The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers and Storage Solutions
Do your kitchen cabinets look like an episode of Hoarders? Are you wasting precious time rummaging through clutter trying to find a saucepan or spice jar? If your cabinets are bursting at the seams, it's time to get organized.
Read on to transform your chaotic cabinets into a clutter-free storage haven.
Why Your Kitchen Cabinets Are Cluttered and Disorganized
Kitchens naturally tend to attract a lot of stuff. Between cookware, dishes, food items, small appliances, and more, it's easy for cabinet clutter to get out of control. Here are some of the most common reasons kitchen cabinets become crowded and disorganized:
- Too many items crammed into a small space
- Lack of proper organizational systems
- Improper storage options - things don't fit well
- Out of sight, out of mind mentality leads to forgetting what's in cabinets
- Lazy unloading after grocery shopping
- Letting clutter accumulate over time
Living with cluttered, crowded cabinets creates all kinds of headaches including:
- Wasting time searching for items that get lost in the black hole of clutter
- Difficulty finding space for new items and groceries
- Frustration trying to cram too much stuff onto shelves
- Stress from the chaotic environment
On the other hand, organizing your cabinets offers many benefits like:
- Finding items quickly and easily
- More efficient cooking and meal prep
- Seeing what you actually have on hand
- Preventing duplicate purchases
- Enjoying a calmer, orderly environment
Storage Solutions for Common Kitchen Items
Certain types of kitchen items tend to contribute to cabinet clutter. Here are some great storage solutions tailored to these common culprits:
Pots and Pans
Heavy pots and pans can quickly lead to chaotic cabinets if not stored properly. Try these tips:
- Install vertical in-cabinet pan holders to store them upright and elevated
- Use a shelving rack that slides out for easy access to stacked pots
- Hang a pot rack from the ceiling to free up cabinet space
Spices and Condiments
It's easy for spices and condiments to pile up and get disorganized in cabinets. Keep them neat with these ideas:
- Mount small spice racks inside cabinet doors to see labels easily
- Use tiered shelves to display spices attractively
- Keep condiments and oils spin organized with lazy susans
Plates and Bowls
Bulkier dinnerware takes up a lot of coveted cabinet real estate. Maximize the space with these solutions:
- Store plates vertically in plate racks mounted on walls or cabinet interiors
- Separate stackable bowls with divider inserts
- Install organizers to neatly corral platters and lids
Food Storage Containers
Plastic food containers are notorious for cluttering cabinets. Tame the collection with these tips:
- Use slide-out trays and racks for easy access
- Group similar sizes in interlocking bins
- Divide drawers using custom dividers
Clever Cabinet Space Savers
Limited cabinet space doesn't have to limit your storage. These savvy solutions create more space to organize kitchen items.
Shelf Risers and Organizers
One of the easiest ways to double your cabinet space is utilizing shelf risers. Adding a second tier instantly gives you more vertical storage real estate. For wide shelves, use adjustable organizers to maximize the footprint.
Drawer Organizers
Customize your drawers with organizers that have compartments perfect for utensils, bakeware and other odds and ends. Versatile dividers let you configure the space to suit your needs.
Cabinet Door Storage
Take advantage of the unused interior side of cabinet doors. Mount racks, baskets and custom inserts to hold spices, foil, cleaning supplies and more. It's an easy way to create storage space that didn't exist before.
Lazy Susans
Maximize awkward corner cabinets with lazy susans. Spinning turntables bring items right to your fingertips and make the space more functional.
Under Cabinet Storage
Use hanging wire baskets mounted underneath upper cabinets to hold cooking utensils, spices and other small items. For a more integrated look, install specialized under-cabinet racks for everything from paper towels to pots and pans.
Storage Hacks for Maximizing Space
Along with storage solutions, organization is key. Keep these tips in mind:
- Store less frequently used items on upper shelves or cabinet back
- Stand taller baking sheets and cutting boards on their sides
- Transfer large, bulky pots and appliances to pull out drawers
- Add shallow trays to corral smaller items like spice packets
With a little creativity and the right storage solutions, even the most cramped kitchen can be transformed into an organized oasis. This guide provided a variety of tips for optimizing common cabinet trouble spots from plates and spices to pots and food containers. Clever space savers like risers, door racks and lazy susans also help maximize every inch.
An organized kitchen not only looks great, but it also saves time, reduces stress and makes cooking more efficient and enjoyable. So go ahead and give your cabinets a decluttering overhaul. Your new storage haven awaits!