Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for a More Efficient Space

Without employing smart storage ideas, your small kitchen can quickly feel cramped and your everyday items can seem never-ending—especially if both counter and cabinet space is limited. The truth is, you'll never feel like the kitchen is truly functional until you take the time to assess how you're storing everything, from appliances and cookware to fragile glassware and dinnerware. Doing so can help you maximize every single inch of the area and ensure you aren't wasting valuable space by storing everyday items incorrectly.

To battle cramped spaces, you'll have to tap into innovative kitchen storage ideas that will make you rethink the way you view the room. Our ideas take advantage of common kitchen features to create unique solutions, including pantry doors, cabinets, shelving, utility closets, and wall space. Plus, there are some design elements you'll want to consider—like a recycling station or a sink skirt to give your kitchen additional style and space for storage.  

A few key investments can also go a long way in freeing up space, like freestanding shelves, which are great for storing everyday kitchen items like spices, and pierced corbels to hang the utensils to free up valuable room inside of drawers. You may want to consider rethinking your small kitchen storage set-up altogether and installing custom cabinetry that includes pull-out drawers and additional shelving. We're walking you through the best uses for customized additions, and how you can maximize existing space with as little effort as possible. Ahead, we're sharing small kitchen storage ideas to enhance the frequented area of your home—and including some tips from our founder.

Make the most out of your space by organizing your pantry staples. Be sure to check expiration dates of your cereals and dry goods, so that unnecessary items aren't taking up precious room on your shelves.

When it comes to your utensils, keeping them in a common place can help your kitchen look organized. This small kitchen storage idea will help your area look stylish with the right design. This angled utensil tray is conveniently stored in a drawer.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Angled Utensil Tray, $15.93, macys.com.

One of Martha's favorite design features includes open shelving, as they help alleviate a cramped space while providing you an opportunity to showcase your kitchenware essentials.

If budget is an issue, take a look at improving your existing space with low-cost design elements. You could add dowel rods to your cabinets and shelves to create plate holders and add more storage space, for example.

Get crafty with your food storage by using etching cream. Clear food containers are great for small spaces because they let you visually identify your dry goods quickly and easily, without having to rummage through small cabinets.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Six-Piece Bakery Set, $100, macys.com.

Don't forget to make use of even the tiniest of nooks to get the most out of your small kitchen. A tilt-down drawer at your sink, for example, is a handy way to store sponges and knickknacks that would otherwise take up valuable counter space.

A simple display of knives may appear as a design element, but in reality, this will allow you to use some of your most commonly used kitchen utensils without cluttering your drawers.

Don't let recycling take over your kitchen. Create a small and efficient recycling storage station with just a few items from your local craft or hardware store. Plus, it takes up wall space, and not coveted ground real estate.

Keep your utility closets tidy to avoid letting your brooms, mops, and dustpans from taking over. Wall hangers go a long way to help keep these items in place.

With smaller kitchens, cabinet and drawer areas can be limited, so get smart and go vertical. Pierced corbels are great for hanging larger kitchen utensils that would otherwise crowd your drawer. Additionally, glass-front mounted cabinet doors are a beautiful way to display your serving ware.

Shop Now: Ekena Millwork Boston Traditional Scroll Corbel, $33, amazon.com.

Modifying your cabinet to serve as a customizable pantry space is a convenient all-in-one solution. Pull-out drawers and racks allow you to pack all of your pantry items into one convenient location that's a fraction of a normal-sized pantry.

If you have limited kitchen storage, make use of your other rooms to help alleviate some of the mess. Move barware and entertaining pieces to the living room with custom cabinetry.

Your assorted spices can take up more space than you think. To help these kitchen essentials blend in with the rest of your area, consider installing a cube spice rack for ease and organization.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Cube Spice Rack, $84, macys.com.

Saving space will be easy with a custom peg board added to your wall. Simply arrange the pegs in a desired spot to prop up shelves and set everything from seasonings to silverware.

Streamline additional counter space by adding shelves that accent your entire kitchen wall. This will give you the space you need and a place to display your most prized dishes.

Separate your items—like storage containers, water bottles, and more—in your drawers for the ultimate organization.

Line the bottom of your kitchen island, bar cart, or other kitchen space with baskets for easy storage and style.

If you have storage that you would rather cover up, a sink skirt can help you effortlessly disguise the pieces without sacrificing space.