Is your kitchen a comfortable but efficient cooking environment, or is it a chaotic mess that is crimping your culinary style? The problem might be a case of too much stuff in the areas where you need to create. Maximizing your kitchen’s storage space is a sure way to make more room to think, dream, and cook to your heart’s content. Even the smallest kitchen offers ways to put away tools and ingredients, freeing up counter space and more. So, if you’ve been asking yourself, “How can I maximize storage space in my kitchen?” here are a few simple and sensible tips to get you started.
Declutter
The best beginning to any major reorganization project is to declutter. Search every cabinet, pantry, drawer, and countertop for the things you rarely use. Donate or recycle duplicate tools—do you really need three blenders? Get rid of expired food and other items well past their best-by dates. Ditch the single-use gadgets you haven’t used in years and trash anything that’s old, cheap, not valuable, and in the way.
Think Vertically
Flat space rules, yet many overlook vertical space in the kitchen. Install shelving that extends to the ceiling to store infrequently used items and tools. Holiday dishes, special-use or occasion cookware, and similar charming oddities may come in handy someday, but not every day. Add magnetic knife strips to keep your cutting tools up and out of the way but still handy. Wall-mounted racks and pegboards are equally adept at holding pots, pans, and other cookware.
Maximize Cabinet Space
Don’t think of cabinets as single-plane storage spaces (or double- or triple-plane if they have two or more shelves). Add pullout trays, lazy Susans, and tiered shelf organizers to increase their holding capacities and make finding tools and ingredients easier. Door-mounted racks and hooks make use of that often unused space to hold measuring utensils, spices and seasonings, pot lids, and more.
Install Drawer Dividers
We tend to treat drawers like sliding junk boxes, indiscriminately piling them high with a jumble of implements, utensils, and doohickeys. Keep them in order by setting up drawer dividers that organize knives, forks, spoons, and every possible device your cooking sessions may need. Customizable dividers keep order and make finding exactly what you’re looking for easier and less frustrating.
Utilize Multi-Functional Furniture
You’ll find several differences between dining room and kitchen tables, but there’s one thing that kitchen tables favor: they don’t have to be just kitchen tables. Some kitchen tables have built-in seating or out-of-the-way alcoves and drawers for further storage. Bar carts and rolling trolleys provide extra prep space and act as storage solutions for smaller kitchens.
Hopefully, this article has answered your question, “How can I maximize storage space in my kitchen?”. Every space has the potential to provide more space than you think, especially your kitchen!
