10 Small Kitchen Storage Ideas to Organize a Compact Space
When you have a small kitchen it can push your patience to the breaking point, one additional cutting board, or a large stand mixer and now it feels like every counter is a puzzle that you can’t solve. Fortunately, a lack of square footage isn’t synonymous with no space to store. It simply means thinking outside the box for kitchens: on the walls, in the toe kick, and even up the ceiling!
The ideas below are not only effective, but they’re also enjoyable! Every one has an original color and you can make it out of a different material, so your storage solution is part of the design rather than a tacked-on solution. These ten should give you a great starting point if your kitchen storage problem is small and you want to get some ideas that’ll actually look great in your kitchen once installed!
Magnetic Knife Strip in Warm Walnut for a Sleek Small Kitchen
A knife block takes up more counter space than most people think – and in a small kitchen, space is important. A magnetic strip affixed to warm walnut is the solution that eliminates the hassle and provides a delightful natural texture to a plain wall. Visibly visible knives, sharp edges easily accessible, and drawer space freed up for other purposes.
In particular, walnut will make a warm contrast to kitchens that are a more dominant white or stainless finish. Install it at a level that the blades don’t hit the backsplash and make sure it is short enough to not be a visual distraction from cabinetry.
Pull-Out Pantry in Soft Greige for Smart Hidden Storage
While not all kitchens are equipped with a pantry closet, a narrow pull-out drawer between the fridge and the wall holds almost as much. It is finished in soft greige and will integrate well into many cabinet schemes without being a show-stopper. Just open it up and find shelves for spices, canned items and snacks that aren’t cluttering up your counters.
This is also one of the most practical renters’ pull-out pantry ideas because they can sometimes be freestanding rather than built into a space. Before purchasing, check out the spacing and consider that even one inch will make the difference in tight areas.
Kitchen Pegboard Wall in Warm Terracotta for a Cozy Workspace
Kitchen Pegboard Wall in Warm Terracotta for a Cozy Workspace is a tasteful and inviting wall accessory for use in a warm, kitchen environment.
Pegboard is no longer reserved for garages. Attached to a stove or prep area which is painted in warm terracotta, it provides versatile storage for pots, utensils and even small potted herbs. What makes a pegboard so great is that you can move it around whenever you need to, whereas a fixed shelf doesn’t have the same flexibility.
Terracotta will bring warmth to the wall which a plain white pegboard will not; it will make the wall a design feature rather than a utility hack. Employ different sizes of S-hooks to hang pans and utensils at varying depths to prevent an “overloaded” feeling, even when full.
Floating Wall Shelves in Deep Navy for a Bold Compact Kitchen
The floating wall shelves in this Compact Kitchen come in a bold Deep Navy color.
Floating shelves are also nearly invisible and a great choice when you simply don’t have enough space to store everything in a cabinet. Painted or finished in a dark navy color, they will stand out against lighter walls, and provide you with a place to display dishes, glassware or cookbooks that you actually use.
Don’t fill these shelves just with tools: navy against white ceramic or wood cutting boards photographs nicely and appears more curated than crowded. Two or three shelves filled with some space between them will always be more appealing than a floor to the ceiling single shelf.
Ceiling Pot Rack in Matte Black for a Farmhouse Kitchen
When cabinets are stuffed with pots and pans, it’s a massive amount of space that is freed up by moving them on top. A matte black ceiling rack lends a farmhouse vibe and complements a farmhouse kitchen nicely, particularly if there are exposed beams or open shelving in the kitchen. Hanging pots also means you won’t constantly be rummaging through a stack to find the one you need.
It is ideal for kitchens at least 8 feet tall, to prevent tall cooks from bumping their heads. Hanging cast iron and copper pans stand out against the matte black finish.
Toe Kick Drawer in Crisp White for a Clever Minimalist Kitchen
One of the most neglected areas for storage in any kitchen is the area under the cabinets, at the bottom level. A toe kick drawer in a sharp white color will fit in with most cabinetry and will also provide you with a shallow but very useful area to put baking sheets, cutting boards or platters that aren’t used on a daily basis.
It is one of the best kitchen organization upgrades as it provides storage without having to change the footprint of the kitchen. Some carpentry skills are needed for installation, so it’s a job that’s preferably done by professional installers unless you’re at ease with using a table saw.
Hanging Fruit Basket in Warm Brass for an Airy Kitchen Corner
Hanging baskets are good for the workspace in food prep areas, aside from the fact that they look great with fresh produce sitting out, but when you need the space of a countertop fruit bowl, a hanging basket is an ideal solution. You can easily hang it on a corner or near a window to help keep fruit in sight and to free up space.
The soft, warm tones of brass add a subtle glow to the cabinetry, complementing a variety of tones or colors, from white to sage green. A large mouth is preferable to a deep basket because fruit bruises easily if it is too high or deep in the basket.
Appliance Garage in Warm Mocha for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
Toasters, coffee makers and blenders can take up a lot of counter space quickly. You can store these items behind a tambour or door in a warm mocha touch appliance garage which is easily accessible but not visible when not in use. The mocha finish is a rich touch that sometimes isn’t available on white cabinets.
This will work particularly well in corner cabinets, which can be tricky to fill. Mount an outlet within the garage for appliances so they remain on and ready without pulling out from the wall while you can plug back in again.
Wall-Mounted Dish Rack in Charcoal for a Modern European Kitchen
Wall mounted dish racks are a new popular interior trend many homeowners are loving. They have been around in many European kitchens until now and the popularity is only increasing. When you have a charcoal rack above your sink it will help air dry the dishes and save you time. You will not need any extra counter space as this style provides whatever you will need. It is a modern style yet features what even traditional homes have too.
Wall mounted design will make your space look cleaner. You can combine it with an open shelf style and it will be even better. The best part is it gives a complete look that you will even want in the kitchen. However, you must place a small drip tray or keep a drainage area below the rack so the water doesn’t pool up.
Coffee Station Nook in Olive Green for a Cozy Kitchen Corner
The little corner coffee bar restricts every mug, filter and syrup to a corner of its own, and a colored background in olive green colors the corner, making it distinct from other parts of the kitchen. A small, 2-foot-wide counter space will accommodate a coffee maker, a small shelf and some necessities.
The olive green coordinates beautifully with wood furniture and brass hardware, giving the corner a purposeful look instead of it being an afterthought. A floating mini shelf over the station gives space for yet another mug without taking up any further cabinet space.
Ready to reclaim your counters?
You can make a small kitchen feel big when you fill in every surface, corner, and space with something – if you do it with intention. Choose one or two of the ideas on this list that are appropriate for your layout, and you will probably find that you have a lot more room to work with. Tackle the simplest project on this list, start with a magnetic strip or hanging basket, and work your way up as your kitchen comes together.
