If you’re limited in square footage — whether that means you live in a big city, or just happen to have a small kitchen — you likely understand the struggle of sacrificing style for functionality. Luckily for you, there’s a way to have both.
We consulted interior designer Natalie Manima for her tips on how to organize and style a small kitchen to suit your needs.
Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $15
Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Cutlery Organizers
This cutlery organizer allows you to follow Manima’s advice of taking advantage of deep drawer space. Its slanted design allows it to take up less space in a long drawer and it’s also non-slip, so it won’t slide around every time you grab a fork.
Associate editor Kamari Stewart has a similar organizer from the brand and says it “saved her cutlery drawer.”
The Container Store Rowan Acacia Stackable Drawer Organizer
“From baking essentials like rubber spatulas and whisks to grilling tools like tongs and a meat thermometer, these bamboo drawer organizers keep my numerous kitchen tools tidy,” says editor Kelly Vaughan. “I have fitted two of my largest kitchen drawers with the perfect combination of these eco-friendly bins, which makes it easy for me to locate exactly what I need and protects my tools to boot.”
You can pick and choose between a variety of sizes, depending on the drawer or cupboard you’re hoping to outfit.
Branway Magnetic Spice Rack (Set of 2)
To get the most out of your kitchen surfaces, magnetic racks are a genius, multifunctional hack. These spice racks attach to any metal surface and hold up to five pounds of your favorite kitchen products, from spices to condiments.
Joseph Joseph Under-Shelf Pullout Drawer
Whether you’ve run out of drawer space or don’t have them at all — yes, drawer-less kitchens exist — attachable pullout drawers can store all of your small items in one place. Amazon reviewers said that it’s easy to install and one verified reviewer wrote, “I was shocked at the amount of weight it can hold and I’ve currently got it crammed full of marinade and sauce seasoning packages.”
iDesign Plastic Wall Mount Organizer
Optimize space in any room with these transparent bins, that Vaughan says are “extra sturdy,” thanks to the sticker used to mount them onto the wall.
“I use them to organize everything from plastic wrap and Ziploc bag boxes to unwieldy lids for food storage containers,” she says.
Ohuhu Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
Coming in four different sizes, this stainless steel roll-up dish rack has over 6,000 verified five-star Amazon reviews and one verified reviewer loves the extra sink space she’s given back. “Ditched the old stainless steel in sink drainer, so now I have access to both sinks when dishes aren’t drying. Also love that I can rinse and dry veggies on it and set hot things down,” raved one shopper.
Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $25
Brightroom Wire Storage Pan Organizer
One simple product, like this rack, can turn your cabinets from drab to fab. Organize pots, pans, baking sheets and other kitchenware vertically or horizontally. You’ll be thankful for how much space this frees up!
YouCopia StoraLid Adjustable Food Container Lid Organizer
“One of the first things I’ve ever bought off our site was this simple solution,” admits senior editor Jess Bender. “I’ve acquired a ton of Tupperware and takeout containers of various shapes and sizes and never had a great way to keep all of their lids organized that didn’t involve aimlessly flinging it into a cabinet until this was delivered. Within about 10 minutes, I figured out an effective system for all of these random lids while creating more storage space for other essential items.”
Aozita 3-in-1 Sponge Holder
Don’t leave your wet sponges laying around on your already limited counter space. This sink caddy is only two-and-a-half inches wide and will hold (and dry) your sponges, dish cloths and brushes.
The Home Edit Cabinet Door Organizer
“I love how easy this was to install and how much of a space saver it’s been,” praises editor Vivien Moon. “The door organizer has a DIY element where you can organize it yourself based on what suits your needs/space. You can put a sponge holder here, the hook there or move them around which is what’s so great about it. It really lets you put it together in the way that works for you.”
It’s no surprise that this mastermind of an organizer comes from The Home Edit team, a duo whose mission is to make living easier through organization tips and tricks.
Mind Reader Storage Drawer Coffee Pod Holder
This mini storage drawer allows you to keep all of your coffee pods tucked neatly under the coffee machine. It holds up to 36 pods and has a simple design that blends well with most decor and coffee makers.
For the espresso drinkers, associate editor Stewart is a fan of this option that holds up to 40 Nespresso pods.
Toolf Expandable Dish Rack
For a more traditional dish rack, this slim holder is under eight inches wide and expands to 19 inches long. Shop TODAY associate editor Shannon Garlin loves this for her small studio apartment kitchen and says you can fold it up and store it inside the sink. There’s enough room to store up to nine plates with space for bowls, mugs and more.
Tiyafuro Kitchen Hanging Trash Can
When cabinets are full and space is limited, this two-and-half gallon hanging trash can is the perfect hack to free up under-the-sink space. According to the brand, the wall mount fits over most cabinet doors, or there is an option to mount it with adhesives.
As Seen on TV Spice Spinner
If you’re low on cabinet space, you’re going to love this spinning spice rack with adjustable heights and enough space for 40 condiments. This product has gone viral on TikTok in the past for good reason!
Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $50
Smart Design Over-The-Door Organizer
Moon is also a fan of this lightweight organizer that easily conceals pantry items, bathroom products or anything else you’re wanting to store.
“I love how many shelves it has and how easy it is to put together,” she says. “The hardest part is organizing and figuring out what I actually want to keep in my bathroom! I do love that it would be good for any space where you need additional organizing such as the pantry or closet.”
YouCopia StoraBag Plastic Bag Dispenser
“The area under my kitchen sink has always been the place where all my plastic bags from takeout and grocery shopping lived, but the “plastic bag” bag has expanded in size to the point where it reminded me of the Great Pacific Patch every time I opened up the cabinet,” says Bender.
“I discovered this YouCopia launch at just the right time — I can finally make sense of all of this chaos! While this dispenser didn’t fit all of my bags to start, it does store at least 40-45+ inside its very slim frame. Retrieving one is also as easy as pulling it out like a tissue, which feels a lot less embarrassing than digging through a bag filled with bags.”
Netany Glass Spice Jars
“I definitely underestimated the benefit of decanting spices into uniform jars until I bought this set about one year ago,” says senior partnerships editor, Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. “I keep my spices on a tiered rack next to my oven so they’re easy to access, and they look so tidy and organized. I also appreciate the variety of font and style options for the labels. The set even comes with a funnel which makes it easy to decant spices without making a mess.”
Prep & Savour Wall Mounted Pot Rack
Take your pots and pans out of the cabinet and display them out in the open instead! This set of two rods comes with over a dozen hooks and each rod holds up to 30 pounds, according to the brand.
StoveShelf Magnetic Shelf for Kitchen Stove
This clever magnetic shelf sits neatly above your stove and holds all of your cooking essentials, such as spices and oils — which frees up cabinet space. Choose from the 20-inch apartment size to a 30-inch shelf for a standard stove.
Drip EZ Secondz Collapsible Food Storage Containers
“Tupperware storage is usually a nightmare — I’m guilty of avoiding opening that cabinet when things get particularly precarious — but these collapse down flat and won’t fall all over the place,” says production associate, Audrey Ekman. “They’re dishwasher-safe and have massively helped save space and keep my tiny NYC kitchen in order.”
Benefits of keeping your kitchen organized
Manima points out that in a home with less square footage, seeing the kitchen is typically unavoidable. “People walk past my kitchen to get to the living room, so it’s really important that the kitchen is clean and tidy,” she emphasizes.
Since Manima is also a trained cognitive behavioral therapist, she knows how much home organization can impact the way you feel, too. “You don’t have to be a minimalist, but there’s always a way to organize a lot of things where it doesn’t feel like they are going to pop out of the cupboard,” she says. “It gives people a certain level of calm.”
How to organize a small kitchen
“People think you can’t have style if you don’t have space,” says Manima. “You just have to be more clever with how you use your [square footage].”
Think about how you move throughout your space
Manima says a great first step in organizing your kitchen is assessing how you move throughout it. “Think about how you use the space,” she advises. “Where do I gravitate to if I’m going to cut vegetables? If I’m more likely to cut my vegetables in one area, I’ll store the chopping boards in the cupboard above that area.”
Be intentional about your storage and make it both functional and practical for your needs.
Use wall space
Utilizing the wall space for storage can also make a huge difference in a small kitchen, Manima harps. “Take your storage up[ward] to make as much use of the wall space as possible,” she suggests. Things like kitchen racks, magnetic knife holders and shelving are great (and stylish) ways to accomplish this.
Add layers
Adding layers to your countertop and drawers is also a great space-saving organization tactic. “There are organizers [made specifically] for deep drawers. That way, you can separate things and make it look more organized,” says Manima. You can add layered shelving to your cabinets, countertops and even in your fridge.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
For this piece, we relied on expert insight as well as recommendations from editors (who are experts in themselves when it comes to organizing small spaces!) to make selections that are affordable and practical.
Meet the expert
- Natalie Manima is an interior designer, cognitive behavioral therapist and founder of Bespoke Binny, an African-inspired homeware brand.
- Our top picks
- Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $15
- Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $25
- Best kitchen space-saving and organizational products under $50
- Benefits of keeping your kitchen organized
- How to organize a small kitchen
- How we chose
- Meet the expert
