Sick of Cluttered Cabinets? Use These Tips to Declutter Your Small Kitchen
Does your small kitchen feel constantly cluttered and disorganized? Do you spend way too much time rummaging through cabinets trying to find what you need? You're not alone. Limited storage space makes it extra challenging to keep a petite kitchen tidy.
But with some strategic decluttering and savvy storage solutions, you can transform those cramped cabinets. Read on to discover clever ways to maximize every inch of your small kitchen's storage potential.
Audit Your Kitchen and Declutter
Before implementing any new organizational systems, it's important to take stock of everything currently housed in your kitchen. Pull out all cabinet contents, drawers and pantry shelves. You may be surprised at just how many duplicate items and unnecessary gadgets you've accumulated.
Be ruthless and get rid of anything you don't use on a regular basis. Only keep kitchen tools and appliances that bring you joy or make cooking easier. Donate extra dishes, pots and pans that are just taking up valuable real estate. Toss expired food items and spices.
Organize Items by Category
Now group all your belongings together by category - keep all spices together, baking essentials together, etc. This will make it easier when you go to put everything back. Also take note of which items you use daily vs. those used only occasionally. Keep everyday cooking necessities readily available, while lesser used items can be tucked away.
Utilize Bins, Baskets and Trays
Invest in drawer organizers, bins, baskets and trays to neatly corral similar items. For example, keep all your oils and vinegars together in an upright divider. Use labeled bins for categories like snacks, baking ingredients or drink powders. This makes locating what you need quick and easy.
Maximize Your Existing Cabinet Storage
Chances are your kitchen cabinets hold more storage potential than you realize. With some simple upgrades and savvy fixes, you can effectively double your cabinet space.
Install Pull-Out Shelving
While traditional stationary shelves only allow you to access items placed in the front, pull-out shelves let you access the entire depth of the cabinet. Upgrade to pull-out drawers and shelves to fully utilize all that wasted back-of-cabinet space. This brilliant fix is especially useful for corner cabinets and pantries.
Optimize Wasted Vertical Space
Most cabinets only have shelves stacked horizontally. But you can vastly expand your storage by also utilizing vertical space. Mount racks or shelves vertically on cabinet doors to hold cutting boards, baking sheets and lids upright. Install floor-to-ceiling shelving in corners or narrow spaces to house appliances, cookbooks and more.
Get Organized with Smart Tools
Take advantage of space-saving organizational tools to optimize cabinets. Lazy susans and turntables allow easy access to items in corner cabinets. Sliding racks under sinks simplify cleaning product storage. Use tray dividers and shelf risers to neatly separate and arrange contents. Labeled bins create order so you always know exactly where things are.
Creative Storage Solutions for Tiny Kitchens
Once you've maximized your existing cabinetry, look for creative ways to add supplemental storage. With a little innovation you can uncover hidden space for expanded capacity in your petite kitchen.
Multi-Purpose Furniture
Seating that offers sneaky hidden storage is the perfect small kitchen addition. Look for storage ottomans and benches that open to reveal interior space for tucking away less frequently used items. A rolling cart becomes extra pantry space and can easily be moved around as needed. Fold-down work tables stashed near a wall provide additional counter space when prepping elaborate meals.
Mount Rails and Wall Storage
Take advantage of vertical real estate by mounting rails or shelving on walls for additional storage. Wall-mounted racks with S-hooks allow you to hang utensil crocks, paper towel rolls and baskets. Open shelving acts as extra display space for pretty dishware collections while still keeping necessities easily accessible.
Under Cabinet Options
Make use of the space under your upper cabinets with mounted rails for S-hooks to hang dish towels and spices. DIY or purchase retractable under-cabinet basket storage. These hides away when not in use. For lesser used items, install shelves tucked under cabinets to get them up and out of prime real estate.
Even More Storage Hacks for Small Kitchens
If you still need just a bit more space, these clever small kitchen storage ideas can uncover just the right amount of extra capacity.
Spice Drawer Organizers
Maximize vertical drawer space and avoid a jumbled mess of spice bottles by using vertical dividers. Keep herbs and spices neatly separated into labelled compartments. Slide-out spice racks also provide organised access to seasoned essentials.
Repurpose Nearby Spaces
Think creatively about any spaces adjacent to the kitchen that could be repurposed. A coat closet or laundry room nearby could be converted into extra pantry storage. Clear out under the stairs for accessory small appliance storage. Even just a few shelves in these alternate areas can make a big difference.
Back-of-Door Storage
Take advantage of the backside of cabinet doors - an often overlooked space perfect for mounting extra storage. Use over-the-door racks or shelves for spices, foil, plastic wrap and other skinny items. Add hooks for hanging utensils and pot lids to free up drawer space underneath.
It's incredibly satisfying to open your cabinets and be greeted with tidy, organized contents instead of cluttered chaos. Hopefully these tips have inspired you to fully utilize and maximize the storage potential in your small kitchen.
A few key takeaways - be ruthless when decluttering and only keep true necessities. Invest in pull-out drawers and shelves. Bring in organizational tools like lazy susans, bin systems and shelf dividers. And utilize all the vertical space possible with wall mounted racks and extra shelving.
With some strategic planning and savvy solutions, even the tiniest kitchen can be transformed into a highly functional storage haven.