Is your kitchen clutter getting out of hand? Whether you’re a home cook or simply someone who enjoys an aesthetically pleasing space, a well-organized kitchen can make all the difference in your daily life. From maximizing counter space to optimizing storage, the key to a harmonious kitchen is intentional organization. In this article, we’ll share innovative, DIY, foolproof strategies for transforming your culinary zone into an area of inspiration and efficiency. Whether you’re dealing with extra plates, overflowing spice racks, or disorganized drawers, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into some tips that will revolutionize your kitchen experience!
Towel Holders
Whenever you wash dishes, you inevitably end up with a soggy dish towel. Typically, the dish towel will be hung over the side of the sink, or over the faucet. That means that some water might drip down and get the floor wet.
To avoid this, simply install a small sponge and towel holder in the sink. It will keep the dish towel and sponges from dripping all over the place. This also leaves your counters free.
Place Clingy Liners in Drawers
Maintain order in your kitchen drawers with the help of clingy liners, perfect for keeping non-uniform tools like whisks, spatulas, and measuring cups in place. Clingy liners prevent items from rolling around, creating chaos, and making it difficult to find what you need. Select a liner material that complements your kitchen’s style, such as silicone or fabric, and cut it to fit your drawers perfectly.
In addition to providing stability for your tools, liners protect your drawers from scratches and spills, making cleanup a breeze. Pair your clingy liners with drawer dividers or organizers for a more streamlined storage system. Embrace this simple solution to keep your kitchen drawers tidy and well-ordered.
Labeling: The Key to an Organized Kitchen
Embrace the power of labeling to create a meticulously organized kitchen. Use a label maker to clearly mark food storage containers, spice jars, and pantry shelves, making locating and distinguishing between similar items like all-purpose and cake flour effortless. Keep your label maker easily accessible in a designated organizer bin or drawer with extra-label tape and batteries.
Extend your labeling efforts to other kitchen areas, such as drawers, cabinets, or bins, to help maintain an orderly space everyone can easily navigate. Investing in a label maker and consistently using it will create a more efficient and organized kitchen that’s a pleasure to cook in.
Kitchen Command Center: Organization Hub
Consolidate your family’s paperwork, mail, and reminders into a functional, organized kitchen command center. Transform a refrigerator cabinet side, wall space, or inside of a pantry door into an organizational hub by incorporating built-in bins, a bulletin board, a dry-erase calendar, and a clock. Customize the space with your choice of colors and materials, making it a stylish addition to your kitchen.
This DIY project maximizes otherwise wasted space while fostering organization, ensuring that important reminders, bills, and schedules are easily accessible for the entire family. Establishing a centralized command center will create a more streamlined and efficient home environment, reducing the chaos from disorganization.
Transform a drawer into a recycling center
Since recycling has become an integral part of our lives and every kitchen already boasts a designated area for recycling plastic, glass, etc., the next idea could be the solution for an existing kitchen or a small kitchen where it is impossible to assign a designated recycling area.
Instead of keeping bins and more bins under your sink, you can use this 4-compartment “recycling center” idea, which you can find in hardware stores and woodworking shops. It can be hidden inside a drawer like a trashcan so that you won’t have any clutter in your kitchen.
A Coffee Nook
Hotels always have a nice little coffee nook set up with a coffee maker or Nespresso, along with some sugar and cream. It keeps everything contained, which is one of the reasons they organize it like that. Your home can have a coffee nook as well.
It will make it easy to keep it stocked, and all of your guests will know where to grab a quick cup of coffee when they come over. You can also add a cookie jar, if you want your guests to have a snack.
Install Expandable Shelves in Cabinets
An easy way to increase the space in your kitchen is to use an expandable or pullout shelf. It is pretty simple to make and can be found for as low as $50.
The additional shelves can be made of wood or metal and can be added to either side of the cabinet. You can store cups, plates, or storage boxes in them, freeing up space on the counter and creating a tidy kitchen.
Hang Items on the Wall
This is a solution to clearing the space in your kitchen by hanging on the wall all the possible items like foldable chairs, brooms, and mops.
Add to your walls some pegs or hooks. After the hooks or pegs have been screwed to the wall, you can hang different items, giving you more walking space while having a more organized kitchen.
Solution for Cans
This organizer is a bit tough to set up, but it’s worth the effort since. You will need to attach two small pieces of wood to a big one.
With this, you can roll down cans between the two wooden lattices attached to the bigger one. Of course, if you can’t build it by yourself, you can hire a professional to work for you.
More space in the kitchen
A slide-out pantry is a perfect solution in the space between the fridge and the wall. This adorable and functional food pantry built into the six inches gives you great space use.
Consider how much material may be crammed into a place that would otherwise be unused. Because each can or food container must be placed lengthwise, it’s also incredibly easy to keep orderly. Every space counts in a small apartment.
A Fresh Pantry
A well-stocked pantry is necessary for anyone who bakes and cooks a lot. Making sure that everything is in its place is important, but what’s more important is making sure everything is fresh.
To make sure everything in the pantry is used by the best by date, you want to bring the older spices, and foods to the front of the pantry. All new spices, and non-perishables should be placed at the back of the cabinet.
Dimsum Storage
Onions and garlic need to be stored in dark open-air containers. It keeps them from getting soft and mushy. Most people opt to leave them in paper bags, and place them in cabinets but there is a much more aesthetically pleasing option.
Bamboo steaming baskets used for Dim Sum, and pork buns make an excellent storage container. It keeps the onions and garlic in a dark space, while giving them room to breathe.
Reuse Cereal Boxes
As soon as you finish off your cereal box, stop yourself from throwing it in the recycling box. The stiff cardboard can be repurposed into a storage box for seasonings. All you need to do is cut the box in half, paint it a nice color that matches your decor, and add a label.
The box can be placed in your cupboard, and keep your seasonings organized for when you need to use them next. No need to shuffle through everything in your cupboard if you have these.
Cookbook Holders
One Ikea item that most people have in their kitchens are the spice racks. Not only are they easy to install, but they look very modern. If you buy three of these, you can attach them to the side of your cabinets, and paint them to match.
They make the perfect cookbook holders, for all of your most used ones. It’s also nice to add a bit of color to an all-white kitchen, with the covers of your favorite cookbooks.
Cutlery Jars
Cutlery tends to be placed in drawers, and if you don’t use a cutlery sorter then it can be all jumbled together. This looks messy, and it is hard to keep the drawer clean. Mason jars can be used to store different types of cutlery.
For example, knives will have their own jar, as will spoons. You can dress-up the mason jars, and paint them a cool color, like opaque white. Some raffia ribbon can be tied or wrapped around them for some added flair.
A Plate Display
Some people have china hutches, in which all of their expensive plates are put on display. This is a pretty out of date piece of furniture, and a more updated look is through floating shelves.
Floating shelves can be drilled into the wall, and painted a color that matches the plates. Then, each plate can be laid flat on the shelf, and displayed for everyone to see. This has the added bonus of saving cupboard space.
The Condiment Caddy
A six pack of beer may not seem that usable, but it definitely is. Once you polish off those cold brews, save the carrying box that they came in.
The caddy box can be repainted and turned into a holder for condiments. Most bottles of ketchup, sriracha, soya sauce, and hot sauce are roughly the same size as a bottle of beer.
Hanging Fruit Basket
It’s a lot of fun to go to fruit stands, and pick out the produce that you want. Now you can bring that idea home with you.
It’s easy to create a hanging fruit produce stand in your kitchen. All you need is a plank of wood, some metal baskets, and some fresh fruit to fill them up.
PVC Pipe Spice Rack
A DIY spice rack using 3/4″ PVC pipe sections and caps offers a cost-effective, space-saving solution for spice storage. Cut four 3-inch sections per rack, carving 1/4″ notches for the wire shelves. These shelves snugly fit in these notches, creating an easy-access spice display. To install, start with drilling a hole for the topmost pipe section and secure it with a molly bolt. This section will bear the most weight and needs to be screwed into the wall for stability.
Follow by hanging two wire shelves from the notches and cap the pipe section. Mark the positions of the remaining corners on the wall, and mount these pipe sections similarly to the first one, but nail them instead of screwing. Your PVC pipe spice rack is not just practical, but also adds a touch of minimalist decor to your kitchen, showcasing your spices neatly and stylishly.
A DIY Island
Buying an island for the kitchen can be pretty pricey. Especially if you want one with a nice wooden or granite countertop. If you have an old dresser that you’re no longer using, this can be upcycled into a kitchen island.
All it needs are some wheels, a paint job, and a new countertop. This is a fun weekend project.
A kitchen organizer for baggies, wraps, and foil boxes
An organized kitchen is key to a stress-free cooking and meal preparation experience. One aspect that can be challenging to keep tidy is the collection of baggies, wraps, and foil boxes. These items are essential for food storage and preservation but can easily create clutter in your kitchen. A kitchen organizer specifically designed for baggies, wraps, and foil boxes is the solution to solve this problem.
This type of organizer is typically made from sturdy materials, such as plastic or metal, and features multiple compartments to neatly store these items. With the different compartments, you can sort and store the items by size or type, making it easy to find exactly what you need when you need it. This organizer keeps your kitchen tidy and clutter-free, saves time, and reduces frustration by making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Plus, its compact design can easily be stored in a cabinet, pantry, or shelf, freeing up valuable counter space.
A Wall Spice Rack
Spices tend to be put haphazardly into cabinets, which can make locating specific spices quite time-consuming. To deal with all of that clutter, simply install some spice racks onto the door of your pantry or cupboard.
Each one will be on display, and it will be a lot easier to find what you need in seconds rather than minutes.
Drawer Liners
Drawer liners are a cornerstone of meticulous home organization, safeguarding drawers and shelves from wear and tear while keeping contents neatly in place. Beyond their protective features against stains, water damage, and scratches, liners significantly contribute to an orderly environment.
They are especially valued for their ability to prevent items from sliding, ensuring everything stays organized and easily accessible. Removable and easy to clean, liners also offer the flexibility to update the look and feel of your drawers without hassle. By incorporating drawer liners, you effortlessly enhance the cleanliness and organization of your home, making them a simple yet transformative tool for any space.
Multi-Level Selective Trash Can
The Multi-Level Selective Trash Can revolutionizes kitchen organization by offering a smart, space-saving solution for waste separation. Designed with multiple compartments, each level is dedicated to a different type of trash—wet food, dry food, cans, and more—making recycling a breeze.
Its intuitive design ensures easy assembly and effortless emptying, preventing odors from permeating your kitchen. This innovative trash can not only keeps your space tidy but also encourages eco-friendly practices. With its sleek design, it seamlessly integrates into any kitchen decor, proving that functionality and style can go hand in hand.
Grab-and-Go Wall Basket
The Grab-and-Go Wall Basket is a game-changer for kitchen efficiency and organization. Mounted on the wall, it serves as a convenient catch-all for items in transit. Whether you’re packing a meal to take to a friend’s house or gathering ingredients and utensils used in meal preparation, this basket streamlines the process.
Its design allows for easy detachment, enabling you to carry its contents to your next destination effortlessly. By reducing clutter and saving time, the Grab-and-Go Wall Basket helps maintain a tidy kitchen and supports a seamless cooking experience. It’s the perfect accessory for busy cooks looking to keep their kitchen space organized and their workflow smooth.
Hidden Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are hard kitchen items to store. They either need to lay flat, or on their side but then they fall over. To deal with this, attach a small holder for them on the inside of a cupboard door.
This will keep them from falling and free up space in your cabinets for other items. Plus, it just looks nice and organized this way.
Hanging Utensils
Utensils like soup spoons, spatulas, and pizza cutters tend to all get placed haphazardly in a drawer. This can make it difficult to find the exact utensil you need when you want it.
To fix this, all you need to do is purchase some metal hooks and hang your utensils from your pot rack. That will keep them right where you need them!
Transform a Magazine Holder into a Spaghetti Storage Solution
Ever find yourself digging through cluttered cabinets to find that elusive box of spaghetti? Well, say goodbye to pantry chaos and hello to an ingenious, space-saving hack! All you need is an unused magazine holder and a bit of ingenuity.
Simply place your magazine holder on its side and stack your spaghetti boxes vertically within it. The sturdy structure of the holder keeps the boxes neatly organized, making it a cinch to grab what you need. It’s not just space-efficient but also visually appealing, transforming your pantry or kitchen shelf into an oasis of order. But wait, there’s more! This trick doesn’t just work for spaghetti. You can also use it for organizing other long-shaped items like linguini or rice noodles. A magazine holder can even hold your aluminum foil and cling wrap boxes, turning your pantry into a realm of unparalleled neatness.
Organize Extra Plates and Glasses with Custom Wooden Storage
One innovative way to keep your extra plates and glasses organized and safe is by using custom wooden storage solutions. For plates, wooden slates can be installed vertically, creating snug compartments that prevent the plates from touching each other, thus eliminating the risk of chipping. The natural wood not only looks stylish but is also sturdy enough to hold the weight of multiple plates.
For glasses and mugs, consider fitted holes in a wooden platform. This will keep them upright and easy to access, all while preventing accidental knocks that could lead to breakage. The wooden design offers a rustic, yet modern touch to your kitchen and ensures that your extra dinnerware is not just stored, but showcased.
Easy DIY: Trash Bags on a Roll for Under-the-Sink Storage
There’s always that one place in the kitchen where clutter seems to naturally congregate: the space under the sink. It’s the Bermuda Triangle of the kitchen, where items go to be lost, never to be seen again. What You’ll Need: 3/4″ Curtain Rod Brackets (2 sets), 5/8 x 48″ Wooden Dowel, Rustoleum Flat White Spray Paint, Saw (for cutting the dowel), Hand Sander (for smoothing dowel edges), Measuring Tape, Screwdriver, Level, Pencil.
Instructions: 1. Cut your wooden dowel to the desired length. If you want to store multiple types of bags, you might need more than one dowel. Smooth out the edges using a hand sander to avoid snagging your trash bags later; 2. While the dowel is drying, measure and mark where you’ll place the brackets under the sink. Use a level to ensure they are straight and aligned, then drill small holes in the markings; 3. Using a screwdriver, securely attach the brackets to the underside of the sink; 4. This part might require a little patience. As you’re threading the dowel through the hole in the trash bag roll, some bags might pop out. No worries! Just place these in the bottom of your trash can; 5. Once your dowel is through, hang it on the brackets.
Save Leftover Ingredients
Sometimes, you have some large bags of baking ingredients like flour, baking soda, and baking powder left over. Keeping an open bag in your cupboard can cause the ingredients to lose their freshness and go stale.
Old containers, like beverage bottles, can be used to store whatever you have left over in your cupboard. You just need a funnel to get all of the ingredients inside the bottle and store them away.
DIY: Transforming a Used Cabinet into a Stunning Cast Iron Cookware Display
Breathe new life into a pre-loved cabinet by converting it into an attractive and functional cast iron cookware display. Materials Needed: Used cabinet (preferably solid wood); Sandpaper (medium and fine grit); Wood stain or paint (color of your choice); Paintbrushes or foam brushes; Clear protective finish (polyurethane or similar); Hooks or brackets for hanging cookware (heavy-duty, suitable for cast iron); Screwdriver or drill; Measuring tape; Level; Pencil. Instructions: Sanding – Sand the entire cabinet with medium-grit sandpaper to remove old paint or varnish and create a rough surface for the new stain or paint to adhere to;
Staining or Painting – Apply your chosen wood stain or paint color to the cabinet using a paintbrush or foam brush, following the manufacturer’s instructions; Applying Protective Finish – Once the stain or paint completely dries, apply a clear protective finish (such as polyurethane) to seal and protect the wood; Installing Hooks or Brackets – Measure and mark the desired locations for your hooks or brackets, ensuring they are evenly spaced and level. Use a screwdriver or drill to securely attach the hooks or brackets to the cabinet, ensuring they can support the weight of your cast iron cookware; Assembling the Display – Once the hooks or brackets are installed, arrange your cast iron cookware pieces on the cabinet display. Hang larger items, such as skillets or Dutch ovens, on the hooks or brackets, while smaller items can be placed on shelves or directly on the cabinet surface.
Just Add A Magazine Rack
Magazine racks aren’t just for living rooms. If you have some cutting boards or large cooking books, you might want to consider drilling a magazine rack into the side of a cabinet.
These add a lot of extra storage for narrow items, and free up space in cupboards for bulkier kitchen supplies. You can paint the magazine rack to make it match your decor.
Grab Your Labeler
Anyone who has ever owned a labeler knows how great they are. You can pick the font you want, and the size of whatever words you want to print. When it comes to your fridge, it can be hard for people to know how you want it organized.
Add some labels to the various compartments, like dairy, fruits, and veggies, etc. This will help anyone putting groceries away, to know exactly where to place them.
Pallet Shelves
Kitchen cabinetry is expensive, especially if you want the ones made of real wood. Instead of shelling out the big bucks, you can use wooden pallets as shelving. Pallets are free, and if you cut them into thirds, they can easily be nailed to the wall for study shelving.
From there, you can place your pots, and pants on top of them.
Pasta Jars
Most food comes in boxes, especially pasta. These boxes take up a lot of space, and need to be stored in a cupboard or a pantry. If you have a large island, or a lot of counter space you should be using it as storage.
One way to do this is with jars. These come in all different shapes and sizes, and will fit all of your pasta nicely. On top of that, the sealed lid keeps pasta fresh.
Magnetic Spice Rack
Traditionally, spice racks tend to be little shelving units or even circular spice jar holders. These take up a lot of counter space. The sides of most fridges are magnetic, and if you have an open side you should buy some magnetic spice containers.
All of your spices can be stuck to the fridge for easy access. Ikea has a lot of different magnetic containers to choose from.
Just Add Shelves
Most kitchen cabinets are designed to have between two and three shelves. The assumption is that people will simply stack their plates and bowls inside of one another. However, a lot of people don’t even have that many dishes to stack.
You can remove the shelves in your cabinets, measure a couple of additional shelves, and then place them all inside. The extra shelves will give you a ton of new space.
The Hidden Dispenser
Paper towel is one of those kitchen accessories that every kitchen needs. You never know when there will be a spill to clean-up or some grease that needs to be blotted off of bacon.
You can leave a roll of it on the counter, or you can create a special drawer dispenser for it. This will hide it away, yet still give you easy access to it whenever you need it.
Cookbook On Deck
While a lot of us like to use the internet to find recipes, a good old fashioned cookbook still has its charm. These recipes are tried and true.
To give you better access to your cookbook while cooking up a storm, install a retractable book holder. It will give you the option to pull your open book out, or push it away for later.
A Fridge Storage Rack
Like the pantry, a metal or canvas storage rack can be added to the side of your fridge. You will need to secure it to the top of your fridge with magnets, or some well-placed hooks.
The best rack to add, is one that also has hooks. These are great for hanging keys off of, and other odds and ends that are found in the kitchen.
Install Cabinet Dividers
Large cabinets can be hard to store baking equipment in. If you have a lot of baking sheets, muffin tins, and casserole dishes stacking them on top of each other can be a bad use of space. Installing vertical dividers in a cabinet, makes it easy to slide in baking sheets like you would a record.
These dividers can be made out of thin sheets of plywood, or plastic sheets. You will need to add plastic holders to keep the new dividers standing upright. All of these items can be found at any hardware store, and if you need a few tips on how to properly install them, check out some YouTube tutorials.
Mason Jar Magic
By now, we all know that mason jars make amazing storage containers. But there is one further way you can store your mason jars. If you add screw tops underneath your cabinetry, you can screw your mason jars into the bottom of a cabinet.
This removes them from your counter, and creates a lot of extra space which can be used for things like small appliances.
Clip-On Shelves
Kitchen stores have all sorts of goods, which can be used to add some extra space in your fridge. Clip-on shelves have to be one of the greatest inventions out there.
They easily slide onto your existing shelves, and create little drawers that you can put sandwiches in, or anything else small. Plus, these little shelves are cheap, and come in a variety of fun colors.
Hideaway Bins
In this day and age, we all have bins for trash, recycling, and compost. These can take up a lot of space, but there is a way to avoid this. Install a holder for your trash, recycling, and compost bins underneath your counter in a cabinet. This will make it easy to pull them out to throw stuff in, but also to remove the bags when they are full.
By tucking them away, you save a lot of space, and keep some of the less enticing smells hidden away. A good way to keep track of which bin is which, is to color code them. You don’t want to accidentally throw compost in with your recycling.
Appliance Nooks
Appliances like blenders, toasters, and milk foamers aren’t used everyday. That means they need to be stored away, otherwise they just sit out on the counter taking up space. The best place to store them is off to the side, underneath a cabinet on the counter.
This keeps them tucked away. If you want them hidden, you can build a foldable wall that covers them and keeps them out of sight. They will always be ready to use this way.
DIY Flatware Tray
If you are frustrated with how the silverware keeps sliding from its places in the drawer due to a weak grip, you could build your flatware tray.
You could use a good piece of wood to shape out a tray with a satisfying grip. Try also modifying the old tray to increase the gripping strength by either technical methods or laying down mats on top of the tray to improve the grip applied on the small forks and spoons.
A Special Chopping Board
Chopping up vegetables is a lot of work. You need to select a chopping board, peel the skins off the vegetables, and get to work with the chopping. Most of the time, the bits you don’t use like skins, end up in the sink.
Special wooden chopping boards have been created to be placed over the sink itself. This keeps all of the mess in the sink, which makes clean-up after food preparation a lot easier.
A Clothespin Napkin Holder
Not all storage needs to be about saving space. Sometimes DIY projects can be fun, and about creating something artistic. This napkin holder was made out of deconstructed clothespins, that were glued together to create a fan pattern.
Most people don’t leave their napkins lying around, but this is a cute way to keep them stored together. It’s also a good weekend project to keep busy with. Keep all of your old clothespins when they break.
Special Knife Storage
Traditional knife blocks are a good way to store knives, but there are some innovative ways that work too. If you have a wooden countertop, you can cut slots of different sizes into the top of it.
Knives can be placed with blades down them, and it makes it very easy to access them. One thing to be aware of before embarking on this project is to make sure that no shelves or cupboards are used underneath where the knives are. Nobody wants to get cut!
Add a Functional Backsplash
A pegboard backsplash is an excellent idea to add storage and display space to your kitchen and can be used to hang kitchen tools and utensils. As per the design, you can keep it as is from the store or upgrade it by painting and matching it to your kitchen’s color palette.
In addition to kitchen utensils, notes or various decorations can be hung on it depending on the season or the upcoming holiday. The panels can be attached to the wall using inexpensive hooks purchased at the hardware store.
A Slide-Out Holder for Ziploc Bags
How many times have cheeses been bought, lost somewhere in the fridge, and found after it already expired? This happened multiple times to many of us, and it’s the worst path to throw away food you love. This handy little slide-out holder is great for organizing Ziploc bags.
Place your cheeses or other products in Ziploc bags and arrange them in the order of expiration. Simply pull them out and get the food that you desire. Then push them back in. It’s simple and efficient.
Vintage locker + extra shelves = your new pantry
A locker or a small storage unit is a great and inexpensive idea to create the pantry you have always dreamed of. We recommend adding shelves to this classic but rugged relic to maximize storage space. The locker’s metal construction makes it a great place to store spices. You can purchase five packs of magnetic tins for a few dollars.
Magnetic hooks can also be used. This is not the end of the story. Hang a calendar, a whiteboard, or embarrassing photo booth strips. After you’re done, you can bask in the glory that you are the only one with a kitchen cupboard as cool as your high school years.
Refrigerator Organization Mastery
Elevate your refrigerator organization with these clever strategies. Group items by type, such as beverages, dairy, leftovers, and produce, to create a harmonious space. Enhance functionality by introducing clear bins, baskets, trays, and turntables for easy access and visibility. Don’t forget to utilize adjustable shelves to accommodate different-sized items.
Additionally, consider labeling shelves or sections to simplify locating foods and encourage the whole family to maintain the system. Lastly, regularly declutter your refrigerator by keeping an eye on expiration dates and removing spoiled items. With these simple yet effective tips, your fridge will become a well-organized, efficient space that’s a pleasure to use.
Open Shelves: Charm and Practicality
Open shelves bring charm and practicality to any kitchen, maximizing wall space while providing accessible storage. Adorn them with cookbooks, elegant serving bowls, dishes, or stylish stemware for an attractive display. Arrange items by function and color for an organized and aesthetically pleasing appearance. To maintain cleanliness, dust the shelves regularly and keep the items clean.
Add hooks beneath the shelves for hanging utensils or mugs, further increasing storage capacity. Open shelves also offer the opportunity to showcase your unique style, whether you prefer a minimalist look or an eclectic mix of decor. Embrace open shelves to create a kitchen space that is both beautiful and functional.
Corner Storage: Unlocking Hidden Potential
Unlock the potential of corner storage with the ultimate space-saver: a lazy Susan. Removing the corner door gives homeowners easy visibility and access to snug cabinet spaces. Positioned next to the oven, a lazy Susan becomes the perfect storage solution for pots, pans, and baking essentials like sugar and flour.
Alternatively, use it to store canned goods, spices, or small appliances, maximizing space efficiency. For an added touch, consider labeling the different sections, making it even simpler to locate items when needed. Whether it’s a freestanding unit or built into your cabinetry, a lazy Susan is a versatile and effective way to optimize those tricky corner cabinets in your kitchen.
Hidden Storage in Unexpected Places
Discover hidden storage opportunities in your kitchen by transforming idle spaces, such as the area below a built-in banquette. Deep drawers offer a convenient spot for extra table linens, placemats, and napkins. At the same time, open storage options can be achieved through cubbies or shelves beneath the seat. For a cohesive look, match the style and color of the storage with the rest of your kitchen decor.
Alternatively, turn empty wall space into a functional storage area by installing hooks for hanging pots, pans, or utensils. Use underutilized areas, like the sides of cabinets, to install racks or magnetic strips for knives and spice containers. You can uncover hidden storage potential in your kitchen with a bit of creativity.
Prep Station Perfection
Upgrade your meal prep experience with a dedicated prep station that streamlines your cooking process. Invest in a custom pullout cutting board with built-in knife storage below, or create a designated prep area on your countertop with a high-quality cutting board and easily accessible utensils. Locate your prep station near the sink for easy washing of fruits and vegetables and close to a trash or compost bin for effortless disposal of scraps.
Organize your prep space with commonly used ingredients, such as oils and spices, within reach. This dedicated area increases efficiency and helps maintain a cleaner and more organized kitchen by containing prep activities in one spot, making your cooking experience more enjoyable.
Make Your Own Cabinets
Expand your kitchen storage options with DIY cabinets, even if you’re not a skilled craftsman. Repurpose items like a large bread box, bookshelf, or shelving unit with a door to create additional cabinet space. Eliminate clutter on countertops by storing appliances, cookware, or pantry items in your new cabinets, and utilize the top portion for even more storage. To create a cohesive look, paint or finish the cabinets to match your kitchen decor.
Add decorative hardware or unique elements that reflect your style for a more personalized touch. With some creativity and resourcefulness, you can craft custom cabinets that increase your kitchen storage and contribute to a more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.
Storage Bins
A well-stocked pantry is an important thing to have for any cook. You never know when you are going to need a can of tomatoes or a box of pasta. Storage is important, and a pantry that doesn’t have labeled bins is not a well-organized one.
Consider investing in some plastic bins or baskets to easily organize all of your foodstuffs. You will thank yourself for doing this the next time you cook up a big meal and are able to find everything you need.
A Ceiling Rack
Pots and pans take up a lot of space in cabinets and drawers. The solution for this is to make a ceiling rack which all of your pans and pots can be hung from. To do this, you need a wooden ladder, some metal hooks, and a couple of planks of wood that can be placed on top.
This makes an extra shelf for you to store some pots and odds and ends on. Just make sure that the chains holding up the ceiling rack are strong enough to hold the weight of everything you hang on the rack.
Keep Your Pot Lids Handy
Potlids are one of the hardest items to store. If they’re made of glass, then you have to be very careful not to break them. Most people will store them on top of pots, but that makes it hard to stack pots inside of one another.
Small strips of wood can be nailed to the inside of cupboard doors, and the pot lids slide into them. That keeps them safe and out of the way.
Compartmentalize Drawers
Sometimes, all it takes are some well-placed partitions to turn a drawer from messy to organized. We all have that one drawer which is chock full of random pieces of cutlery and utensils.
To deal with the chaos, add some compartments and designate spots for your utensils. That will create organized chaos in your kitchen and make your drawer game strong.
Mason Jar Storage
People who have rustic homes likely have a few unused mason jars in their kitchens. Different-sized mason jars can be attached to a piece of old wood and used to store utensils. To make this storage system, all you need is a nice piece of rustic wood, three mason jars of varying sizes, and metal jar holders.
To update this look, you could opt for colored mason jars and paint the piece of wood white. This would create a more artsy hipster look rather than a rustic one. If space isn’t an issue, the mason jars also work as a living wall with the addition of a few plants like ivy.
Organize Tupperware
When it comes to Tupperware, most people have a drawer dedicated to the various lids and containers. Organizing them is a real chore, but creating a good system for it can be difficult.
The best way to organize a Tupperware drawer is to create holders for the containers and a rack for the lids. That way, everything is kept in its place and won’t move around in the drawer. It will also be easier to locate everything, rather than shuffling through all of the containers.
A Lazy Susan
Lazy Susans are usually placed on top of the dining room or kitchen tables. Condiments and different dishes can be placed on them and then spun around for easy serving. Using a lazy susan in a refrigerator is a great way to save some space and make hard-to-reach condiments easier to find.
Most people just put their condiments wherever there is space, which can make things messy looking. Some strategically placed lazy susans will make your fridge as efficient as possible.
The Clean Cutting Board
When it comes time to chop up vegetables, you always have to decide whether to do it on the counter or by the sink. Inevitably, there will be a bit of a mess, which is why this pull-out cutting board is a great hack.
You can throw everything you don’t want to use into the hole and straight into the bin. This will keep your chopping area clean and make cleaning up nice and easy. Plus, it just tucks away, which saves on space.