If you’re someone who loves to cook but struggles with a small kitchen, you’re not alone. Whether you live in a city apartment or an older home with limited square footage, many people are faced with the challenge of making the most out of compact kitchens.
When space is tight, every inch counts, and without proper storage solutions, a small kitchen can easily become cluttered and chaotic. But the good news is that there are numerous ways to optimize storage and make your small kitchen feel larger and more functional.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 20 highly effective space-saving ideas that will help you declutter, organize, and maximize every nook and cranny of your small kitchen.
These tips will not only make your kitchen more efficient but also help you maintain a neat and stylish space where cooking becomes a pleasure instead of a chore.
20 Space-Saving Storage Ideas for Small Kitchens
Here is how you can manage storage for your small kitchen with smart ideas.
1. Use Shelf Risers
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to optimize cabinet space is by using shelf risers. Most cabinets have tall spaces between shelves, and much of that vertical space often goes to waste. Shelf risers add an extra layer, essentially doubling the amount of storage in each cabinet.
How It Works: Shelf risers are small platforms that create an additional surface inside cabinets, allowing you to stack items like plates, bowls, or pantry goods.
Example: You can store plates underneath and bowls on top, or cans on the bottom and boxes of pasta on top. This creates a more organized look and prevents items from being stacked too high, making them easier to access.
Pro Tip: Use metal risers for a sturdy, long-lasting option, or wooden risers for a more aesthetic appeal that blends with your kitchen décor.
2. Add Pull-Out Drawers or Baskets
Deep lower cabinets often turn into catch-alls where items are hard to reach, creating clutter. A practical solution is to install pull-out drawers or wire baskets that can be customized to fit your existing cabinets. This turns even the deepest cabinets into easily accessible storage.
How It Works: These drawers or baskets slide in and out, so you don’t have to bend down and search for items buried at the back. They can be used for storing pots, pans, and even bulky pantry items.
Example: Install a pull-out drawer for your pots and pans, with a smaller pull-out above it for lids. This way, everything has its place, and you don’t have to rummage through a pile of cookware.
Pro Tip: Consider soft-close drawers to avoid the loud banging of cabinets and add a touch of luxury to your kitchen.
3. Install Cabinet Door Organizers
The inside of cabinet doors is a frequently underutilized space that offers plenty of potential for storage. By installing small shelves, baskets, or hooks, you can store items like spices, baking sheets, or cleaning supplies right on the cabinet door, freeing up shelf space inside the cabinet.
How It Works: Attach organizers to the inside of cabinet doors using screws or adhesive strips. These can hold anything from spice jars and small utensils to cutting boards and cling film.
Example: Use cabinet door organizers to store small kitchen gadgets like peelers, graters, or measuring spoons, keeping them off the counter and out of drawers.
Pro Tip: For pantries, consider using larger door organizers to store snacks or ingredients you need quick access to, like olive oil or vinegar.
4. Use Adjustable Shelving Inside Cabinet
Fixed shelving can limit your ability to organize a kitchen cabinet effectively, especially when storing items of various sizes. Adjustable shelving allows you to customize the height of your shelves based on what you need to store, maximizing the space.
How It Works: Adjustable shelving systems come with pre-drilled holes along the inside of the cabinet. By moving the shelves up or down, you can create the perfect storage configuration for anything from tall cereal boxes to short jars.
Example: If you have a cabinet filled with mugs and glasses, you can adjust the shelves to fit an extra row of cups or install a shorter shelf for small items like saucers or tea bags.
Pro Tip: Adjust the height of shelves regularly to accommodate seasonal kitchen tools, like holiday platters or summer picnic ware, to keep your cabinets flexible and functional all year round.
5. Hang a Pegboard for Kitchen Tools
A pegboard is a versatile and customizable storage solution that can turn your kitchen walls into valuable storage space. Traditionally used in garages or workshops, pegboards work equally well in kitchens, helping you store everything from pots and pans to spatulas and colanders.
How It Works: Pegboards are mounted on a blank section of the kitchen wall. You can attach hooks or pegs at various points to hang kitchen tools and keep them within reach.
Example: Hang your most frequently used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils on the pegboard for easy access while cooking, rather than digging through drawers or cabinets.
Pro Tip: Use a color-coded system to organize your tools by size or function, adding an element of style and ensuring everything has a place.
6. Install Open Shelves
Open shelving can provide extra storage while also acting as a decorative element in your kitchen. Unlike cabinets, open shelves make items easily accessible and allow you to display your favorite dishes or jars in a visually appealing way.
How It Works: Open shelves can be installed on any blank wall. Use them to store everyday items like plates, glasses, or pantry staples in clear containers.
Example: In a small kitchen, install a couple of open shelves above your sink or stove to store items like spices, coffee mugs, or frequently used cooking ingredients. This keeps them close at hand while freeing up valuable cabinet space.
Pro Tip: To keep open shelves from becoming cluttered, stick to a minimalist approach by only displaying items that are used often or that add to your kitchen’s aesthetic.
7. Use Magnetic Strips for Knives and Utensils
If you’re running out of drawer space, a magnetic strip offers an easy way to store knives and metal utensils. Mounted on the wall, a magnetic strip keeps your most-used items at arm’s reach without taking up counter or drawer space.
How It Works: A magnetic strip is mounted horizontally on the wall, holding knives, scissors, and other metal utensils securely in place. This not only saves space but also adds a sleek, modern touch to your kitchen.
Example: Mount the strip near your prep area so you can grab knives quickly while cooking, keeping your counters free of knife blocks.
Pro Tip: Make sure the magnetic strip is strong enough to hold your heavier knives, and regularly clean the strip to keep it free of dust or residue.
8. Install an Over-the-Sink Cutting Board
Counter space is often the most valuable real estate in a small kitchen. An over-the-sink cutting board is an ingenious solution that gives you extra prep space without taking up any counter space. This type of cutting board fits securely over your sink, providing a sturdy surface for chopping vegetables, slicing bread, or prepping ingredients.
How It Works: These cutting boards are designed to sit over your kitchen sink, creating a flat surface for cutting, slicing, and dicing. Some even come with built-in strainers or colanders, so you can rinse and chop vegetables in one place.
Example: When you’re finished chopping, simply rinse off the board and move it out of the way. You can also use it to collect vegetable scraps or peelings, which you can easily discard into the sink afterward.
Pro Tip: Look for a cutting board with raised edges to prevent liquids from spilling onto your counters, and choose a material that is both durable and easy to clean, such as bamboo or plastic.
9. Use a Portable Kitchen Cart or Island
A portable kitchen cart can serve as both extra storage and additional counter space in a small kitchen. With built-in shelves or drawers, a cart offers a flexible solution that can be moved around as needed and easily stored out of the way when not in use.
How It Works: Kitchen carts typically come with wheels, allowing them to be moved around your kitchen. You can use the top as a prep space and store kitchen essentials like utensils, dishware, or pantry items on the shelves below.
Example: Place a portable kitchen cart next to your stove to hold frequently used spices, oils, and cooking tools. When you need more counter space for meal prep, simply roll the cart to your workspace and use the top as an extension of your countertop.
Pro Tip: Choose a cart with a butcher block top for extra durability, and look for one with drawers for additional utensil storage.
10. Utilize Corner Counter Space
Corners in small kitchens are often overlooked, but they provide a valuable opportunity for extra storage. Using corner shelves, lazy Susans, or tiered trays can help you take full advantage of these spaces without cluttering your counters.
How It Works: Corner storage solutions can range from small rotating trays to corner shelves that provide additional surface area for storing spices, oils, and small kitchen appliances.
Example: Install a lazy Susan in a kitchen corner to store condiments, spices, or cooking oils, making them easy to access with a simple spin.
Pro Tip: If you use corner shelves, choose ones with multiple tiers to maximize vertical space.
11. Use Clear Containers for Pantry Items
Pantries in small kitchens can become cluttered quickly, but using clear containers is a great way to keep things organized and maximize space. Clear containers allow you to see exactly what you have, reducing the chances of overbuying and ensuring you use ingredients before they expire.
How It Works: Transfer dry goods like pasta, rice, and cereal into clear containers that can be stacked or lined up neatly in your pantry. The uniform shape of the containers helps save space, and the clear sides make it easy to see when you’re running low.
Example: Store all your baking ingredients—flour, sugar, oats, and cocoa powder—in matching clear containers. This creates a cohesive look and makes it easy to find what you need at a glance.
Pro Tip: Label each container with the name of the ingredient and the expiration date to maintain order and avoid food waste.
12. Install a Pull-Out Pantry
If your kitchen doesn’t have a lot of pantry space, a pull-out pantry is a fantastic solution that can fit into even the smallest of spaces. These narrow, vertical cabinets can be installed in small gaps between appliances or cabinets and are perfect for storing pantry staples like canned goods, spices, and snacks.
How It Works: A pull-out pantry is essentially a tall, narrow cabinet on wheels or tracks that slides out like a drawer. The shelves inside are typically shallow, making it easy to see and access everything inside.
Example: Use a pull-out pantry next to your refrigerator to store items like pasta, canned goods, or even cleaning supplies.
Pro Tip: For even more organization, use small baskets or dividers to group similar items together inside the pull-out pantry.
13. Use Vertical Storage for Baking Sheets and Trays
Baking sheets, trays, and cutting boards are notoriously difficult to store in a kitchen. Rather than stacking them horizontally, consider using vertical storage to keep them upright and easy to access.
How It Works: Vertical storage systems can be installed inside cabinets or on countertops. Dividers or tension rods keep items separated and upright, so you can grab what you need without having to move everything else out of the way.
Example: Store your baking sheets, muffin tins, and cooling racks upright in a lower cabinet with the help of vertical dividers.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the space for a dedicated vertical storage cabinet, consider installing a rack on the back of a cabinet door to store flat items.
14. Add a Two-Tier Under-Sink Organizer
The space under your kitchen sink can easily become a mess of cleaning supplies and miscellaneous items. A two-tier organizer can help you make the most of this often-overlooked space, providing extra shelves for organizing everything from sponges to dish soap.
How It Works: A two-tier under-sink organizer fits around the plumbing under your sink, adding an extra level of storage without interfering with pipes.
Example: Use the top tier to store smaller items like sponges, cleaning gloves, and dish brushes, while the bottom tier can hold larger cleaning supplies like bottles of dish soap, surface cleaner, or garbage bags.
Pro Tip: Opt for a pull-out organizer for easier access to items stored in the back of the cabinet.
15. Use Tension Rods for Spray Bottles
Tension rods are a simple yet brilliant solution for storing spray bottles and other cleaning supplies under the sink. By hanging the bottles from their nozzles on the rod, you free up the cabinet floor for other items.
How It Works: A tension rod is installed horizontally across the cabinet, and spray bottles are hung by their handles. This keeps the bottles organized and easy to reach while making the most of the vertical space in the cabinet.
Example: Hang bottles of glass cleaner, all-purpose spray, and air freshener on the rod, leaving room underneath for sponges, cloths, and other cleaning supplies.
Pro Tip: If you have extra space on the rod, consider using it to hang cleaning gloves or dish towels.
16. Place Stackable Bins or Baskets
Stackable bins or baskets under the sink can provide organized storage for smaller items, helping you make the most of the space without creating clutter. These bins can be used to store anything from dish towels and sponges to cleaning products and garbage bags.
How It Works: Stackable bins are placed inside the cabinet, allowing you to store multiple items without losing access to anything. By stacking vertically, you maximize the storage potential of the cabinet.
Example: Use one bin for dishwashing tablets, another for trash bags, and a third for extra sponges or scrub brushes.
Pro Tip: Choose clear bins to make it easier to see what’s inside, and look for bins with handles for easy access.
17. Choose Foldable or Nesting Furniture
In a small kitchen, space-saving furniture can make a big difference. Foldable or nesting furniture allows you to have additional seating or prep space when needed, but can be stored away when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space.
How It Works: Foldable chairs or tables can be stored in closets or under counters, while nesting tables or stools can be tucked into each other to save space.
Example: Use foldable chairs for extra seating when guests come over, and store them in a closet or pantry when not in use. Nesting stools can be pulled out when needed and tucked away to free up floor space.
Pro Tip: Look for multi-functional furniture, such as a stool that doubles as a storage bin or a folding table that can be used as a prep surface.
18. Opt for a Drop-Leaf or Extendable Table
For kitchens that also double as dining spaces, a drop-leaf or extendable table is the perfect solution. These tables can be expanded when needed and folded away to create more room when not in use.
How It Works: Drop-leaf tables have foldable sides that can be raised to create a larger dining surface or dropped down to save space. Extendable tables have leaves that can be added or removed depending on how much seating or prep space you need.
Example: Use a drop-leaf table in a small kitchen to provide extra counter space when cooking, and fold it down when it’s time to eat.
Pro Tip: Choose a table with built-in storage underneath to store extra kitchen tools or dining essentials.
19. Use Ceiling-Mounted Pot Racks
Ceiling-mounted pot racks are a fantastic way to store bulky pots and pans that would otherwise take up valuable cabinet space. Not only do they free up storage, but they also add a stylish, professional touch to your kitchen.
How It Works: Pot racks are installed on the ceiling, allowing you to hang pots, pans, and utensils from hooks. This keeps them easily accessible while freeing up cabinet or drawer space.
Example: Hang your most frequently used cookware on a ceiling-mounted rack near your stove for easy access while cooking.
Pro Tip: Use a mix of hooks to store both pots and utensils, and make sure the rack is securely mounted to support the weight of heavy cookware.
20. Install Floating Shelves Above Cabinets
The space above kitchen cabinets is often underutilized but offers great potential for extra storage. By installing floating shelves above your cabinets, you can store items that aren’t used daily, such as serving platters, seasonal dishes, or cookbooks.
How It Works: Floating shelves are installed above the cabinets, providing extra storage space without cluttering your counters. These shelves can hold decorative items as well as practical kitchen supplies.
Example: Store your holiday platters, large serving bowls, or extra cookbooks on the shelves, freeing up space in your cabinets for items you use more frequently.
Pro Tip: Use baskets or matching containers on the shelves to keep everything organized and add a cohesive look to your kitchen.
Conclusion
Maximizing space in a small kitchen doesn’t have to be a difficult task. By implementing these 20 clever space-saving ideas, you can transform your kitchen into a more functional, organized, and aesthetically pleasing space.
From making better use of your cabinets and walls to incorporating smart furniture and overhead storage, these tips will help you get the most out of every inch of your kitchen.
So, whether you choose to add pull-out pantry shelves or install a pegboard for your utensils, these small changes can make a big difference in how you use and enjoy your kitchen.
Remember, the key to a successful small kitchen is keeping it organized and decluttered. Take the time to regularly assess your storage solutions and make adjustments as needed.
With a little creativity and some smart planning, even the smallest of kitchens can be transformed into a highly functional and stylish space you’ll love to cook in.
