Maximizing Space: Creative Solutions for Small Kitchen Organization

So, you found the ideal home in a great neighborhood but…ohhhh…the kitchen is really small. And you have excellent culinary skills. And lots of cooking gear. What do you do now? You make it work with a lot of organization and some helpful products, like:

1. Pantry/cupboard baskets. Whether you have a designated pantry or must use  your limited cabinets to store food, baskets are the answer for dividing up and seeing what you have on hand. Modern, clear plastic/acrylic baskets help you see everything from any angle; traditional woven baskets are sturdier for canned goods and—bonus!—prettier. Pro Tip: Buy baskets with cutout handles for easier carrying/moving.
2. Expandable bamboo drawer dividers. You can store and find silverware, utensils, straws and even spices better with these pre-set organizers. Since not all drawer dimensions are universal—especially in older homes—the expandable option is ideal for any space. Bonus: Bamboo screams “style!”
3. Drawer organizer sets. Take charge of that junk drawer with interchangeable, see-through containers you can move around to fit your needs. Every item—rubber bands, pens, paper clips, chapsticks, lens wipes—has a home, so you avoid pawing through random items for—aha!—a twist tie. Bonus: They’re stackable!
4. Large utensil holder. One pasta server, potato masher or whisk will do its best to jam the utensil drawer every time you try to open it. Win that battle by moving oversized, awkward utensils to a large, cylindrical caddy right where you’ll need them: by the stove. Pro Tip: Buy one that rotates!
5. Large appliance cabinet. Small kitchens = small counter space. So why clutter what space you have with appliances? Instead, buy a cabinet shallow enough—16” works for mixers, air fryers, slow cookers—to fit against a wall and tall enough to maximize storage options. Pro Tip: Make sure the door opens INTO the kitchen.
6. Pullout shelves/organizers. Under-cabinet shelves are often very tall and deep, wasting valuable storage space for pans, lids, food storage containers, and cleaning supplies. Maximize and organize those spaces with sturdy two-tier, pullout shelves…and fill them to the top! Pro Tip: Most—but not all—must be mounted into the cabinet for sturdiness.
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A small work space doesn’t have to kill your culinary dreams. Make the limited area work during move-in and you’ll be the master of your kitchen in no time!