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Posted on Monday, 11th May 2026
There never seems to be enough storage space in a kitchen – and if your kitchen is on the smaller side, you’ll know this all too well.
Pots and pans are shoved into a cupboard you dread opening and you’ve run out of counter space as soon as you’ve started cooking. So, start working with the space you’ve got to make it work better for you with our 11 best small kitchen storage tips.
Renovating, decluttering or just need somewhere to put the stuff that doesn't need to live in the kitchen at all? Take a look at our short-term and long-term storage options.
Before you get started with these small kitchen storage tips, it’s always best to have a bit of a declutter. Say goodbye to those chipped mugs, out-of-date bakery ingredients and stained Tupperware we’re all guilty of hoarding and start fresh.
Drawers can become a dumping ground quickly when you’re tight on kitchen space. A set of simple drawer organisers or dividers can add some order to those chaotic drawers straight away. Now cutlery can have its own tray, cooking utensils have a dedicated section and knives are stored more safely.
The back of a cupboard door is an overlooked storage spot in any kitchen but is especially prime real estate in small kitchens. You can hang measuring cups, oven mitts, sieves or anything else that tends to pile up in a drawer. Self-adhesive hooks are another game-changer here; they’re renter-friendly and temporary so you can just peel them off if you ever change your kitchen layout.
It always seems to be the pot that’s right at the bottom that’s the one you need. Save yourself from digging around with this great tip for adding more space and organisation to your cupboards. An adjustable rack is ideal for baking trays and pan lids as it helps you store them vertically, saving you more space for the rest of your pots and pans, and making everything easier to grab.
With small kitchens, it’s all about adding storage into every spare inch. A shelf insert unit and undershelf clip-on storage are all brilliant ways of creating more storage space inside your cabinets and cupboards. Not only do you get an extra shelf’s worth of room, but you can see everything more easily.
Empty wall space is perfect for adding more storage to your kitchen in a stylish way whilst still keeping your worktop clear. Magnetic strips for knives or a wall rail for hanging pots will make you look like a pro chef. You can even add some hooks and containers to the wall rail to catch the bits and bobs that end up scattered around the kitchen like scissors, pens or even herb pots.
Tiered trolleys are ideal extra flexible storage for a small kitchen. As they’re on wheels, they can be easily tucked away or moved to wherever you need them. Also, if you pick a trolley that has a flat top or a butcher’s block trolley, you’ve now got a ready-made, additional countertop.
Pegboards are a great kitchen space-saving idea, as they’re fully customisable for whatever you need; add hooks to hang utensils and pans or add shelves to hold spices and other small containers. Not only do they look great, but they work just as well in a home office or shed if you ever decide to refresh your kitchen.
Counter space is always limited in a small kitchen, but you can easily extend your worktops with a sturdy chopping board that slots over your sink. It can easily slide out of the way when you need the sink, and it’s truly the ideal setup for rinsing and chopping mid-cooking.
Give yourself even more room by hanging your bin on the back of a cupboard door or adding pull-out bins. It’s a win-win for small kitchens, making your kitchen look tidier, helping you separate recycling (if you have multiple pull-out bins) and reduce stinky bin smells.
One of the easiest small kitchen storage ideas going is a tiered spice rack shelf or organiser. They easily slot into your drawers or into a cupboard, so you can see every jar at a glance; no more shifting everything around just to find the paprika. Elevating the jars towards the back on a tiered spice rack makes use of the full depth of the shelf and stops your spices from being lost in the dark at the back.
Higher shelves and the tops of cabinets tend to go completely unused in kitchens. It’s prime real estate for the things you only occasionally use like a fancy kitchen gadget, Christmas dinner serving dishes or tablecloths. Use baskets or boxes up there to keep things tidy, you’ll just need to make sure you’ve also got a decent step stool so you can still grab them.
Have more kitchen conundrums? We’ve got plenty of expert storage advice on our content hub, covering everything from how to store Tupperware to how to make the most of awkward spaces in your home.
Most of these small kitchen storage tips are renter-friendly, so you don’t need to do any drilling to give yourself more room. Opt for self-adhesive hooks, freestanding trolleys, clip-on undershelf baskets and shelf inserts that give you heaps of extra storage and can just be taken off when you leave.
To maximise your countertop space, only have the appliances you use every single day out, like your kettle or toaster. Kitchen appliances that you only use occasionally are better off in a cupboard. Lazy Susan cabinet pullouts are great for these, letting you grab the specific appliance you want without having pull everything out.
The best way to avoid mess is to make sure everything has a designated place, because clutter usually builds up where there's no clear home for things. Drawer dividers, tiered spice racks and cupboard organisers all help with that. Beyond the organising itself, it's worth being realistic about what actually needs to be in the kitchen. Duplicate kitchen bits and anything that only come out occasionally can all be stored elsewhere or donated.
