19 Small Kitchen Storage and Organization Ideas

19 Small Kitchen Storage and Organization Ideas

by — Kari Apted
Published on November 9, 2021
Updated on March 31, 2025

“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.” – Louis Parrish

Kitchen organization can be a problem in homes of all sizes. No matter big their kitchen, most people feel like there’s never enough kitchen storage space or counter space.

If you’re in need of new small kitchen storage ideas, you’re in the right place. Enjoy our collection of the best tips and tricks to help you master the art of small kitchen organization.

1. Install Open End Shelves for Extra Storage

Maximize your kitchen’s storage capacity by adding open end shelves to existing cabinets. This not only provides easy access to frequently used items but also creates a visually appealing display for decorative kitchenware.

Small kitchen with white cabinets, wooden countertops, stove, and dining table with cloth; shelves hold dishes and decor items — Source: @mp_decoinspiration via Instagram

2. Organize with a Standing Pot Lid Holder

A standing pot lid holder is an excellent solution for small kitchens, efficiently organizing your pot lids in one place. This freestanding accessory can be placed in a cabinet or on a countertop, allowing for quick access while cooking and keeping lids neatly stacked and out of the way.

Glass pot lids arranged in a bamboo rack on a kitchen countertop with a brown tiled backsplash

3. Add a Kitchen Ladder Shelf for Vertical Storage

A kitchen ladder shelf offers a stylish and space-efficient way to store various kitchen items. Its vertical design is ideal for small kitchens, allowing you to store things like pots, plants, and cookbooks without consuming valuable counter space.

A kitchen with a white cabinet, a wooden ladder shelf with decor and kitchen items, a woven basket, and a patterned rug

4. Sort Pantry Items in Labeled Bins

Organize your pantry efficiently with labeled bins. This method helps you quickly find what you need and keeps your pantry items neat. Transparent bins are particularly useful for identifying contents at a glance.

Organized kitchen cabinet with labeled bins, canned goods, jars, and spices; microwave and cookbooks on wooden countertop below — Source: @bloomfieldhouse via Instagram

5. Maximize the Under-shelf Storage

Utilize the space beneath your shelves with under-shelf baskets or hooks. This is an excellent solution for storing mugs, kitchen towels, or even small pots, making the most of unused space.

Kitchen shelves with jars of spices and grains, a wooden crate with bottles, utensils, and potted plants on a white counter

Modern kitchen with open pantry showing organized jars and kitchen items, wine bottle and glass on counter, ovens to the left, window view outside — Source: @fitzgeraldsinteriors via Instagram

6. Utilize Cube Storage for Flexibility

Implement cube storage in your kitchen to create a modular and flexible organization system. It’s perfect for storing everything from dishes to small appliances and can be customized to fit any kitchen layout.

White cube shelves displaying colorful dishes, bowls, mugs, teapots, and small potted plants in a tidy arrangement

7. Streamline Cabinets with Tiered Organizers

A tiered cabinet organizer can transform your cabinets into more functional storage areas. By providing multiple levels, it allows you to store more items in the same space and keeps everything visible and accessible.

Open cupboard with neatly arranged glasses, mugs, and cups on shelves, featuring various shapes and sizes with some mugs displaying colorful designs — Source: @organisedviews via Instagram

8. Design a Recessed Coffee Corner

Create a dedicated coffee corner by recessing a small area in your kitchen. This space-saving solution can house your coffee maker and supplies, keeping them out of the way but always ready for use.

Modern kitchen with open cabinet showing a microwave, books, and food items; toaster and blender on counter; gas stove on the side — Source: @project_ivel via Instagram

9. Save Counter Space with a Mounted Microwave

Free up counter space by mounting your microwave on the wall or beneath a cabinet. This placement is not only space-efficient but also makes the microwave more accessible.

Cozy kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, mounted microwave, decorative signs, floral centerpieces, and a round dining table — Source: @jessberdecodesigns via Instagram

10. Expand Storage with Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a minimalist and practical solution for adding extra storage to your kitchen. They are ideal for holding spices, small plants, or daily-use items, adding both functionality and a modern touch to your space.

Rustic kitchen with marble counters, white cabinets, open floating shelves, and a "Super Market" sign. Vase with flowers and fruit bowl on island — Source: @threedimpleddarlings via Instagram

Modern kitchen with black wall, wooden countertops, stove, oven, toaster, coffee maker, and floating shelves with plants and decor — Source: @peonymoondrops via Instagram

Modern kitchen with wooden countertops, dark blue cabinets, and gold faucet, featuring floating shelves with plants and decor, and a washing machine — Source: @peonyandprose via Instagram

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, black appliances, floating shelves, and a lightbox reading "Is it Friday yet?" on the wall — Source: @_travelinsoldier_ via Instagram

A cozy kitchen with light green cabinets, a white farmhouse sink, and open shelves displaying dishes and glassware — Source: @devolkitchens via Instagram

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, open shelves, two gas burners, and colorful dishes on shelves. Plants hang by the window. Rugs on the floor — Source: @noraejan via Instagram

Cozy kitchen with a black accent wall, wooden cabinet with glass doors, wall-mounted shelf, hanging mugs, and a washing machine — Source: @nest_no.17 via Instagram

Rustic kitchen with dark cabinets, open shelves, vintage scale, potted plants, and brick walls; round rug and patterned floor tiles — Source: @dwra.lazaridou via Instagram

Modern kitchen with light green cabinets, open shelving, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a blue pendant light — Source: @lizziegreen.co via Instagram

Kitchen corner with a wooden shelf holding various tins and spices, coffee items and olive oil on the countertop, framed art above — Source: @reclaimwithnatalia via Instagram

Compact kitchen featuring a white fridge with microwave sitting on the top, wooden cabinets, open shelve, small stove, and countertop with utensils — Source: @l_a_s_h_a via Instagram

11. Create a Customizable Pegboard Wall

A pegboard provides versatile and accessible storage for a variety of kitchen tools. It can be customized with hooks and shelves to hold utensils, pots, and pans, keeping them handy and your countertops clutter-free.

Cozy kitchen with dark cabinets, pegboard wall, countertop items, books, and a small island; large window, hanging light, and dining table visible — Source: @lasjama via Instagram

12. Convert Cabinets to Open Shelving

Transform your cabinets into open shelving for an airy, spacious feel in your kitchen. This encourages you to keep only essential items and makes them easily reachable.

A white kitchen with open shelving, displaying bowls, jars with pasta, fruit baskets, and decorative items on a patterned tile backsplash — Source: @kaitlincuccinelli via Instagram

13. U-Shaped Countertop for More Storage

A U-shaped countertop not only provides ample workspace but also allows for more storage underneath. It’s an efficient layout for small kitchens, offering maximum storage and surface area.

Modern kitchen with two-tone cabinets, wooden U-shaped countertop, gas stove, open spice rack, wall-mounted devices, and wood flooring — Source: @kettlecokitchens via Instagram

Modern kitchen with light gray cabinets, wooden shelves with decor, marble U-shaped countertops, and a wood floor; bright and organized space — Source: @fayes_home_edit via Instagram

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, white island, black stools, pendant lights, and various kitchen appliances and decor in natural light — Source: @decor_design_tileliquidators via Instagram

14. Enhance Kitchen Island with Drawers

Add drawers to your kitchen island for additional, easily accessible storage. These can be used for utensils, small appliances, or pantry items, keeping them close at hand but out of sight.

Modern kitchen with open drawers showing wine glasses, bowls, and a serving tray with wine and glasses on top of the counter — Source: @cloppenbourne_kitchens via Instagram

Open wooden drawers displaying white mugs, set against a modern kitchen interior with black accents — Source: @completekitchens1380 via Instagram

Open kitchen drawer with stacked pots and pans under a stainless steel gas stove — Source: @happyplacetx via Instagram

15. Use Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers help in maintaining an organized kitchen. By compartmentalizing your drawers, you can easily separate utensils, cutlery, and other small items, making them easier to find.

Wooden kitchen utensils in a drawer with divider, with cutting boards and a rolling pin visible

Open kitchen drawer with neatly organized utensils, including a whisk, measuring spoons, spatula, and other tools in compartments — Source: @the.mama.journey via Instagram

16. Access Easily with a Pull-Out Pantry

A pull-out pantry is a space-saving solution that offers great visibility and access to your food items. It slides out easily, allowing you to view and reach everything without the need to dig through deep shelves.

Pull-out kitchen spice rack with glass spice jars and labeled containers, neatly organized in three rows beside white cabinets — Source: @roomsetting via Instagram

Organized pantry with labeled wooden pull-out drawers containing snacks, jars, and various food items — Source: @goodorderdc via Instagram

Organized pantry with pull-out drawers, filled with jars, cans, and boxes of food items — Source: @task_giant via Instagram

17. Preserve Freshness with Airtight Containers

Storing food in airtight containers not only keeps it fresh longer but also helps in organizing your pantry. These containers can be stacked, saving space and reducing clutter.

Neatly organized pantry with labeled containers holding pasta, snacks, and various food items on wire shelves — Source: @elauren_h via Instagram

Pantry shelves with labeled containers storing cereal, snacks, oats, and canned goods with a decorative tin on the bottom shelf — Source: @home_by_danni27 via Instagram

A pantry with labeled glass jars and wicker baskets organized on wooden shelves, storing various dry goods like grains and pantry staples — Source: @manthahomes via Instagram

18. Simplify Access with a Rotating Storage Rack

A rotating storage rack, or lazy Susan, can be used in cabinets or on countertops for easy access to spices, condiments, and small jars. This solution utilizes corner spaces efficiently and keeps items within easy reach.

Wooden pantry with organized shelves, rotating storage rack, featuring spices, canned goods, baking pans, and kitchen supplies — Source: @flippingmyforever via Instagram

19. Make Use of Corners with a Pantry Shelf

Make the most of corner space in your kitchen with a corner pantry shelf or corner cabinet. This shelving unit fits snugly into corners, offering additional storage space for pantry items or appliances.

Open corner pantry with shelves holding spices, bottles, and cans; white cabinets, wooden floor, and countertop are visible — Source: @moultonkitchens via Instagram

FAQs

How do you organize your kitchen when you don’t have a pantry?

Many small kitchens lack a pantry, but you have other storage idea options. Select a cabinet or two for food storage and use a drawer for storing spices. Use an old bookcase or freestanding cupboard as a pantry, or repurpose a seldom-used coat closet into a working pantry.

How should pots and pans be stored in a small kitchen?

Look up for great small kitchen storage ideas for your cookware. Screw hooks into the wall above your stove and hang pots and pans there, or install a ceiling pot rack. You can also stash cookware in the drawer at the bottom of your range, or even inside the oven. Just don’t forget to remove them before preheating.