When my husband and I moved in together, we had a small kitchen that my mom called a ‘one-butt kitchen’. It was only big enough for one person. It worked fine for everyday meals, but as we like to entertain, our serveware and extra wine glasses ended up in unusual spots around our apartment. Now, we have a bigger kitchen, but as our family has grown, we need more storage. Kid-safe plates, water bottles, and lunch gear take up more room than fancy dinnerware. I’m always looking for better ways to use the space. I asked Kate Fisher of The Neatist in Durham, North Carolina and Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out in Dallas, Texas for easy kitchen storage ideas. Here are six clever kitchen storage ideas to steal from restaurants:
1. Make Use of Magnets: The side of the fridge, which is usually magnetic, is a great surface. Fisher loves magnetic paper towel holders. Tomlin suggests magnetic racks or hooks for kitchen utensils, oven mitts, aprons, and pot and pan lids. Magnetic knife racks on the wall free up counter space. However, Fisher says magnetic spice containers don’t work well.
Joseph Joseph’s Corral for Miscellaneous Items in Bins
For the organization of hard-to-contain items such as napkins, spice packets, or cookie cutters, consider investing in clear stacking bins. These bins are ideal for smaller, oddly-shaped items as they allow visibility while preventing them from being randomly stuffed in drawers or empty spaces in cabinets. This method also helps in utilizing out-of-sight storage spaces effectively. Fisher advises, “Anytime you’re putting something in a cabinet that’s higher than eye level, it’s a good idea to put it in a container, preferably with a label—otherwise it will get lost.” Additionally, OXO’s fridge organization line can be used to keep all your food neat and decanted. Target: Utilize the Ceiling, Walls, and Door If your kitchen layout or landlord permits, a pot hanging rack above an island or in a window nook can save a significant amount of cabinet space. Even smaller hanging solutions, like a hanging fruit basket, can be used to store bulky but lightweight items like napkins or drink koozies out of drawers. Mounting a pot hanging system to the wall in a restaurant kitchen style is also suggested if space allows. An over-the-door rack can hold spices, canned goods, or smaller kitchen tools if you have a door to your kitchen. Amazon: Measure Your Drawers If you have limited kitchen drawers, measure them before purchasing an interior organizer to ensure every square inch is utilized. Tomlin warns, “Many organizers are curved, or leave just a little bit of wasted space on the sides, if you don’t get the right size.” Measuring the depth is also crucial as deep drawers may accommodate two drawer organizers. Clear the Countertops Assess your countertops and determine what is necessary and what can be stored elsewhere. Mounting items to the underside of your cabinets, such as a paper towel holder or dish towel rack, frees up space for small appliances or food preparation. The Container Store: Install Easy-Access Systems Installing a drawer-style cabinet organizer can help reach items in the back and make locating your stuff easier. Tomlin particularly recommends organizer drawers with compartments for pot lids, addressing a common complaint. For blind corner cabinets, consider a pull-out drawer organization system to access bulky pots and pans more easily. Amazon: 7 Kitchen Cabinet Styles to Consider for Your Next Remodel Add Some Wheels Fisher advocates for storage solutions on wheels, especially for small spaces. A small rolling island in the kitchen can add storage and surface area for cooking or entertaining. Alternatively, a narrow freestanding cabinet on wheels can slide into wasted space between a cabinet and refrigerator.Pottery Barn offers Elevate Cutting Boards. Cutting and serving boards look great stacked up against a backsplash, but they take up counter space. Hooked shelves can latch on to the bottom of your cabinet and provide extra shelving for cutting boards, cookbooks, and utensils. They’re removable for easy rotation around your kitchen.
Amazon has ideas for making use of your sink area. Your sink takes up a lot of room. By layering handy products on top, it can do more than just drain. A mat rolls over the sink to create an instant drying rack. You can add a caddy for dish and hand soaps or a smaller edge mat to keep sponges dry when not in use. Amazon recommends replacing bulky packaging. Food packaging takes up space, so experts suggest decanting pantry ingredients into clear canisters. The same applies to other kitchen supplies like parchment, freezer paper, and food storage bags. A nifty organizer keeps these things together without bulky boxes. Amazon/Youcopia suggests investing in items that stack and nest. You probably know about nesting bowls and food storage containers, but there are also options for small space storage-friendly bakeware, cookware, and utensils. Don’t forget the corners. Kitchen counter corners can store a lot if used properly. Invest in a tiered corner shelf for cooking oils, pinch bowls, and spices. Amazon offers thinking outside the kitchen. Bar carts in the dining or living room are not just a design trend but also extend storage. An etagere, buffet, or bookshelf in the dining area can house lesser-used items like serving trays, small appliances, or bakeware. Remember that organizing your kitchen is an ongoing process. Reuse what you have before buying new. If you have bins or hooks, you can change their use. There are 7 things you can purge from your kitchen cabinets without a second thought.
