They are great for storing cans, baggies, or sponges.
25. Under the Cabinet Wine Glass Storage
This metal organizer for wine glasses is not only a space saver, but it is also beautiful and on-trend. Attach it to the underside of any of your cupboards for an instant storage solution. The glasses will hang upside down, allowing them to remain clean. One rack holds six glasses.
26. Kitchen Wrap Organizing Rack with Three Shelves
Perfect for a cupboard, pantry shelf, or even a countertop, this organizer will hold all of your kitchen wraps. Use this handy organizer instead of wasting drawer space for your foil, plastic wrap, wax paper, and baggies. Each shelf can hold either two large boxes or three small boxes of kitchen wraps.
27. Spice Jar Grip Holder Clip Strips
These handy clip strips can be adhered to the inside of a cupboard door or even just on a wall in the pantry. The grippers hold several different sizes and shapes of bottles. Be sure to give enough height in between the rows to allow for the bottles that you will be using.
28. Bronze Stackable Expandable Shelf Organizer
Two shelves are included with this organizer, and they can be stacked. If preferred, they can also be used separately. Made of perforated steel, you can be assured that they are sturdy. These on-trend shelves look great on the countertop, but they can also be used in cupboards.
29. Door Attachment for Food Storage Necessities
Free up cupboard space by moving hard-to-stack food storage supplies to a more easily accessible location. Mount a magazine rack on the back of a cupboard door. Measure the boxes to determine the necessary depth for the magazine rack, then measure the cupboard door to determine the maximum width. A space-saving idea that provides easier access to food storage supplies.
30. Basket Full of Herbs and Cooking Utensils
Grab a basket and a few items to use as holders, such as measuring cups, crocks, jars, and mugs. Then, gather items you use the most often for cooking from drawers, cupboards, and counters. This idea provides easier access to your most used items, uncluttered counter space, and new space in your drawers and cupboards.
31. A Hanging Space for Squirt Bottle Cleaners
Cleaning supplies can get jumbled under the kitchen sink. However, if you put a rod across the cupboard underneath the sink, you can hang spray bottles over the rod by the nozzle between the trigger and the bottle, making them easier to sort and reducing the number of items on the bottom of the cupboard to get cluttered.
32. Convenient Trash and Garbage Rolls
For quick and easy access to garbage bags, buy garbage bags in rolls. Then, mount some inexpensive curtain rod holders and rods on the side of the kitchen sink base cupboard, and slide the garbage bags onto the rods. The garbage bags are easier to access and no longer taking up space on the bottom of your cupboard.
33. Lid Storage on Your Cabinet Doors
To organize pan lids, use sturdy adhesive hooks on the back of the cupboard door to hold them. Make sure the handles of the lids won’t hold the door open by resting against pans. Place hooks on an angle at the four o’clock and eight o’clock position for each lid. Now you have easier access to your lids and pans.
34. Utensil Drawers in Unused Cabinet Space
Narrow, unused cupboard space in your kitchen can become usable with pull-out cabinets like this one. They can hold all manner of items for quick and easy access, and the shelves can be adjustable. You can do it yourself, or if you are not handy, hire a contractor to install the pull-out cabinets.
35. Shelves for Cooking Essentials and Snacks
Adding shelves to hold matching jars on an empty wall space creates an attractive, extra storage space in your kitchen. It removes clutter on your counter and gives you more cupboard space by eliminating flour, sugar, cereal, pasta, chips, and snack packages from your cupboards and counters. It also provides easier access to these items.
36. A Wall-Mounted Mug and Glass Holder
Mugs and glasses are one of the items in kitchen cupboards that do not stack well. So, they end up spread out. Hanging a rack in an empty wall space frees up more cupboard space, gets the mugs and glasses out of the cupboard, and puts them within easy reach.
37. Cabinet Door Chalkboard with Measuring Utensils
Chalkboard paint makes this idea easy to accomplish. Remove the door, paint the back with chalkboard paint, frame it with molding, and add the hooks. Then, rehang the cupboard door. Now, you have easy access to your measuring cups and spoons, and the bulky measuring cups are not taking up drawer space.
38. Fruit Baskets Hanging from the Wall
Try this idea for another use of empty wall space that clears up counter space and makes room in overcrowded refrigerators. Just attach some boards to the wall; add some sturdy, decorative baskets; and you have a place to store fruit to provide healthy snacks for your family within easy reach.
39. Out of Sight Cutting Board Storage
Cutting board storage was created with a plastic-coated wire frame holder for food storage supplies. Zip ties added across the bottom keep cutting boards from sliding through openings, The holder was hung so that it was low enough to accommodate the largest cutting board, and would not hold the door open by resting on anything in the cupboard.
40. A Storage Container Lid Organizer
For easy storage of plastic bowl lids, attach a wall-mounted file folder holder to the back of the cupboard door. The lids will be contained and will not be falling out of the cupboard onto the floor. The lids can also be sized so that you can find the small lids easily without having to dig for them.
41. Simple, Space-Saving Under Cabinet Drawer Add-Ons
These under-the-base-cabinets, do-it-yourself drawers add new storage space to empty space in your kitchen. However, you can also add drawers under upper cabinets. You can do it yourself, or use kits to add the drawers under your upper cabinets. These drawers are not super deep, but you can still get a lot of items in a 3″ drawer.
42. A Storage Cabinet for Pots and Pans
If the ideas listed here have given you enough extra space, you might be able to use your pantry for cookware instead of having it stacked in a base cabinet. The easier access is amazing. When you add the skillet and lid holders, it makes the thought of getting cookware so much less of a hassle.
43. Wooden Dividers to Organize Your Utensil Drawers
Using some of the previous tips, items have been moved out of the utensil drawer. Now, organize your utensil drawer with divides. There are lots of choices available. Divides make it easier to create more room in the drawers by sorting and compacting similar items. It also makes it easier to find the items you want.
44. Wall Ledges for Wooden Kitchen Accessories
Using strips fastened on a wall with hooks on the bottom of strips and a space behind the top of strips allows the cutting board with a curved piece to hook over the top of a strip and kitchen accessory holders with slots to hang on the hooks. The holders include baskets, bottle holders for spices, and a knife holder.
45. Easy-to-Reach Pantry Drawers that Pull Out
Replacing the shelves of the pantry with drawers makes it easier to fill the pantry and reach everything it contains. The drawers make better use of the pantry space. You can buy them and install them or build them yourself. Whichever you choose, this will make the best use of an already existing space in your kitchen.
46. Hook and Ladder Project for Cooking Essentials
Another wall space storage idea is to use strips of wood like a ladder and hang things from them with S hooks. It is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to create storage in a small kitchen. The S hook hangers make it easy to rearrange items, and it is decorative.
47. Onion and Potato Storage for Your Shelves
Potatoes and onions are unwieldy and take up a lot of space. However, if you store them in magazine holders, they are contained in a uniform space that fits easily on a shelf in a pantry, and the magazine holders can be pulled out to remove however many potatoes or onions you need.
48. Hidden Trash Unit in Your Cabinets
Using space in a cupboard for your wastebasket removes an eyesore and provides more floor space. Having the space tilt open with the waste basket fastened to the tilting door makes it easier to throw things away. This could be incorporated into your kitchen if you move the hinges on a cupboard door to the bottom of the door.
49. A Pull-Out Drawer for Your Baking Sheets
Stacking cookie sheets, pizza pans, and muffin tins along the side of a cupboard requires you to do a little digging to get one out. This do-it-yourself drawer separates and organizes these items. Just build the drawer, add the slides, and install it in your cupboard. You will love this organized space for these items.
50. Dish Soap and Sponge on a Pedestal
Having your dish soap off the counter keeps even the smallest amount of slimy soap and water from getting on your countertop and potentially doing damage. The pedestal is a candlestick that was spray painted and had a plate glued to it. Putting a dish towel under the soap is not just for aesthetics. It absorbs soap and water.
51. Everyday Kitchen Essentials on a Lazy Susan
Much like the basket idea in tip 2, this idea uses a lazy susan to gather your most used cooking items together on your counter in a decorative way. It creates more room in your storage areas, and it gives you quick and easy access to items that you are continuously digging out of the cupboards and drawers.
52. Vertical Cabinet Shelves Above the Refrigerator
The cupboard above the refrigerator is hard to reach and is either not used at all or is used for items that you rarely want. However, with vertical racks, you can store baking sheets, pans, muffin tins, and cooling racks up there. These are easier to reach and pull out from this space than vases or similar items.
53. A Bookshelf-Style Shelf for Important Appliances
This shelving provides easy access to bulky appliances while freeing counter and cupboard space. It is easy to build, or you can find similar items in stores. Arrange appliances on the shelving in a manner that works best for you, such as having the microwave next the coffee station to heat up a quick bite for your coffee break.
54. A Corner with All Your Coffee Needs
For coffee drinkers, creating a coffee station in your kitchen keeps everything you need together by your coffee pot. This coffee station is arranged in a corner. The wood crate helps organize all the related items. The mug tree keeps the cups right beside the coffee pot. It all makes getting that cup of coffee quicker for coffee lovers.
55. A Coffee Nook for Breakfast Convenience
Another coffee station takes over a small counter space and is arranged vertically. Some items needed are on the shelving above and below the countertop, Coffee mugs are hanging from the shelving above the coffee pots. Going vertical works in a small space like this. Again, including the microwave, completes this coffee and breakfast or snack station.
56. Food Essentials on a Moveable Platter
This elevated stand works like the basket in tip 2 and the lazy susan in tip 23, but it gives you room to have items underneath the stand. All of your most used items are on the stand, but you are creating more space in your kitchen by going vertical like the previous coffee station in tip 27.
57. Storage Ladder that Dangles from the Ceiling
Another way to find storage space in a small kitchens is to suspend items from the ceiling. In this kitchen, a ladder was hung from the ceiling using chains and used as shelving for storage baskets. You can store items here that you do not use as often. It also adds a decorative touch to your kitchen.
58. A Small Kitchen Accessory Wall
The end of cupboards can be used to hang items, such as coffee mugs, pot holders, or the utensils shown here. This also removes these large, irregularly shaped utensils from a drawer. When arranged carefully, they can give a kitchen an attractive focal point while also being a practical use of space.
59. A Kitchen Cart for Produce and Snacks
This rolling cart with six baskets for produce creates space on counters, in cupboards, and in the refrigerator. It makes accessing potatoes and onions easier for meals, and puts fresh fruit in easy reach for family snacks. The individual pullout baskets and the ability to roll it wherever needed in the kitchen adds to the accessibility of the produce.
60. Magnetic Spice Racks on the Refrigerator
These magnetic spice racks make use of the space on the side of the refrigerator. Access to your spices will be easier than if they are stored in a cupboard, and the magnetic racks remove them from space-consuming countertop spice racks. While you are cooking, you only have to reach over by the refrigerator to get the spices you need.
61. Pegboard for Pots, Pans, and Other Essentials
Stores use pegboard because it is inexpensive and flexible. It can be cut to any size and shape you need. It also offers flexibility when arranging the items you are hanging. It can help create a lot more storage area in your kitchen. You can use shorter or longer hooks depending on the item you are hanging.
62. Pocket Organizer for Smaller Food Items
An over-the-door shoe rack with pockets can be hung on the back of your pantry door. It can be used for those small items that can get lost or damaged on pantry shelves. It makes it easier to find and organize small items.
63. Storage Baskets for Your Cabinet Ends
The ends of your cabinets and island can also be a site for hanging storage baskets. These are available in various sizes and styles, and can be used for a variety of items.
Our Favorite Farmhouse Kitchen Decorations to buy on Amazon
