July 12, 2018

Maximizing a small kitchen: 7 cabinet and drawer storage hacks

When you don't have as much space as you'd like in your kitchen, it can be frustrating. Cluttered counters, limited prep space, and a lack of storage may have you convinced that bigger is better. Sure, we'd all like to have our dream kitchen, but when that's not realistic, it's time to get resourceful and maximize your current space. Here are some creative ways to squeeze more storage out of your kitchen.

1. Glide-out Shelving

A pull-out or glide-out shelf moves forward on slides that allow it to extend from the front of the cabinet to maximize storage at the back of the cabinet. A shallow lip around the edge of the shelf will prevent items from falling out when pulled. Transform your cabinets with glide-out shelving for easy access to all items such as food, small kitchen appliances, bakeware, and more. 

2. Vertical Silverware Storage

Although silverware storage trays can be useful, they are not always large enough to accommodate all the silverware you've acquired over the years. Instead of storing your silverware horizontally, you may want to store it vertically in a deeper drawer. Either sectioned slots or a dishwasher silverware basket will do the trick.

3. Cabinet Door Storage

With a few basic materials, you can easily increase storage space on the inside of your cabinet door. Items such as cutting boards, household cleaners, kitchen tools, and more, can be stored in a mounted rack or bin. Hooks are also useful for frequently used items. The inside of a cabinet door is a great place to keep important things handy, but out of site, such as a family message board. 

4. Under Cabinet Drawers

Hidden beneath most kitchen cabinets, is an area of unused space. Because space is low and shallow, it is not ideal for everyday items, but it's perfect for things like bakeware, seasonal items, and some cleaning supplies. Toe-kick drawers would be an ideal way to gain extra storage without a lot of hassle. You'll also have the flexibility of installing them under every cabinet, or just one, depending on your needs and layout of your kitchen. 

5. Expandable Drawer Dividers

An expandable drawer divider is a great way to keep things organized and clutter-free in your kitchen drawers. Customize to fit your drawers vertically or horizontally. Keep kitchen tools, junk drawers, and dish towels neat so you can find what you need quickly. You'll actually find extra room for storage in drawers that are organized.

6. Tension Rod for Pot Lids

It can be tricky to find the best way to organize your pots and pans so that they are accessible and neat. A small tension rod placed on the inside of a deep drawer offers a great solution. Store pots inside one another and line up the lids against the tension rod so the handles rest over it. 

7. Pegboard Organizer

Have a pegboard cut to fit the inside of your cabinet drawer. Use pegs to divide the sections into usable spaces to store pans, dishes, and more in an upright position. The pegs will separate these items, making them easier to find in a deep drawer. 

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What Our Customers Say

  • It’s amazing how much more room there is!

    “We are loving the new storage! It’s amazing how much more room there is. I really didn’t think it would add so much more room, but it did!”
    Ed & Becky W
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    “It took 3 visits -- a sales and design, measure, and install to complete the installation. Every visit was on time and catered to my schedule.”
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    “The designer was the best! She was knowledgeable, kind, experienced, and didn’t make me feel like my kitchen should have been cleaner”
    Melissa L.

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  • *By clicking submit, I provide my signature, giving consent to ShelfGenie, a Neighborly company, along with Neighborly’s affiliates and network of service professionals, to contact me by telephone (including text, autodialed and prerecorded messages) at the number I have provided and/or contact me via email to receive information about Neighborly’s or its affiliate’s offerings. I understand that this consent is not a condition of purchase and I can withdraw my consent at any time. To provide the most expedient service, I consent to be contacted during the normal business hours of 7:00am –9 :00pm, or at any time of day, within 10 minutes of submitting this form, if outside of normal business hours.