As any small space dweller knows, when your cooking space is limited, every single inch has to work twice as hard. That might mean finding some—er—creative solutions, like hanging spices on an open wall or using the inside of your cabinet door to store your sponges. Lucky for you, we've gotten the scoop on some of the best ones: Read on for some genius ideas from top designers (and watch the video above to see the tricks Ashely Hatcher from NEAT Method, a luxury home organizer, uses in her own kitchen). Trust us, after trying these ideas, your kitchen will feel twice as big.
Don't Overpack Cabinets
Keeping tabs on the food you already have is all about creating categories that work for your household. Here, Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn set up snacks go on the bottom shelf, while breakfast foods and sweets go on the second shelf. The third is left empty for the inevitable overflow.
Display What You Can
Not everything has to be put away! You can add appliances that go with the overall look of your kitchen and also create extra storage for a touch of personality, like Birgitte Pearce did with copper pots in this kitchen.
File Your Cutting Boards
This filing organizer (similar for $15, westelm.com) is ideal for heavy serving platters, cutting boards, and trays because it screws into the bottom of the cabinet and won't wiggle as you pull items in and out.
Use Clear Containers
Items that your family always keeps on hand are best stored in clear containers ($14, amazon.com) — this way you can see when you're running low and add them to your shopping list. In this kitchen Jean Stoffer designed, she added chalkboard stickers to make them easier to identify.
Look Up
By adding extra shelves ($16, amazon.com) for dinnerware, Shari Francis turns a previously wasted wall into a handy storage spot for dinnertime favorites.
Be Narrow-Minded (in a Good Way!)
In this kitchen designed by April Tomlin, the space between the fridge and the wall is prime real estate for organizing everyday items. Proof that every single square inch can be useful!
Use a Drawer Organizer
Use wooden caddies ($11, amazon.com) to help organize your utensil drawer, go the extra step, and nestle your spoons and forks together so you can fit in as many as possible just like Jean Stoffer did in this kitchen.
Touch the Ceiling
Don't leave that awkward foot between the upper cabinets and the ceiling! Adding cabinets up high—even above the hood, like Danielle Fennoy of Revamp Interior Design did—can help you store appliances, or the times in your kitchen you don't use as often creating more space for your counters.
Repurpose Furniture
Not only is repurposing furniture affordable but it can also help you stay organized. Here Leanne Ford elevated this kitchen by displaying everyday dinnerware on three end tables.
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