There's nothing more frustrating than struggling with piles of dishes and appliances when you're running out of storage space in your kitchen.
If you don't want clutter on your counters, it can be hard to figure out what you can do to make the space more usable without sacrificing style.
Thankfully, expert designers and organizers have faced this problem many times before and have developed some great, proven methods for making the most of it. Kitchen storage your Kitchen Layout.
How to make the most of your kitchen storage
The ideal solution would be to completely remodel your kitchen to have all the space and type of cabinetry that suits your lifestyle, but this isn't always feasible.
Luckily, even if you can't add or replace cabinets, you can still save time and stress when cooking by expanding your storage and making the most of the space you already have.
1. Make the most of underutilized space
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'when Kitchen organization“There are often several storage spots that get overlooked because they're not obvious: the backs of cabinet doors, the sides of tall units, the sides of the fridge – all perfect places for hooks or magnetic strips to store small, awkward kitchen items that end up cluttering drawers,” says lead designer and founder Kenika Khurana. Kanika Design.
“For example, you can use the inside of your cabinet doors as a storage area for things like measuring cups, towels and pot lids,” she explains. “Install hanging racks on the sides of your cabinets to store cutting boards and oven mitts, and utilize the space above your cabinets with decorative storage baskets and bins for items you don't use often.”
Kanika is a San Mateo County based interior designer who loves to combine bold colors with different interior design styles to create unique pieces every time.
2. Use drawers to double your storage space
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“Another common cause of wasted space is Organizing small kitchen cabinets “Deep shelves can make it difficult to reach and see into the back. The solution? Use drawers to double your accessible storage space,” suggests Bob Bakes, head of design at kitchen specialists Bakes & Crop.
“Smart storage is key to making the most of any size kitchen, and we often incorporate drawers, inserts and dividers into cabinetry to create the perfect storage space for our clients. For example, if you don't have the square footage for a walk-in pantry, a pull-out pantry built into the cabinetry can provide plenty of space for dry goods.”
Bob Bakes is Head of Design at Bakes & Crop and brings many years of experience as the owner and operator of a kitchen design studio in central London and the well-known legacy brand Bakes & Co. based in Sag Harbor, New York. Throughout his illustrious career, Bob has developed extensive knowledge of the interior design process and professional project management skills.
3. Use your walls wisely
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One of the most common Organizing your home A great tip when you're struggling with storage is to utilize the vertical space you have available. Kitchen wall storageArtem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight, says this could mean using a pegboard or hanging rack to store pots and pans, freeing up cabinet space for other essentials.
“Plus, open shelving can house frequently used items and make them easily accessible while still adding some decor,” he adds.
New York-based Arsight founder Artem Kropovinsky has 10 years of extensive and substantial global design experience. Prioritizing minimalism, sustainability, and authenticity, Artem works with a team of experts on projects across the US and around the world.
4. Use interlocking drawers for corner cabinets
(Image courtesy of Brakes & Kropp)
Organizing a corner cabinet Tight storage space in the kitchen can be a nightmare, and while you could store seldom-used items in a recessed area, it's much more efficient to install some sort of interlocking drawer system that lets you access the whole space without having to crawl halfway inside.
“Blind spots are functional storage areas that are often seen but rarely used. In the kitchen, all storage areas need to be easily accessible, so it's useful to install mechanisms that make blind spots more functional,” says Head of Design Bob Bakes.
“We installed round trays, more complex articulated shelves and 'magic corners' where rectangular baskets move back and forth in sync to allow access to stored items.”
5. Use freestanding storage
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Not everything in your kitchen needs to be fixed to the walls or floor. If you're short on storage space, Amélie Saint-Jacques, professional organizer, KonMari consultant, and founder of Amélie Organizes, suggests considering the following: Separate kitchen Items that can add a little extra functional space, like a movable island or a simple cart on wheels:
“If you have the space, consider a movable kitchen island or a kitchen with shelves. These are great for storing bulkier items and you can store smaller items in boxes. If you have the space, shelving units or baker's racks also work great.”
“If your kitchen is very small, a tiered cart with casters is a better solution. It can hold small appliances, baking supplies, potatoes and onions, or general supplies.”
Amélie Saint-Jacques is a San Antonio-based Certified KonMari Consultant and professional organizer with years of experience in the field of professional organization.
FAQ
How do you decide where to put things in your kitchen?
When laying out your kitchen storage, it helps to place items close to where you'll use them most — for example, keep pots and pans in storage next to the stove and plates and bowls in a cabinet near open counter space to make cooking easier.
How do you store plates and bowls without cabinets?
If you don't have the cabinet space to store plates and bowls, the next best thing is to use kitchen shelves to keep dishes within easy reach. Make sure the shelves aren't too high so there's no risk of items falling when you put them down, and if possible, have rails on the edges to prevent items from falling if the shelves are bumped. Dust your plates and bowls regularly to keep them clean.
if you Organizing an overcrowded kitchenThe obvious answer is to declutter items you don't use or that you would be better off with the same thing. You might be surprised at how much space you can save by donating that ice cream maker you only used once or by emptying your utensil drawer and doing a thorough decluttering of the items you actually use.
