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.
