A small kitchen tends to be a place full of clutter as there is not enough space to accommodate all the cooking accessories and other items. However, it is not necessary to be left with a bare kitchen if the floor is of a small size. The following kitchen storage ideas will help to maximize the available space and provide additional storage without spending much on renovations.
Small Kitchen Organization Ideas
1. Make the Most of Vertical Space
In case there is not enough space on the kitchen counters or inside cabinets, it is advisable to utilize the area above. For instance, shelves can be mounted on the walls to hold mugs or other frequently accessed utensils and spices. In addition, a pegboard can be used to hang pots and pans.
2. Make Use of Cabinet Doors
The cabinet doors can be used to hold frequently accessed cooking accessories such as measuring spoons, pot holders, and other small utensils. It is a good idea to make sure that the cabinet doors can actually open fully after the chosen accessories have been secured on them.
3. Utilize Stackable Storage Containers
Stackable storage containers can be used to store food in a much organized manner. Cereal boxes, food packets, and other similar items should be transferred to air-tight containers that are easy to stack on top of each other.
4. Add a Shelf Organizer
It is a great idea to add shelf organizers inside the deep cabinets in order to make more space. The organizers will help to hold plates as well as other cooking and eating utensils in a much more accessible manner. It is important to make sure that the organizer fits a specific cabinet before purchasing.
5. Spice Rack Organization
Spices should be organized in one particular spot as it is impossible to find the needed one every time when a number of the seasonings are placed in various drawers and cabinets. It is a good idea to keep the frequently used spices in a particular place while the others can be organized alphabetically. A shelf, a narrow drawer, or a stand can be utilized for the purpose.
6. Magnetic Knife Strips
A magnetic knife strip can be hung on the wall in order to free up the much-needed counter space. It is a good idea to choose the knife strip made specifically for knives as they tend to have a stronger magnet. The strip should be hung in a place that is inaccessible to children.
7. Drawer Dividers
Dividers can be added to kitchen drawers in order to maximize the storage capacity. Most drawers tend to hold a number of different utensils which leads to chaos. It is important to add dividers made of plastic so that the drawers do not get damaged. Spatulas, peelers, cutlery, and measuring tools can be organized into specific groups.
8. Rolling Kitchen Cart
A small cart can be added to a rolling kitchen in order to gain much-needed storage space. The shelves on the cart can hold vegetables, various appliances, and other frequently accessed items. The cart can be pulled away when more space is needed for food preparation.
9. Under-Sink Storage
Most people tend to store various cleaning accessories in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. It is a good idea to add a couple of small baskets or shelves in order to make more space. It is important to keep the sink cabinet separate from the food and other utensils. The most frequently used items should be placed in front while the ones that are used rarely should be placed in the back.
10. Pull-out Baskets for Deep Drawers
Pull-out baskets can be added to deep drawers in order to maximize the storage capacity of the kitchen. The baskets will allow for accessing the items that are usually in the back and can be quite difficult to reach. These baskets can hold pans, various packs of food, and cleaning accessories in case there is not enough space in other cabinets. In some cases, the baskets might need to be installed which can be a time-consuming process. However, there are also freestanding pull-out baskets that can make the task easier.
11. Space Above Cabinets
If the kitchen cabinets are not tall enough, then the space above them can be used for storage. The items that are not used on a regular basis can be placed in baskets so that they are organized and easy to reach.
12. Hanging Pots and Pans
Pots and pans tend to take up a lot of space both on the stovetop and inside cabinets. A great way to utilize more space is to use a rail with hooks to hang the frequently used cooking accessories. In some cases, a ceiling-mounted pot rack might also be an option. It is important to make sure that the screws are strong enough to hold the weight of the pans. In addition, the cooking accessories should be placed in a secure spot so that there is no risk of them falling down.
13. Make Use of Narrow Spaces
The narrow space between the refrigerator and the wall can be used to hold items that are accessed regularly. In most cases, a rolling rack is the best option as it provides additional storage without taking up much space. It is essential to hold seasonings and other small utensils on it. It is a good idea to make sure that the rolling rack fits the narrow space as tight as possible. In addition, the refrigerator’s specifications should be taken into consideration as there should be enough space for the appliance to vent.
14. Countertop Storage
A small kitchen tends to have a small countertop as well, which makes it really hard to hold all the necessary items. In most cases, a small kitchen is cluttered due to the appliances placed on the countertop. It is better to invest in a kitchen countertop caddy to hold the kettle, toaster, and other frequently accessed appliances. Appliances that are rarely used should be stored in the upper cabinets or on a separate shelf. Only the ones that are used on a regular basis should be placed on the countertop.
15. Declutter and Assign a Place for Each Utensil
Some of the best small kitchen storage ideas come from actually organizing the available space. All the rarely used kitchen items should be thrown away or donated. It is a good idea to organize the remaining items based on their frequency of use. As for the small kitchen storage, it is possible to store the cooking accessories that are used on a daily basis in the lower cabinets while the ones that are used rarely can be placed in the higher and harder to reach places. In addition, it is a good idea to spend a few minutes every day putting the kitchen items back into their place in order to make sure that the clutter does not build up once again.
Conclusion
Although renovating might seem like the only option for small kitchen storage, it is often possible to maximize the existing space. Most of the small kitchen storage ideas suggested above are quite easy to implement and do not require any expensive equipment. It is advisable to start small and address one cluttered spot at a time.
