31 Kitchen Storage Ideas to Help You Declutter on a Budget
These affordable kitchen storage solutions are the key to a beautifully organized space, even on a tight budget.
Kitchens are prone to clutter, from toppling stacks of dishes to overstuffed utensil drawers. Avoid chaos by implementing these affordable kitchen organization ideas. You'll be able to money and simplify your kitchen for an easy-to-navigate space. Ensuring every kitchen gadget and Tupperware lid has a designated home helps cooking, baking, and entertaining easier than ever.
Hang Floating Shelves
If you have a bit of extra wall space but not enough room for cabinetry, add a pair of floating shelves. Install hooks under the bottom shelf for hanging coffee mugs, utensils, or hand towels. Style open kitchen shelves with daily essentials, like coffee mugs, drinking glasses, and plates or bowls, for easy access to your most-used items.
Organize Water Bottles
Keep water bottles within reach and in view by stacking them in magazine files. This cheap kitchen storage essential can be found at dollar stores so you can save when organizing your cabinets. Rest the inexpensive organizers on their backs for quick grab-and-go access.
Add Freestanding Shelves
Bookshelves aren't limited to reading materials. Locate one near your kitchen to store all your cooking odds and ends. Stack the storage unit high with dishware, spices, and cookbooks to free up cabinet space.
Gather Loose Lids
Utilize thrifty organizers to make over the chaotic space where you stash food-storage containers. A wall file mounted to a cabinet door is an easy solution for separating plastic lids from bases. Stack lids from largest to smallest to easily identify the size you need.
Related: Genius Solutions for Food Storage Containers
Incorporate Clear Containers
Keep a uniform look on your countertops with clear storage containers. Buy them in bulk online from kitchen supply stores for less. They're good for storing dry cereals, pet foods, and snacks, too. Even apothecary jars with lost or broken lids can be used to store a countertop collection of rolling pins on end.
Hang Pegboard
A simple pegboard makes use of blank walls to store a variety of kitchen items. This customizable solution works for pots and pans, as well as clunky utensils, like whisks and big spoons. Combine multiple sections to create a wall of cheap kitchen organization.
Related: 8 Genius Ideas for Pots and Pans
Try Tension Rods
Rethink how you use inexpensive tension curtain rods. Place rows of the affordable window-treatment hardware inside a cabinet to create adjustable compartments. Use them to keep plastic food-container lids, baking sheets, or serving trays upright and organized.
Label Pantry Containers
Maximize the space in your pantry with labeled baskets in bright colors. Group individually wrapped snacks and breakfast essentials out of their boxes and in the bins to make mornings a breeze. For added pantry organization, label shelves with the category of its contents as well.
Related: Pretty Printable Labels to Organize Your Pantry
Turn Cabinetry into Open Shelves
Don't want to spend money on new shelves? See how to convert your existing cabinetry into open shelves. This DIY project can help a small space seem larger and provide quick access to kitchen essentials.
Related: More Stylish Open Storage Ideas
Utilize Hooks
Add hooks to the back or side of a shallow cabinet near the family entry to keep track of keys, umbrellas, bags, and anything else you might need as you head out the door. Screw-in cup hooks are ideal for holding keys; use removable adhesive-back hooks for other items so you can change the arrangement and number of hooks when needed.
Organize Kitchen Drawers
An average drawer becomes more purposeful with the addition of a drawer organizer. A compartmentalized insert neatly stores utensils. Add labels to the compartments to designate spaces for specific items. Alternatively, look for cheap kitchen storage containers at dollar stores, like the plastic containers in this baking drawer, to group like items.
Related: More Kitchen Utensil Storage Solutions
Install Island Add-Ons
Not all storage belongs behind closed doors. Make frequently used items easy to find and access when you outfit the side of an island with affordable add-ons. Consider bars for tea towels and paper towels or a repurposed wire bin to house cutting boards and rolling pins.
Incorporate Shelf Risers
A collapsible riser designed for cabinet interiors lends heightened storage when tackling hands-on recipes. Prepare a workstation by arranging ingredients in the created space underneath, and set dishes and utensils on top. Once you're finished cooking, collapse the riser flat and store it in a pantry or base cabinet.
Build an Island from Cabinets
Casters and a countertop take standard sofa tables to a new level. Attached, the tables create additional storage, while wheels transform it into a portable island and food prep station. Roll it in when you need extra counter space or a set of specialized tools stored within.
Related: How to Build Your Own Kitchen Island from Cabinets
Employ a Wire Rack
Take a cue from restaurant kitchens and add a stainless-steel storage shelf to an empty wall in your kitchen. This approach maximizes the height and bare wall space. Outfit an affordable wire rack with seldom-used small appliances, perishables purchased in bulk, or dishware saved for special occasions to free up space in your cabinets and pantry for items you use regularly.
Related: Freestanding Pantry Storage Ideas
Hang Baskets
Baskets are helpful for organizing kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce. Place a pair of baskets above a sink using a metal rod or adhesive hooks for easy access. A wire design allows you to see contents at a glance and helps wet dishes and sponges dry quicker.
Attach Corkboard to Cabinet Doors
Applying cork to a door face or cabinet interior is a handy way to organize notes and lists. Use spray adhesive or double-sided adhesive strips to apply the inexpensive sheets of corkboard. Store recipes, chore lists, and coupon clippings on the boards while keeping the surface of your cabinetry clutter-free.
Turn a Caddy into Spice Storage
Repurpose a vintage metal caddy or milk crate as moveable spice storage. Stock it with salt and pepper, frequently used spices, oils, and fresh herbs to season meals at the table. Keep the holder near food prep and cooking zones, then transfer it to the table during meals.
Related: How to Store Spices, According to a Professional Organizer
Organize Your Freezer with Containers
If the items in your freezer are expiring because you can't find what you need when you need it, seek out low-cost storage for a tidy refrigerator. A trip to a dollar store or down the clearance aisles at the home center can yield storage bargains galore, including colorful wire bins for sorting frozen meat. Opt for stackable clear containers to keep foods tidy and on view; add labels to note contents and "use by" dates.
Related: Exactly How Long to Store Leftovers in Your Fridge and Freezer Before Tossing Them
Mount a Knife Rack
A blank wall holds untapped storage potential. One strategy to put this space to work for pennies: Add magnetized strips to one side of a finished board, and secure it to your backsplash to hold knives. This makes knives easy to grab and use, plus simple to put away.
Set Up a Cleaning Station
Keep your cleaning supplies organized and ready to use with an over-the-door metal caddy. The lower rack is perfect for holding bottles of supplies, while the upper rack keeps sponges and scrubbers at the forefront.
Related: Our Very Best Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Add Shelves to Pantry Doors
Multiply the capacity of any cabinet when you add storage to the interior side of the door. Six shallow shelves fit neatly between this door and the interior shelves to offer space for single-file lines of little luxuries and kitchen dry goods. Lips on each door shelf keep items from tumbling off.
Consider a Plate Rack
A plate rack offers a pretty way to display dishes while storing them safely on edge. Position your plate rack in a spot that's convenient to the dishwasher so dishes are easy to put away or near the dining table for quick access. For a budget-friendly option, build your own DIY plate rack.
Related: 31 Creative Ways to Store Dishes and Utensils That Go Beyond Cabinetry
Fashion a Pot Rack in a Pinch
S hooks suspended from the ventilation hood above the cooktop make simple, stylish storage. Hang a collection of shiny copper bowls or other vintage cooking pieces.
Related: 15 Pot Rack Ideas to Store Your Cookware in Style
Fashion a Baking Center
Install hooks and labels on the inside of a cabinet door within your kitchen baking center so every measuring spoon and cup has its proper place. Add a conversion chart for good measure.
Related: A Handy Kitchen Measurement Conversion Chart
Keep a Rolling Pin Handy
For a baker, a rolling pin must be close at hand at all times. A simple storage hook mounted to the side of a cabinet keeps the baking essential at hand and frees up a drawer for smaller utensils.
Create a Utensil Caddy from Mason Jars
Add cottage style to any table setting and make serving a snap by upcycling glass jars. This utensil caddy is made out of glass milk jars and a simple metal handle. Mason jars also work for organizing silverware into a simple serving station.
Stack Baskets
Keep your eyes peeled for vintage wicker picnic baskets at flea markets or estate sales, and use them to stow kitchen gear and keep countertops clear of clutter. Stack baskets in a countertop corner to store linens, dishware, or even stacks of coupons and household papers.
Shop for Over-the-Door Solutions
Make use of the backside of cabinet doors, as well as the insides, for additional kitchen storage. An over-the-door storage unit keeps mismatched towels out of sight and handy for dish duty. Measure the width of your cabinet door and consider the contents of your cabinet to determine the best size for over-the-door cabinet storage.
Build Easy Beverage Storage
Turn an open display shelf into triangular storage niches for just a few dollars. Add intersecting 1x boards, as shown, to one or more shelf sections to create attractive, angular storage that works well for displaying and storing everything from wine to rolled cloth napkins.
Related: Clever Wine Storage Solutions
Hang Display Shelves
A single ledge or shelf installed near the ceiling can take advantage of untapped storage potential. This long shelf displays and stores bottles of oils and vinegars, showing off golden hues and shapely outlines while drawing attention to the rustic ceiling beams and beautiful lighting.
