Small Kitchen? No Problem. These Ideas Will Get Any Sized Space Organized (2024)

Organizing

Kitchen Organization

• 01 of 50

  Use All That Under-Sink Storage

  

  Maximize storage space under the sink by stacking bins or plastic drawers filled with sponges, dishwasher pods, rags, and more. Clear storage assures you don't forget about what you already have.

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• 02 of 50

  Add Drawers, Not Cabinets

  

  If you're planning a remodel of a smaller kitchen without changing the footprint, consider going with wide drawers instead of lower cabinets. They create so much storage space in an accessible way.

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• 03 of 50

  Organize Your Refrigerator

  

  Even the smallest refrigerator can get a makeover. Not only does storing food in clear bins help you see everything, it can also make for more vertical space if you stack them.

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• 04 of 50

  Store Kids' Plates in Drawers

  

  Adding dividers into deep drawers keeps plates, bowls, and even utensils tidy and organized. Plus, putting kids' plates in a low drawer makes it easy for them to grab what they need.

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• 05 of 50

  Use Drawer Dividers

  

  Make your drawers do more by adding dividers. This way, everything has a spot and the drawer is less likely to get stuck on stuffed-in tools.

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• 06 of 50

  Store Tea Bags in Cabinet Doors

  

  Using the inner side of cabinet doors is an easy way to add storage for smaller items. As professional organizer Laura Cattano proves, spices and tea bags don't have to take up precious real estate inside the cabinet; instead, they nest seamlessly inside the door.

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• 07 of 50

  Add a Spice Storage Drawer

  

  Even small kitchens can have a designated spice drawer. This design makes it easy to spot what you already have so you don't end up with two of the same spice.

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• 08 of 50

  Bring in a Few Woven Pantry Baskets

  

  When your pantry or cabinets are organized and clutter-free, the space in your kitchen goes further. Labeled woven bins are as practical as they are pretty, and everything has a clear place with this system.

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• 09 of 50

  Add Risers for Storing Canned Goods

  

  An easy way to gain vertical storage is to add risers to pantries and cabinets. They help you fit more items like cans in a small space, plus you can see what you have so you don't end up with a bunch of duplicates. You can buy risers, or get creative by making them from something you already have.

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• 10 of 50

  Use Open Shelves for Pots and Pans

  

  If you're short on shelf space or drawers, follow professional organizer Laura Cattano's lead and try a hanging bar for pots and pans. Simple S-hooks and a bar that can withstand the weight of pots is all you need, plus it lends any small kitchen a slightly industrial edge that can look chic and modern.

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  See Also

  35 smarter kitchen storage solutionsKitchen storage ideas – 35 tricks to a tidier, better space47 Kitchen Organization Ideas That Declutter Cabinets, Countertops, and More30 Kitchen Storage Ideas to Help You Declutter on a Budget

• 11 of 50

  Organize Your Food Storage Containers

  

  Storing food storage containers is tricky, no matter the kitchen size. When you get matching pieces, everything nestles together whether it's in a cabinet or drawer.

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• 12 of 50

  Use Baskets in Pantry Storage

  

  Baskets and canisters are always helpful, but the small-space stand-out piece here is the lazy Susan that stores oil, vinegar, and other bottles.

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• 13 of 50

  Hang Pots and Pans

  

  Hanging pots and pans is a great way to free up storage and counter space in a smaller kitchen. Here, white canisters add storage and style while a lazy Susan in the cabinet keeps everything easily accessible.

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• 14 of 50

  Add Some Behind-the-Door Storage

  

  If your pantry is small (or non-existent), adding wire baskets to the backside of the door or even inside a cabinet maximizes storage space in a tidy way.

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• 15 of 50

  Use Clear Pantry Storage

  

  Yes, it's trendy and it looks aesthetically pleasing, but using clear containers to store snacks also helps save space by cutting down on all the air-filled bags crowding the cabinets.

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• 16 of 50

  Add Floating Shelves

  

  Open shelving adds some interest to bare kitchen walls while freeing up cabinet space. If you don't have a ton of space, even a narrow shelf for storing glasses can make a big difference.

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• 17 of 50

  Turn Your Cabinets Into a Pantry

  

  No pantry? No problem. This tutorial shows how to have your cabinets do the work of a full pantry, even in a small space, which is made even easier with the help of these kitchen cabinet organizers.

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• 18 of 50

  Open Up Shelving

  

  Let this image serve as a reminder that pink cabinets are always a great choice. Aside from the warm color choice, which brightens a small space, shelves help get items off the limited counters so you have more space for chopping or serving,

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• 19 of 50

  Make the Most of Counter Space

  

  Having an island instead of a table is one clever way to add space to a smaller kitchen. Here beautiful wood shelves display glassware and art, but the countertops also work as storage for everything from cutting boards to wine glasses and plants.

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• 20 of 50

  Organize Corner Cabinets

  

  A major part of maximizing storage space in a small kitchen is figuring out how to organize your cabinets in the most effective way. This tutorial explains how to make the most of your corner cabinet so everything has a spot and it's all easy to pull down when you need it.

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• 21 of 50

  Maximize Cabinet Space

  

  It's hard to believe this stunning kitchen is in a garage. White cabinets make the space airy and bright, and smaller appliances mean more counter space. Ensuring upper and lower cabinets (like those beneath the bar here) are functional and accessible helps you make the most of every bit of space in a small kitchen.

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• 22 of 50

  Use Space Near Your Cooktop

  

  The space around your stovetop can be used in an unexpected way: for storage. Consider adding narrow cabinets on either side of your cooktop to store spices, sheet pans, and other needed cookware.

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• 23 of 50

  Add a Movable Island

  

  A movable countertop and shelving combo, like the one Whittney Parkinson Design uses in the kitchen above, is a great way to add storage (and extra counter space) to small kitchens. And, because it's movable, storage can be added to wherever it's needed in that moment.

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• 24 of 50

  Use Your Dining Room

  

  If you're struggling to find space for everything you need in your kitchen, look to your dining room or nook for extra storage. A dish cabinet or buffet can be a good spot to store items that are used less-frequently, like small kitchen appliances and seasonal dishware.
  

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• 25 of 50

  See Also

  19 clever kitchen storage ideas to leave space for food and people | Home Beautiful

  Add Narrow Shelves to the End of Cabinetry

  

  Many kitchen islands and corners have unused space on their sides. Put it to use by turning this part of your cabinetry into narrow shelving for ingredients or cookbooks.

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• 26 of 50

  Add Cabinetry All the Way Up

  

  To easily add a little bit of extra storage to your small kitchen, ensure your shelving or cabinetry goes all the way up to the top of your walls. The additional storage space this will provide may be all you need to keep your kitchen in order.

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• 27 of 50

  Fix Your Junk Drawer

  

  The junk drawer can prove difficult to manage in even the tidiest of kitchens. Make it a little less chaotic by using small drawer organizers to ensure every item has a home.

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• 28 of 50

  Add Storage to Your Cabinet Doors

  

  The back of your cabinet doors are an easy spot to add a little extra storage to. Install a small rack of shelves, like Emily Henderson Design did above, to keep ingredients in—just make sure your cabinet hinges can support the extra weight.

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• 29 of 50

  Add Glass Shelving to Windows

  

  The space in front of your window is another spot to add some sneaky small space storage, too. Use glass shelves so that any daylight still gets through, and consider using this shelving to store glassware and stemware for that same reason.

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• 30 of 50

  Bring in a Buffet

  

  Think a buffet is only for the dining room? Think again. A well-placed buffet with some attached shelving can provide plenty of extra storage to your too-small kitchen. (It will be cheaper than adding new cabinets and countertops too.)

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• 31 of 50

  Make Your Storage Your Decor

  

  Form and function can work together when you let your storage double as your decor. The hanging cutting boards in the kitchen above show off how good this can look.

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• 32 of 50

  Use Shelves Near a Window

  

  Shelves can be a better fit for the wall next to a window than cabinetry, as they ensure that sunshine can still get in and around it. Additionally, the airier look of wall shelves works better than bulky cabinets in an already-cramped kitchen.

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• 33 of 50

  Add Cookbooks to Your Counters

  

  Don't keep your cookbooks hidden away. Instead, select two or three of your favorites and store them on the counter with the help of some stylish bookends.

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• 34 of 50

  Keep Ingredients On the Counters

  

  Another way to use extra counter space is to add a few jars of frequently used ingredients, like pasta or sugar, to it. Pick decor-forward jars to ensure that this setup doesn't look too utilitarian.

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• 35 of 50

  Add a Magnetic Knife Rack

  

  A magnetic knife rack, like the one Arbor & Co. uses in the kitchen above, provides an easily accessible (and small-space-friendly) way to store your knives. Consider installing your knife rack near your most-used food prep area.

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• 36 of 50

  Make Use of Sloped Walls

  

  Don't let sloping wall space go to waste in the kitchen. Instead, install a few shelves to provide extra storage for whatever you may need.

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  Keep Other Items in Your Pantry

  

  Your pantry isn't just for food—if you're left with a few extra shelves, store a few other kitchen-friendly items in there, like your cookbooks. Other things that fit well in the pantry include small kitchen appliances and seasonal dishware.

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• 38 of 50

  Use Lazy Susans

  

  Lazy susans ensure that all the items on it can be easily reached with just a flick of the hand—no more stuffed-in-a-corner-and-promptly-forgotten-red-wine-vinegar. Use them in all kinds of kitchen storage, from your pantry to your spice cabinet.

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• 39 of 50

  Add Acrylic Shelves

  

  Acrylic risers, like the ones Neat by Meg used in the cabinetry above, add extra storage space to cabinets without looking cluttered. When kept clean, they look pretty high-end too, giving your kitchen cabinets that straight-from-the-professional-organizer look.

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• 40 of 50

  Alphabetize Your Spices

  

  Drawers are a good place to keep your spices, especially with the help of spice racks. But when storing your spices, try to store them alphabetically to make sure you can quickly find what you need.

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• 41 of 50

  Keep Pots and Pans Under Your Oven

  

  The drawer underneath your oven is a good spot for your pots, pans, and skillets. Consider nesting pots and skillets to save space, and ensure that none of the cookware is easily scratched.

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• 42 of 50

  Make a Snack Drawer

  

  Want to keep your snacks easy to access? Consider adding a snack drawer. Add drawer dividers, bins, and baskets to keep items separated and neatly organized.

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• 43 of 50

  Use Narrow Drawers for Knives

  

  Ultra-narrow drawers like the one above don't need to go to waste. Instead, put them to work as storage for your kitchen knives and scissors. Use a specially made drawer knife rack to keep things safe and tidy.

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  Keep Household Helpers On the Pantry Door

  

  The back of a pantry door is a good place to add some storage for commonly used household helpers like cleaning sprays, lint rollers, and air fresheners. If your door is wide enough, you may even be able to add a holder or two for a broom or dry mop.

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• 45 of 50

  Store More Than One Type of the Item On Shelves

  

  Small space storage means that every bit of cabinetry and shelving counts. So, when storing items in cabinets, keep more than one type of item on each shelf, like Neat Method NYC did in the cabinets above.

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• 46 of 50

  Make Your Utensil Drawer Work Harder

  

  Your utensil drawer can store more with the help of a few extra bins and slots. Take advantage of all the space in your drawer, and you may suddenly have room for steak knives, kids' utensils, and even serving ware.

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• 47 of 50

  Add a Pull-Out Spice Rack

  

  Narrow spots next to appliances can become a great home for spices. Use a narrow pull-out spice rack to give your spices a space-saving new home.

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• 48 of 50

  Add a Little Nook

  

  Consider adding a tiny shelf or nook on the side of your cabinetry to create a home for a few kitchen basics, like olive oil or salt. You can even frame the nook with a bit of trim to give it some character.

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• 49 of 50

  Use Stacking Lazy Susans

  

  Stacking or shelved lazy susans provide double the amount of storage in the same amount of space. These are a great pick to add some storage to tall cabinets or shelves with otherwise unused vertical space.

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  Install a Towel Rack

  

  Install a towel rack to the end of your cabinetry to create some extra space to hang kitchen linens and produce bags. You can even add a few hooks to the rack for other storage needs.