Genius Small Kitchen Organization Ideas
Struggling to find space in your tiny kitchen? From pantry organization to countertop decluttering, these small kitchen organization ideas can help you create a space that works for your busy lifestyle.
Focus on kitchen organization, and you’ll find yourself more inspired to cook and experiment with new recipes. And, of course, you’ll have more time with the family.
Organizing a small kitchen can feel overwhelming due to the limited space, but with the right storage ideas, you can effectively use every inch available.
Focus on decluttering first—remove items you don’t use often. Then, maximize vertical space and explore affordable store-bought options and DIY projects.
How often should you organize your small kitchen?
It’s a good idea to reorganize your small kitchen every few months or as seasons change, especially if you notice that clutter is starting to build up or if you’re having trouble finding things.
Regular check-ins, around every three to six months, are important so you can adjust to new cooking habits and organize new kitchen tools.
Stick to a schedule to keep your space functional and reduce the time needed for bigger clean-ups later.
Be sure to grab the FREE Kitchen Cleaning Checklist below!
Small Kitchen Organization Ideas for a More Functional Space
These small kitchen organization ideas can help you turn your cooking area into a streamlined area where everything has its place. Let’s get started and make your kitchen the best it can be.
1. UtilIze the area above your sink
The space above the sink is often overlooked but can be great for extra storage in small kitchens.
You can add shelves or racks for sponges, dish soaps, and other essentials. By being creative with your space, you can set up more storage in areas you may not have considered.
2. Install a Magnetic Knife Strip
Another good idea is to install a magnetic knife strip. These are available at most home improvement stores or online, and they work great for keeping out tools you use for cooking.
How to Use:
- Choose a spot above your counter or near your cooking area for easy access.
- Use a level to make sure the strip is straight.
- Mark the positions of the screw holes.
- Drill the hole and screw the strip into the wall.
- Use top hold knives and any other metal tools.
3. Hang Utensils Using Cork Boards and Hooks
Use Command hooks and adhesive cork boards to store measuring cups and other utensils on walls or inside cabinet doors.
How to Install:
- Choose a suitable spot. If it’s behind a cabinet door, make sure the cork board fits its interior.
- Attach the cork board to the door with its adhesive backing, and make sure that your cabinet door can close with the cork board attached.
- Evenly space out hooks on the cork board—these can be pushpins or small stick-on hooks, depending on the weight of the items you’ll hang.
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4. Store Mugs and Wine Glasses Under Cabinets
Have you ever thought of using the underside of upper cabinets to hang mugs and wine glasses?
This can be done with basic tools and a bit of patience.
How to Install:
- Find the best spot for this setup.
- Mark the areas where you plan to screw in the hooks and see to it that they are evenly spaced.
- Carefully attach the hooks to the cabinet using a drill or screwdriver.
If you’re planning to store wine glasses, you can opt for a pre-made rack that can be installed with screws or a countertop rack that doesn’t need to be hung.
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5. Install Roll Out Drawers
Roll-out drawers make it easier to access items stored deep in the cabinets.
And yes, they work even for bulky items like large wine bottles, bags of pet food, or small kitchen appliances.
Ready for this simple DIY project? Wood is a popular choice for these projects because of its durability.
How to DIY:
- Cut the wood pieces according to your measurements.
- Assemble the drawer boxes, and attach the slides.
- When installing the drawers into the cabinet, make sure they are level and secure.
- You can add dividers or liners to keep smaller kitchen supplies neat and protected.
6. Set Up a Snack Drawer for Kids
Having a specific snack drawer makes it easier for children to find and access their favorite snacks.
It’s also a great opportunity for us parents and grandparents to manage portion sizes and monitor the types of snacks they are eating.
Use shallow bins or drawer dividers to separate snacks by type or flavor.
If the snacks come in boxes or larger packages, take them out and place them loosely in the bins to save space.
Let’s help the kids see all their options at a glance.
7. Group Similar Items Together and Label Them
Are your kitchen cabinets so small that baskets and storage boxes don’t fit?
Maximize vertical space by installing hooks or small shelves inside the cabinet doors to hang utensils, small pans, or spices.
You can also just group similar items together and label the shelves.
Place everyday items like plates, spices, and canned goods on lower, more accessible shelves and less frequently used items higher up.
Reserve the top shelf for snacks and boxed mixes that aren’t used daily.
For labeling, opt for slim, stick-on labels and place them directly on shelves or items.
8. Use Plastic Containers for Dry Bulk Goods
Clear plastic containers are a smart choice for organizing your pantry, especially for unopened bulk goods.
Go for sturdy containers with wide openings for easy access.
Also, look for ones with smooth interiors so they’re easy to clean and won’t trap crumbs or residue.
But remember, once you open items like sugar, rice, pasta, and cereal, it’s a good idea to store them in containers with airtight lids to keep them fresh.
Transfer them immediately to an airtight container to protect them from moisture and pests.
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9. Maximize Under-the-Sink Storage
Neatly store cleaning supplies and other essentials under the kitchen sink to keep them out of sight but within easy reach.
Use stackable bins or pull-out drawers to make the most out of the space. If possible, install a tension rod to hang spray bottles and kitchen towels.
Also, consider adding a liner to protect the cabinet from leaks and spills.
Liners make cleaning easier because you can just wipe it down instead of scrubbing the whole cabinet.
10. Set Up a Behind-the-Door Cutting Board Holder
Making your own cutting board holder is better than a ready-made one, especially if you need it to fit a specific spot in your kitchen or match a certain style.
How to DIY:
- Measure the inside of your cabinet door and cut some wood to fit these dimensions.
- Next, attach L brackets to the wood, spacing them out enough to hold your cutting boards.
- Secure the completed rack to the inside of your cabinet door with screws.
Make sure it’s firmly attached and doesn’t get in the way when you open or close the cabinet door.
11. Place Trash Cans Inside the Cabinet
Can one of your kitchen cabinets accommodate both a trash can and a recycle bin?
Why don’t you install a pullout mechanism to keep waste disposal both efficient and out of sight?
First, choose a cabinet that’s big enough to fit the bins you want to use.
You’ll need to remove any shelves that are in the way and check that there’s enough depth for the bins to slide in and out easily.
Install sliding rails at the bottom of the cabinet. You can find these at most hardware stores.
Next, attach the bins to a mounting frame or directly to the rails. Everything must fit snugly and slide smoothly.
12. Use Food Packaging as Drawer Organizers
Gather clean containers from items like mushrooms or lettuce and wash them thoroughly.
Next, measure your kitchen drawers to ensure a perfect fit for the containers. If needed, cut them to the right size with scissors or a utility knife.
That’s it. Arrange them in the drawers according to your needs and fill them with kitchen essentials.
This organization strategy is easy, cheap, and eco-friendly.
You can also use yogurt containers, plastic berry baskets, or even the small cardboard boxes that your tea and crackers came in.
No need to spend a lot on storage boxes to explore these small kitchen organization ideas.
13. Make DIY Drawer Dividers
Making DIY drawer dividers is easier than you think. Gather scraps of wood, wood glue, and paint for finishing.
Then, measure the inside of your drawer for width and length.
Cut your materials to create dividers that fit snugly. For adjustable dividers, think about using slots or removable clips.
Assemble the dividers inside the drawer to customize the space for your utensils or other kitchen items.
Make sure everything fits snugly and stays put. This DIY project is a wonderful way to organize and use all the space in your drawers.
14. Use a Bookcase to Store Pantry Essentials
Transform your Billy bookcase into a freestanding pantry.
This bookcase is affordable and easy to customize, working well in small spaces due to its narrow design. It comes with adjustable shelves, too.
Place your mini pantry bookcase in an area of your kitchen that doesn’t get much foot traffic, like a corner or near the back door.
You can use baskets or storage boxes within the shelves to categorize items and keep smaller goods from getting lost or cluttered.
This bookcase can hold items that you use frequently but don’t require immediate access during cooking, such as canned goods and cereals.
It’s also a great spot for storing extra supplies like paper towels or bulk items that you might not have room for elsewhere.
Excited to explore these small kitchen organization ideas? Begin with the areas that have the most immediate impact on your daily routine.
Clear up countertops and wipe down the surfaces to create a clean slate. Next, focus on your cabinets and drawers.
These are often where clutter accumulates unnoticed.
Take everything out, one cabinet or drawer at a time, and sort through items. It’s time for you to create a cleaner, more efficient kitchen.
