How Do I Add Storage to My Kitchen?
Add storage to a kitchen by organizing utensils and food and adding storage tools. Use storage tools like drawer inserts, door organizers, undershelf baskets, can racks, plate racks, cabinet lazy susans, pull-out trash cans and recycling bins, bakeware organizers and food storage containers to create designated spaces for everything in your kitchen and create extra space. Add shelving or cabinets to create more storage space, add a kitchen island and consider installing a false-front drawer in front of the sink to stow sponges.
What Is the Best Way to Organize Kitchen Cabinets?
Begin organizing kitchen cabinets by sorting your crockery, food and other items in your cabinets. Put aside items you no longer use to give away or donate. Then categorize your items and decide where you would like them to go in your cabinets, considering how often and where in the kitchen you tend to use these items to maximize efficiency. Once you've determined where to store everything, use storage baskets and bins, food storage containers, cabinet organizers and a spice rack to create a designated space for every item.
How Do You Decide Where to Put Things in Kitchen Cabinets?
Begin reorganizing cabinets by envisioning where items belong. Use sticky notes to label cabinets and drawers, considering what works well in your current arrangement and what needs to change. Reflect on times when you've struggled to find an item or had to keep walking back and forth between the stove or refrigerator and cabinets, then imagine how you could make it easier to access those items. A rule of thumb is to keep cooking utensils close to the stove, dishes and glasses near the sink, eating utensils close to the countertop, heavy items on lower shelves, and items you use less frequently on higher shelves.
What Is the Most Efficient Way to Organize a Kitchen?
Efficient kitchen storage is about keeping items accessible and organized. Store kitchen items near the place where you use them most. Plates, glasses, mugs and food storage products should be kept near the sink and/or dishwasher, while pots and pans should be close to the stove. Keep silverware near the countertop (usually in a drawer) and heavy items in low cabinets. Organize cleaning supplies under the sink and keep paper towels near the sink. Use countertop containers for essential cooking tools and create a designated space near your stove for spices and olive oil. Clear plastic organizers store items while providing a visual of what's inside, and drawer organizers help separate items for usability.
Shelve It
Put wall space to work with wall shelves, which provide storage space while opening up the kitchen. Hang wall shelves as companions to cabinets or as unexpected alternatives. Shelves keep serving dishes, mixing bowls and cookbooks out of the way. Choose between floating wall shelves or more traditional bracketed shelves, depending on your kitchen's style.
If you're looking for more opportunities to customize shelving, another option is to create your own! Learn to build your own floating shelving, bracketed shelving, open shelving and wrap-around shelving.
Shelves require more upkeep than cabinets since any disorganization will be visible. If organization isn't your strong point, either stick with cabinets or only store a few items on shelves.
Island Living
Any space is valuable in a busy kitchen, and floor space is no different. A kitchen island makes excellent use of your floor space, giving you an area for baking, food prep and serving. Make the island work even harder for you by offering additional seating.
Are you short on square footage? Look for smaller islands or compact, rollaway kitchen carts that provide storage and organization space when you need them. Some even feature drop-leaf counter space and hideaway stools. Or, you can build your own kitchen cart.
Elevate Your Pots and Pans
A pot rack shows off your cookware, makes it easy to reach, helps prevent dings and dents and adds a vertical design element to your kitchen. You can find small wall-mount pot racks, or if you have the space, opt for a ceiling-mount rack. Want some extra sparkle? Find one with integrated lighting.
Dapper Drawers and Clean Cabinets
While you’re upgrading your kitchen storage, don’t forget to organize drawers and cabinets. Kitchen drawer organizers create neat spaces for silverware and kitchen tools. Combine small and large inserts to fit your drawers and stow all of your kitchen tools, choosing between plastic, wood and metal options. Drawer dividers separate sections of drawers and give greater flexibility. Pull-out and wall- or door-mount trays and baskets can help you arrange garbage and recycling bins, dry goods, food storage containers, cleaning supplies and other kitchen necessities. Storage bins and baskets, can racks and cabinet Lazy Susans are another way to manage kitchen supplies and food. For added organization, label bins and shelves with chalkboard labels or a label maker, ensuring every member of the household knows where to store and find each item.
Learn to install cabinet organizers to customize and maximize your storage space.
Clear plastic organizers allow you to easily see what's in each container. Use clear containers for food and tools in drawers and cabinets for easier access.
Overhaul the Pantry
An unorganized pantry not only looks messy, but it’s also a missed opportunity to make the best use of the space. Transform a messy pantry into a tidy and functional storage space for canned goods, seasonings and spices, canned vegetables and more.
More Organization Ideas
If you need more kitchen organization ideas that balance function and form, you’re in luck.
- Knives don’t have to stay hidden in a drawer. Cutlery with a knife storage block or magnetic knife bar turns these implements into décor while keeping them organized and out of the way.
- If you have an open wall in your kitchen, a sideboard, credenza or buffet creates a functional foundation for your shelving. Cabinet and drawer space lets you tuck away table linens, silverware and serving dishes, while the top gives you space for staging dishes and drinkware or displaying artwork.
- Install a pegboard for efficient storage that's just at your fingertips. Hooks and baskets can hold pots and pans and utensils, creating a modern look. For the ultimate utilitarian storage, modify this pegboard wall for kitchen storage.
Still trying to figure out what kitchen storage works best for you? Explore more kitchen organization ideas.