My Best Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

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Today, I have gathered many of my best small kitchen storage ideas in one post to show you how to be frugal and make the most of what you have. I’ve discovered numerous ways to utilize available space to create more storage in small kitchens.

Why is it that kitchens (for those of us who can’t afford massive renovations) never have enough storage or counter space? However, I guess if I had more room, I’d somehow find more things to put away!

I’m going to show you the ideas I’ve come up with in my last apartment, as well as in this one, for kitchen storage ideas for things I didn’t have space for. They will help you create vertical storage space on the wall and on top of your counters.

When You Have No Kitchen Cabinet Drawers:

The two photos below are of my old apartment kitchen. I had next to no storage space in that kitchen. There were problems with mice in the drawers. So I nailed the damn things shut and found other ways to store what I’d typically put in drawers.

In the first photo, you can see my toaster convection oven, which I use every day. Next to that is a cutting board that I used as a base for the wood kitchen cart. This was to prevent the steel organizer on top from scratching the wood island cart.

The steel organizer came with cutting boards or something or other (I don’t quite recall). I found that it was a perfect place to vertically store the pans, which were made specifically for use in the convection oven.

It was in this first apartment that I had to utilize so many small kitchen storage ideas.

Vintage Box Storage & Trays:

If you have a few old vintage boxes, use them in the kitchen to store cutting boards. This will keep your cutting boards in one place while also lending a decorative vibe to the room.

Corral all that you can in trays of some variety. It appears less cluttered and offers a much cleaner look for organizing small kitchens with limited storage space.

Counter Top Solutions:

I used this galvanized tray to hold kitchen cleaners next to the sink. Next to that are a couple of white pitchers I used for utensils. You don’t have to order a utensil holder when you probably have something around the house that will work just as well.

Using what you have is one of my favorite small kitchen storage ideas.

Vintage Wall Storage in Small Kitchens:

Since I didn’t have any drawers, I had to find a place to store my foil, Saran Wrap, and sandwich baggies. I got the idea of attaching the rosemary herb box to the top hook on a vintage washboard and then hanging it on the wall.

It worked perfectly! This useful DIY hack is one of my more creative ideas for small kitchen storage.

Next to that is the old rake head I found somewhere. I spray-painted it red and hung kitchen items on it; I didn’t have any other place for them.

My last apartment had just 725 square feet, and I had to come up with ideas for storage that I could utilize in that small kitchen.

Second Apartment Kitchen Small Kitchen Ideas:

Below is a white ceramic plant pot I used for my wood utensils. The utensils are placed right between the stove and my countertop convection oven. So it’s an ideal place to reach over and grab a spoon, and so on.

If you have a small kitchen, consider removing the cabinet doors from your upper cabinets to create more space. I guarantee that if you remove the doors, you will keep what’s inside neat and clean! And kitchen storage becomes a decorative display!

I use a white ceramic tray as a catchall to keep brown sugar, salt, and pepper shakers organized. Behind that is one of my cutting boards.

Cheap Wall Organizer To Utilize Kitchen Storage:

It wasn’t long ago that I ordered these two adhesive wall organizer hooks from Amazon. The pack of two was less than $10! It was a great price to get some of my kitchen items stored and organized in a small galley-style kitchen.

Plus, I don’t have to dig around to find them because they’re in plain view. It’s definitely one of my best small kitchen storage idea hacks for someone on a budget.

You can also use these adhesive hooks in the bathroom or any other place with a suitable surface to adhere them to. They’re perfect if you rent your home and can’t drill in the wall.

Storing Skillets & And Transferware:

My simple solution to keeping my most-used skillet near the stove was to nail it to the wall next to the stove. That made it quick to locate and access for cooking.

I have a small collection of red and white transferware that I enjoy displaying. So, I arranged them on a small, two-tiered white shelf.

Flour & Sugar Jars & Elevated Soap Products:

As you know, I like to keep things out in the open so I can find them more easily. I added the old vintage hand mixer in front of the clear jars for a hint of nostalgia.

Corralling what you have on your countertop keeps visibility high and clutter low. This is one of my best small kitchen storage and organizational hacks.

A great way to give your countertops an elegant look is to place kitchen cleaners and lotion on a cupcake or cake plate.

My best small kitchen storage ideas always include aesthetic touches.

My Best Small Kitchen Ideas for Vertical Storage:

I remember getting the red chicken wall hook at the antique mall for just a few dollars. I’ve had it for some time, and it’s perfect for oven mitts or sets of cups and teaspoons.

I considered spray painting it green, but I’m glad I didn’t, because I have reintroduced red back into my kitchen.

You probably recall me buying the wood and metal two-tiered tray, as well as the brown and white transferware, at the thrift shop. I happened to find them both at the same time and knew what I was going to do with them. It was a simple DIY that only took a small amount of my time.

I hot-glued wooden balls on the bottom of the two-tiered tray and stained it. Then I placed the odd-numbered collection of transferware I’d found on them.

My Current Kitchen Storage Ideas:

Unlike what was the case in my two apartments, I have not removed cabinet doors in this house. I do use vertical storage in some cases.

However, this house is approximately 300 square feet larger than my previous apartment. I now have more storage space in my kitchen than I did before.

I hang things like the red colander you see above on the wall over the sink, and pot holders near the stove on the pantry wall. And I still hang the little rooster object with hooks. This time, instead of holding oven mitts, it keeps measuring spoons and cups, which serves as another idea for small kitchen storage ideas.

It’s possible that, over time, I’ll explore more storage ideas. But so far it hasn’t been necessary.

The “sage” wooden box lost its long hook a long time ago. So now I use it on my kitchen counter to hold coffee pods. It sits on a wooden cheese board, along with a few other kitchen items.

Currently, I have relocated my coffee bar from the dining room to the kitchen. I created a mini version of a coffee station right on my kitchen counter, near the sink. The dining room felt too far to go back and forth for water to make coffee.

Small Lamps In Kitchens:

Another thing you’ll always see in my kitchen is a small lamp. At least one lamp, if not two. Lamp light makes your kitchen look much cozier.

Above is my little lamp in my current kitchen, which I ordered online from Target back when I first moved here. I love ordering lamps from Target because so far, not one lamp has had to be assembled once it arrived.

Having a small lamp on your kitchen counter can change the entire atmosphere of the space. Instead of relying solely on the bright, overhead lights, the lamp casts a softer, warmer glow that makes the kitchen feel more inviting and lived-in.

It transforms the counter into a cozy nook, perfect for late-night cups of tea or early morning coffee rituals. Or simply moving through the kitchen without the harsh glare of full lighting.

The lamp adds a touch of charm, almost like bringing a piece of the living room into the kitchen. It can highlight a favorite corner, maybe near the coffee maker, beside a bowl of fruit, or tucked next to a stack of cookbooks. The gentle light reflects off countertops and tile, making even the simplest tasks feel more casual.

It’s not just practical; it’s atmospheric. A small lamp on the kitchen counter says the kitchen isn’t only a place to cook—it’s a place to pause, unwind, and linger.

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas:

In a small kitchen, every inch counts, and vertical storage quickly becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. Limited counter space often means you can’t leave appliances or cooking tools sitting out, so looking upward is the most innovative solution.

Tall shelving, mounted racks, or even hooks on the walls allow you to store cookware, spices, and pantry items without cluttering the surfaces you need for prep. All these things help to make a small kitchen serve your needs better.

Vertical storage also helps create order in tight spaces. Hanging pots and pans frees up cabinet space for food staples. Tiered shelves keep essentials within reach while keeping them out of sight on the counter. Even the backs of cabinet doors can serve as extra storage space for items such as cutting boards, baking sheets, or cleaning supplies.

The necessity for vertical storage in a small kitchen primarily concerns efficiency. It’s about transforming unused wall space into functional, organized zones that keep your kitchen running smoothly, regardless of its size.