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Make smart and creative choices without stress or mess.
If you're lacking kitchen storage space and ideas, it's time to deck out the cabinets, drawers, and island with a few space-saving solutions . You just have to rethink those little nooks and niches, and you'll discover the untapped resource of counter space. And because designer-approved inspiration always helps, we're spotlighting the most stylish and strategic kitchens we've ever seen. So whether you're anticipating a demo day ahead or you just want a quick idea you can DIY today, you'll want to bookmark this batch of creative, clever, and useful kitchen storage ideas.
When it comes to finding genius storage and organization inspiration, there's nowhere better to look than the Williams Sonoma test kitchen, where the brand tries literally thousands of products. This is the designated cutting board cabinet complete with vertical slot separators to prevent a messy pile-up.
In this kitchen designed by Emily Henderson, spices, dry goods, and other cooking essentials are stored in a pull-out "pantry." This keeps them tucked away but still provides easy access.
BUY NOW Pull-Out Organizer, $75, amazon.com
Store lesser-used gadgets in higher cabinets. If you don't already have some, add them above your hood and windows to squeeze in as much storage space as possible. In this kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie, the cabinets stretch almost all the way to the ceiling.
BUY NOW Wall Cabinet, $150, amazon.com
Another zone in Williams Sonoma's San Francisco test kitchen, this walk-in pantry/ closet is stocked with all the baking essentials imaginable. Employees test every single product they sell, so there's inevitably an expansive collection. These shelving units provide ample surface space for all.
BUY NOW Black Wire Shelving Unit, $128
"The whole room has a sexy, smokey vibe," interior designer Michelle Nussbaumer says of this kitchen. But it's also practical! The coffee maker, water dispenser, and speed oven are all built-in, which makes for a far less bulky appearance.
BUY NOW Thermador Automated Coffee Machine, $4,099
No matter the size of your kitchen, every little inch matters when it comes to storage. A simple shelf above a window increases the display area for plates, bowls, and art.
BUY NOW Wood Bracket, $9, amazon.com
If you weren't already convinced that the Williams Sonoma test kitchen is the most organized kitchen on the planet, here's additional proof. Clear tops and labels make for easy identification in the spice drawer.
In this deVol Kitchen, the prettiest items are displayed on the exposed wall-to-wall reclaimed wooden shelves and cubbies so the less attractive essentials can be tucked away in the cabinets. The color-coding adds a soothing sense of rhythm to the space, too.
BUY NOW Anthropologie Shelf Bracket, $28
Instead of keeping your appliances, like a toaster or microwave, out in plain sight, work with your contractor and designer to come up with cool ways to hide them. Here, Mick De Guilio created a sliding quartzite door on the counter to hide a pull-out tray for the toaster. It blends in with the rest of the backsplash beautifully and maintains a sleek aesthetic when not in use.
Don't ignore the power of a good container system. Store your food in labeled glass jars for a more polished and organized approach.
BUY NOW Storage Bins, $33, amazon.com
The clay-hued enclosed cabinets ground this kitchen designed by Dries Otten. The brass shelf underneath with a sliding perforated door allows for a few special items to stay out in the open.
BUY NOW AYTM Curva Shelf, $113
Line up old filing cabinets or work tables in a row as a makeshift buffet/console table. Leanne Ford elevated this kitchen by hanging large-scale artwork near the exposed storage pieces. The mounted wine rack is also a stylish storage solution.
BUY NOW CB2 Wine Bar Console Table, $599
Hang cooking tools and cutting boards above the stove so they're easy to access but out of the way when not in use. Jenn Feldman Designs keeps everything organized on a tray so whatever you need is easy to find and in one place. The blue color-coordinating makes a cohesive look.
BUY NOW Urban Outfitters Mason Stacking Bin, $69
In this modern monochrome kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke, the dinnerware is stored in sleek drawers rather than hidden away in enclosed cabinets.
BUY NOW Yamazaki Home Lid & Pan Organizer, $40
Designed by Matthew Ferrarini, this kitchen is bursting with ingenious small-space solutions. He used folding wood pocket doors to conceal the entire counter and cabinet area against the wall. This would be a major game-changer in a studio apartment in particular.
BUY NOW Urban Outfitters Kitchen Storage Station, $229
Get the most out of a kitchen island by adding drawers on both sides for extra storage space. In this kitchen designed by Leanne Ford, the backless stools help transition the kitchen to the dining room and are easy to move when necessary.
BUY NOW BD Studio Cintra Kitchen Island, $1,599
When your kitchen is minuscule, you'll have to surrender the dream of a kitchen island (for now, at least). The next best—and most proportionally appropriate—thing? A bar cart! It provides a little more storage and you can also opt for a little rolling cart with a butcher block top for cooking.
BUY NOW Yamazaki Home Slim Storage Cart, $65
For a fresh kitchen storage idea, try a floating cubby that blends into the wall instead of floating shelves. Here, Dries Otten mixes whimsical style with industrial features in this unique kitchen. The stainless steel hood and exposed piping pop against the navy walls, while the striped blue fabric lightens the mood.
BUY NOW West Elm Shelf With Hooks, $179
Keep usable surface space clear by securing a glassware drying rack to the wall above the sink. It also spruces up the white wall and provides extra storage.
BUY NOW Wayfair Wall Mounted Pot Rack, $108
No space goes unused in this DeVol kitchen. To expand a tiny kitchen, add extra shelves in places they'd be most functional, like above the stove. And then use your windowsills for plants or other extras and hang a rod at the tippy-top of the wall for pots, aprons, and other kitchen essentials.
BUY NOW Pottery Barn Customizable Brackets & Shelves, $33
An awkward corner can be maximized by adding in easy storage. Glass shelving , tucked underneath cabinets, gives you a space to stow glassware—and since the glasses match the shelf, the effect is nearly invisible.
BUY NOW Glass Shelf Kit, $26, amazon.com
A plate rack and pot racks show off your collections while also keeping these items out of the way. Bonus: They're easily accessible when you need to grab them.
BUY NOW Plate Rack, $9, amazon.com
Floating shelves on either side of a window offer space for dishes and glassware. Don't worry if you only have a small amount of wall space to work with: Petite shelves can still get the job done.
BUY NOW Mini Shelf, $40, amazon.com
When the space under your kitchen sink is exposed and you don't want to splurge on new custom cabinetry, repurpose old linens to act as a curtain, then add extra hooks to hang things like mugs, like Leanne Ford did here. You could also attach the hooks to the floating shelves to get some use out of the underside and save the walls from damage.
BUY NOW Pottery Barn Vintage Rail, $50
Dedicate a draw in the kitchen to random tools and essentials so you always know where to find them. In this drawer in a kitchen designed by Emily Henderson, there are extra chargers, a lint roller, office supplies, and even a section for keys and sunglasses. Use lucite organizers so everything has a place.
BUY NOW Mebbay Drawer Organizer, $16
Don't limit storage to areas within arms' reach. A sliding ladder helps you reach ceiling-height cabinets, which are perfect for that breadmaker you never use.
BUY NOW Glob Handle Ladder, $230
Declutter an open-shelving mess with a grid of woven boxes. In this Los Angeles kitchen, paper tags keep each baskets' contents organized.
This copper-pipe shelving holds hooks for coffee cups and cookware, keeping the countertop free for actual cooking. Plus, it looks seriously chic and adds some cohesion.
BUY NOW Copper Pipe Shelf, $64, etsy.com
Built-in bread baskets will elevate any kitchen. This way they'll stay fresh, easy to access, and tucked away.
BUY NOW CB2 Knot Gold Bread Basket, $10
An open shelving unit adds more storage, but doesn't take up too much floor—or visual—space (though it does add height, accentuating the high ceilings). An antique étagère placed on the counter of this kitchen holds books and bowls.
Antique cabinets aren't limited to dining rooms. Add one into your kitchen for a vintage feel that's still fully functional. The lived-in look breaks up the monotony of built-in cabinet rows.
In this Michelle Nussbaumer kitchen, mini-refrigerator drawers by Thermador make entertaining prep work a cinch (and they provide extra food storage space).
BUY NOW Sur La Table Marble and Glass Cloche, $40
In this kitchen, all the chaos is hidden behind closed doors, which open to reveal an expansive pantry. And if that's not impressive enough, check out the pull-out willow baskets that hold fruit and vegetables.
These drawers in a kitchen designed by Krysta Gibbons are outfitted with movable pegs, so they can accommodate various-sized dishes as your needs and dishware change.
BUY NOW Peg Board Drawer, $123, amazon.com
Vintage swivel stools are playful, but, most importantly, practical, since they almost disappear when not in use. This makes them especially well-suited for small spaces.
Inspired by a vintage printer's desk, the cabinets in this California kitchen were made to look like drawers. This creates some visual contrast without having to compromise your storage needs.
In this kitchen by Alice Lane Interior Design, the pull-out cutting board has a hole, which makes it easy to brush the scraps straight into the trash bin just below. It's a total veggie-chopping game-changer.
This tiny apartment's kitchen is camouflaged from the living area with folding doors. It can be opened up for cooking, then closed off when guests arrive. If you look closely, you can see the track.