8 Cheap Ways to Create More Kitchen Storage

Kitchen cabinets get full fast. And if you want to create more kitchen storage, you might not have the space or the budget to install more cabinets, an island, and the like. Transforming your kitchen into an organized and efficient space doesn’t have to break the bank.

In this article, we provide 8 simple, affordable ways of maximizing your space to enhance your kitchen storage. From cabinet organizers to floating shelves, discover creative and budget-friendly strategies to make the most of your kitchen space—including product recommendations for inspiration that won’t break the bank.

How to Maximize Kitchen Storage Space

Declutter

Begin by removing items you no longer use or need. This creates space for the essentials and prevents overcrowding.

Utilize Vertical Space

Install shelves or cabinets that reach the ceiling to capitalize on vertical space. This is particularly useful for storing items infrequently used.

Invest in Modular Shelving

Modular shelves and adjustable racks allow you to customize your storage to accommodate various-sized items and make the most of available space.

Use Clear Kitchen Storage Containers

Opt for transparent containers to easily identify contents. This is especially beneficial for pantry items, spices, and dry goods.

Drawer Organizers

Utilize drawer dividers to keep utensils, cutlery, and small kitchen tools neatly organized. This helps maximize drawer space and streamlines access.

Pull-Out Bins and Trays

Consider pull-out bins or trays in cabinets for easy access to pots, pans, or cleaning supplies. These solutions make items at the back more reachable.

Hanging Kitchen Storage

Install hooks or racks on the walls or underneath cabinets to hang pots, pans, mugs, or cooking utensils. This frees up cabinet and counter space.

Multifunctional Furniture

Choose furniture with built-in storage, such as kitchen islands with shelves or cabinets. This adds extra storage without sacrificing floor space.

Labeling

Clearly label containers and shelves to maintain kitchen storage organization. This helps everyone in the household easily locate and return items to their designated places.

Regular Maintenance

Periodically reassess your kitchen storage to ensure it remains efficient. Donate or discard items you no longer need, and make adjustments as your kitchen needs evolve.

8 Affordable Kitchen Storage Solutions

1.) Multilevel Cabinet Organizers

To create more space in your kitchen cabinets, you can buy organizers and drawers that have two levels or more. This will multiply the amount of surface you have to store items like cleaning products and food.

We Recommend: Puiluo Sliding Basket Organizer

We recommend this organizer by Puiluo. It’s sleek, sturdy, and very easy to set up. Plus, it fits not only in an ordinary cabinet but under your kitchen sink as well. This is functional kitchen storage at its finest.

Price

A set of 2 costs in the region of $20—great value for money.

2.) Counter Organizers

Counter organizers can store utensils, spices, and more. The advantage of counter organizers is that they keep important items like spices and cutlery close to hand, so you can grab them quickly while you cook—without having to rummage in your cupboards.

We Recommend: PUSDON Countertop Organizer

There’s something special about this organizer. It has a stylish, unique design, including even a built-in hanging rack to store cutlery! This one won’t let you down.

Price

You can buy this organizer for just $23.

3.) Food Storage Containers

Made for storing dry goods, food storage containers can be kept not only in cupboards or on countertops but also above your wall cabinets and in hidden corners of your kitchen. One overlooked space is above your fridge: why not utilize this area to store cereal, pasta, coffee, and more?

We Recommend: Leaves and Trees Y Kitchen Canisters

Made out of bamboo and glass, these food storage containers are sturdy and stylish. They’ll look a lot sleeker on display compared to plastic Tupperware. What’s also great about these canisters is that you get 5 of them in various sizes. Plus, each one is airtight and can withstand -4 to 302℉.

Price

This set of 5 canisters costs around $30.

4.) A Cart or Pantry for Kitchen Storage

Rolling storage carts and hanging or standalone pantries are a great way of utilizing an empty corner for food storage. Standalone pantries tend to be more expensive, but you could look into having one DIY-made by a handyperson you know.

We Recommend: 1Easylife Pantry Organizer

Over-the-door pantries are affordable and highly practical; they barely use up any space and you can fit so many items inside. Hang this pantry by 1Easylife on your kitchen door and you’ll have 6 baskets’ worth of vertical space to play with. Suction cups are provided, too, to ensure an extra secure hold.

Price

The photographed version with 6 baskets costs $37. Other quantities and sizes of baskets are also available, costing a maximum of only $43.

5.) Pot Racks

To store your pots and pans conveniently, you can hang pot racks from your walls or ceiling. This will free up tons of cabinet space, and it will make selecting the pan you need so much easier. No more rummaging among piled-up layers of cookware!

We Recommend: LADER Hanging Pot Rack

At just $18, this wall-mounted pot rack is excellent value for money. You can also buy it bigger for $38. In both cases, you get a spacious, sturdy rack made out of rust-proof wrought iron metal. An advantage of wall racks over ceiling-mounted racks is that you don’t risk bumping your head on your pans.

Price

The 17″ version costs $33; the 30″ version costs $38.

6.) Other Hooks and Racks

It’s not just pots and pans that you can squeeze into vertical space. You can hang mugs, knives, and other cooking utensils on hooks and racks, as well! Remember that you can attach such racks and holders not only to your walls but also to the sides of your kitchen cabinets.

We Recommend: Eco Kitchen Magnetic Utensil Holder

This multifunctional utensil holder can be installed very quickly onto your wall. It has magnets for holding metal utensils and hooks for hanging spatulas, wooden spoons, and similar. What more could you wish for?

Price

The 12″ version costs $30; the 18″ version costs $40.

7.) A Pegboard

Pegboards are a handy alternative to wall racks, useful for hanging cookware and more. You can put a pegboard above your oven or another empty space above your cabinets. Or, you could dedicate an entirely free wall to a pegboard for even larger-scale storage!

We Recommend: Socalsunny Pegboard

This is a pegboard with a twist: it has a built-in hook, cups, and trays. This makes it really versatile for storing all your different cookware—and it looks quirky and trendy on display, too! Kitchen storage has never been so fun.

Price

You can buy this pegboard for $40—top value compared to alternatives.

8.) Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are probably one of the more obvious storage solutions, but some models go above and beyond expectations. For instance, you can buy shelves with built-in hooks and rails, which gives you even more flexibility for storage!

We Recommend: BESy Floating Shelves

We recommend this set of 2 shelves from BESy. You can use them as a holder for paper towels, as a mini pantry, and more. Made out of heavy-duty metal and damp-proof wood, they’re highly durable. And the medium width (15.6″) makes them perfect for filling awkward wall space that you otherwise might not use.

Price

A 2-piece set costs $21 in white—or $27 in brown, tan, or black.

FAQs

How much kitchen counter space do you need?

It depends on what you cook and how you like to cook. Ideally, there should be at least one section of your countertop that isn’t overcrowded with countertop organizers. That way, you have some free space for food prep at all times.

How can you add more counter space to a small kitchen?

There are various smart ways to add more countertop area to a smaller-spaced kitchen. For example, you could fit a special cutting board over your sink that you can insert and remove as you cook. Another option is to cover your stove with cutting boards when it’s not in use.

For help with implementing ideas like this, search on the internet for “over-the-sink cutting board” and “oven stove top cutting board”. These aren’t storage solutions in themselves, but they are a great way of freeing up space in your kitchen—space that you could then use to install some of the 8 best storage recommendations!

In Conclusion

Now you should have lots of smart ideas for better kitchen organization. Whether you want to reorganize your cabinets or use your walls as hanging space, this article has shown you how you can add innovative kitchen storage solutions to your decor.

You also got some product recommendations for inspiration on the way. So don’t hesitate. Make that purchase and transform the way your kitchen is organized. It will make cooking, cleaning, and tidying so much easier for you!