7 Genius Storage Hacks for Small Kitchens You Wish You Knew Sooner

Make the most of the space you have.

Sure, we’d all love a spacious kitchen complete with a walk-in pantry, dedicated storage for special occasion dinnerware, and space to hide all of our pots, pans and appliances. But the reality? Most of us are working with compact kitchens that barely fit our growing collection of reusable containers, tumblers and pots and pans. This can be especially frustrating if you love cooking or hosting guests.

If expanding your kitchen isn’t an option—don’t worry. With a few clever storage solutions, even the smallest space can feel way more functional. From open shelving to pull-out drawers, these ideas can help transform your kitchen from cramped and cluttered to organised and surprisingly spacious.

1.Install open shelves

While traditional base and wall cabinets are the go-to for most kitchens, open shelving can make a space feel larger and more open—especially in smaller kitchens, where too many upper cabinets can look bulky and overwhelming.

The trade-off? Open shelves do tend to collect dust more easily and require regular cleaning. Plus, they don’t offer the luxury of hiding away clutter, so they work best when styled thoughtfully and kept organised.

On the flip side, open shelves offer a great opportunity to display seasonal platters, beautiful dishware or well-stocked jars for all to see and admire. They also make everyday items easier to grab when needed. Take a cue from the kitchen below, where the Pocket Square transformed a blank wall into a stylish storage zone for dishware, artwork, cutting boards, and more—turning it into both a functional feature and a striking focal point of the space.

You can also consider combining closed cabinets with open shelves for the best of both worlds. Closed cabinets help keep clutter hidden, while open shelves create a lighter, more open feel—just like in this beautifully styled kitchen by YCH Design Studio.

2. Prioritise having drawers and pull-outs over cabinets for your base units

Another smart way to maximise storage in your kitchen is by choosing drawers and pull-outs for your base units instead of traditional cabinets. Drawers make use of the full depth of the cabinet box, reducing wasted space and making it easier to access items — no more digging around or rearranging everything just to find what you need.

Take inspiration from this kitchen, where Asha Teguh Resources added a tall, narrow pull-out drawer near the stove to store seasonings, cooking oils, and spices. It takes up minimal space but keeps essential ingredients within easy reach, making it a highly practical addition for everyday cooking.

3. Divide your cabinet space

For upper base units, cabinets are often the most practical choice. To maximise the space inside, consider using wire racks to create additional shelving. They're flexible and can be easily adjusted to accommodate different sizes of dishware, pots or pans, making organisation much more efficient.

For pantry items, consider transferring dry ingredients like pasta and rice into labelled glass jars or clear containers. This not only makes them easier to locate and frees up cabinet space —since mismatched boxes often waste room—but also gives your kitchen a more organised and professional look. An added bonus? You’ll always know how much you have left, making grocery shopping quicker and more efficient.

Mesh baskets, or wire bins, are also great for organising oils, sauces, snacks, and packet foods. They make it easier for you to locate things in the cabinet and simplify the process of cleaning cabinet surfaces during deep cleans.

4. Put dead corners to good use with these ‘hacks’

Corner spaces are often underutilised in many homes, but in a small kitchen, they can be a game-changer. Corner shelving transforms these awkward spots into functional storage. Take this clever design by Pocket Square, where the designer incorporates shelves, pull-out corner drawers and lazy susans, to maximise those deep corner cabinets that are otherwise hard to reach.

In another kitchen, 2F Interior creates a curved shelf in the corner to showcase teapots and cups. The curved design adds functionality and softens the overall aesthetic of the space.

5. Maximise vertical space with overhead storage units

When space is limited, don’t forget to look up. Installing a ceiling-mounted storage shelf, as seen in this kitchen, is a clever way to maximise vertical space. The floating shelf offers a stylish spot for storing plates and cups, while the hanging rack below provides a neat display for wine glasses—adding a restaurant-like touch and freeing up valuable counter space.

Meanwhile, the tiered countertop on the peninsula helps define two distinct zones: one for food prep and another for serving, making it perfect for entertaining guests. Altogether, the combination of the peninsula and floating shelf not only enhances functionality but also serves as a decorative focal point that elevates the kitchen’s overall aesthetic.

6. Use hooks, magnetic rails, or metal bars

If you don't have hooks in your kitchen yet, you're missing out on valuable storage space. Hooks are perfect for hanging kitchen towels, cooking utensils, paper rolls, and even plants, all without taking up precious counter space. This frees up more room for food prep, especially in a small kitchen. With the help of S-hooks, you can also hang pots, mugs, and other essentials, as shown in the kitchen below. It’s a practical way to air-dry items before storing them neatly in drawers or cabinets.

Many people typically store their knife collection in a countertop knife block, but this takes up valuable space. To maximise counter space, consider installing a wall-mounted magnetic rail, as seen in this sleek kitchen by Paperworks Studio. This solution keeps your knives and other metal utensils easily accessible while offering a child-friendly, secure storage option. Placing the knife rack near your food prep area also makes it easy for you to grab a knife when chopping and slicing ingredients.

7. Add behind-the-door storage

One often-overlooked storage space in many kitchens is the back of cabinet doors. This hidden area can be a perfect spot for extra, tidy storage. Consider installing a small rack of shelves or a wire basket to store pantry items like snacks and bottled drinks, as demonstrated in these well-organised food storage cabinets.

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