Need more kitchen storage space but renovating is out of the question? Been there and done that and found several useful ideas that helped me double my kitchen storage without renovating. These simple (and cheap) ideas help keep my kitchen countertops cleared and my utensils at my fingertips and essentially doubled my kitchen storage space.
Out of Sight
Having easy access to things does not mean they have to left on the counter and visible at all times. Small items that are needed every day, like hand sanitizer, dish cloth and shopping list can be placed out of sight inside a cabinet door. Removable utility hooks like Command Adhesive Hooks fit perfectly inside cabinets doors and can be used to hold a variety of small kitchen objects, keeping them handy yet out of sight. Attachable bins that fit on the inside of cabinet doors can hold cleaning supplies and scouring pads and keep them out of sight and out of the way.
Recycle Dish Rack
An old dish rack can be recycled as a pot and bowl lid holder and it fits right inside a standard cabinet. The vertical dividers of the dish rack will keep lids organized while taking up less cabinet space, and you can instantly see each lid without prowling through a haphazard stack. If you don’t have an old dish rack to recycle, you can purchase a new one (or two) very cheaply at any local dollar store.
Look Up for Wasted Space
Most kitchens have wasted overhead space. Spaces in which a pot rack can be suspended or space which open shelving could be installed. Hanging racks and open shelving come in some many varieties, you’re bound to find one that compliments your existing kitchen.
On top of upper cabinets is often wasted header space which can be used for additional kitchen storage space, even if the header space is built-in. Open the wasted overhead space up by removing the entire built-in portion, which is only there for aesthetic purposes, and store seldom used and/or decorative items on top of upper cabinets. If you don’t want to completely remove the built-in panels, cut out a few door spaces in the cabinet header and add cabinets doors to allow for additional overhead storage.
Shoe Racks and Kleenex Boxes
If you have a pantry with a door, an over-the-door hanging shoe rack hanging is a storage space extender and time saver. Hang the shoe rack and place frequently used pantry items in the shoe rack so they are easy to find yet out of the way.
Recycle Kleenex boxes (the long, flat style) to corral plastic grocery bags. Stuff the empty bags inside Kleenex boxes and keep them whenever plastic bags may be needed. The boxes take up little space and are stackable.
Sources:
My Own Experience
3M
Organize.com
Amazon