6 Cabinet Storage Ideas To Optimize Your Kitchen Space

Thu Jan 31 2019

  • Kitchen

 


Are you tired of rummaging through cluttered cabinets and struggling to find what you need in your kitchen? Transforming your kitchen space can be as simple as adding smart storage solutions that maximize every inch of your cabinets.

In this blog, we'll explore six innovative cabinet storage ideas to optimize your kitchen space and make cooking and organizing a breeze. Let's discuss some practical tips and revolutionize how you use your kitchen!

 

a rustic pantry with blue walls and organized shelves

 

 

1. Maximize Vertical Space with Tall Cabinets

One of the most effective ways to optimize your kitchen space is by utilizing the vertical area. Tall kitchen cabinets can be a game-changer, providing plenty of storage for items you don't use daily. By extending your cabinets all the way to the ceiling, you can create extra room for storing large appliances, seasonal cookware, and bulk pantry items.

Benefits of Tall Kitchen Cabinets

  • Increased Storage Capacity: Tall cabinets offer additional shelves, allowing you to store more items and keep your kitchen organized.
  • Reduced Clutter: Moving less frequently used items to higher shelves allows you to keep your countertop and lower cabinets clutter-free.
  • Better Aesthetic Appeal: Tall cabinets create a sleek and modern look, giving your kitchen a polished and cohesive appearance.

Tips for Maximizing Vertical Space

  • Use Step Stools or Ladders: Keep a small step stool or a ladder in your kitchen to access items stored on higher shelves easily.
  • Label Storage Bins: Place labeled storage bins on the top shelves to quickly identify and retrieve your needs.
  • Adjustable Shelves: Opt for cabinets with adjustable shelves to customize the height according to your storage needs.
pull out, under counter shelving in a kitchen

 

2. Use Pull-Out Shelves for Easy Access

Struggling to reach items stored at the back of your cabinets can be frustrating and time-consuming. Pull-out shelves are an excellent solution to this common problem, providing easy access to everything in your cabinets without the need for awkward reaching or bending. Incorporating pull-out shelves can make your kitchen more functional and organized.

Benefits of Pull-Out Shelves

  • Improved Accessibility: Pull-out shelves bring items stored at the back of the cabinet to the front, making it easier to find and retrieve what you need.
  • Increased Storage Efficiency: These shelves allow you to use the full depth of your cabinets, maximizing storage space.
  • Better Organization: Pull-out shelves allow you to see all your items at a glance, helping you keep your kitchen neat and orderly.

Tips for Installing Pull-Out Shelves

  • Measure Your Cabinets: Before buying pull-out shelves, measure the width, depth, and height of your cabinets to make sure a proper fit.
  • Choose Quality Materials: Choose durable materials like metal or hardwood to make sure your pull-out shelves can support the weight of your kitchen items.
  • Consider Soft-Close Mechanisms: For more convenience, look for pull-out shelves with soft-close mechanisms to prevent slamming.

Where to Use Pull-Out Shelves

  • Lower Cabinets: Install pull-out shelves in lower cabinets to make pots, pans, and heavy cookware more accessible.
  • Pantry Cabinets: Use pull-out shelves in pantry cabinets to keep food items organized and within easy reach.
  • Under-Sink Cabinets: Pull-out shelves can also be installed under the sink to store cleaning supplies and other essentials.
lazy susans in a cabinet holding labeled containers of grains and spices

 

3. Install Lazy Susans in Corner Cabinets

Corner cabinets can become black holes where items are lost and forgotten. Installing Lazy Susans in these tricky spaces can significantly enhance their usability. A Lazy Susan is a rotating tray that allows you to easily access items stored in the back of corner cabinets without digging through kitchenware layers.

Benefits of Lazy Susans

  • Maximized Corner Space: Lazy Susans effectively use the often-wasted corner cabinet space, turning it into a functional storage area.
  • Easy Accessibility: Lazy Susans' rotating design makes it simple to reach items stored at the back of the cabinet, saving you time and frustration.
  • Improved Organization: By keeping items neatly arranged and easily accessible, Lazy Susans help maintain an orderly kitchen.

Tips for Choosing and Installing Lazy Susans

  • Measure Your Cabinet Space: To choose the right size, make sure you have accurate measurements of your corner cabinet.
  • Opt for Adjustable Shelves: Some Lazy Susans come with adjustable shelves, allowing you to customize the space to fit different-sized items.
  • Choose Durable Materials: To make sure long-lasting use, look for Lazy Susans made of sturdy materials like stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic.

Ideal Uses for Lazy Susans

  • Spices and Condiments: Store spices and condiments on a Lazy Susan for quick and easy access while cooking.
  • Small Appliances: Use a Lazy Susan to store small kitchen appliances like blenders and mixers, making them easy to reach without cluttering your countertops.
  • Canned and Dry Foods: Keep canned goods and dry foods organized and accessible in your pantry corner cabinet with a Lazy Susan.
drawer dividers

 

4. Incorporate Drawer Dividers for Utensils and Tools

A cluttered utensil drawer can make cooking more stressful than it needs to be. Drawer dividers are a simple yet powerful solution to keep your kitchen tools and utensils neatly organized and easily accessible. With drawer dividers, you can transform chaotic drawers into orderly spaces where everything has its place.

Benefits of Drawer Dividers

  • Better Organization: Drawer dividers separate utensils and tools, making it easy to find what you need quickly.
  • Increased Efficiency: With everything neatly arranged, you can streamline your cooking process and avoid the frustration of searching for misplaced items.
  • Customizable Storage: Many drawer dividers are adjustable, allowing you to customize the compartments to fit your specific needs and kitchen items.

Tips for Choosing and Using Drawer Dividers

  • Measure Your Drawers: Before purchasing dividers, measure the dimensions of your drawers to get a proper fit.
  • Choose Adjustable Dividers: Choose adjustable dividers that can be tailored to accommodate various utensil sizes and shapes.
  • Select Durable Materials: Look for dividers made from sturdy materials like bamboo, plastic, or metal to make sure they can withstand daily use.

Ideal Uses for Drawer Dividers

  • Cutlery Organization: Use dividers to separate forks, knives, spoons, and other cutlery for easy access and a tidy appearance.
  • Cooking Utensils: Organize spatulas, ladles, whisks, and other cooking tools in designated compartments to keep your drawer clutter-free.
  • Small Tools: Store small kitchen gadgets like peelers, can openers, and measuring spoons in divided sections to prevent them from getting lost.
under sink storage with various cleaning supplies

 

5. Use the Space Under the Sink

The space under the kitchen sink is often neglected or poorly organized, leading to a cluttered mess of cleaning supplies and other items. Strategically organizing this area can help you maximize the available space and keep your kitchen tidy and functional.

Benefits of Organizing Under the Sink

  • Maximized Storage: Proper organization allows you to use the space under the sink to its full potential, accommodating more items neatly.
  • Quick Access: An organized space makes finding and retrieving cleaning supplies and other essentials easy without rummaging through clutter.
  • Improved Safety: Properly storing hazardous cleaning chemicals out of reach reduces the risk of accidents and spills.

Tips for Organizing Under the Sink

  • Install Adjustable Shelving. Adjustable shelves can help you make the most of vertical space by allowing you to store items of varying heights.
  • Use Stackable Bins: Stackable bins or baskets can help categorize and separate different types of items, making it easier to find what you need.
  • Incorporate Pull-Out Drawers: Pull-out kitchen drawers or trays can enhance accessibility, allowing items stored at the back to be easily brought to the front.

Ideal Items to Store Under the Sink

  • Cleaning Supplies: Keep all your cleaning products, sponges, and brushes neatly organized and within easy reach.
  • Trash Bags and Liners: Store trash bags and liners in a designated spot to make sure they are always accessible when needed.
  • Dishwashing Supplies: Organize dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and other dishwashing supplies conveniently and orderly.
hooks on a wall holding kitchen utensils, mugs and dishtowels

 

6. Add Hooks and Racks Inside Cabinet Doors

The inside of your cabinet doors is often overlooked as a valuable storage space. Adding hooks and racks to this area can significantly increase your storage options and help keep your kitchen organized. This simple addition can greatly affect how efficiently you use your kitchen space.

Benefits of Hooks and Racks Inside Cabinet Doors

  • Extra Storage Space: Utilizing the inside of cabinet doors provides additional storage without taking up extra room in your kitchen.
  • Easy Access: Items stored on hooks and racks are easily accessible, saving you time and effort when cooking or cleaning.
  • Improved Organization: Hooks and racks keep items off your countertops and out of drawers, reducing clutter and keeping your kitchen tidy.

Tips for Adding Hooks and Racks

  • Choose the Right Hooks and Racks: Select hooks and racks that are sturdy enough to hold the items you plan to store and fit the dimensions of your cabinet doors.
  • Install Properly: Make sure that hooks and racks are securely installed to prevent them from coming loose or damaging your cabinet doors.
  • Consider Adjustable Options: Adjustable hooks and racks can be customized to fit different items and can be repositioned as needed.

Ideal Uses for Hooks and Racks

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Hang measuring cups and spoons on hooks inside cabinet doors for quick and easy access.
  • Pot Lids: Use racks to store pot lids, keeping them organized and preventing them from taking up valuable shelf space.
  • Small Kitchen Tools: Hang small tools like peelers, kitchen scissors, and bottle openers on hooks to keep them within reach and off your countertops.

Discover Kitchen Storage Solutions at Bray & Scarff

Ready to optimize your kitchen?

Check out our wide range of kitchen storage solutions at Bray & Scarff. We have everything you need to enhance your kitchen's functionality and style. You can also shop for kitchen countertops, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and more to transform your kitchen.

Contact us or visit a local Bray & Scarff location near you or browse our website to discover top brands and expert advice. Our helpful staff can help you find the perfect storage solutions for your needs. You can also schedule a consultation with our design team today and take the first step towards creating your dream kitchen!

Interested in learning more about appliances? Check out our related readings:

FAQ: Optimizing Your Kitchen Cabinet Storage

How do you organize cabinets without shelves?
Without shelves, consider using stackable bins, baskets, and drawer inserts to create levels and compartments within your cabinets. Hanging organizers, tension rods, and adhesive hooks can also help maximize vertical space and keep items easily accessible.

How do you organize big cabinets?
For large cabinets, combine pull-out shelves, Lazy Susans, and tiered organizers to maximize the space. Store larger items like pots and pans on the bottom, and use the upper levels for smaller items. Group similar items together to keep the cabinet organized and functional.

What is the best way to organize kitchen cabinets?
The best way to organize kitchen cabinets is to start by decluttering and grouping similar items together. Use adjustable shelves, pull-out drawers, and dividers to create designated spaces for different categories of items. Store frequently used items at eye level and within easy reach, and place less frequently used items on higher or lower shelves.

What do you do if your kitchen has no drawers?
If your kitchen lacks drawers, use alternative storage solutions like wall-mounted racks, magnetic strips for knives, and hooks for utensils. Consider adding portable drawer units or carts that can be tucked away when unused.

How do I decide where to put things in my kitchen?

Think about your cooking habits and workflow when deciding where to put things in your kitchen. Store items near their point of use: pots and pans near the stove, cutting boards and knives near the prep area, and plates and glasses near the dishwasher.

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