Easy, Inexpensive Hacks To Save Space In A Small Kitchen
For those who have a small kitchen, space quickly becomes an issue. But with a few hooks, curtain rods, and a little creativity, you can maximize space. Put hangers on the bottom of shelves and cabinets, repurpose food cans, and put storage on the outside of your fridge. If you want easy, cheap hacks to save kitchen space, look no further.
Unify Your Pantry Containers
Many people struggle to organize pantries, mainly because food containers are all different. Cereal boxes are much larger than pasta boxes, while seeds and nuts come in plastic bags. If you unify your cabinet containers, storage will be much easier.
Get clear, airtight containers--preferably in square or rectangular shapes--and store food inside. Although this is an investment, it will make cooking so much easier. You'll be able to see how much food you have and stack the containers on top of each other.
Turn Shelves And Cabinets Into Hangers
This hack is great for storing more items using the same amount of space. Hooks on the underside of cabinets and shelves can store mugs, wine glasses, or cooking utensils. If you don't want to drill into wooden shelves or cabinets, get an under-the-shelf hook.
These shelves are detachable, so you can move them wherever you want in the kitchen. Many are also narrow enough so that the cabinet door can still close. Some shops, like Amazon and Home Depot, also have removable hooks that you can stick to the shelf.
Fruit Bowl? Why Not A Fruit Basket?
Although fruit bowls are popular, they can only hold a certain amount. Why not get fruit baskets instead? Metal baskets allow air to flow through them, which will prevent mold. But since they're square, you can also stack them!
Get a few baskets that are all the same size and stack them on the counter. These will separate your fruits and vegetables, which tend to ripen faster when placed together. Also, they'll appear more organized on the counter.
Convert Clear Desk Organizers Into Fridge Organizers
Clear organizer drawers are often designed for office desks. By why not use them for the refrigerator? With plastic organizers, you can see everything in your fridge and organize them.
Stack the clear organizers for more storage space. You can even use them as a soda dispenser. Take off the door in the front part of the organizer, and stack the cans on their side. You'll fit more, and you can easily take cans out of it.
Instead Of Stacking Pots, Hang Them
If pots and pans are cluttering your cabinets, check the handles. Many have holes in their handles for people to hang them. Hanging pots not only organizes them better, but it also relieves cabinet space.
Depending on the type of hook you get, you can hang pots beneath shelves, on walls, inside cabinet doors, or from the ceiling. Make sure that the pots are easily within reach and that the hooks are strong enough to support their weight.
Replace A Spice Rack With A Spice Drawer
If you have more drawers than counter or wall space, convert one drawer into a spice rack. Storage inserts, like the ones made for utensils, can hold standard spice containers. If your drawer is narrow, cut a plastic insert to fit inside.
Some stores like IKEA design inserts specifically for spice jars. These inserts are ridged, so the containers will not slide around when you open the drawer. While organizing, place the spices that you use the most in front.
If You Can't Nail Into The Wall, Get A Pegboard
If you cannot put nails into your rental walls, or if you don't have wall space, get a pegboard. A pegboard, or perforated hardboard, is pre-drilled with holes. By sticking pegs into the holes, you can hang whatever you want wherever you want.
Since pegboards are so sturdy, they can hang heavier items such as pots, pans, strainers, and bowls. Lean the pegboard against a wall or on the side of the fridge. Plus, you can paint it whatever color you like!
Throw Out That Knife Block
Knife blocks take up a lot of room on the counter. To get rid of it, buy a magnetic knife strip. These strips hang your knives with magnetism. Although it might seem like the knives will fall, they won't; the strip has a strong magnetic force.
These magnetic strips don't just hang knives. They can also store scissors, cheese graters, and other metal items. Many are designed to look like wood that can match your cabinets.
Use The Stovetop As Storage
How often do you use all four stovetop burners at once? Probably not often. In that case, your stovetop can serve as storage. While the burners are not on, you can leave teapots or pans on them that appear decorative.
Plus, most stoves have a ridge right about the clock and oven controls. Use this to your advantage. Place small containers and utensils on there, like spices, oils, salt and pepper shakers.
Multiple Uses For A Drying Rack
Dish drying racks are not just for drying dishes. They can also be cheap, convenient storage. Use a drying rack to stack lids, cutting boards, mugs, cheese boards, bowls, knives, utensils, and more.
If you didn't know, there are several different kinds of dish racks. Magnetic dish racks can hang on the side of a fridge, and some hanging dish racks have multiple levels. Put hooks on the bottom of hanging dish racks, and you'll have a complex storage unit.
Need More Cutting Space? Get A Kitchen Cart
Most small kitchens do not have an island. If you want more counter space, buy a kitchen or bar cart. These carts are on wheels, so you can drag them in and out of the kitchen whenever you need extra counter space.
Also, many of these carts have two levels. Since the upper level will be cutting space, the lower one can store cutting boards, utensils, cleaning supplies, or anything else that you don't have room for. When it's not in use, store it next to the fridge or a cabinet.
More Storage, On Wheels
Storage carts come in all shapes and sizes. Many retailers offer portable storage, wheeled racks that have several levels. Some are so narrow that you can fit them in between the refrigerator and the cabinets.
Use these portable carts to your advantage. Put lesser-used materials inside, such as tinfoil, plastic wrap, spare towels, baking supplies, or measuring cups. Whenever you need them, roll the cart out, grab the supplies, and then roll it back in.
Take Spices Off The Counter
Spice racks do not have to consume counter space. There are many ways to store spices on the wall. One option is a hanging spice rack. These racks are nailed to the wall, and many come with spice jars that are labeled on the lid, which face outward.
If you lack wall space, get magnetic spice jars. These tiny jars attach to your fridge, and many have transparent lids so you can see the inside. If they don't, label them.
From Sink To Storage
If you sink is stainless steel, magnets will stick to it. Convert the inside walls of your sink into storage. With a magnetic basket, you can hold sponges or brushes in an easy-to-grab area. Do not put anything in these baskets that you don't want to get wet.
If you do not want anything inside of the sink, get a dispenser-storage hybrid. Some soap dispensers include a nook for people to place their sponge, and they are fairly cheap.
Multiple Tiers Of Hanging Fruits And Vegetables
For those with little counter space, a hanging fruit basket might become a lifesaver. These metal mesh baskets often have multiple layers to store different fruits and vegetables. Hang it from the ceiling or a wall hook.
Hanging baskets separate fruits and vegetables. If they are stored together, they will ripen faster. If you get mesh baskets, they allow for more air circulation to prevent mold. Do not hang these baskets in front of a window; the sun might rot produce or speed up the ripening process.