There’s a reason why they say the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s true — you can cook, clean, and entertain all in one place! As someone who loves all those things, I can tell you from experience that small kitchens are GREAT but present unique storage challenges. Not only is the space limited, but it’s also hard to keep everything organized. I’d like to share my favorite hacks and organization tips for small kitchen storage ideas, without having to rely on a bunch of built-in cabinetry! In this article, you are going to learn 9 Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for Your Home that will help save space and look good at the same time.

1. Stick with streamlined furniture and sleek containers

In a small kitchen, it’s best to err on the side of sleek and streamlined. When your space is tight, items like stools are great for when you’re coming up with small kitchen storage ideas. But it can eat up valuable real estate while adding visual clutter. Opt for swivel chairs or tall stools that you can tuck away under an island or table when not in use.

Similarly, avoid adding pieces that aren’t serving a double purpose to your small kitchen area. Look for furniture with drawers and shelves so you can keep your plates and spices organized within easy reach but out of sight. Avoid floor-to-ceiling cabinets unless absolutely necessary—instead, take advantage of vertical storage space with wall-mounted display cases or hang pans and other kitchen items from hooks.

2. Add hooks for hanging

I am a huge fan of hooks as a storage solution when it comes to thinking of small kitchen storage ideas. They add so much utility to any space. They can be used to hang just about anything, and some can even double as decor — all you have to do is get creative! If you want to create more wall space, try using the back of the door or side of a cabinet to hang your pots, pans, or utensils. Or opt for placing hooks on the ceiling and hanging your plants from there.

Seriously though: Don’t limit yourself when it comes to finding a place for hooks in your kitchen. For example, if you have an open shelf area with no doors on it, why not turn that into a mini pantry by adding hooks? And sometimes, if you’re working with a small apartment kitchen with limited countertops, hanging a magnetic knife rack on the wall is an easy way to keep things out of sight but accessible.

3. Hidden drawer storage is key in a small kitchen

While drawers are often overlooked, they’re a great place to keep your favorite kitchen tools. If you’ve got enough counter space, you can pull out the drawers of your choice and quickly grab what you need.

Need more space for additional items? No problem—just add more drawers to that cabinet or place them under the sink. You can even purchase bins that fit into each compartment so you can store different things in each drawer (e.g., one bin for knives, one for spices). Whether it’s utensils or an electric mixer, drawers make finding your cooking supplies easier than ever before!

4. Make the most of your sink area

If you have a small sink in your kitchen but still have plenty of countertop real estate, use a sink tray to store soap, dishwashing liquid, sponges, and other cleaning utensils. This will prevent items from getting wet and help keep them within reach (and off the counter). In addition, add a drain rack that attaches to the side of your sink to save more space. When dishes are drying on the rack instead of out on the counter, you will be able to clear up more room for food prep and storage.

5. Utilize your window space

Unfortunately, you may not have a lot of extra wall space to hang your pots and pans from. So, use your window space instead!

Install shelves above the window for storing smaller items like spices and oil. Window boxes are also great for holding other small things like cooking utensils. And if you don’t want to block the light coming through your kitchen windows, hang a rack over them instead. You can hang utensils from these racks or even plants (which will bring life into what is probably an otherwise sterile-looking kitchen).

6. Use magnetic strips for your knives

Knives are an essential kitchen resource, and keeping them organized can be tough. That’s why magnetic strips are so nice: they’re a great way to display your knives that also keeps them out of the way. You can find a magnetic strip in many kitchen stores, or easily install one yourself with everything you need at a hardware store. No matter where you buy it or how you install it, this is an easy-to-clean and aesthetically pleasing option for storing your knives.

7. Use your cabinet doors for additional storage space

A cabinet door is just a flat piece of wood with hinges on it, but look at the doors of your cabinets (and even your refrigerator) and think about how much space can actually be filled with things. It’s like an entire extra shelf!

You can use spice racks that can be mounted inside cabinet doors to hold small jars or other items. Consider investing in some of these if you have a lot of spices and small bottles that need to be stored. I personally use mine for storing my collection of different spices—there are so many flavors out there to experiment with, and they all look beautiful when they’re displayed on the back of a cabinet door.

8. Add shelves to the side of your refrigerator

When it comes to small kitchen storage ideas, take advantage of the space on the side of your refrigerator by adding shelves. This will create more storage space for food items and allow them to be easily seen and accessed. Adjustable or removable shelving is good because it gives you extra flexibility when storing larger items, but any type of shelf will do. This is an easy way to add a lot of extra storage without taking up any additional floor space in your kitchen.

9. Use floating shelves

Your options for storage are limited in a small kitchen, but that just means you’ll have to get creative. One way to make the most of your wall space is to install floating shelves. These can provide an attractive home for all sorts of items, from spices and herbs to cookbooks and glassware. The key is finding the right spot for them. If you try to cram too many shelves into a small kitchen, it’ll just look cluttered and even make the room seem smaller. Instead, stick with two or three individual shelves placed strategically on a single wall, which will be more effective than one long shelf running across your whole kitchen.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading 9 Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for Your Home. Hopefully, I’ve helped you discover some small kitchen storage ideas that will make your living space a little more organized and make cooking a little easier. Let me know your favorite small kitchen storage solution in the comments below.

The 9 Best Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for Your Home
Shakita

Moving is never fun. Trying to fit your entire life into boxes and transport it to a new place can be quite overwhelming. That’s why moving hacks are so important. Whether you’re moving across the country or just moving a few blocks away, there will be packing involved. That’s a given. The only thing you can decide is if you’re going to make it easier or difficult for yourself. In this article, I’ve gathered up 12 moving hacks that’ll help you move with ease.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

1. Declutter before you pack

Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of stuff you don’t need. You’re already packing up everything in your life, why not take advantage of this moment to get rid of that stuff you’ve been meaning to toss for years? It will make moving easier because you’ll have fewer things to pack and unpack. And it’s a great excuse for a fresh start! Now’s the time.

Before you pack anything, sort through all your things. Make piles like ‘keep’, ‘maybe keep’, and ‘donate’. Put everything in your ‘donate’ pile into boxes, and when they’re full call the charity (Local thrift stores, Salvation Army, etc.) of your choice and ask them if they do pick-ups. They usually do!

If there are items in good condition that you think people would want then post them on Facebook marketplace, eBay, or where ever. But if listing them would be too much work for you right now, consider taking pictures anyway so that when things calm down after the move, it’s an easy decision whether or not to list them.

2. Start packing early, especially if you’re moving far away

One of the best moving hacks advice I can give you is if you’re able to start early, do so. I think it can be easy to get overwhelmed when you look around your home and see all of the stuff that needs to be packed up for your move. However, if you just start by packing a few boxes every day, soon enough your house will be ready for moving day!

I would also recommend starting with the things you use least first; this could mean those books on the top shelf that have been unopened since your last move, or the pots and pans in the back of your cabinet that have never seen action. The less stuff you need to pack closer to moving day, the better!

If you’re really ambitious and want to pack as far ahead of time as possible—although I wouldn’t recommend this unless it’s a local move—you can even start months ahead of time by packing away seasonal items (i.e.: winter coats in summer or swimsuits in winter). If there’s any overlap between seasons in terms of clothing items, like sweatshirts versus jackets or flip flops versus sandals, then make sure you keep those out so you don’t forget about them or lose them during packing.

3. Clean as you pack

Packing up your home can be hugely overwhelming by itself, let alone taking on any extra tasks. But what if we told you that you could knock out a spring cleaning at the same time? How about a deep clean of each room as you pack it up? It’s not just possible, it’s the perfect solution for organizing and cleaning done in one go.

Imagine how much calmer and more put together you’ll feel once you move into your new place with all those clean clothes, dishes, and linens waiting for you in their new homes. You won’t have any outstanding cleaning to do when unpacking in your new house—you’ll already know that every single item has been cleaned before it was even packed away!

4. Use boxes from grocery stores

You can find sturdy, free-of-charge boxes at your local grocery store. Just make sure the boxes are:

• Not damaged
• Large enough to hold the items you’re trying to pack
• Free of labels (you don’t want to be carrying a box that says “frozen peas” around all over)

If you don’t have enough boxes on hand, you can use laundry baskets or suitcases as moving hacks when packing up nonbreakable belongings like clothing and linens. Simply load the suitcase with your stuff—and voila! You’ve got an item ready to be transported.

5. Label all your boxes

Label all of your boxes with the room they belong in, as well as their contents. If you have anything fragile, write FRAGILE on the box. If you have something heavy, write HEAVY on the box. And if you have something that you absolutely need to unpack immediately upon arriving at your new place, then mark the box OPEN FIRST.

Additionally, consider using different colored permanent markers for certain boxes. For example:

• RED marker: rooms like kitchens and bathrooms (where breakage might occur)
• GREEN marker: electronics
• BLUE marker: clothing

6. Use suitcases for clothing and bedding

As mentioned earlier, suitcases are one of many great moving hacks because suitcases help to keep your clothes wrinkle-free and organized during a move. They can also be used for blankets, sheets, and pillows! Suitcases are easy to transport in your car, so they have a lot of advantages over boxes.

7. Make a laundry basket dresser

Take advantage of laundry baskets and plastic bins by using them to store items you otherwise would have folded up into a cardboard box.

For example, you can fit all your socks and underwear into one or two baskets. Use another basket to stuff with towels. And fill up a plastic bin with sheets instead of folding them up.

Pack the items of dresser drawers into those same containers–they’re made for people’s clothes anyway!

8. Pack hanging clothes on hangers in garbage bags

Let’s face it: you’re probably not going to have a ton of extra time when moving. So here’s a way to save some. This hack lets you hang your clothes on hangers, then transfer them in one fell swoop to the closet at your new place, saving you from having to unpack and hang up each shirt/dress/pair of pants.

First, gather all the hangers that are used to hang your clothes. Once they’re all gathered, put them in large garbage bags and tie them shut around the top of the hangers. Then, label the bags based on what room they’ll go in once you get to your new place. Voilà: no more wrinkled clothes!

9. Use paper instead of bubble wrap

It’s true: you can use newspaper or brown packing paper in place of bubble wrap. This is part of the list for great moving hacks because It’s more readily available, more cost-effective, and better for the environment. As an added bonus, it’s also easier to pack with—you can easily mold paper to fill in odd-shaped spaces and add another layer to protect your items.

10. Put plastic around liquids to avoid spills during transport

If you don’t have a lot of plastic bags on hand, you can use plastic wrap, which is great for items that can’t be placed in a bag, such as bottles. Just place the plastic wrap over the top and press it down around the edges so it sticks to itself and covers the opening. You might want to do two layers just to be safe. Then simply put the lid back on and your liquids are ready to go.”

11. Take pictures of electronics before you unplug them

You know when you unplug your TV and sound system in preparation for the move? Yeah, that’s normally easy enough, but it can be a pain to remember how everything was connected—and make sure you’re not leaving any cables or accessories behind.

Enter the power of taking pictures of everything before you disconnect. If you’re selling your stuff, these photos will come in handy for the buyer, too. Now all you’ll have to worry about is getting rid of that old VHS player on eBay.

12. Use the original box things came in

Reusing boxes that things originally came in also falls under best moving hacks you can use when packing up your belongings. The boxes are built to accommodate the items you have and are oftentimes better quality than any other box you could find since they’re designed to be shipped around.

They’re also free, which is always nice. Plus, reusing such boxes is good for the environment and will make you feel like a responsible adult—just what you need while going through the stress of a move!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading this article, “12 Genius Moving Hacks That Will Make Packing Easier.” When it comes to moving, there’s never a convenient time to do it — but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the process more bearable. The moving hacks provided will hopefully serve as inspiration for some of your own moving hacks, and if you implement them before your next move, everyone will be happier for it.

12 Genius Moving Hacks That Will Make Packing Easier
Shakita

Refrigerator organization can be a big task. Without proper planning and organization, you can find yourself searching endlessly through your refrigerator trying to find what you’re looking for. This is particularly challenging when you have an overstuffed refrigerator like I often do. In this article, you are going to learn about Refrigerator Organization Hacks: 6 Easy Ways to Store Your Food.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

1. Let’s start with good cleaning

First on the list for refrigerator organization hacks is cleaning. The inside of your refrigerator is likely the last place you want to spend time. It’s where forgotten leftovers deteriorate and mysterious splotches of mold go unnoticed. Even if you’re organized, who has time to be thorough? But keeping a clean fridge isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also good for your health! Molds and bacteria can grow in warm, moist environments like the inside of a fridge, which can make you sick. To avoid this problem, try cleaning at least once a week by getting rid of any old food that has expired.

The best way to get started is by giving your fridge an initial deep clean, then cleaning it regularly after that. When deciding how often you should clean, remember that if something hasn’t gone bad yet (but will soon), just remove it from the fridge instead of wasting your energy on scrubbing!

• Take everything out of the refrigerator and freezer
• Use warm soapy water with baking soda sprinkled in to scrub down the walls and shelves as well as any sponges or cloths used during cooking (this will serve as pre-cleanse)
• Wipe down all surfaces with a wet rag (again, try using baking soda sprinkled on the rag)
• Use a dry rag to wipe off excess water (or use one side of your sponge or cloth)
• Replace all food back into the refrigerator while still damp

2. Label and date your food

If you must remember one rule when organizing your fridge, remember this: label and date all of your food.

I can’t emphasize the importance of this when it comes to refrigerator organization hacks. If you don’t know what something is or how long it’s been in there, do you really want to eat it? It doesn’t matter if you use masking tape and write with a Sharpie marker, or if you use a more expensive label maker. And no matter how much space you’ve freed up by organizing your fridge, you don’t want to waste any of it by throwing out food that’s gone bad because it wasn’t labeled.

3. Use a Lazy Susan

If you’re like most people, then your refrigerator is probably crowded with food and drinks that need to be kept fresh or chilled. A great way to keep things from getting jumbled in the back of your fridge is by using a Lazy Susan for storing certain types of foods.

This is one of my favorite refrigerator organization hacks because the rotating tray is so easy to place anywhere in the fridge, and it will allow you to have everything within arms’ reach. It has compartments where you can organize your vegetables, fruits, cheese, and other items. And if you don’t have a lot of space in your refrigerator, this solution will free up some space by allowing you to store perishable items that are normally stacked on top of each other.

When choosing a Lazy Susan for your storage purposes, make sure it’s made out of sturdy material. The last thing you want is one that has flimsy sides that can collapse on top of already-stacked food items!

4. Use baskets to separate food

Baskets are an absolute must! This is one of my favorite refrigerator organization hacks! Why? Because baskets allow you to take some control over the chaos that is in your refrigerator, making it easy to find what you’re looking for and helping you maximize the space inside by keeping things separated. Plus they add a nice aesthetic touch! To make sure you’re using your fridge in the most efficient manner possible, here are a few ideas for how to use different kinds of baskets in ways that will make your life easier.

• Use one for fruits, vegetables, and other produce
• Use one for condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo) and sauces that should be kept separate from fruits
• Use one for meats like chicken breasts or pork chops
• Use one for dairy (cheese, butter, yogurt).

5. Freeze foods you won’t use right away

Freezing food is one of my favorite refrigerator organization hacks because it’s a great way to save money, eat healthy meals all week, and even reduce waste. The freezer is a wonderland of opportunity, but it can be daunting to know how to store so many different types of ingredients and leftovers. How long can you freeze vegetables? Are there foods that should never be frozen? Can I freeze meatballs in sauce for a quick dinner one night?

From freezable fruits to delicious dinner entrées, here are a few ideas for storing your food properly so that it tastes as good after freezing as it did before.

• Dairy products: 6 to 12 months. Milk and butter freeze well; try freezing grated cheese in ice-cube trays for later use. (Pop out a few when you need them!)
• Eggs: 12 months out of the shell. According to the USDA, for the best quality it is best to store frozen eggs  blended eggs, whites or yolks.
• Meats: 4 to 12 months (ground meats last longer than steaks or roasts). Pack tightly, then wrap thoroughly in plastic wrap before putting it into a zip-loc bag. Label and date, then freeze immediately—thawing it first slows the deterioration of frozen meat as well as cooking time once thawed and refrozen.
• Fruits: 8 to 12 months. Remove any rotten parts or bruised portions before freezing; blanch peaches and pears if they’re not going to be used within two weeks after being thawed; consider dipping strawberries into an antioxidant-rich mix containing vitamin C powder before freezing; store berries in the freezer individually so they don’t freeze together into one giant clump.
• Vegetables: 8 to 12 months (the exception is green beans which are better off dumped with other frozen veggies since they lose their crunch faster than most veggies). Blanch baby peas and corn before packing if you want that fresh flavor and texture when defrosted; beets should be cooked first and then stored for up to 3 months; pumpkins can keep for up to 1 year.

6. Stackable fridge drawers

You know how some people arrange their kitchen cabinets so that it’s easy to see exactly what’s inside? If your cabinets are like my mom’s and look like a tornado went through them, then I’m about to tell you about the perfect solution for storing your fruit and veggies.

What I’m talking about is stacking fridge drawers. You can use this with any type of fridge. This is because there is a sliding mechanism (it has rubber on one side) that lets you add and remove the drawers from each other like an ice cube tray.

Fruit and vegetables store well in these drawers because they’re clear, so there’s no mystery as to where everything is, and it also helps keep them fresh for longer! You can wash these drawers in the dishwasher, so you don’t have to worry about germs getting into your food before you eat it! For items that are too big for these drawers, just use regular plastic containers instead!

7. Use the inside of your refrigerator door

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about refrigerator storage, and you might not like it: The inside of the refrigerator door is hands-down the warmest part of your fridge. Yes, I know. You open that door all the time, letting out all the cold air and exposing your food to those rising temperatures.

The truth is the refrigerator door is the worst place to store meat or dairy products. You may be thinking what does this have to do with refrigerator organization hacks?! It’s actually a great place for condiments like ketchup and mustard because they won’t go bad sitting at room temperature anyway. Other foods with similar shelf lives will also do just fine on your fridge door (so long as you don’t leave them out too long), including most oils and bottles of vinegar, pickles, olives, relish…you get the idea here.

8. Put your fresh herbs in glass jars of water so they stay fresh longer

Fresh herbs are a fantastic way to add flavor to your cooking without adding salt or fat, but they can go bad quickly. Here’s an easy solution: put your cut-up fresh herbs in a mason jar glass filled with water, and then put the glass on the shelf. The water will keep them from browning, but you have to change it every few days—otherwise, it can get mildew in it.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading Refrigerator Organization Hacks: 6 Easy Ways to Store Your Food. Organizing your refrigerator doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, with the right tools and products, it’s possible to keep your refrigerator well organized without breaking a sweat. If you’re looking for some easy, no-hassle ways to tackle this challenge, check out the hacks above.

Refrigerator Organization Hacks: 6 Easy Ways to Store Your Food
Shakita

We live in a world where cleanliness is next to godliness. And we need to do everything that we can to make our space cleaner, more efficient and organized. If you’re the kind of person who is messy and has a hard time keeping things in order when it comes to your kitchen, living room or anywhere else for that matter, then this article is for you. In this article you are going to learn how to maximize your space with these 10 helpful small pantry organization tips!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

1. Take inventory

Don’t let those tiny spaces in your kitchen go to waste, take inventory of the items you have and make a list of what you need or want. Now that you have an idea of what is needed and not needed, it’s time to shop! But before shopping, do some research on how much space is available in your pantry so you can be more strategic with how much food you purchase. This small pantry organization step will keep your pantry from piling up with unused items over time.

2. Be sure to label everything

Labels are an essential tool for making the most of your small pantry organization. Not only do they help you find what you need at a glance when the urge strikes to bake a batch of cupcakes, but they also make it easier to find expired ingredients and restock them before you’re elbow-deep in flour with no baking soda on hand. There are many ways to label, but here’s one method that we recommend: use a label maker. This is a system that’s easy to maintain and will prove useful even as your pantry organization evolves over time.

Here’s a few ways to label your food items:

• Label by name
• Label with an expiration date
• Label the list of ingredients (for allergy purposes).

3. Get creative with small containers

Realistically, your small pantry might not have the space for all of your groceries. In that case, consider getting creative with your storage containers by switching to smaller containers for things like spices or snacks. This will help you make the most of your space without needing to throw out any perfectly good food—just store it in smaller quantities than usual. Plus, a small container is an excellent excuse to eat up those leftover chips before they get stale.

4. Store in clear bins or containers

In a small pantry, clear containers are your best friend. It’s easier to see what you have (so there’s no hoarding again), and it makes putting things away a breeze. It also keeps food fresher longer, because the lid creates an airtight seal that prevents moisture and bugs from creeping in.

Opt for clear bins or containers for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, oats, grains and rice. They’re stackable and easy to move when necessary. You can use them for cans and jars too!

5. Maximize your storage space with Lazy Susan’s

Lazy Susan’s are a must-have for your small pantry organization! These spinning wonders are a great way to store small items. You can use them in the corners of your pantry or on the shelves to store spices, canned goods and snacks. They can be found at just about any home improvement store or online.

It doesn’t matter if you have a large or small pantry, Lazy Susan’s are great for maximizing your storage space.

6. Line the shelves

A great way to make your pantry look nicer and be more functional is to use some type of contact paper or shelf liner on the shelves. This can make the shelves appear cleaner by covering stains, allow you to wipe up spills more easily and cost less than purchasing a new set of shelves. You don’t have to use boring white paper either. Shelves liners come in fun patterns and colors that can match your kitchen decor.

7. Simplify meal planning by keeping like items together

A helpful hack for small pantry organization is to keep like items together. Think about it: what’s easier, picking up a can of chicken noodle soup and knowing you have the egg noodles and broth at home, or needing to run out to buy all three ingredients? When everything you need is in the same place, you save time, money and stress.

To take this idea further, try arranging your pantry by category rather than alphabetically. Keep baking items together: flour, brown sugar, baking soda and more within reaching distance of one another. Canned fruit and vegetables are next door. Canned meats are right around the corner. Spices are right there too! You get the idea.

8. Keep your pet food in an airtight container or out of sight

While you may think it’s tempting to leave your pet food in its original bag, that actually makes it more accessible to pests. This can be true whether or not you have a pet. Since animal and people food is so similar, this can attract pets too.

Keep all of your pet food out of sight, closed up in an airtight pet food container, and off the ground on a shelf. If you want to keep your pantries looking tidy and organized, place all of your pet food in a decorative canister or bin with a seal-tight lid. You will appreciate how much less messy your pantry looks when you label and organize every last container!

9. Make your pantry functional

There are a few basic rules that apply to any small pantry organization, no matter what the room’s size or shape is. First, your pantry should be organized in such a way that those items you use most often are within easy reach and view. Meanwhile, those things you need less often should be placed in the back of the pantry.

Another rule is to put heavier items on lower shelves and lighter items above them so that it is easier for you to lift/lower them. Finally, if there are items that you use daily (for example, your coffee maker), these things should be kept on display nearby so that they can easily be accessed when needed

10. Use risers for cans and jars

Many pantries have deep shelves that make it difficult to see what’s in the back. The solution is to use risers—wire racks that elevate cans and jars so you can fit more in one spot. Risers are perfect for canned food, which tends to be heavy and bulky; they help prevent toppling by organizing items into neat rows.

If you want to take it a step further, stack smaller items on top of the cans or jars as well; then, when you take something off one of the bottom rows, you’ll find something new behind it!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading this post on “10 Helpful Small Pantry Organization to maximize your space.” Small pantry organization is ideal for people who want to make the most out of the space in their kitchen. Having proper small pantry organization can help you save so much money, improve efficiency, and even provide more space for your everyday cooking processes, too.

10 Helpful Small Pantry Organization to maximize your space
Shakita