Working and cooking in a small kitchen can be a real challenge. My kitchen is soo small (how small is it)? It’s so small, that only one person can stand in it at a time. With a space this tiny, clever small kitchen storage ideas are a necessity.
My counter is the size of a sheet of paper. No drawers. There are two standard size cabinets, and two half-size cabinets. And that’s it.
Here are some of the small kitchen storage ideas and organization hacks I use everyday so I can find what I need, and still get food on the table. Yes, I do cook in there!
This is supposed to be for socks, but I use several in my microwave cart in the kitchen. They’re great for keeping smaller items in one place. One has plastic container lids, another has small cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste. A third has small bottles (like sesame oil and rice vinegar), and a fourth one has boxes of tea. No socks in sight.
SE – Storage Container Set – Plastic, Round, Screw Top, 6 Pc 
I stole this idea from my mom. I think she got them in a marine store (they were supposed to be for fishing lures). However, they’re also great for storing spices. They can be stacked, labeled, and stuck in a drawer or a cabinet, without taking up a lot of space.
Ten Easy Small Kitchen Storage Ideas
If your kitchen storage space is limited, then you need to think a bit creatively.
- Not a lot of floor space? Look up! Hang things from the walls. I’ve got my spice rack, wire shelving, teaspoons, and paper towels on the wall.
- Use wire racks to double your shelf space. I put wire shelves in my microwave cart, giving me two levels instead of just one.
- Get pots that stack! If you’re really stuck for cabinet space, try a marine or camping store. They’ve got sets of pots that stack into each other, so they take up less space.
- Measure appliances and space before you buy. Not every toaster oven or blender will fit. Take a tape measure when you go shopping, or measure (and write down) your counter size before you buy online.
- Look for double (or triple) duty appliances and furnishings. My microwave cart is also a cabinet, a towel holder, a knife block, storage for silverware, and counter space.
- Move cookbooks to another room. Since my living room/dining area/kitchen is all really one big space, the cookbooks are on a shelf over the TV. I only have to walk a few feet to get the one I need.
- Store plastic bags in an old tissue box. Thumbtack or nail it to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. Or, for a more elegant solution, try a fabric plastic bag holder.
- Use wire baskets to separate your cleaning supplies, or keep all your pots together.
- Hang small appliances (like microwaves or toaster/ovens) under your cabinets.
- Get slide-out drawers for more storage.
Use Your Kitchen Door
An over-the-door spice rack saves counter and wall space.
Organize It All 3-Tier Wall-Mounted Spice Rack – Chrome
Keep all your spices organized and easy to reach. This spice rack is very sturdy, and big enough to clear out an entire cabinet of spices.
Shelf on Rails Pantry Pull Out Shelf
Wire storage shelves are essential in small kitchens. You can use them to create an extra shelf (and get twice as much space in your cabinets), or just to keep your food, ingredients, or cleaning supplies all in one place.
Stack Everything
Get bowls, containers, and even pots that stack. They use less space.
Stansport Stainless Steel 7 Piece Cookset
The pots nest inside each other, so they use up a lot less space than standard pots. If you’re really, really stuck for space, this set includes 4 quart , 3 quart, 2 quart and 1 quart pots, 10 inch fry pan, a universal lid and a detachable handle. The whole set fits in a small box (so you could even use it for actual camping if you wanted to).
Line Up Your Cookware Lids
Closet Maid Wire Shelf
I’ve had a couple of these for years. I’ve been using them to create split-level cabinets, get more room in my microwave cart, and to stack plates.
I just discovered, by accident, that they’re perfect for saucepan lids. I went to put away a lid and accidentally put it between the shelf wires. It stuck! Now I have them all lined up. Easy to see the right one, and easy to pull it out and return it to its place.
Add a Pot/Utensil Rail
Kitchen Utensil Rail
Here’s an easy kitchen storage solution: hang your utensils, potholders, mugs, and pans on the wall. This solution uses a lot less space, and you can see everything you have easily, without pawing through cupboards or utensil holders.
Multipurpose Small Kitchen Storage/Furniture
If you’ve got a tiny kitchen, a microwave cart (like the one below) is counter space, pantry, and towel rack.
This compact cart is made of real wood (not particle board). It’s got a counter top for extra workspace or small appliances, plus a towel rack, and a drawer for silverware. The cabinet underneath has a built-in shelf. Add more storage with wire baskets and shelving. Since it’s small (19×25, 34) you can push it out of the way when you’re not using it.
Whitmor Supreme Cart
This holds my recycling (on the bottom shelf, with bags tucked into a repurposed Amazon box), cat supplies in the middle, and coffee and tea supplies on the top.
It’s pretty easy to assemble, and you can adjust the shelves up and down to whatever height you like. And, it has wheels, so you can roll it out to get easier access.
It’s only 13″ wide, so it takes up very little space. If that’s too wide, there’s a smaller one that’s only 9″ wide.
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