How to Maximize Space in Your Kitchen Cabinets

Living in a small apartment means getting creative with space-saving hacks and organization. One area that tends to collect the most clutter is the kitchen cabinets. Whether you have a cabinet full of unorganized containers or an oddly shaped vertical cabinet that doesn’t seem to fit any kitchen items, learning how to maximize space in your kitchen cabinets can make a small apartment kitchen feel larger, cleaner, and easier to use.

Start With What You Have

When it comes to decluttering your kitchen, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Instead of looking at your cabinets holistically, take it step-by-step and start by going through the items you already have.

Declutter kitchen cabinets

One way to make more kitchen cabinet space is by decluttering the items you already have. A quick kitchen cabinet audit can free up a large amount of storage space. Look for duplicate items, worn-out or old containers, and items you haven’t used in the past six or so months. While it’s easy to get attached to items, doing a quick review of old or unused items can naturally free up a significant amount of space in your cabinets.

Match items to cabinet’s shape and size

Strategically matching longer, larger, or lesser-used items to a specific kitchen cabinet can help free up space. For example, the tall, narrow cabinet in the corner that is rarely used is perfect for cookie sheets, cutting boards, and baking sheets. Deep cabinets are ideal for storing everyday items and less frequently used ones (store rarely used appliances towards the back and everyday items up front). High-shelf cabinets are best suited for large pots, tall appliances, and oversized dishes. Understanding your kitchen cabinet dimensions and the shape and size of your appliances will lead to smarter storage solutions.

Organize Cabinets by Kitchen Zones

After you’ve decluttered and identified the best cabinet for each item, organize your kitchen into zones and group items together based on how you use them. Create zones based on daily habits, group similar items together, or place them in the most convenient location. Creating kitchen zones can make your kitchen easier to navigate while improving organization.

Group similar items together

Items like baking supplies, cooking utensils, dishes, and glassware save space when they are stored together rather than separately. Storing these items in the same cabinet or near similar items can help create a more organized appearance. In addition, these items typically stack more efficiently together than with unrelated kitchen items, making storage more practical.

Create zones based on daily habits

If you have a specific routine, organize your kitchen cabinets in a way that supports that routine. If your coffee maker sits in a certain spot, store mugs in a nearby cabinet. Place pots, pans, and baking sheets near the oven and stove to make cooking more convenient. Store frequently used items at eye level or toward the front of the cabinet and less-used items toward the back. Sticking to a consistent routine can help you determine how your kitchen cabinets should be organized and maximize available storage space.

Get More Space Out of Your Cabinets

Some kitchen cabinets come with built-in shelf adjusters that make creating more space even easier. Even if the cabinets in your apartment can’t be physically adjusted, there are several storage solutions that can help maximize every inch.

Adjust shelves for vertical storage

If you live in an apartment or rental property, your kitchen cabinets may have adjustable shelves. These shelves use pegs that make it easy to create more space at the top or bottom of a cabinet, depending on your needs. Moving a shelf up or down by one peg can create room for an extra stack of plates or a row of mugs. Renters can also use removable shelf inserts and stackable organizers to create extra storage without making permanent changes to cabinets. If you have taller or bulkier items, you can remove a shelf completely and create a dedicated storage area. If you do this, store the shelf in a safe place so it doesn’t get lost. If the shelf is missing when you move out, your landlord may deduct costs from your security deposit.

What to stack vs. store in cabinets

To optimize storage space in your kitchen cabinets, it’s helpful to know which items to stack versus items that should stand upright. Items that work well stacked included:

• Plates
• Bowls
• Mugs
• Pots
• Pans

Items that save space when stored upright include:

• Cutting boards
• Baking sheets
• Serving trays

Use cabinet doors for extra storage

If you find yourself running out of shelf space, add organizers or hooks to the inside of cabinet doors. These hooks can hold mugs, pans, oven mitts, measuring cups, or other lightweight kitchen essentials. Add removable organizers, such as adhesive hooks and over-the-door racks, for a renter-friendly and space-saving upgrade.

Use the Right Storage Tools

Kitchen organizers like shelf inserts, utensil trays, adjustable dividers, and wire racks, can help you organize your kitchen items while freeing up cabinet and counter space. Before purchasing organizers, measure the size of your cabinet and understand the space to ensure you’re maximizing the extra storage.

Find cabinet organizers that fit

Before you purchase an organizer, measure your cabinets. Buying an organizer that is too large can waste more space than it saves. Organizers that work especially well for kitchen cabinets include:

• Shelf inserts
• Wire racks
• Turntables
• Under-shelf baskets
• Sliding drawers

Turntables would work especially well for spices and cooking oils, while sliding drawers are ideal for deep lower cabinets where items often get lost. Grouping smaller items together like spices, snack bags, and baking supplies in baskets or bins can help reduce visual clutter. Take it a step further by labeling each bin. This can improve organization and make it easier to find what you need while keeping cabinets looking neat and tidy.

Use ForRent to Find Your Next Rental

If kitchen space is important to you, ForRent.com can help you find a rental with the features you need. With hundreds of listings and specialized search filters for amenities, your perfect rental is just within reach. Start your renting journey on ForRent today!

This article was originally published on October 19, 2017 by Megan Duesterhaus.

FAQs

How do I maximize space in small kitchen cabinets?

Start by decluttering duplicate, broken, or rarely used items. Then group similar items together, store everyday items near the front, use shelf risers for vertical space, and add renter-friendly organizers like turntables, bins, and under-shelf baskets.

What is the best way to organize kitchen cabinets in a small apartment?

The best way to organize kitchen cabinets in a small apartment is to create zones based on how you use your kitchen. Store mugs near the coffee maker, pots and pans near the stove, dishes near the dishwasher or sink, and rarely used appliances in higher or deeper cabinets.

How can renters add more kitchen cabinet storage?

Renters can add more cabinet storage with removable shelf inserts, stackable bins, adhesive hooks, and over-the-door racks. Avoid drilling into cabinets or making permanent changes unless your lease allows it.