How to Increase Storage Space in a Kitchen

Most people wish they had more storage space in their kitchen. 

If a remodel is not in your budget, consider the following tips, tricks, and ideas for increasing the storage space in your kitchen.

photo courtesy of todtanis Highgrove_Kitchen.jpg

Clean Out
This seems obvious, but most people have many kitchen items that are rarely, if ever, used. 

When was the last time you used your fondue set, waffle iron, or vacuum sealer? 

Also, how many wooden spoons do you need? 

Be reasonable with the quantity of items you actually need and get rid of the multiples to create extra space.

Relocate
Do you have items in your kitchen that can be relocated to another room, a china cabinet, or the pantry? 

Consider moving your medicine, fine china, takeout menus, cook books, candle sticks, or junk drawer items to another space.

Organize
Make sure to use drawer organizers for smaller items like silverware and serving spoons. 

Consider getting rid of all the mismatched Tupperware and get a new set that stacks or ones with hinged lids. 

For lower corner cabinets, consider getting a lazy susan so you can reach the items in the back. 

If you are storing items in the original box they came in with all the packing material, consider trashing the box to create more space. 

For the cabinet where you store your baking sheets and muffin tins, consider adding vertical dividers so the items can be accessed easily without being stacked on one another (you can use small tension rods to create vertical dividers using one at the front and one at the back of the cabinet per divider). 

Pot lid organizers are also a good trick for maximizing space. 

For upper cabinets, consider getting additional shelves or shelf risers so items are not stacked on top of each other (this is also a good idea for your refrigerator). 

Clear storage containers work best because you can easily see what is inside.

Wall Mounted Storage on Backsplash
Rails and hooks are very popular for holding large utensils and other larger items used often. 

These rails can be mounted on a kitchen backsplash allowing more room inside kitchen drawers. 

Some people even use pegboard in their kitchen to create a wall of repositionable storage for their kitchen items.

Maximize Wall Space
Consider storing items in the space behind your door in the pantry and any empty wall in your pantry or nearby closet. 

Most larger retailers sell organizational items that are mounted to the back of doors or to a wall that are narrow in depth but maximize storage.  This would be a great place to keep smaller items such as spices.

Under Cabinet
Many items can be mounted under your upper cabinets to create more storage space. 

Such items include paper towel holders, can openers, TVs, wine racks, and wine glass racks #ads.

Make sure to consider the aesthetics of your kitchen before installing these items.

Look Up
If you have room above your cabinets, consider putting decorative boxes or baskets with seasonal items inside to maximize storage. 

Make sure the weight is not too great for the top of your cabinets. 

You can also place your larger pots or glassware that are rarely used above your cabinets as part of your decor. 

Make sure the area above your cabinets is arranged nicely and that things are not thrown up there.

Pot Rack
If you have taller ceilings, consider using a pot rack #ad to hang your pots. 

Make sure the pot rack is at an appropriate height so all cooks can easily reach the pots. 

There are pot racks that hang over a kitchen island and also pot racks that attach to a wall. 

Although functional, some people think pot racks make a kitchen look cluttered.

Pull Out Drawers
Many lower cabinets have no organizational features. 

If you are lucky, the cabinet may have one shelf. 

Consider adding pull out drawers #ad to your lower cabinets. 

The drawers will enable you to stack items so they don't fall out of your cabinet and create smaller stacks so items are easier to access. 

Drawers allow you to add more items in the same amount of space.

Kitchen Cart
If you have a closet or nook near your kitchen, consider using that space to hold a kitchen cart #ad.

The kitchen cart will have wheels to be easily moved to the kitchen where you need it when you are cooking. 

You can store your large utensils, pots & pans, spices, and whatever you use most on the cart.

Additional Cabinets, an Island, or Furniture
Consider adding additional cabinets to your kitchen if space allows. 

Research the cabinets you currently have to add identical ones. 

You can also add an island with cabinets below for additional storage. 

For added flair, add a unique, antique, or brightly painted furniture piece to your kitchen for additional storage. 

The furniture piece can be a pie safe, bookcase, book shelf, or most any piece of furniture that does not take up too much room.