How to Improve Kitchen Storage: 8 Ideas, 10 Useful Options

A convenient kitchen is like a perfectly packed suitcase: both apply the principle of 'everything fits, with room to spare.' If this doesn't describe your kitchen, read this post: we've collected ideas on how to fix storage issues in this area.

Provide drawers and shelves of different sizes and shapes

Although this option is only available for custom kitchens, you can also optimize a ready-made cabinet by choosing appropriate dividers for drawers. However, an assortment of different-sized cabinets, drawers, and shelves will allow you to fill the kitchen cabinet with utensils at maximum density.

Design: 'Cozy Apartment'

When planning custom kitchen contents, we suggest including a few narrow pull-out drawers for storing bottles, and if there are pets at home, a drawer in the lower section for pet dishes.

Design: Dina Salakhova

Choose built-in appliances

They are more compact than freestanding models, which helps save several centimeters of useful space on the kitchen. To lighten the work zone and make the interior visually cleaner, plan a separate cabinet for the oven, microwave, and other appliances. It's great if it goes up to the ceiling: then additional storage space will be added both above and below.

Design: KONSTANTINOVI DESIGN STUDIO

Will you cook little at home, and do you not need a cabinet? Limit yourself to a column or build only the refrigerator into the cabinet, if, of course, a design appliance like a retro SMEG model isn't planned.

Design: U Concept

Load the dining table (or combine it with an island)

To increase the functionality of the dining table, choose models with drawers, shelves, or rails on the ends.

Design: Julia Kaufelltd

If space allows or the kitchen is combined with the living room, consider a table that combines with an island.

Design: U Concept

Replace the hanging ceiling rack with a metal shelving unit

This type of shelf will suit any modern interior if the table is rectangular.

Design: Aiya Design

It's clear that you won't expect big functional bonuses from such a structure: usually, these shelves are used to display pots with flowers, attractive dishes, or boxes with small items. But even for these, you need a place to store them – why not here?

Design: MiR Buro

Use the backsplash

You can create some storage space for spices, favorite cups, and anything else that should be easily accessible right on the work surface.

Design: Chado Architecture Studio

This could be a long shelf, a niche (if the layout allows), or upper cabinets with small drawers at the bottom.

Design: Elena Zorina

Don't leave the space by the window empty

You've probably seen projects with a workspace near the window. What about using the walls? If they are wide enough, you can move part of the cabinet there...

Design: Anton Lihatarovich

...or add shelves to the space.

Design: TB Design

Use the space around doors

Evaluate its potential: perhaps you can build a shelf above the door frame and on the sides for beautiful dishes and decor.

Use kitchen hacks

To keep small items easily accessible and not clutter the work surface, store them on trays, as in this project.

Containers for sugar, salt, spices, oils, and other products can be stored visibly if they are chosen to match the interior exactly, as designer Anastasia Muravieva did. There's no need to overthink the decor.

Like appliances, built-in accessories take up less space than freestanding ones. To assess the convenience of use, use a built-in dispenser for cleaning agents, as Alena Simonova and Irina Shestopalova did...

...and provide a built-in tray for cutlery in the countertop, like an island in the Lauri Brothers project.

Using a rail? Add a container or shelf to it, as on this kitchen.

How convenient it is to mount knives on a special magnetic strip is known to clients of the ART TWINS DESIGN studio.

If the cabinet doesn't touch the wall on both sides, complement it with a shallow end cabinet. In this project, it serves as a buffet, but you can design a mini-toolbox and store cleaning tools in it.

To store spirits beautifully, the kitchen cabinet in this Swedish apartment features special open shelves with round cells.