Small kitchens require skilled expertise on personal storage to keep the space organized and tidy. But with a little time and a few helpful tips, you can whip your tiny kitchen into shape and turn it into an oasis for cooking while avoiding the clutter that tends to follow. 

Need some help figuring out how to organize a small kitchen? Keep reading for five small kitchen organization ideas to streamline your space. 

 

#1 Go Minimal

When you have a small space, the single best thing you can do to improve your organization is to go minimal. When it comes to your kitchen, the best place to start is with a purge, so begin taking inventory of your kitchen and getting rid of things you don’t need.1

Successful decluttering involves:

  • Keeping only necessities – If your kitchen space is limited, you’ll need to decide what you can and can’t keep there. It’s a good idea to pare everything down to the essentials, like things you use frequently or can’t go anywhere else.
  • Eliminating duplicates and extras – It’s worth considering how many spoons, forks, plates, bowls, and coffee mugs you really need. Although they can be handy to have around, there’s a good chance some are taking up space.
  • Cleaning out drawers and cabinets – It’s easy to neglect those areas that are concealed from view. But the fact is, your drawers and kitchen cabinets are prime kitchen organization real estate. Be sure to organize those as well, removing old take-out menus, spare chopsticks you don’t need, and old hot sauce packets. 

By the time you’re done organizing, you’ll have a good sense of everything you have in your kitchen. That knowledge will make the rest of your organizational project much easier. You can also store extra appliances or dishes in a self storage unit to keep your space organized. 

 

#2 Have a Place for Everything 

At the end of the day, the hallmark of any organized kitchen, no matter the size, is having a dedicated place for absolutely every item you keep. Learning how to store kitchen appliances is just one part of minimizing kitchen clutter. From your small appliances like your espresso machine and your toaster to your non-refrigerated food, when everything has a place of its own, you’re more likely to:2

  • Find what you need when you need it
  • Use tools, appliances, and food more often 
  • Reduce food waste

 

#3 Use Your Vertical Space

In many kitchens, vertical space is some of the most underutilized areas. Sure, you might already be keeping your cereal boxes on top of your refrigerator, or your juicer tucked away above your cabinets. But there’s a lot of extra storage space that’s probably going to waste. Reorganizing is the perfect time to take advantage of it. 

Here are a few simple ways you can reshape your vertical space to achieve maximal kitchen organization and storage:1 

  • Kitchen cabinet shelves and risers – Cabinet-sized shelves and risers are an excellent way to optimize your cabinet space. They allow you to store more things in your cabinets while keeping everything visible and within reach.
  • Stackable storage space – Stackable kitchen storage space options are among the unsung heroes of every well-organized kitchen. Whether you use them on your countertops, inside your cabinets, or in the space below your sink, they clear up extra space and keep things orderly. 
  • Counter shelves and risers – Just as shelves and shelf risers can revamp your kitchen cabinets, they can also maximize your counter space. They’re a simple and effective solution for keeping your spices, small appliances, canned goods, and other pantry items organized atop your countertops. 

 

#4 Be Smart About How You Use Your Drawer and Cabinet Space

Even if you don’t go vertical with your organizational design, it’s still important to make good use of the extra space in your drawers and cabinets. First, dedicate drawers for specific uses, as you probably already do with your silverware drawer or the cabinets where you keep your dishes. 

Secondly, to keep these spaces clean, orderly, and accessible, you can use:

  • Drawer dividers
  • Drawer organizers
  • Lazy Susans

 

#5 Use Jars and Decanters

Cardboard boxes and other packaging that your dry food items come in can be big, bulky, and unsightly. But you don’t have to sacrifice your counter and cabinet space or your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal just to have access to your favorite snacks. Consider using jars and decanters instead.

Whether you leave them on your counters or put them away in your freshly organized cabinets, Jars and decanters take up less room than boxes and bags. As a bonus, they’re a bit easier on the eye. Consider using them for things like:

  • Cereal 
  • Pasta
  • Baking ingredients like sugar and flour 

 

Organize Your Life With Price Self Storage 

Sometimes, the best solution for organizing small spaces is finding alternate places for everything you don’t use daily. For many people, a self-storage unit is the way to go. 

Trying to free up space in your small kitchen? Price Self Storage has self-storage units in sizes to fit all your storage needs. Check our storage size chart to find the right fit for you. With free concierge service, climate-controlled units, and security features like keypad-controlled entry, we’re the place to turn to when you want to store your belongings with peace of mind. Rent your unit online today.

 

Sources: 

  1. My Domaine. How to Perfectly Organize a Small Kitchen, According to 3 Professionals. https://www.mydomaine.com/organize-small-kitchen 
  2. Homes and Gardens. Home Interior Design Organizing small spaces – 10 tips to keep compact rooms neat. https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/organizing-small-spaces