These Genius Pots and Pans Solve a Huge Kitchen Storage Problem — They're so Clever for Small Spaces (2024)

FAQs

How to manage small kitchen space? ›

Organize pots and pans above the stove.

Mount a simple pot rack ($22, Target) on the wall behind the range or on the underside of the upper cabinetry, making sure it's sturdy enough to support the weight of your cookware. Use hooks to hang pots, pans, and utensils right where you'll need them.

The most efficient kitchen layouts are U-shaped and island kitchens. These layouts provide ample countertop space for cooking and prep work, and they allow for fluid movement throughout the room. Galley kitchens often have the issue of feeling “bottlenecked” because there is only one path in and out of the kitchen.

Put Items In Groupings

Instead of spreading things out, group items together. Another riser with cooking oil, salt and pepper and butter dish with a fun lamp creates a great, but functional arrangement. Adding a small lamp is perfect to add ambiance and extra work light, it's on trend right now too.

Bright white or cream is an obvious choice, but don't feel limited. Light greens, yellows, blues and even greys can work well too. Whatever colour you choose, try to make the cabinet doors and walls one consistent colour.

And if you're wondering, “How do I decide where to put things in my kitchen?,” here's a good rule of thumb for using cabinet space effectively: Upper cabinets: food, spices, glassware, dishes. Lower cabinets: larger serving pieces, small kitchen appliances, pots, pans, mixing bowls, baking sheets, cutting boards.

Group similar items together. Items such as dishes, bowls, and canned goods can be grouped together and stacked. Find alternative storage for items only used a few times a year. If the China set or serving trays are collecting dust, store it in a basem*nt or butler's pantry to free up kitchen space.

In my small home kitchen, I have limited counter space so while I'm cooking, my landing spot for dirty dishes is just the sink. When I'm working in my commercial kitchen, we've designated the counter next to the sink as the dirty dish area. We never put a clean dish or any food in the dirty dish area.

Below the counter:

The oven can be placed in the shelf below the counter. It is usual design seen in most kitchens today where there are shelves below the counter and a counter can be made especially for the oven.

Where do you put plates in a small kitchen? ›

Dish Storage for Small Spaces

In areas where installing shelves or cabinetry would take up too much room, opt for simple hooks that hang dishes and cookware flat against the wall. Simply attach the hooks directly to the wall surface or install a pegboard for customizable storage.

Store in a Designated Cabinet

If you're going to use a cabinet for pots and pans, the organization is key for making sure you can see everything and no smaller pot gets lost in the back. Here pots are stacked in size order and a cookware rack acts as a divider to keep pans organized without scratching each other.

A bakeware rack is a great organizing solution. As long as your cabinet or pantry shelves are tall enough for vertical storage, it prevents items from falling over or getting stuck together.

Storing pots and pans: at a glance

A base cabinet with pull-outs for pots, pans and cooking utensils makes items easy to find and ensures efficient workflows in the kitchen. Ideally, this cabinet should be under the hob or right next to it.