Maximizing Storage In A Small Kitchen

If you’re like me, there’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find the ingredients you need to cook a meal.

When I’m making dinner for my family and I can’t find the lemon juice or oil or even salt and pepper, it makes me so mad that I just go out for fast food instead.

But if your kitchen is small, it’s even more important to maximize storage space – so let’s dive in!

12 Easy Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

Takeaways
1. Effective storage is crucial in small kitchens. Utilize all available space, including wall and ceiling space, to maximize your storage capacity.
2. Use open shelving to create a sense of openness and visibility in your small kitchen.
3. Invest in storage solutions that are multi-functional, such as kitchen carts that can be used for storage and prep space.
4. Declutter regularly to keep your small kitchen organized and functional.
5. There are many creative solutions for small kitchen storage; use online resources and inspiration to find the best solutions for your space.

Table of Contents

1. Add A Rolling Cart

One of the biggest issues with small kitchens is their lack of storage space. If you have a tiny kitchen and need more room to store your food, one option is to consider adding a rolling cart.

These carts are great because they can be used for extra storage space or as a place to put things like office supplies, cleaning products and even food items that you use frequently.

There are lots of different styles available so choose one that matches the decor of your home while also fitting in with its other furniture pieces

Maximizing storage in small spaces is not limited to the kitchen. Our post on creative solutions for organizing your apartment provides practical tips that anyone can use to make the most of their living space.

2. Double Up

Use two of the same thing: For example, if you have two pots, use them to cook different things at different times. Or if you have two towels, use one for dry tasks and one for wet tasks.

Use two of the same size: If you have a small refrigerator and want to maximize space, try using two smaller containers instead of one large container that fits awkwardly in your fridge door or shelves.

You can also use this trick with Tupperware and other food storage containers as well as clothing drawers or cabinets where space is limited.

Use two of the same type: If you’re working on maximizing storage in a small kitchen by using every inch wisely, then consider using multiple types of containers (or items) but only purchasing enough for half their capacity a few cereal boxes instead of one large tin;

Some snack bags instead of one big bag; etc. and then buying twice as much when needed so that it’s always there when needed!

3. Rethink Your Wall Space

If you have wall space, use it! A pegboard can be a great way to maximize storage by allowing you to hang pots and pans, utensils, and other kitchen tools. It also makes finding these items easy when you need them.

Even if your kitchen is small or there’s not much wall space available, the addition of hooks along kitchen walls will give you more options for hanging items such as towels and aprons.

If there’s no room on the walls for a pegboard or hooks (and even if there is!), consider adding shelving above your cabinets or countertop appliances like the microwave or oven.

This allows you to store items that would otherwise take up valuable countertop space as well as freeing up some of this valuable real estate for other uses like food preparation workstations or areas where people could sit down while eating meals together at home

In a small kitchen, every inch of space counts. You’ll be surprised at how much more storage you can add with these 10 simple kitchen organization hacks.

4. Maximize Cabinet Space

You may already be using dividers, baskets and bins to maximize your storage potential, but there’s more you can do with the back of cabinets.

You can use those spaces to store common items like plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the same place where you keep the rest of your kitchenware.

If you have a lazy susan, consider installing it above one of your lower cabinets so that it rotates downward when needed this is particularly helpful when storing items such as cups and glasses that are used frequently when entertaining guests at home.

The bottom drawer of an island or peninsula is another spot where a pullout shelf would be helpful because they typically house large appliances such as blenders or food processors on top of which utensils are stored underneath during regular use.

Cabinet Storage Solutions

Product	Description
Rev-A-Shelf Blind Corner Organizer	Pull-out shelving unit that makes use of the hard-to-reach corner space in the cabinet.
Simplehuman Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer	Sliding organizer that maximizes the space in deep cabinets.
Lynk Professional Roll-Out Cabinet Organizer	Strong and sturdy roll-out organizer that holds heavy items like pots and pans.
ShelfGenie Glide-Out Cabinet Shelves	Customizable shelving system that can double your cabinet storage space.
Rubbermaid Cabinet Door Mounted Wrap and Bag Organizer	Convenient organizer that keeps items like plastic wrap and bags in one handy location.

Maximizing cabinet space is a crucial part of storage in small kitchens. While dividers, baskets, and bins can be helpful, utilizing the back of cabinets can provide even more storage potential. This table provides some recommended cabinet storage solutions that can help utilize every inch of space in your small kitchen.

5. Utilize Neglected Spaces

Use the space between your fridge and wall. There is often unused space in this area that can be utilized to store items you don’t want sitting on your counter top. A storage container or some baskets would work great here!

Use the space under your sink. Sometimes, there are shelves under a kitchen sink that you may not even realize belong to you!

If they’re built into the countertop, they’re yours; if they’re not, ask your landlord or home owner association if they can authorize installation of some sort of shelving unit for you (they’ll probably say yes). This will help with organization in an otherwise cluttered area.

Use any available space between appliances. Often times there’s plenty of room between stove tops, dishwashers and microwaves for containers or bins for storing food items like spices or baking supplies—just measure first before purchasing anything new so that it fits properly in this tight spot

An unorganized pantry can be a significant source of frustration. Learn how to transform your pantry with our guide on organizing your pantry and enjoy a more efficient, stress-free kitchen.

6. Don’t Forget The Backs Of Doors!

Some of us think that the backs of doors are just for hanging a coat or for propping open the fridge door, but there’s actually a lot more you can do with them!

Add hooks to hang mugs, knives and other utensils from. The top of the door is usually the best place since it’s out of sight and easily accessible when needed.

Use hooks on lower cabinets as well this is especially useful if you have kids who like to hang their backpacks or bags off kitchen countertops (or if you’re just looking for an easy way to keep your bag off dirty surfaces).

7. Rethink The Pantry

A small pantry is one of the most common and frustrating problems in a small kitchen. Luckily, there are tons of ways to maximize that space:

Use a pull-out drawer. These will come in handy when you’re cooking and need to access several ingredients at once, but don’t want them all cluttering up your countertop.

Hang some things from hooks on the wall or install shelves above your sink for mugs and dishes this way they’re out of sight until you need them!

Use a shelf divider or lazy susan for spices (these can be installed using magnetic strips). This allows you to keep your spices organized without taking up too much storage space.

Tiered racks are great for storing cans or other tall items, especially if they’ve got labels giving their contents away at eye level so you know exactly where everything is!

Pantry Organization Products

Product	Description
OXO Pop Containers	Air-tight containers that keep food fresh and organized in the pantry.
mDesign Expandable Shelf Organizers	Adjustable shelving units that maximize vertical space in the pantry.
SimpleHouseware Stackable Can Rack Organizer	Can organizer that keeps canned goods tidy and easy to access in the pantry.
Rubbermaid FastTrack Pantry Kit	Customizable shelving system that adapts to fit any pantry layout.
Command Hooks	Convenient hooks that can be placed on the pantry door or wall to hold items like measuring cups or towels.

Rethinking your pantry can help maximize your space in a small kitchen. With the right organization products, you can transform your pantry into a functional and tidy space. This table provides some recommended pantry organization products that can help you make the most of your pantry.

8. Don’t Waste Space With A Window Sill – Utilize It!

One of the great things about a window sill is that it’s right there, in front of you, and immediately accessible.

It makes sense to use this space to display your favorite accessories and decorations, but that doesn’t mean you should use it just for knickknacks: a window sill can also be used as an extra surface for cookbooks or candles!

If you don’t have enough room on your countertop for another dish, consider using a window ledge instead.

This will open up more storage space and give you another spot where food can cool down before being stored away in the fridge or cabinet.

Tired of digging through your kitchen cabinets to find what you need? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Kitchen Cabinets to learn how to optimize your space and keep your cabinets clutter-free.

9. Go Up!

You don’t have to be a professional chef to realize the importance of using vertical space in the kitchen.

By raising your countertops and installing shelves, you can make use of that extra room on the walls, ceiling and floor.

If you’re not sure where to start with this project, we’ve got some tips for you:

Always try to locate storage units at eye level or higher when possible. This makes it easier for users especially those who are elderly to reach their items, as opposed to having them stored all the way at the top of shelves or cabinets.

Be careful about including too many drawers within a given unit; they take up more space than other types of doors do because each individual drawer needs its own opening mechanism within that door frame.

10. Don’t Be Afraid To Use Your Columns As Storage Space

That’s why it’s a good idea to make use of the space between your columns and cabinets, above and below your cabinets, behind them and in front of them.

You can also try installing storage solutions around the perimeter of your kitchen as well as on walls that don’t have cabinets (like an accent wall).

Here are some ideas for maximizing storage in your small kitchen:

Install pull-out drawers under shelves or cabinets
Add extra shelves above cabinets if there is unused space
Install hooks inside cupboards to hang knives, utensils or pots/pans from when not in use

Use vertical space for tall items like cookie sheets by installing a slide-out tray on one side of a cabinet door
Add open baskets or jars on shelves so it doesn’t look so bare at first glance

Keeping a kitchen clutter-free can be a challenging task. However, with these 15 simple steps, you can declutter your kitchen and maintain a clean, organized, and functional space that meets your needs.

11. Keep Everything At Arm’s Reach, And Don’t Skimp On Countertop Appliances

You can do a lot with a kitchen island, but you don’t need one. If you have space for only one appliance, make it your microwave.

Try to keep it within arm’s reach of the stovetop so you don’t have to go far when boiling water or reheating leftovers.

The other important thing is that while countertop appliances can save space in a small kitchen, they shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to buy them in the first place.

Using these tools will save energy and money over time and given how much we spend on groceries every month, that’s a huge advantage!

Recommended Countertop Appliances

Appliance	Description
KitchenAid Stand Mixer	Ideal for mixing dough, batter, and other baking needs.
Instant Pot	Multi-purpose electric pressure cooker that can be used for cooking rice, soups, stews, and more.
Cuisinart Food Processor	Helpful for chopping, shredding, slicing, pureeing, and mixing a variety of foods.
Vitamix Blender	High-performance blender that can be used for making smoothies, purees, and other blended recipes.
Keurig K-Cup Coffee Maker	Single-serve coffee maker that is convenient and easy to use.
Breville Toaster Oven	Can be used for baking, broiling, toasting, and other small baking needs.

Keeping everything at arm’s reach in a small kitchen is essential. Don’t skimp on countertop appliances that can help you save time and effort when cooking and preparing meals. This table provides some recommended countertop appliances that can be useful in any small kitchen.

Conclusion

We hope you found these tips helpful! While it may seem like an overwhelming task, we know that you can make your small kitchen feel more spacious and organized with the right know-how.

If there is anything else we didn’t cover here that you think would be helpful, let us know in the comments below!

FAQs

How can I maximize storage in a small kitchen without remodeling?

There are many ways to maximize storage in a small kitchen without undergoing a complete renovation. Consider installing additional shelves, using wall-mounted organizers, investing in stackable containers, and using organizing tools like lazy susans and drawer dividers.

What are some creative ways to store kitchen appliances in a small space?

If you’re short on counter and cabinet space, you may need to find creative solutions for storing kitchen appliances in a small space. You can try using a rolling cart, a wall-mounted shelf, or even under-cabinet baskets to store your appliances and keep them within easy reach.

How can I organize my pantry in a small kitchen?

Start by taking everything out of your pantry and sorting it into categories, such as canned goods, snacks, and spices. Then, use baskets, clear containers, and risers to create storage zones and maximize shelf space. Finally, label everything for easy access and organization.

What are some ways to keep a small kitchen organized and clutter-free?

To keep your small kitchen organized and clutter-free, you’ll need to make organization a habit. That means regularly decluttering, keeping countertops clean and clear, and investing in organizational tools like hooks, shelves, and drawer dividers.

What should I do if I don’t have enough cabinet space in my small kitchen?

If you’re short on cabinet space in your small kitchen, consider using open shelving or hanging storage to increase your storage capacity. You can also try storing items like pots and pans in the oven or on the stovetop to free up cabinet space.

Hellen James

Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.