8 Genius Kitchen Storage Hacks that Will Make Your Home Look Roomier
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. It can be pretty hard for that heart to function properly when it is not much bigger than a postage stamp. Here are some space-saving hacks that will make your tiny kitchen more functional, and get that heart beating properly so that you can actually enjoy spending time in your precious space.
HACK #1: THINK VERTICAL
Free up some valuable counter space by delegating jobs to your wall or other vertical spaces. A wall-mounted mesh office organizer can store your dish soap and sponges. Create a vertical drying rack by installing wire baskets to the wall beside or above the sink. A board with affixed cans, mason jars or wire cups can hold all kinds of utensils and kitchen gadgets. Also consider mounting mason jars under your cabinets to store dry goods like pasta and flour. You can also mount magnetic strips onto a wall in combination with other storage solutions, like hooks or wire baskets. If you are short on drawer space, ditch the junk drawer and sort your mail, pens, and lists in an organizer mounted to a wall or side of your refrigerator. Attach a magnetic rack to the inside of your sink and hang your cloth, or stash your sponge.
HACK #2: RETHINK YOUR FRUIT BOWL
While a large bowl spilling over with fresh fruit is supremely inviting, it is also supremely space-devouring. A tiered hanging basket looks equally lovely and doesn’t take up precious counter space; it also allows you to keep fruits and veggies separate. Alternatively, you can stash your fruit in a wire bin that hangs under your cabinets, or store your potatoes and onions in a basket lined drawer if you have one to spare.
HACK #3: BORROW COUNTER SPACE
Who says your cutting board needs to sit on the counter? Rest it on a drawer, over your sink, or create a pull-out cutting board drawer. Try using a narrow lower cupboard space to create pull-out trash can with a cutting board overtop.
HACK # 4: DESK ORGANIZERS IN YOUR FRIDGE
Clear desk organizers can transform your refrigerator, maximizing space, and make things easier to find. Choosing clear, plastic organizers will allow you to easily see what’s what and they’re also stackable.
HACK #5: PUT THAT LAZY SUSAN TO WORK
Things easily get lost at the back of a deeper space, rendering that storage area unusable or just full of stuff that you have forgotten about. A lazy susan under your sink, in a deep cupboard, and inside or on top of the refrigerator will give you access to those hard-to-reach places.
HACK #6: ROCK THOSE MAGAZINE RACKS
In a small kitchen, magazine racks are little miracle workers keeping smaller spaces organized. Stash your cutting boards or Tupperware lids, or create shelves for your tiny freezer.
HACK #7: GET ROLLING
Rolling butcher blocks or carts add that much-needed work space and storage and can be tucked into a small corner when you are not using them. By putting two butcher blocks together, you can also create a mini-island that has storage underneath, and is just long enough to add a stool or two.
HACK #8: SPICY IDEAS FOR HERBS & SPICES
Who knew there were so many ways to create storage for herbs and spices? Magnetic spice tins are now available at IKEA, bulk stores and other kitchen supply stores that can transform your refrigerator, backsplash, or the space beneath your cupboard into a spice rack. If you have a kitchen where wall space is at a premium, and the wall space you do have is too shallow to add a cupboard, you might try the idea shown in the photo above. A little chalk board paint, some neat printing, and some clever use of magnets and you’ve got both herb and spice storage that looks attractive.