Home » Misc » Storage solutions kitchen cupboards

Storage solutions kitchen cupboards


Kitchen cupboard storage ideas for 2022

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Despite its reputation as the heart of the home, the kitchen can often be a nightmare to navigate. We all know the pain of digging around at the back of a corner unit to find the right lid for the saucepan – and it’s never the first one you come across.

In fact, a survey by storage company Caboodle found that two out of three Brits find the amount of clutter in their home stressful and almost three quarters wished they had more storage space.

While a good clear out can help, in the kitchen it can sometimes be difficult to justify – it’s always handy to have spare plates and bowls, after all.

Fortunately, with a few simple tweaks, you can transform jumbled cupboards into easily accessible spaces – and fit more inside too. We’ve rounded up some of the best kitchen storage ideas to help kickstart your big clean.

Food cupboards

Immediately double cupboard space by adding a removable shelf. If you have especially deep cupboards, invest in some stackable ones to allow for three or more tiers. An extra shelf can be handy for all cupboards, but especially so for those used for tins and small jars where it can be difficult to see everything you have at once. One of these organisers can stop tins from being lost and forgotten about for months.

Alternatively, if your cupboard isn’t tall enough for an extra shelf, or it's only narrow, use a tiered organiser to raise up items on the higher levels. This shows off tins and spices at a glance and looks far neater than having them all jumbled together.

Saucepan cupboards

Rummaging through a messy cupboard for a saucepan lid is a sure-fire way to up your stress levels. Using a metal rack will keep lids and frying pans neat, allowing more space for your bulky saucepans. Alternatively, a drawer divider can be useful for separating pans from lids neatly.

If you’ve got a pretty set of pans (Le Creuset, we’re looking at you) or simply no room for them in your cupboards, take them out of the cupboard and use a standalone organiser, instead.

Glasses and mug cupboards

If you’ve got a lot of different drinkware you’re constantly trying to cram into the same cupboard, again, utilise height. There are hanging mugs and wine glass organisers that clip onto the bottom of the shelf above to free up space for whiskey glasses and shorter tumblers.

A shelf insert can also be handy – store cups underneath and glasses on top, to keep fragile wine glasses from being bumped by hardier mugs.

The cupboard under the sink

Diving into the cupboard under the sink can be an anxiety-inducing experience, but it doesn’t have to be. While the sink’s u-bend takes up valuable space, you can gain it back by using the back of the doors instead. An over-door organiser works perfectly for storing sponges and cleaning sprays.

Shelving units with removable sections are an alternative option. Pop a couple in the cupboard, on either side of the u-bend and you’ll have space to stack your cleaning supplies. As mentioned, shelves immediately double the amount of space available and makes it easier to access different items on separate levels.

Crockery cupboards

There are a variety of different racks and dividers available to help you keep your bowls, plates and side dishes separate. We especially like this peg board that comes in a range of sizes depending on the size of your cupboard. Adjust the pegs to create customised divisions for your particular selection of crockery.

Chopping boards, oven trays and plastic containers

It's awful when you have to fish your biggest oven tray out from the bottom of a pile of stacked lasagne dishes and oven sheets, but things don't have to be this way. As mentioned before, wire racks can keep oven trays and chopping boards neat, tidy and easily accessible.

There's also plenty of organisers that can help you keep your plastic containers and old takeaway boxes tidy. This lid organiser has three different sections for small, medium and large lids. Trust us, you’ll be so grateful you made this investment.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP

25 Really Clever Kitchen Cupboard Storage Ideas To Try

Ready to grab some kitchen cupboard storage ideas? Getting your Kitchen storage right is key to it working well (especially if you have a small kitchen and space is tight)

It’s used multiple times each and every day – and being able to grab what we want, when we want it – without things having to be moved or falling out – is crucial to minimising frustration!

So how can we keep kitchen cupboards (and their contents) looking good, while maximising their storage, AND leaving the kitchen counters feeling more clutter-free?

The answers lie in the ideas and inspiration below, and I hope at least one of these options works in your home for how you live (because, let’s face it – we’re all different!).

Let’s go, shall we….

Table Of Contents

  1. #1 – Use the back of the kitchen cabinet door
  2. #2 – Use the space under each shelf
  3. #3 – Maximise the height of the cupboards
  4. #4 – Make corner cupboards and deep cupboards easier to manage
  5. #5 – File rather than stack
  6. #6 – Stack rather than file!
  7. #7 – Make them displays rather than hidden storage
  8. #7 – Use the right storage
  9. #8 – Use labels
  10. #9 – Hang things!
  11. #10 – Use for non kitchen things…

Before we start, I wanted to chat about one thing first that’s often overlooked.

When it comes to making the most of ANY space, you of course have to work with the space you have.

BUT you CAN make that space work harder with some lateral thinking.

In the case of kitchen cabinets, this can be as easy as changing the layout of the shelving that’s already in there. You can usually move shelves around which can immediately give you more (or less) space where you need it the most.

This can give you extra space to use more of the following ideas (always a bonus!).

Hope it helps!

Now, onto the main event…

#1 – Use the back of the kitchen cabinet door

Using every inch of the cupboard is important when you organise it, and the most wasted space seems to be the cabinet doors.

These are areas where you can easily grab things that are stored there, but people miss them when thinking about increasing kitchen storage in your home.

There are a few ways to use the doors well – but first – a quick tip…

TIP – Make sure you measure the space available in the cupboard when the door is closed. This is often overlooked, and the shelves in the cupboard can get in the way. If the shelves go to the edge of the cupboard, you COULD still have storage on the doors, but you would need to have things that missed the shelves completely (small baskets for example)

Over the door hanging rack

A simple over the door rack can be hung, and this doesn’t involve any drilling or holes so is perfect if you need to consider that.

Hanging Kitchen Cupboard Storage Basket

Buy Now

TIP – make sure you check that the width of the over door section will fit over the cupboard door width you have – some come up smaller or larger – and some are more bulky which means the door may have trouble closing. Worth checking before you buy.

TIP – you can get hanging racks that have more than one layer – which makes even more storage available – so think what you need to store there, and get what suits you the best.

A Rail

When you try and store some items in cupboards or drawers, you may find that they take up far too much room, and are annoying because they take up too much space.

Why not take them out of the main storage – and hang them on the door instead?

Not only does this save space, but it makes things more handy to grab when needed.

You can simply add a short towel rail to the back of the door, and balance the pan lids on it (they stick out well enough for them to be safe enough, just make sure you can still close the door!

Or what about hanging towels, oven gloves etc… – so they don’t make the kitchen look cluttered (perfect in a cupboard that’s close to the oven or sink)

Pan lid organisers

You could use a rail and wedge them behind that, or you could use items that are made for this exact purpose – I hadn’t seen these before, but I love them because they can help you avoid the shelves inside the cupboard – and place them exactly where you need them

Pan Lid Organiser – Set Of 4

Buy Now

Individual hooks

Love the idea of making a really useful place for storing items easily (and another way to add pan lid storage!)

Just add a few hooks to the back of the kitchen cupboard doors (making sure that when they are attached, and when the items are hung on them, the door can still close OK).

Command 17065-ES Wire Toggle Hook – Medium, White

Buy Now

A stick on or screw in rack

Perfect for things like spices which can get lost and cluttered in a deep cupboard.

TIP – This is a great option for a pantry style storage cabinet – where all your food will be, because it makes it feel like a proper pantry!

2 Tier Door Mounted Storage Rack

Buy Now

#2 – Use the space under each shelf

Shelf space is usually far too high in kitchen cupboards – as they want you to be able to store a variety of shaped objects in them.

However – for most of us, this means a lot of wasted space.

SO – it makes perfect sense to use the space UNDER shelves as well!

Under shelf basket

So simple to just slide onto a shelf, and you can store loads in them.

Just be sure to measure the space you’ve got – so you get the right height for the baskets.

Image Credit : HeyDonna

Under Shelf Storage Basket, 2-Pack (White)

Buy Now

Pull out storage

Love this little spice rack gadget – quirky and streamlined!

In cupboard under shelf spice rack

Buy Now

{ Worth a read: 9 Popular Spice storage ideas }

Use Hooks

A great idea is to add hooks underneath the shelves to make use of the vertical space that’s unused…

#3 – Maximise the height of the cupboards

Shelf Risers

Again, a really easy way to add double layers to your cupboard – in a non permanant way. You can get them at different heights and widths – so shop around depending on what you want to store on them and what size cupboard you have.

Kitchen Storage Shelf Wire Rack – White (Pack of 2)

Buy Now

Stepped Shelves

I love using this style of shelf because it displays things so very well – with nothing being left at the back, forgotten.

Ideal for cans, jars, bottles and spices.

Expandable Rack, 3-Tier Shelf

Adjustable means you can make every square inch count in your cupboard

Buy Now

#4 – Make corner cupboards and deep cupboards easier to manage

Lazy Susan

A lazy susan makes it so easy to find what you need, because you can simply spin in around until you see what you’re after.

Get the biggest diameter that will fit your kitchen corner cabinet ( or any cabinet really!) – as you’ll be able to store the most in the space then.

Lazy Susan (Black) 30cm

Buy Now

You can also get them fitted into the cupboards which really make use of all the space in a corner cabinet as you can see here:

Pull out drawers

If you’re up for a little DIY – these wire baskets are a great storage solution for kitchen cupboards.

Pull out wire drawers make grabbing what you need (and seeing it) as easy as possible.

Again (as with all storage!) – measure and work out what height each shelf should be, depending on what you want to store.

6 x Kitchen Pull Out Soft Close Baskets, 500mm Wide Cabinet, Slide Out Wire Storage Drawers

Buy Now

#5 – File rather than stack

Use racks for cutting boards and baking trays

Such a simple idea – but it’s game changing!

Baking Tray & Chopping Board Rack – Cupboard Organiser – Chrome

Buy Now

Use poles/tension rods to split the cupboard up

A great storage idea, and you can create exactly the right size gaps for what you want to store, so it’s even more flexible than the previous rack option.

#6 – Stack rather than file!

I know, I know – this goes against the last section, but there are some times where stacking works really well.

The main thing is not to allow the stacks to get unruly and too high – otherwise you’ll have to take lots out before being able to grab something from the bottom.

Use a plate rack

This splits up the stacks of plates so you can grab the one you need quickly without having to take lots off the top first. A good time saver and space maximiser!

Corner Shelf Plate Rack Stand – 3 Tier – Chrome

Buy Now

Use a magazine file

Quite simply, a magazine file is one of those items that can be used ALL around the house for organising – it’s SO useful!

You could put 2 or 3 horizontally on top of each other in a cupboard to make a similar style rack to the plate rack above – great if you have a couple hanging around already!

{ Related: Great ways to use magazine files around the house }

#7 – Make them displays rather than hidden storage

Take the doors off!

I just did this in my own kitchen, and we are LOVING the feel of the open shelving.

Obviously, be careful if you aren’t tidy naturally, as the open storage can get cluttered quickly – but of you want to display a few key items, AND you don’t need that much storage space, then it’s a really unique choice.

#7 – Use the right storage

To make the most of every square inch of cupboard space by measuring it before you decide on how to store things, and what to buy to store it in.

You need to know what you want to store in each cupboard, what the best storage would be for each (air tight, boxes, baskets etc…) – and what the size of the storage can be (the better you fill the space, the more you can store there).

Air tight storage containers

When picking kitchen storage for your food – make sure you get storage items that are easy to open and close, and that are air tight.

Airtight Food Storage Set – 14 PC – BPA-Free – Plastic Canisters with Durable Lids, Labels, Marker & Spoon Set

Buy Now

Baskets

Baskets are a great way to house packets of food, snacks etc… – as you can pull them out and grab what you want.

Boxes / Tubs

I love a good tub! (I also use these style in my fridge to collect together my cheeses, condiments etc…)

These are really clean looking, and can easily be labelled.

White Plastic Storage Baskets 35 x 26 x 15cm (5 Baskets)

Buy Now

Go head to tail with glasses

Such a simple idea, but this really makes the most of cupboard space – easily! Just switch some of the glasses the other way around, and then they fit more closely together (you can do this with shoes as well – just FYI!)

Try it and see how many more glasses you can fit in the same space…

#8 – Use labels

To make it as easy as possible to find things, you need to use labels on all storage items.

Ideally go for the same look for your labels – for a uniform style – and get ones that you can reuse (either by wiping the label off and writing something else on, or ones that can be peeled off and used again).

I like to write best before dates for my food that’s in each container – which means you will be wanting to wipe this off each time you refill…

Chalkboard labels – erasable
Peel off labels

Chalkboard Labels, 150Pcs Waterproof Reusable Blackboard Stickers Kit

Buy Now

#9 – Hang things!

Tension rods

A lovely way to use tension rods is to hang hooks off it and then hang things off the hooks (you could use food packets, cleaning items, and all sorts of other things).

Extendable Curtain Poles, No Drilling Net Curtain Rods, Spring Tension Rod for Kitchen, Cupboard, Bathroom, Window, 42-70CM/16.54-27.56Inch, White

Buy Now

Hooks

Hooks are a great way to use up any ‘wall space’ that may be available on the inside side of each cupboard.

As well as already talked about, you could also add them to the side of the inside of the cupboards, and you’ve instantly gained more storage space! They are the perfect way to store things like packets of sauces.

#10 – Use for non kitchen things…

Lastly – I love the idea of creating a small home office / command centre in a kitchen cupboard.

After all – the kitchen is the heart of the home, and a lot of us don’t have the luxury to have a full area to use just for running the house.

You don’t HAVE to use everything for it’s intended use, if it works better for you in another way…

There you go – loads of creative kitchen storage ideas to make your cupboards easier to use

I can’t wait to hear how you get on adding extra storage space to your own kitchen cabinets, as I’m sure there’s at least one new idea in this selection that will really change how useful this space is for you and your family.

I think the main takeaway here would be to not just put up with the shelving you have. You can create extra storage with baskets, pull out drawers, risers and loads more – so what are you going to choose?

12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen

12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen

Headings: All about furniture 2 , Kitchens 87 , Living rooms 2 , Bedrooms 3 , Hallways 2


Read also ↴

Kitchen storage: 15 life hacks

The kitchen is a place where many things are stored, from food to dishes and household items. Therefore, the order and functionality of this space play an important role, regardless of its size. We tell you how to make the kitchen cozy and comfortable

Photo: Shutterstock

You open the kitchen cabinet, and a colander and baking bags fall out from there, looking for spices for frying - you find vanillin, and again there is nowhere to put a ladle and pot lids. Familiar? To minimize stress during the cooking process, the kitchen space must be organized so that it is pleasant and comfortable to be in it.

First of all, you need to identify areas that require revision: overflowing spice racks, cluttered drawers and cabinets, a clogged refrigerator, etc.

www.adv.rbc.ru

Photo: Pexels

Then it is worth identifying the areas that require the most prompt intervention - usually these are places to store essentials (pots and pans, a dish dryer, bulk products, etc.). Thanks to small steps and a clear understanding of what you want to see in the end, you can save time and effort. After each new decision, it is worth stopping and evaluating - perhaps the bar for kitchen comfort has already been reached and you can just enjoy the cozy and comfortable space or add finishing touches.

7 tips for organizing a small kitchen

Storage, cooking and social gatherings are often not enough. Alas, not every apartment has the opportunity to re-equip the kitchen, expand the space or organize a separate pantry for food. But even with these inputs, there are ways to deal with kitchen chaos.

15 kitchen storage tips

1. Organize your work area

All items that are used daily for cooking and table setting should be placed in close proximity so as not to waste time looking for them. Then it is worth evaluating the workplace, ideally it should be between the stove and the sink, so it is more convenient to quickly remove dirty dishes from the working area and quickly add ingredients to dishes cooked on the stove.

Photo: Pixabay

The optimal length of the countertop is 80-90 cm. It is also better to place the refrigerator nearby so that you do not have to move around the kitchen while cooking and waste time.

2. Use the space under the ceiling

If the space between the ceiling and the kitchen cabinet is empty, it can be used for storage. It is better to place rarely used or decorative items there.

Photo: Pixabay

These can be, for example, serving plates that only reach the table on holidays, bottles of alcohol that do not require refrigeration, a supply of oven mitts or other cooking utensils. If you want visual uniformity, you can buy wicker storage baskets that are the right size.

3. Install rails

Rails can be used to save space. This accessory is great for storing a variety of items - from spices in special jars to ladles, potholders, mugs, pans.

Photo: Pixabay

4. Place shelves with hooks

When choosing new furniture for the kitchen, you should pay attention to its functionality. For example, on a horizontal surface of a shelf with hooks, you can put frequently used dishes so that they are always at hand. You can also use this surface for decorative purposes: to place bright dishes, vases, etc. The hooks under it are suitable for cutting boards, potholders, ladles, kitchen scissors.

Photo: Shutterstock

5. Hang Magnetic Knife Holder

Countertop space is an important part of a comfortable cooking experience and should be as free as possible. One way to tidy up is to hang a magnetic holder for knives, kitchen scissors, and other cutlery above your countertop.

Photo: Shutterstock

6. ​​Buy containers

Plastic containers are a great way to store both food and kitchen utensils. They can be placed in the refrigerator and signed to know exactly where everything is, as well as placed in kitchen drawers and cabinets and store spices, rarely used utensils, bulk products, and household items there.

Photo: Unsplash

7. Use the space under the sink

The space under the sink can be used for more than just a trash can. There is a small bookcase for storing household items: sponges, gloves, garbage bags. You can even hang hooks for towels and oven mitts or small hanging shelves for detergents on the cabinet door. Another option is vertical drawers.

Photo: Shutterstock

8. Use organizer

Organizers are a convenient solution for storing things that are always needed at hand. Transparent drawers, with which it is easy to organize space in the refrigerator, will save space, and rubber holders can be hung on the sink, placing a dish sponge and detergent in them.

9. Store bulk food in containers

Grains, pasta, breakfast cereals and other bulk products are best stored in containers of the same type with labels on the contents. Such jars / boxes can be used not only as a place of storage, but also as an element of decor.

Photo: Pexels

10. Hang a shelf above the table

This way you can solve the problem with items that clutter up the table, but are needed only at meals - napkins, spices, a sugar bowl. Cups can be hung on hooks under the shelf so that they can be reached without getting up from the table.

Photo: Unsplash

11. Use the side walls of hanging furniture

On the sides of kitchen cabinets, it makes sense to place small shelves for spices, sauces and dressings that do not require storage in the refrigerator. On such shelves you can store textiles, potholders and other kitchen utensils.

12. Use drawers

Instead of a decorative panel, a drawer can be built into the bottom of kitchen cabinets. This is a convenient way to store pans, baking sheets, cutting boards, or other items that fit.

Photo: Shutterstock

13. Install Insert Shelves

Kitchen cabinets can be fitted with custom built-in shelves to help you make the most of space, organize items by type, and save time looking for what you need.

14. Don't Forget the Top of the Refrigerator

If the ceiling and height of the refrigerator allow, the top surface can be used to store refills, rarely used crockery, kitchen utensils, canned food and other non-perishable foods.

Photo: Pexels

15. Buy a cutting board basket

A low-sided, moisture-resistant basket is perfect for cutting boards. So they will be in one place, they will not interfere during cooking and fall into the sink.

10 unusual gadgets for the kitchen

Storage of spices

Spices are best stored in a cool, dry place: they lose their properties from humidity and high temperature. It is worth considering a place to store them away from the stove and heating, but not next to the sink.

Photo: Shutterstock

If the spices are stored in retail packaging, all of them can be placed in a container and placed in a kitchen cabinet. It is convenient to rank them according to the frequency of use and put those that are not needed all the time on the top shelves.

Jars of spices can be placed on hanging shelves on cupboard doors, hung on rails or placed in drawers.

Storing vegetables

The place where vegetables should be stored depends on their type.

Learn more