Organize, organize, and organize again! Honestly, the first step to a usable kitchen is to have a neat and tidy space where everything is right where it should be. Think strategically when organizing. Every station in your kitchen is its own task space. Nowadays, it's never been easier to organize.
There are entire stores dedicated to organizing your space, or you could stick to buying stuff online. Don't be afraid to use Pinterest or other resources to find unique ways to store items. We never thought of storing cans in magazine holders, but we've seen it! Above all, make sure everything has a place, and that item is in its space!
(Images via Ashley Furniture; Wayfair)
If your kitchen lacks counter space but has plenty of floor space, consider using a moveable kitchen bar! You can add extra counter space and have more storage space underneath! Find one with a butcher block top and it can double as a cutting board.
The best part about a movable kitchen bar is that you can hide it away when it's not in use, maintaining floor space if you have company. You can also move it around depending on where you're at. If you're serving, put everything on the moving cart! Are you chopping and tossing stuff in a skillet? It's never been easier.
(Images via Wayfair; Urban Outfitters)
One of the things you'll see in magazines and online is totally clear counters. Here's the thing: in a small kitchen, that just isn't possible. It also is difficult if you have a larger family. Seriously, don’t forget the space you have. That being said, it doesn't need to be super cluttered.
Countertop shelving and lazy susans are just two ways you can store more in a smaller space. Use every nook and cranny for storage, because if you have it, you should totally use it! You may be surprised at how much space your kitchen actually offers if you start utilizing all of it.
What's the difference between a kitchen that looks super cluttered and one that begs you to cook in it? It isn't the lack of items more often than not. We all need to have coffee machines, microwaves, and other doo-dads throughout the kitchen. It’s absolutely all about the flow.
A functional kitchen isn’t necessarily about having an abundance of space. Unless you’re trying to run a five-star gourmet restaurant out of your home, a smaller kitchen is totally more usable than one that is unnecessarily spread out. Make sure your layout is easy to use, and you’ll love it so much more!
Anyone with a cluttered kitchen will tell you that the biggest problem is that items are just strewn everywhere. The ultimate organized kitchen is one where every single thing has a place that makes sense in your kitchen. For example, keep your spices near your stove so that they’re nearby when you need them!
The reason this is important is that you'll be less likely to put the item back if it's out of the way or in a bizarre spot. No matter how good it looks to have your spices magnetically stuck to your fridge, your kitchen will just end up cluttered again if you won't put them back over there.
Your kitchen will look so much larger if you keep your countertops clean and open. While you do need to put items where they belong, sometimes that isn't possible. It isn't feasible to pull out your Keurig every time you want a cup of coffee. Instead, you can conceal everything.
There's the option of getting it professionally done, but not everyone has the moolah for that. You can always try to DIY, too! You'd be surprised how easy it is to create a hidden compartment for your things. Except for a few canisters there really shouldn’t be much on your countertops. Let your countertops be your workspace, not your storage.
To be honest, storing your pots and pans in your cabinet sucks. It’s almost always a loud catastrophic event to pull the one singular pan you need, out from underneath all the other pans. Sure, you could get those pan holders from Amazon or The Container Store, but there's another option...
Get a ceiling rack! Yeah, that's right, ceiling racks are coming back. It may also encourage you to go with some stainless steel pans which are better for your health when compared to non-stick pans. Nothing says, "I love to cook" like showing off all your cookware!
If you want an eat-in kitchen, but don’t have the room for a breakfast table, try a multipurpose island! It creates more counter space and storage possibilities, but also creates a gathering place in the kitchen. While there are plenty of pre-made options, don't be afraid to customize your multi-purpose island.
A lot of multipurpose islands use butcher's block as the table-top, but you may not need that (and the extra care that comes along with it). Take note of exactly what you need from your island and make it work for your household.
This is a trend that is more common in recent years, but some older homes may need an update to their cabinet situation. If so, consider extending your cabinets to the ceiling. Chances are there is an extra foot of storage that you’re not using to your advantage.
Doing this does two things for your kitchen. First off, it gives you storage space that's hidden behind cabinet doors. Second, it can make your kitchen look larger similar to the way raising your drapes to the ceiling makes your living room look larger.
Not every appliance needs to be mounted to your wall. There's just no reason small bread ovens and mixers need to be there (even though your KitchenAid was super expensive). The solution most people have is to store them on the counter, but all that does is eat up so much workspace on your counter.
Luckily, designers have thought up these incredibly useful appliance garages that conceal your appliances but keep them accessible when you’re ready to use them. They're like your grandma's microwave cabinet except ten times better because they're not totally out of the way. Plus, you can customize them to fit your kitchen and look like another cabinet.
Some things can absolutely be stored and displayed! The best thing about open shelving is that it can be installed on any free wall you may have, and they let you store things like coffee mugs or dishes that can be displayed in your kitchen to add to the overall kitchen vibe.
You can also show off a little personality — let's see your favorite mug! Those beautiful dishes you got from Williams Sonoma! Keep in mind that you will have to do a little dusting from time to time to keep the area neat and tidy, unlike you might have to do with traditional cabinets.
Every kitchen needs at least one good set of knives, but you know what they don't need? That old knife block! Ditch the knife block and use a magnetic wall strip. This moves your knife storage off your countertops and on the wall. That extra counter space could be used for any number of things, including leaving it open!
Also, you can hang your knives after you wash them and let them air dry, whereas a knife block may rust your knives if put away wet. Over time, this will prolong the life of your knives and keep them away from being in a moist (and potentially moldy) environment.
(Images via Crate & Barrel; Crate & Barrel)
Let's face it, every fridge is totally too small and never comes with enough storage inside. No matter how big you go, there is always not enough room, especially if you have a family rummaging around in it daily. Thankfully, the world has addressed this and created some fabulous storage solutions for your fridge that look like they belong in there to begin with.
There are a dozen and one ways for you to add additional storage in your fridge. There are ziplock bag holders (to store your kid's lunch or snacks to grab when they need them) or even drawers you can attach to the existing shelving in your fridge. We love the drawers that allow you to store vegetables without leaving them in plastic bags.
(Images via The Container Store; The Container Store)
We love having as many cabinets as we can, filling every space to the brim with storage space. That being said, those corner cabinets can be a prickly situation when it comes to reaching the things you’ve stored in there. Usually, there is a lot of wasted space because you can't reach into the back or vertical space is wasted!
The solution? Lazy susans all the way! Installing a lazy susan will change your life! With a simple flick of the wrist, the things stored in the back come right to the front. Usually, lazy susans in the corner cabinet have two shelves, so you can double your storage space in most instances.
(Images via Rev-a-Shelf; Rev-a-Shelf)
Another thing kitchens almost always lack? Pantry space. There doesn't seem to be enough to encapsulate everything you need to store! There's probably some space you've ignored, though. If you have any space in or near your kitchen, a rolling pantry is great for those little nooks and crannies.
Rolling pantries add more storage without having to commit to a cabinet overhaul. Cabinets that are especially deep can really benefit from rolling pantries, as well, because you can finally reach the very back of the cabinet. This means you can store more. Finally, if you’re going for that industrial look, this is a great way to accomplish that aesthetic in your kitchen!
No one wants to work in the dark, and a dim kitchen feels so much smaller than a well-lit kitchen. If you have the opportunity to rethink your lighting situation, make sure to add task lighting over the stations in your kitchen that you’ll be working at the most.
While the best option is to have lights built into the cabinet (or installed afterward), there are options that don't need nearly as much construction. There are ways to get lights that stick under the bottom of your cabinets. The only thing we'd recommend is to get the ones that install into a plug. Sure, the wires aren't beautiful, but you'll be changing out batteries or charging every week otherwise.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, this is your one shot to rethink your flow. A well-planned kitchen can be way more useful than a huge kitchen that’s layout stinks! The rule of thumb is to keep your kitchen in a triangular pattern so that you’re not too far from any appliance you may need.
It may not hurt to actually draw out how you use your kitchen most, circling the areas you get hung up on. If you don't want to draw, you could also write down complaints that you have. This ensures you catch any issue, and it won't come back to haunt you once the remodel is completed.
This one is a hack designers have been using for ages to make a room look much larger than it actually is. Mirrors! We usually see mirrors utilized in living rooms or bedrooms, but this trend moved into the kitchen, and honestly? It isn't so bad as long as it's executed well.
A mirror gives the illusion of space without actually having the space. In tight kitchens, mirrored backsplash may open your kitchen and make it look way less cramped. This one might work well for someone who lives in a teeny tiny apartment. Just make sure any changes you make are compliant.
A clunky bar stool can shut off your open floor plan, so keep your bar stools low profile and simple. If they can be tucked under your counter, that’s even better! That leaves the space open unless they're being used. Bar stools are great, but they really shouldn’t be the main feature in your kitchen.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure there are 10-12 inches of space between the bottom of the kitchen island or countertop and the seat of the bar stool. Not only does this flow best and look excellent, but it also makes sure that everyone who sits there has plenty of leg space.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your storage! Baskets, containers, and stackable storage really let you maximize your space. You know what’s best for your kitchen, so customize your storage to best suit your space. Play around with textures and materials, too!
The last thing you want to do is use an absorbent material with your vegetables if you know you don't eat them as quickly as you need to. We suggest using a breathable material with potatoes, bell peppers, garlic, onions, or anything else that needs air. Other than that, you're in the clear!
There’s no point in getting everything organized and in its right place if you aren’t sure where your items are. That means you’ll be less likely to put the items where they go! To avoid this, you can get yourself a label maker and label everything from snacks to pantry staples in airtight containers.
If you want something that looks a little more expensive, you can have labels specifically made for you on Etsy. In some circumstances, it might be cheaper than getting your own label maker, especially if you’re aiming for a certain look. Just be sure to label, even if it’s with masking tape and sharpie.
(Image via Target; Martha Stewart)
Unless you have a farmhouse sink, you probably have a little piece of panel that looks like a drawer, but it doesn’t open. Isn’t that the worst? What if you could utilize that space? We have three words for you: sink tip out. This little mechanism gives you extra space to store small items like sponges or drain stops.
The best part about sink tip-outs is that they’re surprisingly easy to install. All you need is a tip-out kit. When purchasing, make sure that it has both the tray and the hinges. Some kits sell the trays separately. Then, just pop off the false front panel and install everything as the directions tell you.
How much stuff can go into a drawer? A lot, but it’s not necessarily useful unless you can open it and grab what you need without rummaging. Since organizing has become such a use passion for many people, drawer inserts have gotten significantly cheaper over the last few years.
Grab yourself some little drawer inserts that work best for you. It might just be clear boxes or trays or something fancier like a specific one for your silverware that takes up much less space. If you can’t find some that fit your needs, there are also dividers that make your drawer organization customizable.
Try to keep all of your cleaning supplies in one place. If you have a lot, it can be hard to find exactly what you need, but there’s a cheap fix to help you with that: tension rods. They can be purchased at Walmart or even the dollar store. Spread the tension rod across the cabinet under your sink.
Then, you can hang your bottles easily using the spray container. Alternatively, you can get hooks and hang things like small buckets or small brooms. This keeps under your sink cleaner and easier to use, especially if you’re in a hurry. You’ll also be more likely to put everything back.
As we’ve said before, organizing has become a huge pastime for many people. They love doing it, and it’s even become a huge profession! That doesn’t mean you need to go to the Container Store to get the latest and greatest items. You may be surprised what your local dollar store has.
Dollar stores have trays that aren’t bad quality and will work in a pinch. As time passes, you can replace the trays and other organizing items with something nicer. This way, everything has a place without having to drop hundreds of dollars on OXO containers and spice racks.
Appliance garages aren’t always possible for kitchen appliances that are bigger than a toaster. That doesn’t mean you’re limited to leaving them on the counter (although you may want to leave your expensive KitchenAid on the counter for everyone to see). To clean off your countertops, install a lift assist.
These cabinet pop-ups are strong enough to hold something as heavy as a KitchenAid but can be used for nearly any appliance that’s on the larger size, like air fryers or food processors. Look for Rev-A-Shelf Lift-Assist Mechanism that installs right in your cabinet. When you want to use your appliance, simply pull it up, and voila!
Spice jars can take up a lot of space on your countertop and can make things look cluttered unless they’re regularly adjusted. The first hack is to buy spice jars that match. This will automatically make the whole area look cleaner and more put-together. You can get as fancy as you want here, too.
Then, hang them somewhere in your kitchen. We’d suggest not hanging them too close to your stove or oven since the heat could cause some spices to lose flavor faster. Instead, keep them within arms' reach (not too far and not too close). You can use magnets or racks designed for spices specifically.
We don’t know about you guys, but Tupperware and storage container lids are a pain to deal with. It’s easy to throw them into a drawer and not worry about it, but eventually, you’ll have to reach in there and search for what you need. You don’t need to buy an expensive Tupperware storage container.
Just get yourself a plate rack. This allows you to put one or two lids in a space and see what you need immediately when you open the drawer. The key here is to keep like-lids together. We suggest sorting by size so the biggest ones are in the back and the smallest ones are in the front – you’ll use them more.
If you have a little unused space in your kitchen island or cabinets, consider installing a pull-out cutting board. Typically, it takes up little to no space but supports one of the most utilized items in your kitchen. Our suggestion is to install it near your trash so you can toss debris as you’re cutting.
Not only will this save time in the long run, but it will also give your cutting board a space to stay when it’s not in use. Just make sure that you clean and dry your cutting board before sliding it back into its home. The last thing any of us wants is a mold situation in our kitchen.
(Image via Rev-a-Shelf; KraftMaid)
Command Hooks no longer have the lay of the land. Now, off-brands are popping up all over the place with stylish designs that are just as strong as the original. When in doubt, use hooks. You can use hooks to store regularly used spoons or small strainers to make them easy to grab when needed.
One of our favorite hook usages is to separate out your measuring cups and hang them one by one on the side of a wall or cabinet. It allows you to see the one you need, grab it, and use it without fumbling with the other five or more cups. Plus, it can count as décor.
