Tiny kitchen organization
Small Kitchen Organizing Ideas | Kitchn
Kitchen
Small Space Living
Surprising Ideas
Tips & Techniques
Lisa Freedman
published Aug 27, 2019
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When it comes to organizing a small kitchen, success really comes when you can free up the space you do have or create more space out of thin air. If you’re not a magician (or a professional organizer), that can sound daunting. But we’re here to help! We rounded up our best tips for organizing a small kitchen and put them together in this post. They’re all as functional as they are brilliant — and they won’t cost you all that much to execute (read: We’re not gonna suggest anything outlandish like custom cabinets or, uh, putting an addition onto your home!).
1. Add shelves (even little ones!) anywhere you can.
Don’t think you have space to add wall shelves? Think again! Even a teeny-tiny shelf can be useful! Just look at this little perch for specialty oils — it gets the bottles out of a cabinet and off the counter. And it turns them into decoration, too. The Container Store has a ton of shelving options, like these super small ledge shelves.
2. Add ’em even way up high!
There’s always going to be more storage space if you look up. Way up. The little sliver of wall over your windows can be a great spot for another shelf. Just use it for serving dishes and infrequently used items so that you’re not constantly reaching for a step stool.
Read more: This Marie Kondo-Inspired Tiny Kitchen Is Filled with Brilliant Storage Ideas
3. Make burner covers to add extra counter space.
4. Use risers to create levels.
This idea works for your counters, inside your cabinets, and even in your fridge. Set up a riser and you get two levels for storage instead of just one.
The Container Store sells both acrylic and chrome risers designed specifically for kitchen storage.
5. Put the sides of your cabinets to work.
We’ve seen people add pot rails, hooks, or even just nails to the sides of their cabinets. This way, you can use the space to hang tools, textiles, cutting boards, and more. The best part is that there are so many options out there, from basic Command hooks to colorful, actually pretty hooks from Anthro.
6. Put the bottoms of your upper cabinets to work, too.
How brilliant is this? You can screw the tops of jars into the bottom of your cabinets or install a magnetic knife strip and you’ll have a little more flexibility in what you store.
7. Add drawers or baskets where you can.
The problem with cabinet shelves is that stuff gets shoved to the back and then it’s impossible to find/get out. Add drawers or baskets instead and you’ll be able to slide them out and see everything that’s hiding back there.
8. Make use of a small utility cart.
One of two carts, specifically: either IKEA’s Raskog cart or this round one from Target, which is actually perfect for Instant Pot storage. These have a small footprint, but still have plenty of room for storage. And because they’re on wheels, they can be pushed into a closet or the corner of a room and pulled out to meet you at your workspace when you need it.
9. Add hooks to shelves.
As you’re about to see, we love hooks. Hooks everywhere! Screw-in cup hooks are especially great for the bottoms of wooden shelves. Use them to get mugs and teacups out of your cabinets. Or if it works for your space, hang spatulas, whisks, and other tools from them.
10. Add hooks on your walls, too.
The more hooks, the merrier! Hooks (or even just nails) on the walls means new space for cutting boards, tools, cookware, and even cleaning supplies.
11. And add hooks on your fridge!
12.
Use your windowsill for extra storage.If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your tiny kitchen, use that sill for storage. Obviously, you can store plants and homegrown herbs on there, but it’s also worth thinking about it for cookbooks, cookware, utensil crocks, and more.
13. Don’t be afraid to block some windows.
We get the instinct to want to leave windows unobstructed, but you can use some of the space and still have plenty of natural light coming in. Hang a curtain rod across a window and dangle some of your most-used pots from it. (This is especially smart if you don’t love your view.)
14. Hang some pot rails.
Here’s a similar idea, only on a wall instead of across a window. You can find pot rails in all sorts of sizes and styles. And once they’re installed, they give you lots of freedom to mix up what you hang from them. You can even slide some pot lids through the top for extra storage.
15. Use the inside of your cabinets.
If you’re careful to work around the shelves inside, you can store all sorts of things on the inside of your cabinet doors. We’ve seen people hang bins for cleaning supplies and cutting boards, and hooks for pot lids or measuring spoons. Consider an over-the-door basket or bakeware holder.
16. Turn your backsplash into storage.
17. Steal space from other rooms.
There is absolutely no reason why you can’t store dishes or glasses in your living room! Just pile it up on a shelf or bookcase nicely and call it a day.
18. Store stuff out in the open.
No pantry? No problem! Put your most-used ingredients on a pretty dessert stand or lazy Susan and show them off! This will free up cabinet space and also make it easier for you to grab what you need while you’re working. While you’re at it, consider leaving your Dutch oven or prettiest cookware out on the stovetop.
19. Store stuff on top of your cabinets.
If your cabinets don’t go all the way up to the ceiling, use that space to store stuff that you don’t use all that often.
Just add a plant or two in order to keep the space feeling pretty and not too jumbled.
20. Get your paper towels up and out of the way.
Instead of keeping your paper towels on your counter, get a holder that’ll mount to the wall or under your cabinet. (Or, again, the side of your fridge.) Better yet, store the roll on the inside of your cabinet and you’ll probably end up reaching for them less often.
21. Install a pegboard.
The biggest lesson we learned from Julia Child: The pegboard is not to be underestimated. Install one on a blank wall and you’ll end up with an incredibly versatile storage space that can be changed around based on the items that get introduced into your kitchen.
See the steps: How To Build and Hang a Kitchen Pegboard
22. Get rid of unnecessary packaging.
While you might think that matching containers take up more space, they actually don’t because they make it easier to stack things! You’d never really put a box of brown sugar on top of a bag of regular sugar, but airtight containers make that possible.
Related: The Food Containers Pro Chefs Love Just Got a Major Upgrade — and We’re Obsessed
23. Free up drawer space wherever you can.
We spotted this idea in a House Tour over at Apartment Therapy: Someone used an old flower vase to hold utensils and baking supplies, thus, freeing up a drawer. While you obviously have to be smart about how much you store on your counters (because, clutter!), we like the idea of freeing up drawer space to make room for other, less-display-worthy things.
24. Invest in some inexpensive organizers that were practically made for small spaces.
Not all organizers are created equally! Meaning your small space might need something more special. Always measure before you make a purchase and try not to spend a small fortune on organizers if you don’t have to.
Read more: 9 Small-Space Organizers That Cost Just $10 or Less
25. DIY a foil storage situation.
26.
Store things vertically.Rather than stacking things on top of each other, add tension rods or a tray divider to a cabinet and store things on their sides. This will work for baking sheets, cutting boards, cake pans, and more. This way, when you pull one thing, you don’t cause an avalanche.
Read more: The Most Clever Solution for Storing Your Baking Sheets
27. Get an island on wheels.
Like our utility cart idea, but for an island! This kitchen above is clearly way too small to earn an island, but by having one nearby on wheels, the home cook can drag it over when she’s working. This way, she can have more storage space and more counter space. Check out The Container Store for tons of options.
Watch
10 Storage Tricks For Small Kitchens
Got any other ideas to add? Leave them in the comments below!
Small Kitchen DIY Organization Ideas - Cool Ideas for Small Kitchens
Home Projects
DIY
Kitchen
by Erin Johnson
updated May 7, 2022
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Just like with teeny bathrooms and small entryways, finding a spot for everything in your tiny kitchen can prove to be quite the challenge. After all, you’ve got to find designated spots for pots and pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, gadgets, appliances, and of course, food. Don’t forget food!
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Even the tiniest kitchen can be organized in a way that is both functional for your needs and packed with style. All you need is the right small kitchen organization ideas! Take some inspiration from these DIYers and organizers who took their 15 tiny kitchens and injected them with some seriously big organization solutions.
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1. Install a magnetic strip.
There’s no need for all that drawer space when you use a clever magnetic strip to corral your kitchen utensils.
We love how this converted school bus uses this small kitchen organization idea.
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2. Make a multipurpose corner.
One of the most effective small kitchen organization ideas is to make use of every available inch of space. Kentucky homeowner @sweetiedeervintage makes full use of this space in her small kitchen. It’s a pantry/laundry/storage area that still manages to look somewhat organized with the use of a clever piece of furniture.
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3. Use a cart instead of a pantry.
If you don’t have a pantry, you’ll definitely need some small kitchen organization ideas! We love how @joyful_single_mom used a pretty red cart to corral food items that would otherwise be hidden in a pantry.
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4. DIY a custom pegboard for your space.
If you’re not using a pegboard in your tiny kitchen, you are seriously missing out.
These organizing staples can fit into even the weirdest nooks and crannies, as shown here in Jaclyn and Matt’s kitchen (@maclyn_go). Jaclyn says customizing this pegboard to their space was relatively simple — with the right supplies. “The pegboard was easy to cut using a circular saw, but would probably have been a pain without power tools,” Jaclyn says.
To give the pegboard an extra personal touch, they painted it emerald green (Behr’s Fairy Queen).
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5. Create an over-the-door organization system.
Looking for small kitchen organization ideas? Don’t forget that doors can be used for vertical storage. Rebecca Gallop (@adailysomething) says she has used her pegboard station for organizing wrapping paper, winter accessories, and her most-used kitchen and utility items. See a full DIY tutorial here.
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6. Install a railing for your most-used kitchen items.
Short on cabinet storage but pegboards aren’t your style? Em (@the.nordic.nest) used two rails to store her most-used kitchen items. “It was an easy project to do with the limited corner space next to the door frame,” she says. “I’m learning to use height in my home to store and showcase utensils and decor.”
Rails like these are especially handy installed beneath upper cabinets, but Em proves any spare wall space will do.
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7. DIY a pantry out of unused space.
Lea Kramer (@fiftyone.living) says this spot used to be just an unused door in their kitchen, so they kept the door frame and built a wall on one side of it. After installing shelves, they now have a perfect space for pantry items.
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8. Use canisters and baskets to corral pantry items.
Louisa Roberts (@nycneat_louisa) and Corrin McCoy (@nycneat_corrin) organized this small pantry to perfection with smart placement of food items and canisters.
“We chose baskets to contain and separate each category of food,” says Louisa. “The groupings will help keep the space organized, and they allow you to see exactly what you have in the pantry.”
Plus, these small kitchen organization ideas allow you to easily take advantage of deep cabinet space that might otherwise be wasted, since you can pull whole baskets out to access everything inside.
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9. DIY a custom island with room for seating.
“Having just bought a 1,000 square foot home as a family of three, we’re figuring out ways to maximize every inch of space we can,” says Emma Shoemaker (@shoemakesnew).
“Our kitchen had a pretty open space in front of the cabinets, so we figured we’d add some more storage with a DIY island (that was actually super easy to do!),” she adds. The totally custom-built island also features room for stools, so it serves as a dining spot, too. You can see Emma’s full tutorial here.
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10. Make use of every part of your cabinets.
Measuring cups are a necessary but hard-to-find-a-spot-for kitchen item, especially if you’re short on drawers. Ashley (@nest.in.birdland) solved this problem by utilizing the inside of her cabinet door to hang her measuring cups. This way they have a designated, labeled spot complete with a conversion chart for cooking made simple. What a great small kitchen organization idea!
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11. Show off appliances on open shelves.
If you’re working with a small space, you likely don’t have a ton of cabinet storage to create an appliance garage (also known as hiding all your big appliances), so why not utilize this small kitchen organization idea and put them on display?
Stacy (@farmhousetofrills) says her open shelving unit is not only cute but super functional. Having her appliances on display allows for easy access, and since they all have a uniform look, they seamlessly blend with her decor.
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12. Create multi-use storage and display pieces.
Kate (@ahousewren) showcases another small kitchen organization idea with these DIY plate ledges that allow her to store her platters and cutting boards in a way that also doubles as decor. See the full tutorial on this DIY process here.
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13. Hack a moveable island with cube shelving.
With another DIY kitchen island (this one on wheels), Aneth Parintosa (@anethparintosa) shows how functional and beautiful a mix of open shelving and cube storage can be. Baskets can hide a multitude of items or appliances, while the open shelving allows an opportunity for you to showcase some of your more visually appealing items (like cute dishes or serving platters).
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14. Make use of drawers to store spices.
“Spices can be tricky in a small space and being able to view them clearly can be an art form of organization,” says Melanie Walker (@melaniewalkerxo).
“For this project, a small pull-out shelf next to the stove fit the bill. Custom labels on top of the jars give you a clear view of what’s inside and easy access,” she says.
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15. Personalize your setup to your habits and tastes.
Your kitchen should work for you. For example, coffee gets top billing in this kitchen, where a mini coffee station sits atop cube shelving. A rail neatly holds coffee cups, while open shelves put tea — and higher up, cooking utensils and ingredients — on display. Antonia (@adailyplannerblog) also brought in a fun dose of color through her canister lids and kitchen utensils that make this whole assembly look cohesive.
15 witty ways to get the most out of a small kitchen - INMYROOM
It seems that you have tried everything possible, but there is still not enough space in a small kitchen? We have prepared for you 15 fresh life hacks that really help to make the space more free and comfortable.
Door storage
The back of kitchen cabinet doors is great for storing lids, cutting boards and other relatively flat items.
Hooks on cabinet sides
Cabinet sides can also be made to work! The same cutting boards, potholders and small kitchen appliances can perfectly fit there.
Organizing the space under the sink
The space under the sink is ideal for storing, for example, household chemicals, brushes, gloves. The main thing is to approach its organization wisely, hooks, shelves, organizers, roof rails will help you with this. nine0003
Compact appliances
Any housewife in the kitchen will need a stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, and other household helpers will not interfere. How to fit everything? Give preference to compact, narrow models.
In this case, proceed from your own needs: for example, a small refrigerator is still hardly suitable for a large family. And it is better to move it to an adjacent corridor or attach a loggia than to regularly suffer from a lack of space for food storage.
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But you definitely shouldn't deny yourself the daily conveniences. For a narrow dishwasher, for example, you can find a place even in the tiniest kitchen: manufacturers offer both compact and even very miniature models.
By the way, the dishwasher saves not only your time and effort, but also water! At the same time, modern models consume electricity very, very economically.
Folding chairs and table
By replacing a bulky dining area with folding chairs and a table, you can gain a lot of extra space in a small kitchen. nine0003
Extension table
Another option is the extension table. There are, for example, models that "hide" in a headset, rack, utility closet.
Magnetic shelf
Not only magnets from trips, but also convenient magnetic mini-shelves can be hung on the refrigerator. Which are ideal for storing small and not too heavy items: say, jars of spices or containers with cookies, nuts and dried fruits.
Drawer dividers
The better organized the storage, the more kitchen utensils will fit in your drawers and shelves. Dividers will help you avoid clutter.
Drawer organizer
Pots, ladles and frying pans, of course, most often stack perfectly. However, finding the right item with such a storage system and returning it to its place after use can sometimes be very inconvenient. Please note: to save your time and shelf space, there are special drawer organizers. nine0003
Hooks under the shelves
Hooks under the hanging shelves can be used to place cups in a stylish and convenient way. The idea is especially useful for those who like to keep their beautiful dishes in plain sight or want to show off a mini-collection of cups.
Corner drawers
It's no secret that drawers make storage much more efficient. And the corner option is a real find.
Microwave organizer
If the space above your freestanding microwave oven is empty, please note that there are special organizer shelves for this case.
Window storage
When you've squeezed everything you can out of your small kitchen, including the space above the door and window sills, but there is still not enough space ... The window opening will help out! Here you can place, for example, open shelves.
Of course, for a dark room, where every ray of sunshine counts, such advice is hardly suitable. But if there is an abundance of natural light in the kitchen - why not. nine0003
Hanging Shelves
Are you a fan of open storage and do you have a lot of hanging shelves in your small kitchen? With the help of special devices, they can be made even more functional and more spacious.
Removing the dining area from the kitchen
If even a compact folding table and folding chairs do not allow organizing a comfortable dining area in a tiny kitchen, it can be moved to other rooms: to the living room, to the insulated balcony or to the adjacent corridor. nine0003
See also:
Small kitchen storage ideas
Rational storage of things in the kitchen is the key to its comfortable operation.
And for owners of small kitchens, compact storage in the kitchen is especially important, because every centimeter counts! In this article, we have collected useful tips and ideas for organizing storage in the kitchen. We will tell you how to organize the storage of pots, pans, spices, cereals and other kitchen stuff.
How to store spices in a small kitchen
If you love to cook, you probably have a lot of spices in your kitchen. So that seasonings and spices do not lose their aroma, they must be stored in a tightly sealed container, preferably glass. For convenient use, spices must be signed.
Spice jars are best used for storing spices. It is both comfortable and beautiful. But if you don’t want to spend money on special containers, you can make them yourself. For example, jars of baby food can be adapted for storing spices. nine0003
An interesting idea for storing spices in tick-tock boxes. Small bottles with screw caps are also suitable.
The second question that worries housewives is where to store spices, especially if the kitchen cannot boast of space. With the help of special fasteners, spices can be stored on the inside of the wall cabinet door.
If possible, the spices can be stored in a small drawer. nine0003
Special drawer systems are also compact and convenient. They can store not only spices, but also bottles with vegetable oil, vinegar, etc.
You can store spices compactly using special containers with magnets. Most often, spices on magnets are stored on the door, or side wall of the refrigerator.
But they can be attached both to the wall and to the hanging shelf by first attaching a metal bar to it. nine0003
Stores also offer a wide range of special spice stands. They are both beautiful and convenient, but these coasters take up space on the table or in the kitchen cabinet, so if you have a small kitchen, you might be better off choosing a more compact option.
You can also store spices on small hanging shelves.
How to store cereals in the kitchen
Like spices, cereals are best stored in glass or plastic containers. Containers should be tightly closed, this will protect the cereal from moisture, as well as the penetration of insects. You need to store cereals in a dry, dark and cool place. Therefore, it is better to choose a place to place cereals away from the stove, oven and sink. nine0003
Cereals can be stored in wall cabinets or drawers. Storage in a drawer is more convenient, since there is always free access to cereals, you don’t need to reach anywhere and you don’t even have to get them out of the drawer. It is better to choose transparent containers for storing cereals. So you will always see where which cereal is, as well as how much of it is left.
Cans of cereals can also be stored on open shelves. But in this case, it is better to choose small jars so that the cereals are more often updated and do not lose their taste.
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How do you store pots and pans in a small kitchen?
For storage of pots and pans, see our separate article, which you can find HERE .
How to store lids in the kitchen?
Storing lots of pot and pan lids is just as much of a hassle as the cookware itself. Often, lids cannot be stacked, and if you cover pots with them, you will not be able to store dishes compactly. The first thing you can do is review the number of lids in your home. Get out all the pots and pans you have in the house. Sort them by size. Check, maybe the same lid will fit on several pots, and maybe for a frying pan? If you have, for example, 5-6 pans, you are unlikely to use them all at the same time. In this case, one lid is enough for several pots. If you do not like that the lid, for example, does not match the design of another pan, it does not matter - buy a universal lid with transparent glass - it will fit any cookware! nine0003
We have already shown some ways to store caps in the photo above.
The lids can be stored in the crockery by separating them with a divider.
If you make furniture to order, you can provide a special drawer for the lids.
Lids can be stored on the kitchen cabinet door. You can easily make such fasteners yourself. All you need is a set of ordinary self-adhesive towel hooks. nine0003
Or you can use the ready-made lid holder.
They are also wall mounted.
If space permits, you can buy a special lid stand. They are available in different configurations and for a different number of covers.
Other small kitchen storage ideas You can store spices, cutting boards, paper towels, cups and glasses, etc. on it. Kitchen railing allows you to free the work surface from all sorts of little things that are often difficult to find a suitable place in the kitchen. Now in stores there is a large selection of canopies for railing and you can always choose a railing configuration that will be convenient for you.
