Organization tips | Space-saving products | The benefits of staying organized | Meet Our Experts
If you live in a big city or just happen to have a small kitchen, you probably have limited space in your home, so you know the struggle of sacrificing style for functionality. Luckily, there are ways to achieve both.
Shop TODAY spoke to interior designer Natalie Manima for advice on how to organize and style a small kitchen to suit your needs.
How to organize a small kitchen
“People think that if you don’t have space, you can’t be stylish,” says Manima. “You need to be smarter about how you use space. [square footage]”
Here are three key tips to help you strike a balance between the two.
Think about how you move through space
Manima says the first step to organising your kitchen is to evaluate how you move around it. “Think about how you use the space,” she advises. “Where will you want to go to chop veggies? If you only have one place to chop veggies, store your chopping board in a cupboard above that area.”
Design your storage with intention, making it functional and practical for your needs.
Utilize wall space
Manima emphasizes that using wall space for storage can make a big difference in a small kitchen.[ward] “Make the most of your wall space,” she suggests. Kitchen racks, magnetic knife holders, and shelves are great (and stylish) ways to do this.
Add a layer
Adding extra tiers to your countertops or drawers is also a great space-saving organizational solution. [made specifically] “Deep drawers allow you to separate items and make the appearance of organization,” says Manima. You can add tiered shelves to your cabinets, countertops, and even inside your refrigerator.
The perfect space-saving and organizing item for your kitchen
Aozita 3-in-1 Sponge Holder
Don't leave wet sponges lying around on your already limited counter space: this sink caddy is just 2.5 inches wide and can store (and dry) sponges, dishcloths, and brushes.
MyMini Single Slice Toaster
This mini toaster is just 5″ wide, making it perfect for small apartments, dorms, and travel. The brand says the toaster has one wide slot and a temperature control dial to evenly toast bread and bagels. It also has a cord storage feature to keep your countertops neat.
Santech Paper Towel Holder
If you're always tossing your paper towel rolls in inconvenient places, this sleek holder is the perfect solution for clutter-free, easy access. Comes with an adhesive sticker for application, this towel holder can be mounted under a cabinet, on a wall, or on the fridge. According to the brand, it works best when applied to smooth surfaces like wood, glass, steel, and ceramic.
Metaltex Small Under Shelf Basket
To make room for your favorite plates and mugs, this basket easily hooks and slides into the wasted space under your shelf. Available in three different sizes and three colors.
Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Cutlery Organizer
This cutlery organiser lets you follow Manima's advice to utilise the space at the back of your drawers: its diagonal design means it won't take up too much space in long drawers, and its non-slip surface means your forks won't slide around every time you reach for them.
Joseph Joseph Under Shelf Drawer
If you're running out of drawer space or don't have any drawers at all (yes, drawer-less kitchens exist), the installable drawers will help you store all of your small items in one place. Amazon reviews say it's easy to install, with one verified reviewer writing, “I was amazed at how much weight it can hold. It's currently full of condiment packets from marinades and sauces.”
Brightroom Wire Storage Bread Organizer
One simple product like this rack can take your cabinets from drab to beautiful. Organize your pots, pans, baking sheets, and other kitchen supplies vertically or horizontally. You'll be delighted with how much space it frees up.
Ohuhu Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
Available in four different sizes, this stainless steel roll-up dish rack has over 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with one rated reviewer happy with the extra sink space it provides. “I threw out the drainer in my old stainless steel sink so now I can use both sinks when my dishes aren't drying. I also love being able to wash and dry vegetables and store hot items in it,” raves one shopper.
Ouddy Magnetic Knife Holder
Free up space in your cabinets by attaching large knives and other metal kitchen tools to the magnetic tape. This product on Amazon has a near-perfect five-star average rating from over 10,000 shoppers, and it's super easy to install.
Kes Cabinet Door Organizer with Towel Bar
An over-door storage rack not only packs all those extra essentials but also keeps them neatly tucked away. This multi-functional cabinet door organizer can hold pans, cutting boards, and even includes a handy towel holder.
Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Expandable Tiered Organizer
Increase the surface area of your cabinets with this compact organizer that's adjustable so it fits into almost any space. Shoppers especially love this shelf for organizing spices and condiments.
Spice Spinner as seen on TV
If you're short on cabinet space, you'll love this height-adjustable rolling spice rack that holds 40 condiments. There's a reason this product has been a TikTok hit in the past.
Mind Reader Storage Drawer Coffee Pod Holder
This mini storage drawer allows you to store all your coffee pods neatly underneath your coffee machine. It holds up to 36 pods and has a simple design that will blend in with most decor and coffee makers.
For espresso drinkers, SEO Associate Editor Kamari Stewart is a fan of this option, which can hold up to 40 Nespresso pods.
Hamilton Beach Single Serve Blender
Create your favorite smoothies and blended drinks with this compact, single-serve blender that takes up little space and easily tucks away in a corner when not in use. The blender jar doubles as a to-go cup and fits in most cup holders, the brand says. Plus, it has over 66,000 verified 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Branway Magnetic Spice Rack (Set of 2)
To make the most of your kitchen surfaces, a magnetic rack is a great multi-functional hack. This spice rack attaches to any metal surface and can hold up to 5 pounds of your favorite kitchen items, from spices to condiments.
Tiyaflo Kitchen Hanging Trash Can
If your cabinets are full and space is limited, this 2.5-gallon hanging trash can is a great way to free up space under your sink. According to the brand, it's wall-mounted so it fits over most cabinet doors, and you can also install it with adhesive.
Toolf Expandable Dish Rack
For a more traditional dish rack, consider this svelte holder that's less than 8 inches wide and stretches to 19 inches in length. Shop TODAY associate editor Shannon Garlin loves it in the kitchen of her tiny studio apartment, and says it folds up and stores inside the sink. There's enough space for up to nine plates, plus room for bowls, mugs, and more.
Prep & Savour Wall Mounted Pot Rack
Get your pots and pans out of the cabinets and display them in the open. This set of two rods comes with over 12 hooks, and the brand says that each rod can hold up to 30 pounds.
StoveShelf Magnetic shelf for kitchen stove
This clever magnetic shelf fits neatly over your stove and stores all your cooking essentials, like spices and oils, helping you make the most of your cabinet space. Choose from a 20″ apartment size to a 30″ shelf for a standard stove.
Elite Gourmet 2.1 Quart Air Fryer
Don't let a small kitchen mean you miss out on this essential tool. This air fryer is just 8 inches wide and holds up to 2 quarts of food. With over 6,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, you can fry, bake, or roast all your favorite snacks and side dishes.
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
For any caffeine lover, a coffee maker is an essential kitchen item. At less than five inches wide, this single-serve Keurig fits snugly in a corner and nestles nicely among your other essentials. Plus, it comes in eight different colors, from neutrals to pastel pinks.
Casual Home Breakfast Cart
This multifunctional breakfast cart can be used for anything. If you don't have the space for a kitchen table, this cart can double as a dining table with its drop-leaf top and two stools. It comes with lockable wheels and a place to store chairs, so it can be moved around as a mobile kitchen island. And if that's not enough, there are also extra storage drawers and a towel rack on each side.
The benefits of having a tidy kitchen
Manima points out that in homes with limited square footage, the kitchen is unavoidable: “People pass through it to get to the living room, so Really “It's important that your kitchen is clean and tidy,” she emphasizes.
Manima is also a trained cognitive behavioural therapist, so she knows all too well how much home organising can affect your mood. “You don't have to be a minimalist, but there are definitely ways to organise and declutter a lot of stuff so it doesn't feel like it's flying out of the cupboard,” she says. “Organisation gives people a certain calm.”
Meet Our Experts
- Natalie Manima She is an interior designer, cognitive behavioral therapist, and founder of African-inspired home goods brand, Bespoke Binny.
