Corner Storage Solutions - How To Add A Pantry In A Tiny Kitchen

Finding clever storage solutions for a small kitchen can feel like an impossible puzzle. Cabinets and countertops take up precious real estate, leaving little room for the pantry of your dreams. But don't tear out your existing kitchen just yet! With some creative thinking outside the box, you can carve out space for organized food storage even in the tiniest kitchen.

From building in clever custom nooks to repurposing furniture you already own, you'll discover that a pint-sized pantry is within reach. Read on to maximize every inch of your confined square footage.

Assessing Your Kitchen's Storage Situation

Before launching into a pantry project, take time to analyze your kitchen's current storage shortcomings. Is there an underutilized area where you could add shelves or cabinets? Do certain items like canned goods or baking sheets lack a designated home? Figure out what you need to store in your pantry to determine the best storage configurations.

Pay attention to where disorder creeps up in your kitchen. Is the space near the backdoor cluttered with leftover takeout boxes and water bottles? Does the area next to the fridge become a magnet for produce and leftovers? Pinpoint these problem zones to target your storage revamp.

Prime Placement Possibilities for DIY Built-Ins

Built-in cabinetry and shelving seamlessly blends storage into your existing layout. Even narrow, shallow spaces can house surprising amounts of items with some clever carpentry. Here are some ideal spots to construct permanent pantry storage:

• Between cabinets or appliances
• Inside unused corner nooks
• Next to the fridge or stove
• Near the backdoor, garage entry or doorway arches
• Inside repurposed coat closets or broom closets
• On the back of existing cabinets as pull-out storage

Maximizing Forgotten Nooks and Crannies

Most small kitchens have a few awkward, confined spaces that sit empty. An unused sliver next to your cabinets or cramped corner nook present prime opportunities for customization. Measure these quirky spots carefully, then design built-ins to flawlessly suit the space.

Prioritize vertical storage with tall, narrow shelving units or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Optimize even tiny triangular spaces in the corner with angled pull-out shelves. With some carpentry skills (or the help of a carpenter), you can gain up to 15 cubic feet of storage space!

Hidden Storage Behind Cabinets

Why stop at your existing cabinets when you could build storage inside them? Install pull-out shelves, racks and drawers behind cabinet doors to instantly double your space. The interiors of awkward blind corner cabinets also can house lazy susans or deep drawers. With inventive custom installations, the storage potential behind your cabinetry is limitless.

Freestanding Storage Solutions

If built-ins seem too daunting, freestanding storage is a budget-friendly alternative. Wheeled carts, cabinets and shelving units are simple to assemble and won't require remodeling your kitchen. Look for narrow, vertical options that tuck perfectly into tight spaces without eating up precious floor footage. Here are some stellar freestanding pantry picks:

• Slim rolling utility carts
• Compact storage cabinets on casters
• Narrow shelving units like utility shelves or baker's racks
• Repurposed dressers, hutches and armoires

Utility Carts

A narrow utility cart on wheels can easily roll wherever you need extra storage. Tuck it next to the fridge when prepping dinner then move it into a corner afterwards. Utility carts take advantage of vertical space with their towering shelves. Opt for ones with meshes sides so contents are visible. Bonus: the wheeled base makes cleaning a breeze!

Repurposed Furnishings

Before buying new freestanding storage, check your attic and garage for furniture gems waiting to be repurposed. Old dressers and bookcases become chic pantries with a fresh coat of paint. Swap out hutches and curio cabinets to corral dry goods and dishes. DIY your own unique focal point filled with character!

Organizational Options for Existing Cabinetry

Sometimes the easiest storage surge comes from optimizing what's already part of your cabinetry design. Insert functional fixtures to make your current cabinets and drawers more ergonomic. Look for organizer products that require zero installation yet yield serious space savings. Top picks include:

• Pull-out cabinet shelves
• Lazy susans
• Drawer dividers
• Under cabinet racks and baskets
• Spice drawer organizers

Pull-Out Shelves and Lazy Susans

Reaching to the back of deep cabinets strains both your arm and your patience. But pull-out shelves and lazy susans spin right to you, saving sore muscles and giving you a clear view of everything. You can insert most models without removing existing shelving. Look for units sized perfectly for your cabinet's dimensions.

Dividers and Racks

Messy drawers make items elusive. Trays, dividers and racks instantly categorize all your loose contents. Designate zones for cutlery, cooking tools and Tupperware to finally conquer chaos. Use a layered cutlery divider up front with storage bins behind to double your drawer capacity.

Finishing Touches to Personalize Your Mini Pantry

Once your organizational skeleton is set up, infuse it with decorative flair. Incorporate these creative touches to give your petite pantry both style and function:

• Paint or wallpaper the back wall of open shelving
• Use baskets in varied sizes and materials for visual interest
• Attach chalkboard labels to identify contents
• Choose colorful containers that coordinate with your kitchen's scheme

Mason jars bring farmhouse charm while clear canisters maintain a minimalist aesthetic. Group items like oils, spices and pasta in matching ceramic containers for a polished look. Accent with a fun blackboard for scribbling notes and inventory lists.

If your tiny kitchen is bursting at the seams, innovative storage tactics offer space-saving salvation. A few shallow shelves in an unused cavity or a thin rolling cart tucked under the counter can make a surprising impact. Repurposed furnishings and creative built-ins transform even the tiniest corner into a functional pantry zone.

With an inventive vision and a little DIY dedication, you can infuse order into the most chaotic small kitchen. No longer will you endlessly rummage for ingredients or run out of meal prep room. Convenient organization is possible; your dream pantry awaits!