You just moved into your first one-bedroom apartment, and it’s all yours. You have big dreams for your new apartment life. And being able to cook in a kitchen that’s yours, and yours alone, is one of the many perks you’ve wanted, but couldn’t have, until now.
There’s just one problem: How are you going to fit everything in your tiny kitchen?
Luckily, there are plenty of creative kitchen storage hacks, solutions, ideas, and tips out there that’ll help you squeeze as much space out of your kitchen as possible — without sacrificing style or your bank account.
So grab a drill, some reclaimed wood, and your favorite wood stain, and let’s get to work!
1. Repurpose an office supply organizer into a kitchen supply organizer
We all have at least a few of these mesh office supply organizers lying around. So why not put them to good use?
Hang one on the wall by your kitchen sink and store your dish soap and sponges inside. The mesh allows water to drain for a mold-free sponge space and happier you.
Just be sure to put a small tray underneath to catch all the drip page.
2. Mount a dish drying rack to the wall
If you’re feeling crafty, which you probably are since you’re reading this list of kitchen storage hacks, build a vertically integrated drying rack using a rail, two wire baskets, S-hooks, and a cutlery caddy.
You’ll free up your counter space and benefit from having extra kitchen storage space. Which should be dry because you’re also going to place a towel or rag underneath the drying rack to catch any drips.
3. Attach a towel holder to the inside of your kitchen sink
If you’re feeling futuristic, add this tiny magnetic cloth holder to your life. Combine it with the hanging dish drying rack and you’ve just made doing the dishes an entirely self-contained job.
4. Hang a sponge holder on the wall and sink faucet
This silicone sponge holder is great at storing your sponge on the inside of your sink and cutting out the grossness that can often result from a wet sponge left on a counter. And if you combine the sponge holder with the in-sink towel holder, you’ll be a sink space-saving pro pronto.
5. DIY a pull-out cutting board with a hole in the middle
It maximizes your counter space since you can hide it in your drawer. It makes your meal prep way more efficient since you can quickly toss trimmings directly into your trash can. It is so genius we wish we thought of it ourselves.
Brownie points for using a wooden cutting board, which studies have shown can be more sanitary than a plastic cutting board in the long run.
6. Hack a drawer into a utensil organizer
Ladles lying strewn everywhere? Spatulas sleeping where they shouldn’t be? Whisks every which where?
Tear a page, remodeling book and turn one of your other drawers into a pull-out utensil organizer.
7. Stash cooking and eating utensils in Mason jars.
Although this tutorial from The DIY Playbook is for a bathroom organizer, it’s so versatile that you can use it anywhere in your home. Including in your kitchen, where the mason jars would look particularly nice filled with spoons, forks, cooking utensils, and a few flowers to brighten things up.
The steps are pretty simple: Find a piece of wood you love, give it a good stain, drill a few hose clamps into the wood, attach the Mason jars, and hang it up.
Depending on what you need to store, you can even use different sizes of jars, which makes this project perfect for freeing up precious drawer space.
8. store utensils in floating tin cans
Another great way to get utensils out of your drawers and into a more creative storage set up is to build a shelf out of tin cans and a piece of wood. It’ll give your kitchen a nice rustic vibe while freeing up some drawer or cabinet space.
9. Store utensils in floating tin cans that are as pretty as you are
These DIY utensil cans are very similar to the tin can shelf. The only difference is these cans hang on a metal rod that doubles as a hand towel rack.
Also, everything is all in one place, and you can hang the rod at eye-level, which means no more bending down when you need a dish rag or a spoon.
10. Upcycle a wood pallet into a silverware holder
This silverware holder will add a chic vintage look to your kitchen while freeing up a drawer or two. (You know, in case you want to make a drawer paper towel dispenser. Or drawer cutting board.)
11. Dispense paper towel from a drawer
If you can spare a drawer, convert it to a paper towel dispenser. It makes cleanup a no-brainer, and you can even store your backup rolls there too.
12. Dispense vegetables from drawers
Have the resources (and let’s face it — motivation) to convert the space under your sink into a cabinet?
Add a few sliding wicker basket drawers. They’re ideal for storing vegetables (such as potatoes, squash, and beets) that can be kept in dark temperate places.
13. Store fruits in an under-cabinet bin
This under-cabinet fruit bin adds both charm and accessibility to your kitchen. You’ll feel more inclined to grab an orange or two if they’re hanging near eye level, and your countertops will be free of cumbersome fruit bowls.
14. Levitate produce in three-tiered hanging wire baskets
All you have to do is hang the wire basket from the ceiling in one of the corners of your kitchen. It’s great for storing garlic and onions on the top; bananas, avocados, and oranges in the middle; and bread and other large items in the bottom basket.
15. Pimp out your drawers with produce baskets
If you cook for a lot of people in your tiny kitchen or just like to stock up on supplies, these in-cabinet wicker baskets might be perfect for you. They’re great for storing large amounts of potatoes, garlic, or onions out of sight and off your counters.
16. Store a cookbook on a retractable book stand
For hands-free cookbook reading, look no further. This retractable book stand keeps your beloved Joy of Cooking out of the danger zone while you’re cooking and neatly stores it away when you’re not.
17. Repurpose magazine holders into freezer shelves
Here’s another handy use for any extra office supplies you have laying around. Adding a couple magazine holders to the back of your freezer is great for organizing and storing bags of frozen fruits and veggies.
18. Color-code fridge drawers
These adorable miniature pull-out drawers instantly add a pop of color and extra storage space by using the underside of your fridge’s pre-existing shelves.
19. Add a wire rack to your fridge
It may seem simple (because it is), but adding a wire rack to your fridge will change your whole fridge organization game by greatly increasing the amount of goodies you’re able to store.
20. Put a clear desk organizer in your fridge
When it comes to keeping practically everything in your fridge organized, clear desk organizers are a dream come true. They let you easily corral and see your inventory, and their hard plastic bodies make them totally stackable.
Post time: Aug-14-2020