Small kitchen? No worries! Here are some simple storage hacks for your cozy home.
My shoe box kitchen has frustrated me with its tiny size (but also I’m eternally grateful for how quick and easy it is to clean it) and I’ve learned to deal with the small space by incorporating simple storage solutions to make my day-to-day feel a little less cluttered and cramped.
You don’t have to get fancy and elaborate with storage solutions! Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best (and cheapest)!
Below you’ll find inspo photos for kitchen re-organization and storage – and yes, I’ve sprinkled in some photos of my own tiny kitchen to show you how I’ve incorporated different storage hacks too.
And if you’re looking for more storage hacks for other areas of your small home, check out my blog post that talks all about that by clicking here!
And now, lets jump into today’s topic! Although this is a quick read, feel free to skip to the bottom for the Key Takeaways if you’re in a rush.
1. Hang… everything!
If you have any wall space in your kitchen, take advantage of that! Hang your pots, pans, kitchen towels, mugs, oven mitts, cutting boards… even horizontal paper towel holders to help you clear your kitchen counter space.
Warning: Things can start to look messy fast – don’t over do it! Make sure you maintain a good balance between walls space and the items you choose to hang.
For quick reference, here’s my own hanging kitchen items – because we have beams running along our ceiling, we also get to store our cooling racks above our hanging pans.
2. Use the inside of your cabinet doors
The inside of your kitchen cabinet doors are free real estate! The options for cubbies and racking are endless – whether you choose to purchase or go the DIY route. Wall mounted cubbies, racks and hooks can be found in most dollar stores today, all you need are the hand tools to install it.
Just remember, nothing too bulky should be stored on the inside of your cabinet doors so that they aren’t hitting the already existing items stored inside your actual cabinets.
Stick to flat and/or small items like pot and pan lids, cutting boards, plastic/glass container lids, sandwich bag boxes, and spices!
(Note: The two product images I shared above are purely for inspiration – I have not purchased these items myself so I cannot vouch for the quality of these products!)
3. Consider a shelving unit for your kitchen counter top
I have a counter top shelving unit – it’s a game changer. Now I have the extra room to store my dutch ovens, glass jars, salt & pepper shakers, Bialetti espresso maker… the options are endless!
Before DIYing your own or purchasing one, be sure to measure the space where you’d like one and try to find a shelving unit the with dimensions that will fit your counter top. The goal is to find the perfect size for your kitchen so that it’s not overwhelmingly bulky. You don’t want your small kitchen to feel even more crowded!
Also, opt for light coloured units, whether its a natural light wood grain, or a white unit – it will really help the piece look smaller rather than stick out in a tiny space.
However, depending on your kitchen’s colour scheme and overall layout, a dark shelving unit can also work like in these two photos below:
4. Take a look at vertical dish drying racks
If your kitchen is too small for a dishwasher like mine, or you have a dishwasher but still need a decently sized dish drying rack for your counter, then stay away from the classic single level drying racks.
That’s what I currently have and I hate it. It takes up too much room and it is a black plastic – meaning it’s VERY visible and it’s taking up precious counter top real estate.
Some great options for a less bulky feel that also take up less square footage are multi-level racks. You also want to look for wire racks or wood slat racks since their overall frame is lighter and less imposing than the classic solid plastic racks.
Bonus points if you can find one that folds up and can be put away! (Although I don’t know how realistic it would be to put one away – I feel like I’m eternally washing dirty dishes throughout the day).
I have yet to replace my horrendous dish drying rack, but when I do, I’ll be sure to update this post with the product I went with and how I feel about it!
Key Takeaways
As you stand in your kitchen with your hands on your hips, trying to figure out how to make your small space work, remember these tips:
- If you have the space to hang kitchen items – take advantage of that, but don’t go overboard. Make sure to balance your wall space and kitchen size with the amount of items you choose to hang.
- The insides of your cabinet doors are excellent sources of real estate for light, flat items such as pot lids, cutting boards, and container lids! You’ll likely be able to find what you need at your local dollar store (just look for small storage cubbies, racks, and hooks that are made to be wall mounted).
- Counter top shelving units don’t have to be bulky and overpowering! Get an idea of the dimensions you need to compliment the size of your counter, and stick to lighter tones so the unit doesn’t make your kitchen feel overcrowded.
- Multi-level dish drying racks made with a wire frame or wood slat design will remove that bulky feel from your already limited counter space. Every small victory counts, and sometimes it’s the smallest, simplest changes that end up making all the difference.
And that’s it for today folks! Stick around for more small home décor and design, and storage tips, tricks, and solutions coming your way!
No Fret Homestead 
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