How To Organize a Small Kitchen
Get more out of your small space.
Just because your kitchen lacks square footage, doesn’t mean it has to lack in organization. Find out how to organize a small kitchen using these steps to save space.
In this guide:
Step 1: Clear Your Surfaces
Step 2: Utilize Wall Space
Step 3: Store Your Tableware
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Clear Your Surfaces
Use a Lazy Susan
Preserve your limited countertop space by grouping together common items. Feature a lazy susan to house salt and pepper shakers, napkins, and even a vase for flowers instead of spreading them around. This also helps to elevate them off the surface itself.
Oftentimes, small kitchens sacrifice a dishwasher to save space. If you find yourself doing a lot of handwashing, designate space for the clean dishes to dry on a rack or mat that’s not spread around the sink.
Have a fear of opening a cabinet and having cinnamon rain down on you? Save your cramped cabinets with an organized spice rack. Using vertical space, you can easily store several spices at your fingertips.
Swap out mismatched boxes and bags for uniform storage canisters. Keep pantry items like flour, rice, or even cereal fresher for longer in sealed containers.
The organization options are endless when you move your organization to your walls. If your small kitchen lacks a proper pantry, move your dishes from the cabinets to floating shelves for easy access.
Like the shelving, if you lack counter space, simply go up. Save yourself the hassle of bending over and rummaging through cabinets to find your big saute pan by hanging your pots and pans on a ceiling mount.
A simple solution for small kitchen organization problems, throw a wired rack up against a wall in your kitchen to keep anything from spices to silverware within arm’s reach and off your surfaces.
A hidden wall you might not have thought of is the back of the door. Maximize space in your cabinet, pantry, or even closet with a hanging wall organizer.
A classic small storage hack, using a bar cart or rolling storage cart in your kitchen is a great hack to store not just barware, but also plates, bowls, or glasses. The movable wheels make it easy to move in and out of the kitchen to save space when it’s not being used.
Keep track of your flatware, servingware, or even straws and skewers with organization trays in your drawers. For especially narrow drawers, opt for a tiered drawer organizer.
If your drawers are too small for large or misshapen kitchen utensils like spatulas or whisks, store them neatly in an upright jar or canister. Never worry about having to try to yank a stuck set of tongs out of the drawer again.
Create your own minimal coffee bar with a mug organizer right on your counter. Keep all your favorite mugs on display without shoving them in the back of your cabinet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a lazy Susan help organize a small kitchen?
A lazy Susan groups common items together, freeing up countertop space and organizing essentials.
What are the benefits of using storage containers for pantry items?
Storage containers keep pantry items fresher longer and create uniformity, reducing clutter.
How do kitchen shelves optimize wall space?
Kitchen shelves move items like dishes to walls, providing easy access and clearing cabinet space.


