No kitchen is complete without a range of appliances to take care of your general food prep, baking, and frying needs, but all of those gadgets can quickly eat up precious counter space.
To help you get your favorite chopping spot back, we’ve put together a list of space-saving devices that will help keep you organized without forcing you to sacrifice any of your favorite recipes. Whether you’re looking to maximize space or invest in tools that combine multiple appliances into one, these kitchen products will stop you from throwing in the towel and have you saying “kiss the cook” instead.
One of the biggest kitchen space-stealers is a dish rack, which can take up an entire cutting board’s worth of square footage. Unlike over-the-sink drying mats (which are convenient but offer limited storage room), this rack takes advantage of vertical space and offers two-tiers worth of storage, so you can fit plates, bowls, knives, and more. This option from MERRYBOX also comes in three different colors and two sizes, so you can choose the one best suited to your sink.
Buy it: Amazon
Short on drawer space and want to avoid wedging all your kitchen utensils into one big bowl or can on your countertop? Consider this set from Joseph Joseph, which comes with five tools, including a spaghetti server, slotted spoon, solid spoon ladle, and slotted spatula. The real reason to consider it, though, is because it comes with a slim storage stand, and each tool is designed to be nested against it. Held in place by small magnets inside each handle, these dishwasher-safe tools won’t easily jostle away from their holding spot, while the holder itself is only about 4 inches in width.
Buy it: Amazon
Making fresh salads to pair with your favorite dishes is about to get a lot simpler, courtesy of this top-rated salad spinner. Unlike many other popular options on the market, both the internal basket and external bowl are fully collapsible, meaning it won’t take up too much space in your cabinet. Additionally, it’s dishwasher-safe and has a non-skid base, and many shoppers say it makes washing lettuce and other veggies even easier.
Buy it: Amazon
If you have storage issues because of the size of your kitchen, maximizing what space you do have can be crucial. You can free up room in your cabinets—and have every spice or oil you might need on a regular basis within arm’s reach—thanks to this magnetic shelf, which is designed to fit right over most stovetops. Made from stainless steel, this durable unit doesn’t require any special installation (it stays in place because of the magnets) and is available in three sizes, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Buy it: Amazon
The internet-famous Always Pan has garnered plenty of fans over the last few years, and it’s not hard to see why. This lightweight, nonstick pick (which is made out of aluminum for even heat distribution) was designed to replace up to eight pieces of traditional cookware, including a sauté pan, wok, and skillet. Shoppers have used it for everything from making omelets to cooking pasta, steaming dumplings, and more. If you’re living in a small apartment or sharing your kitchen with roommates, this could be the perfect solution for your storage-related woes.
Buy it: Our Place
Scrap your bulky tea kettle in favor of a brewing device that fits pretty much anywhere. Smeg’s mini kettle is a beauty in more ways than one: it has a retro-inspired look, boils quickly (users say it takes about 4 minutes, on average), and has a very simple interface. Instead of LCD screens or other complicated settings that can seem daunting to master, this electric kettle just has a basic on/off switch (it does have an auto shut-off feature, however, which kicks in at 212°F, or whenever the water in the reservoir gets too low). This compact size also means it doesn’t take up much counter space and holds just enough for the perfect cup of tea.
Buy it: Amazon
Tired of rifling through drawers to find the right kitchen knife, or just don’t have room for a big block to store them all in? A magnetic holder like this one from Gorilla Grip (a brand largely known for its heavy-duty duct tape) can be a game-changer. The strip, which is available in six different sizes and made from 304 stainless steel, is a practical investment that can also add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen. You can also use it for more than just knives; several reviewers on Amazon have put everything from scissors to craft tools on it, and many comment that it’s a breeze to install.
Buy it: Amazon
Espresso machines can be bulky and expensive, while a daily espresso shot at your local coffee shop can quickly drain your wallet. To save money while still getting your caffeine kick, consider this Aeropress. Durable and affordable, you can use it to make espresso or just regular coffee, and it’s simple to operate: All you have to do is add in ground coffee, add in water, stir, and press down gently with the plunger. Your brew should be ready within a minute or two, and you’ll save money in the process—plus have plenty of room left over from where that fancier machine might have sat.
Buy it: Amazon
This eye-catching fruit basket will stand out whether you put it on a counter or at the center of your kitchen table. But because of its spiral shape and the way it makes use of vertical space, it can also be pretty useful for storing fruits like apples, lemons, and limes.
Buy it: Amazon
The Instant Pot is a must for any cook with a small kitchen. This gadget is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, and yogurt maker all in one—saving you counter space and minimizing the extra dishes to clean after your meal. As a bonus, this Instant Pot comes with a free app that has more than 1000 recipes for all levels of cooking. For a higher-end option that also includes an air fryer, try the Ninja 9-in-1 pressure cooker, a great alternative for those who like their dinners on the crispy side.
Buy it: Amazon
Why buy two kitchen gadgets when you can get both of them in one? This Cuisinart toaster oven/air fryer combo bakes, broils, toasts, and fries all your favorite foods. Even with its compact size, the oven can fit up to 3 pounds of chicken wings or a 12-inch pizza, so it works whether you’re cooking for one or for a group of friends. Since it comes complete with an oven rack, baking pan, and air fryer basket, you (almost) won’t need any other appliances with this in your arsenal.
Buy it: Amazon
Unless you’re a baking fiend, a big electric stand mixer is probably not high on your list of appliance must-haves. Dash’s compact mixer will change that. It has three simple speeds for easily mixing, blending, or whipping all kinds of treats, ideal for even the most novice bakers. When you’re finished with your dessert creation, you can snap the beaters directly into the mixer’s handles for convenient, space-saving storage. Now you can have your cake (and workspace) and eat it, too.
Buy it: Amazon
Even if you have deep cabinets, you’re not really taking advantage of all that space if you’re putting spices and other non-perishable food items on one single level. Stacking items up can be frustrating, because you might not be able to see or easily access whatever is in the back. This expandable organizer from DecoBros can help you capitalize on the vertical space within your cabinets and make it simpler to see everything inside. It offers three tiers, and can also be used elsewhere, like in your medicine cabinet or on your vanity table for storing makeup.
Buy it: Amazon
Food storage containers are a lot like pots and pans when it comes to storage—eventually, they get tough to keep organized. These silicone bowls can make that struggle disappear though, as they’re completely collapsible and come with snap-on lids that create an airtight vacuum seal over the food inside. All you have to do is compress them down, fasten on the lids, and slip them on a shelf, and you’ll save plenty of space in the process.
Buy it: Amazon
Food processors are a necessary evil. They’re incredible time savers—finely chopping in seconds what could take hours by hand—but they also tend to be big and clunky. Luckily, Cuisinart has a food processor that will save you both time and precious prep space. Designed in Italy (practically guaranteeing fantastic pesto), the Mini Prep Plus can both chop and grind up to 24 ounces of ingredients via its special auto-reversing smart blade. It’s dishwasher safe, too, saving you room in the sink in addition to the counter.
Buy it: Amazon
Maximize the vertical space in your kitchen—and add a stylish touch to it—with this hanging rack for pots and pans. Designed to be mounted directly to the ceiling, it can eliminate unwanted clutter and free up some much-needed shelf and/or counter space. Plus, it makes it easy to grab the right cookware in a hurry, and the 10 hooks it comes with can be repositioned to fit your storage or design needs.
Buy it: Amazon
Measuring spoons typically nest together, so you might not consider them a big nuisance in a tiny kitchen. That said, if you lose track of one, it can be annoying and mess up your recipes (especially if you bake a lot). Enter this KitchenArt Pro tool, which is fully adjustable and offers incremental markers, so you’ll always get exact measurements. Aside from teaspoons, you can also grab one that’s good for tablespoons (or cups, if you prefer).
Buy it: Amazon
Regardless of how powerful they are, blenders that come with too many accessories can be a hassle to use and store. If you love shakes and smoothies but dread having to dig through your cabinet for the right cup and matching lid, this personal blender from Mueller makes a great alternative. It comes with one portable blending jar that can hold up to two cups, and is ideal for single-serve use. Another perk is its simplicity: With just one push of a button, you can blend fresh and/or frozen ingredients, so there’s virtually no learning curve here.
Buy it: Amazon
A version of this story was originally published in 2020; it has been updated for 2023.
