by Fan Winston - June 2, 2021

10 Tips for Maximizing Storage Space in a Tiny Kitchen

Even in a good-sized kitchen, it can be hard to find a place for everything. In a small kitchen, it can feel downright impossible. These storage and organization ideas, culled from our archive of tiny kitchens we love, will make you realize your small-space storage issues aren’t really so big after all. Here, 10 solutions for maxing out storage in a mini kitchen.

1. Install a low, shallow shelf over the counter.

Tiny White Kitchen by Denise Lee — Above: In a sliver of a kitchen in Manhattan, everything you need for cooking. A slim open shelf was installed in the dead space between the counter and upper cabinets for extra storage. See A Tiny Kitchen Made for Cooking: Everything You Need in 26 Square Feet. Photograph by and courtesy of Denise Lee.

2. Take advantage of every inch of wall space.

In addition to the open pantry that was DIY’d by the homeowners using ash wood, they managed to fit two Ikea wall cabinets on top of each other to the left of it, and turn the leftover space above into a cabinet of its own. See Tricks of the Trade: 7 Small-Space Storage Tips from Emil Eve Architects. Photograph by Mariell Lind Hansen, courtesy of Emil Eve. — Above: In addition to the open pantry that was DIY’d by the homeowners using ash wood, they managed to fit two Ikea wall cabinets on top of each other to the left of it, and turn the leftover space above into a cabinet of its own. See Tricks of the Trade: 7 Small-Space Storage Tips from Emil Eve Architects. Photograph by Mariell Lind Hansen, courtesy of Emil Eve.

3. Opt for a wall-mounted dish rack.

Caroline Feiffer in Copenhagen Photo by Katrine Rohrberg — Above: To keep the counters clutter-free, the homeowners of a Copenhagen flat employed a wall-hung stainless steel Indian dish rack. See Danish Heritage: A Copenhagen Townhouse Renovated by Hand. Photograph courtesy of Katrine Rohrberg. (And here’s how to buy one: Stainless Storage: Stovold and Pogue’s Modular Kitchen Racks and Shelves from India.)

4. Mini-size the appliances.

Plywood Kitchen in Portugal — Above: Appliances don’t have to take up an inordinate amount of space. This tiny plywood kitchenette fits an electric stovetop and a fridge and microwave, both hidden behind cabinet fronts. See A Family House in Porto Restored, Traditional Tile Included. Photograph by José Campos.

5. Source a folding table that has storage too.

Table Plus Folding Table by Magnet — Above: The Table Plus from UK-based Magnet Kitchens offers an extra work or dining surface and includes storage space. The leather pockets are handy for stashing mail and magazines.

6. Think like a puzzle maker.

Kitchen in Moscow Apartment by Studio Bazi — Above: Here’s what you can’t see in this image: A tiered set of built-ins under the range pulls out to reveal a cutting board, silverware drawer, a produce storage bin (with ventilation), and a deep hatch for extra pots and pans; next to that is an under-counter refrigerator, a pullout trash can, and a slim spice rack. For a GIF that shows the drawers pulled out, see The Secret Apartment: A Hyperefficient Moscow Flat with Stealth Storage (and a Hidden Kitchen). Photograph by Polina Poludkina.

7. Move in a restaurant-grade kitchen island.

Lena Corwin Kitchen by Brian Ferry — Above: You can source inexpensive stainless steel islands and kitchen carts, both great for extra storage and counter space, from restaurant supply stores. This one came from Bowery Restaurant Supply, in New York City. See Designer Lena Corwin at Home in Fort Greene. Photograph by Brian Ferry.

8. Hang your cooking essentials.

Sandeep Salter Picture Room Brooklyn Heights House Photo by Jonathan Pilkington Styling Alexa Hotz — Above: Cooking tools and pots are artfully hung from the wall of a minuscule Brooklyn kitchen for a family of four. See A Modern Fairy Tale Told in 800 Square Feet: Sandeep Salter’s Family Apartment. Photograph by Jonathan Pilkington for Remodelista; styling by Alexa Hotz.

9. Create a great wall of cabinets.

Apartment kitchen in Berlin by Studio Oink. — Above: The grid of cabinets in this airy Berlin kitchen offers a ton of built-in storage but doesn’t feel heavy. It “feels more like an existing wall than massive cabinets,” says designer Lea Korzeczek. See Kitchen of the Week: A Poetic Apartment Kitchen by Studio Oink. Photograph by and courtesy of Studio Oink.

10. Consider sliding doors.

The narrow passage between the island and wall in this Melbourne, Australia, kitchen made normal doors a near impossibility. Sliding doors solved this small-space problem. See Kitchen of the Week: A Seventies Overhaul by Hearth Studio. Photograph by Christo Crocker. — Above: The narrow passage between the island and wall in this Melbourne, Australia, kitchen made normal doors a near impossibility. Sliding doors solved this small-space problem. See Kitchen of the Week: A Seventies Overhaul by Hearth Studio. Photograph by Christo Crocker.

More kitchen storage wisdom ahead:

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