27 Mind-Blowing Kitchen Storage Hacks to Maximize Your Space

By Andrew Zoellner

Updated on July 27, 2023

Open shelving kitchen storage with plants

Embrace Open Shelving for a Cozy Kitchen

Forget traditional cupboards! Open shelving is the hottest kitchen storage trend. Display your beautiful dishes and instantly create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Don’t overcrowd shelves; mix in potted plants and succulents for visual appeal. Check out these DIY projects for even more kitchen storage space.

Kitchen rail with hanging utensils

Utilize Wall Space with a Kitchen Rail

Maximize space by installing a stainless steel rail. Hang utensils, mugs, pots, pans, and even dishtowels. It’s a perfect solution for unused wall space and keeps essentials within easy reach. This also frees up valuable counter and drawer space.

Spice rack made with a tension rod

Clever Spice Storage with a Tension Rod

Tired of cluttered spice jars? Install a small tension rod inside your pantry as a shelf. It’s sturdy enough to hold spice containers and makes them easy to find. Watch our video tutorial on building this spice rack.

Knife rack on cabinet door

Turn a Cutting Board into a Cabinet Door Knife Rack

Repurpose a cutting board into a custom knife rack. Cut kerfs into wood scraps using a table saw, glue them together, and mount it on a cabinet door. This keeps knives organized and frees up drawer space. Remember to practice safe saw operation.

Create a Chalkboard Wall for Notes and Lists

Transform a kitchen wall into a chalkboard for grocery lists, recipes, and reminders. It eliminates paper clutter and adds a fun, personalized touch. If painting a whole wall feels daunting, start with a smaller section or hang a chalkboard.

Plastic bag with manuals under sink

Organize Manuals and Documents Under the Sink

Keep appliance manuals, paint samples, and spare hardware organized in a resealable bag under the sink. This ensures they’re easily accessible when needed and prevents them from getting lost.

Hanging wire basket with fruit

Hang a Basket for Fruit and Vegetable Storage

Free up counter space by hanging a wire basket from the ceiling to store fruits, vegetables, or even bread. This adds visual interest and keeps produce fresh. Consider a tiered basket for additional storage.

Drawer stop made with dowel

Prevent Drawers from Falling Out with a Simple Stop

Keep drawers securely in place by drilling a hole and inserting a dowel with a screw and fender washer. This easy-to-make stop prevents accidental spills and keeps your kitchen organized. Learn how to fix sticky drawers too.

Wine glasses hanging from T-molding

Repurpose T-Molding as a Wine Glass Rack

Use leftover T-molding from flooring projects to create a stylish wine glass rack under a shelf. Cut it to length, pre-drill holes, and screw it in place for an elegant storage solution.

Fold-down tablet tray under cabinet

Build a Drop-Down Tablet Tray for Hands-Free Viewing

Keep your tablet safe and accessible while cooking with a custom drop-down tray. This protects it from spills and keeps countertops clear. Small magnets hold the tray in place when closed. Consider an appliance garage for storing small appliances.

Organize Spices in a Drawer with a Custom Rack

Build a simple plywood rack to organize spices inside a drawer. This maximizes space and makes it easy to find the spice you need. Alternatively, build a two-tier spice rack directly into the drawer.

Cutting board storage on cabinet door

Store Cutting Boards on a Cabinet Door

Mount an acrylic or plywood rack on a cabinet door to store cutting boards vertically. This keeps them organized and frees up valuable counter space. Use spacers to keep the boards separated.

Display Vintage Kitchenware as Functional Decor

Turn vintage rolling pins, utensils, and cutting boards into decorative wall displays. This adds character to your kitchen while keeping these items accessible for use. Consider magnetic hooks for easy hanging and removal.

Extra shelf in kitchen cabinet

Maximize Cabinet Space by Adding Shelves

Add extra shelves to your kitchen cabinets to utilize vertical space efficiently. Use plywood and shelf supports to create customized storage for plates, bowls, and other items. Consult our guide to kitchen cabinet dimensions.

File holder used for kitchen storage

Repurpose a File Holder for Foil and Wrap Storage

Use an empty file holder to store aluminum foil, parchment paper, and plastic wrap vertically. This keeps them organized and easily accessible.

Measuring cups hanging on cabinet door

Hang Measuring Cups Inside a Cabinet Door

Mount wooden strips with cup hooks inside a cabinet door to store measuring cups and spoons. This frees up drawer space and keeps them within easy reach while baking or cooking.

Tissue box used for plastic bag storage

Use a Tissue Box as a Plastic Bag Holder

Repurpose an empty tissue box to store plastic grocery bags or small rags. Simply thumbtack it to the inside of a cabinet door for convenient access.

Deep drawer with sliding tray divider

Divide Deep Drawers with Sliding Trays

Organize deep drawers by adding a sliding tray to create two shallower spaces. This prevents utensils from getting jumbled together and makes them easier to find. Use adjustable shelf supports for a customizable fit.

Spice rack with uniform jars

Invest in a Spice Rack for Organized Flavor

A spice rack is essential for any organized kitchen. It keeps spices neatly arranged and easily accessible, preventing clutter and frustration. Consider transferring spices to uniform jars for a professional look.

Rollout storage panel in cabinet

Build a Rollout Storage Panel for Base Cabinets

Maximize space in deep base cabinets with a rollout storage panel. Mount plywood on drawer slides and add shelves, hooks, and holders to customize your storage. Ensure the drawer slides are parallel for smooth operation.

Wine bottles stored in a drawer

Store Wine in a Drawer for a Compact Solution

If you lack a wine rack, store wine bottles horizontally in a deep kitchen drawer. Alternating the direction of the bottles allows them to fit snugly. Consider building rollout drawers for larger wine collections. Take our quiz to find your organizing style.

Flip-down paper tray under cabinet

Install a Flip-Down Paper Tray for a Hidden Command Center

Create a hidden command center by installing a flip-down paper tray under an upper cabinet. This provides a convenient spot for pens, paper, and notes while keeping them out of sight when not in use. Need something larger? Build a kitchen message center.

Closet racks used for can storage

Repurpose Closet Racks for Canned Good Storage

Use old closet racks to organize canned goods inside kitchen cabinets. Trim them to length and mount them to the cabinet face frame for easy access and inventory management. This is a great pantry storage solution.

Rollout drawer for pot lids

Build a Rollout Drawer for Pot Lids

Create a dedicated storage space for pot lids by building a rollout drawer under a cabinet shelf. This keeps lids organized and prevents them from cluttering cabinets. Ensure the drawer clears the cabinet door hinges. Check out these apartment-friendly kitchen upgrade ideas.

Cutting board attached to cabinet with magnets

Create a Hidden Cutting Board with Magnets

Hide a cutting board under a cabinet using rare earth magnets. Embed magnets in the cutting board and attach a metal plate to the underside of the cabinet. The magnets will securely hold the cutting board in place when not in use. Learn how to make your own cutting board.

Cookware organizer in base cabinet

Build a Vertical Cookware Organizer

Maximize vertical space in base cabinets by building a cookware organizer. Remove the lower shelf and install a vertical plywood panel with furniture braces to hold cookie sheets, baking pans, and cutting boards.

Jars and canisters for dry good storage

Organize Dry Goods in Jars and Canisters

Store dry goods like lentils, rice, and oats in clear jars or canisters for a stylish and organized pantry. This allows you to see what you have at a glance and adds a rustic charm to your kitchen. Display them on open shelves for a visually appealing pantry.