How to Organize a Small Kitchen: 10 Storage Ideas You’ll Love
Originally these 11 small kitchen storage ideas were going to be a collection of hacks I applied to different projects, but after looking through photos of one of my client projects, I realized everything I applied to her kitchen was gold. These aren’t all the hacks I applied to my client’s kitchen, but these were my favorite.
You’ll see products that you most likely already own, like command hooks and glass containers, and solutions that address countertop disorganization and cabinet clutter. Expect links to the products I actually used plus a new way to think about your belongings.
I can’t teach organization without giving perspective. It's how I teach organization in my membership community Abode. On one of our monthly Kitchen Table calls, our member Ayana referred to it as the Head Heart Home. Cause it's more than just stuff, function, and order—it’s how we orient our things in a way that’s the most beneficial to our entire being.
Now for the small kitchen storage ideas!
1. Use Adhesive Organizers inside Cabinets
You know those miscellaneous condiments (Worcestershire sauce) or specialty items that don’t quite fit with your other spices? If your vanilla extract floats around your kitchen without a home, make the most of your cabinet interiors with adhesive bins. I used adhesive organizers for this client's project to store her mini bouillon and extra spices. These are the exact bins I use in my home and client homes:
Command 10 Lb Large Organizing Caddy
$14.53
iDESIGN Affixx Adhesive Organizer Bin
$14.99
2. Store Tall, Not Frequently Used Items Higher
Since we all have similar kitchen layouts, you most likely have this deep but out-of-reach cabinet on top of your fridge. If you’ve struggled to take advantage of it, try storing your paper towels up there. If the top shelf is too short, remove the shelf and move it a peg or two down. This way you’ll utilize the depth, width, and height of the shelf that’s otherwise underused.
Pro Tip: Add a label to section off the items, turning it into a system and making the home permanent. Labels instantly make everything look put together and intentional.
3. Use Decorative Turntables and Baskets for Medication
Whether you think supplements and medication belong in the kitchen or bathroom, you might not have a functional home for them. I got this matching set from Target, and my client loved them. They make this mundane, everyday category look and feel elevated.
Pro Tip: Make sure you properly space out your turntables and baskets. This way, when you’re using them, they’re not blocking one another.
4. Use Command Hooks to Save Drawer Space
Instead of storing oven mitts inside a drawer, hang them on a command hook instead. I could honestly make a list of just command hook small kitchen storage ideas. They’re budget- and renter-friendly but create solutions to unsolvable problems. Hanging your mitts inside a cabinet door frees up drawer and counter space—it’s a win-win.
5. Mount Paper Towel Holder Under Kitchen Sink Swap
Mounting a paper towel under a cabinet has been a go-to for me and my clients. But seeing that every inch in a small kitchen counts, I found this solution is even better. We’re no longer mounting paper towels underneath the cabinet but mounting them on the cabinet's interior.
6. Use Command Hooks To Hang Your Measuring Tools
Here’s another command hook solution that saves on drawer space and maximizes your vertical cabinet space. Use command hooks to hang your measuring cups and spoons. My client loved to buy different measuring tools, and they were overwhelming her utensil drawer. After giving away a few, we mounted the rest inside her pantry door.
7. Mount Extra Cooking Utensils Inside the Cabinet Door
For the extra cooking utensils my client didn’t use often, we mounted those on the same door. Depending on your cabinet structure, make sure you’re mounting the command hooks so they’re not obstructing the cabinet shelf.
8. Install Extra Narrow Pull Out Cabinet Organizer
This is the perfect solution for deep but narrow cabinets. With a narrow organizer, you get to make the most of the depth and the width. My client was using it for her dog’s food and medicine. After installing, we were able to add all her doggie supplies, which was a win-win.
Pull Out Cabinet Organizer With Wooden Handle
$95.99
9. Install Shelf Risers for Plates & Specialty Glassware
You hear about vertical space all the time, and you’re going to continue to because so much space is wasted when it’s not being used. Shelf risers specifically make your cabinets more functional, allowing you to separate smaller and larger plates and bowls. If you have specialty glassware that you don’t use often, storing them on the top cabinet shelf with a shelf riser will keep them out of the way and safe.
Pro Tip: I’ve never had a project where I didn’t have to adjust the shelving. I moved each cabinet shelf down a peg so I could fit all the taller specialty glassware at the top and save space on the middle shelf, which didn’t need as much room.
BEFORE I ORGANIZED THE CABINET
10. Decant Coffee into a Container to Save Space
Also known as a lazy Susan, this allows you to store several items and access them easily with a turn. You can bring order and elevate your countertops using a turntable for items you use every day. My client had a couple of other coffee brands that we donated to the Forest Ave ComeUnity Fridge on Staten Island, NY.
Pro Tip: There were a couple of empty glass containers that weren’t being used. The original canister the coffee came in was taking up too much space. Since my client drinks coffee daily, I removed the coffee from the original canister and put it into the glass container so it could live on the counter inside the turntable. I was able to use items she already had and save space.
11. Mount Cleaning Supplies on Adhesive Hooks
Hang mini brooms and dusters on the side of a cabinet with command hooks. These didn’t have a home and were floating underneath the kitchen sink cabinet. Since that area was already packed, I relocated them to an unused but intuitive space. I added labels for an extra razzle-dazzle.
Your Kitchen, Your Rules
Sometimes it’s not about buying something new or having a fancy new gadget. Like you saw, command hooks are the GOAT, and often you just need a new way of looking at what you already own. While small kitchen storage ideas may come with challenges—like lack of space and inconsiderate storage—they’re also an opportunity to get creative. By remembering you have everything you need (and that “more” isn’t always the answer), you can create a space that works for you and looks cute.
If you’re ready to take your small kitchen to the next level, join Abode to get personalized guidance for organizing every corner of your home! And if you’re not sure you’re ready for a program, take the Homebody Archetype Quiz to learn where to start based on your level of clutter. For even more solutions and inspiration, tune into the Organize For Love Podcast where I help you expand the way we think about, feel in, and do home
