Adequate pantry space is an issue that sometimes frustrates many home cooks. And if you don’t have enough space to hold all your supplies, your pantry can sometimes get disorganized and you may not always find the ingredients you need on hand when you’re about to cook.
Recently, I was in a friend’s kitchen and I was inspired by her own open pantry organization. Because of limited space, she had turned an Ikea Expedit shelf into extra pantry storage. She had artfully organized her canning surplus, large pots and pans, and more. It was a simple, attractive, and affordable solution! From there, I started to think of other ways that people who are low on kitchen storage could maximize their space. Prepare to expand your storeroom with these great ideas.
1. The Magic of Pull-out Racks
Installing pull-out racks in nooks and crannies is a great way to get more storage. If there is a narrow space between a wall and an appliance or furniture, mount a rail on the wall where you can install a pull-out shelf for canned goods or condiments. Cans and bottles tend to take up a lot of space and storing them in unusual places is a clever way to make your pantry space-efficient.
Maximize a cubby hole’s vertical space by adding rails to the inside walls and using old trays that you can pull in and out of the shelf.
If you think that attaching rails is too much work, you can simply place baskets inside cabinets. These baskets keep your supplies organized and they’re easy to pull out as well!
2. Space-saving Wall Additions
Your storage spaces don’t have to stay on a single side of the room. Survey the area and look for walls where you can mount cabinets and shelves. Just make sure that the wall area you are aiming to use is accessible. Place it on a higher spot if you want it out of reach of your kids.
If you still have some space above your wall cabinets, stack shelves atop them as well. When you build up storage space, you’re making use of all the available surfaces you have in your pantry! Use open shelving as much as possible to utilize even the smallest of spaces, but make sure that all your supplies are organized.
Another clever wall addition is recessed wall shelves. Unlike wall-mounted shelves, these storage spaces are less of an obstruction in a kitchen’s open space. If you want to give your pantry a stylish touch, display clear wine glasses or water goblets and highlight them with LED pin lights.
3. A New Purpose for Shelf Tops
Store rarely used items in places you wouldn’t normally access on regular days. The shelf top is a good place where you can keep extra utensils or plates, or your stash of baking supplies.
No matter how high your cupboard is, you can always find a use for the top. If this area is easily noticeable, display beautiful porcelain pitchers or nice-looking containers like mason jars when storing ingredients to add value to your home design.
4. A Way Out of a Tight Corner
Corners are often the most overlooked spaces in any home. And while they can be great areas to display home décor, they are even more remarkable when used efficiently.
Take your organizing skills a notch higher by occupying these angular spots with corner cupboards. These storage spaces also lessen the awkward sight of extra wall space when cabinets are shorter than the wall’s length.
You can also use other available areas in your home like the cupboard under the stairs. Evaluate if the items you’re keeping in it can be disposed of or given away, then utilize it as extra space for food storage. Install shelves in it, or place an old rolling kitchen tray stocked with goods inside the cupboard!
5. Hooked and Organized Cupboard Doors
Hooks on doors make wonders. Commonly done on bedroom doors, this space-saving tactic can be used to help you organize and hang anything on your cupboard door, from tongs and can openers to small pans and chopping boards. By utilizing the back of cabinet doors, you can minimize unsightly kitchen clutter, at the same time make the most of your pantry space.
With any of these space-saving ideas, you can start making room for more kitchen items in the future. Don’t be afraid to think up of clever ideas to make the most of your pantry space!
