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If you're here then chances are you're dealing with the same small kitchen struggles I've faced. You know the kind of struggles, like countertops cluttered with appliances, cabinets overflowing with mismatched Tupperware, and probably that one drawer or two that's basically a black hole for random utensils. Now hopefully you realize that you're not alone. I know many households with small kitchens that face the same kind of challenges.
Small kitchens can feel and look chaotic and messy if you don't take control right from the start. With the right storage ideas and a little creativity, you can transform your space into a beautifully functional and even stylish kitchen.
Here, I'll share 20+ small kitchen storage organization ideas that have saved my sanity (and my countertops). So whether you're renting or just working with limited space, these tips will help you maximize your small kitchen space.
Challenges of a Small Kitchen
Small kitchens come with their own set of challenges.
You've got limited counter space, awkward corners, and not enough cabinets to store all that you have. This can make cooking and organizing feel like a nightmare.
I have a small kitchen and I feel like I've mastered the organization of my small kitchen with minimal appliances or 'stuff' on my countertops. I like it looking minimal then I have more space to work with when I'm cooking.
But it wasn't always like that. My counters used to be filled as if I needed to see every single thing I owned. Everything might have seemed as if it has its place, but that place is usually on the countertop and that in itself can be a challenge when all you want when you're actually cooking is extra counter space. If you've ever tried to chop veggies while balancing a cutting board halfway over your kitchen sink, you know exactly what I mean.
It wasn't just frustrating: it made my kitchen look smaller and so cluttered.
But a small kitchen does force you to get creative. And once you start thinking outside the box, you'll find so many ways to make the most of your space.
30+ Small Kitchen Storage Ideas to Steal
Here are 30+ small kitchen organization ideas and storage hacks that will help you maximize every inch of your space which includes some of my favorite finds to make your life easier.
Maximize Your Vertical Space
We tend to forget about the vertical space that we actually have that we can use. Vertical space is not just limited to your walls; it's your fridge, as well as inside and outside of your cabinets, pantry or storage doors, and kitchen door (if you have one). So look at the vertical space you have and maximize its usage.
Use your walls for extra storage. Floating shelves are perfect for dishes, cookbooks, your drinkware, and even decorative pieces.
Pegboards aren't just to be used in your garage. Use one to hang pots, pans, and cooking utensils.
These are also great for your pots, pans, and utensils that can be mounted on your wall or cabinet doors. Extra storage space right here!
Vertical space is not just limited to your walls, it can also be all the vertical space you have on your fridge! You can use magnetic shelves to store your spices.
A magnetic block saves drawer space and keeps your knives within reach. You can use it for your magnetic spice tins.
Small kitchens often don't have the luxury of having a pantry but on the off-chance that you do, it might be space-challenged. Getting an over-the-door pantry shelf is a great way of getting extra space to keep your condiments, spices, and canned goods. If you don't have a door for these over-the-door shelves, they can also be mounted on a spare wall you have.
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Make Use of Your Cabinet Space Wisely
If you're not careful, cabinets can quickly turn into a dumping space. And if it's not organized, you'll end up putting things in and not be able to find it later. I know you can look at it as organized chaos, but really, we want things to be organized so that we can easily find things and it's easy on the eye every time you open your cabinets.
Tension rods can be used for many purposes, especially as separators for your pot lids to stay upright instead of just in a pile.
Pull-out bins are great for cleaning products under the sink or even for your pantry or cabinets because you can just pull the bins out and see everything at a glance while keeping everything in place.
File organizers are not just meant for paperwork on your desks. You can literally use them to keep your baking sheets, cutting boards, and trays neat in your cabinets. Even if you put one on your counter and use it for your cutting boards, it will look great. Other than those, you can use them to store, your aluminum foil, baking paper, and plastic wraps.
Use rods and hooks inside or even outside of your cabinet doors to hang your kitchen towels, cleaning essentials, and small baskets to hold other essentials. I use hooks to hang my pot lids inside my cabinet doors and it's one of the best things I've done.
If your cabinets don't come with shelves, then getting portable shelves would be a great way to add more storage space. These can be used for your pantry staples, dishes, mugs, and even under the kitchen sink.
You're basically creating an additional shelf with these hanging storage baskets. They are great if you're dealing with existing high shelves that have an empty void that could be put to good use.
Especially when we're tight on space, these hanging mug holders can be used either in your cabinets when you don't want to show off your mug collection or under your cabinets. Either way, a hanging mug holder frees up so much space in your small kitchen.
Chances are with a small kitchen you don't have that many pots and pans, but you still want them to be organized when they are put away. These pan dividers not only organize your pans, but they are perfect for organizing your pot lids, baking trays, casserole dishes, and cutting boards.
Make the Most of Your Counter Space
Counter space in a small kitchen is precious, so it's important to keep it as clear and simple as possible. The trick is to store only the essentials on your countertops and find some smart ways to free up some space for cooking.
Simple swaps like using an over-the-sink cutting board, using a collapsible dish drying rack that can be put away after use, or keeping your most-reached oils and cooking essentials on a lazy susan can make a big difference. The goal is to make your kitchen more functional without making it feel cluttered.
A Lazy Susan helps you keep all those oils and condiments that you reach for while cooking easily accessible and neat in one place. A lazy susan can be used for many areas; in the pantry or even in your cabinets, so they are really useful.
Since a tiered fruit basket is tiered, you can keep fruits, onions, and garlic and hang your bananas so they're not just in several baskets lying around on your countertops.
These paper towel holders, plain and simple just free up some counter space.
Dish drying racks can sometimes be an eye-sore. They are no doubt extremely needed and useful, but an eye-sore, and especially when you need some extra space, you wish you could just throw the thing out. However, this foldable dish drying rack is simple, can be placed over the sink when you're drying out your dishes and utensils. When you’re done, just roll it up and store it away—simple, practical, and perfect for maximizing a tiny kitchen.
Must-Have Organization Solutions
Finding storage solutions that work for your small kitchen can be really helpful for maximizing your already small kitchen. Instead of stuffing everything into cabinets and hoping for the best, think about ways to make your storage more efficient.
Having great storage solutions also complements the organization of all the things that you have in your kitchen. Organization solutions can also help in creating the extra space that you need. Using drawer dividers or labeling what needs labeling further enhances the organization in your kitchen. Little changes like these can help you stay organized while making your kitchen clutter-free.
These expandable dividers help you create customized sections for your utensils, cutlery, or even your dishes, so everything has its place. No more digging through a messy drawer to find what you need!
A rolling cart gives you extra storage without taking up much room. Use it for pantry items, coffee supplies, or even for your extra dishes and drinkware; these are multipurpose. The best part? YOu can roll it out when you need and tuck it away when you don't so it's perfect for making the most of a small kitchen.
Labeling is a great idea especially if you don't want to go digging for stuff and taking everything out of your cabinet just to find one thing! Label everything to make things easier to find, like your spice jars and storage containers.
Declutter & Simplify
A small kitchen can feel even smaller when it's packed with stuff you don't need.
Take a step back and ask yourself if you actually use all the gadgets and utensils you have. Keeping only the essentials and getting rid of the things you don't use will instantly give you more space in your cabinets and countertops.
Simple things like using drawer dividers, limiting appliances on the counter, taking stock of the number of pots and pans you have (seriously, how many do we really need?), and donating unused items can make a huge difference in how your kitchen functions.
Small kitchens don't have to be a nightmare. With these small kitchen storage hacks and organization ideas, you can create a space that's functional, organized, and totally hours. It's all about working with what you've got.
Whether you're hanging pots on a pegboard or using a rolling cart for extra storage, these small kitchen storage solutions will help you reclaim your space.
And if you have any other storage ideas, share them in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you! Happy organizing!
Stay on top of your cleaning routine with the Simply Spotless Cleaning Planner—your go-to guide for a spotless, stress-free home! Grab your digital download today and make cleaning easier than ever."
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase something using my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
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