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Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

With tips and tricks to make the most of every inch in a room, these small kitchen storage ideas explore how to organise a compact cooking area so that it is easier to use. There are kitchen storage options to improve a limited layout – from accessories that maximise capacity to cabinetry that conceals clutter. EFor small kitchen help, explore these storage ideas for small kitchens, which include examples from real customer homes, to find inspiration for keeping groceries and other essentials neatly stowed when space is at a premium.

1. Declutter with drawers

Follow @thehousethatjenbuilt_'s lead and cut back on counter clutter by storing items in internal drawers to keep groceries or crockery within close reach.

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1. Declutter with drawers

Featuring compartments hidden behind a cupboard door, drawers make it easier to keep a cooking space neat and tidy – essential in a room where every millimetre matters. For a streamlined look with fewer furniture lines, opt for internal styles, like @thehousethatjenbuilt_, which are hidden behind a door front. Their pull-out design also means they are accessible for all ages, making them useful in multigenerational homes.

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2. Neat and discreet

Utilise an often-overlooked area by fitting plinth drawers beneath floor units, like @dustsheets_and_decor, to store baking trays or table linen.

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2. Neat and discreet

Slotting neatly into the unused gap below cupboards, a plinth drawer offers more room to store in a small layout. @dustsheets_and_decor demonstrates how this discreet feature sits below eye level to provide valuable storage while blending into the design. It can also be retrofitted to increase the capacity of an existing unit.

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3. Coordinate cutlery

Upgrade a drawer with a cutlery insert to maximise storage in a small design, while making it easy to spot tools when preparing dinner.

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3. Coordinate cutlery

Featuring sections to accommodate tableware and culinary kits of varying sizes, these trays will keep counters tidy by providing a home for all cooking essentials. This small kitchen storage idea ensures that the full width of a drawer is used effectively, making the most of the cupboard space in a limited layout.

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4. Sort out supplies

Make the most of the vacant area underneath a sink by installing dedicated drawers for cleaning products, which allow bottles to be safely stored upright.

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4. Sort out supplies

Household supplies, like cleaners and detergents, can often take over an entire cupboard – a problem when space is limited. Instead, this washbowl drawer can be used to turn an overlooked spot into a practical storage area. It has a clever U-shape design that fits around pipework and can be pulled out to allow access to the back of the unit, making it easier to grab items in a hurry.

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5. Whisk away waste

Keep food prep areas tidy with an internal waste bin, which is fitted discreetly inside a cupboard to ensure mess is kept out of sight.

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5. Whisk away waste

Freestanding waste bins take up valuable floor space in a modest layout and can obstruct movement around a cooking area, making an internal bin a smart kitchen storage idea for small kitchens. These model are easy to access when cleaning and, thanks to its smaller size, it will ensure there is still room within the unit for other essentials.

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6. Stretch cupboard space

Use the full height of a room with tall, tower units, which increase storage in a small cooking design without taking up more floor space.

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6. Stretch cupboard space

When space is at a premium, it can be tricky to fit in extra units horizontally, which is where this small kitchen storage idea can help. Designed to allow items to be stacked upwards, towers can reduce the number of cupboards needed while also enabling groceries to be seen at a glance – handy when doing a stock take before the weekly shop.

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7. Open-up with shelves

Gain a spot for storing everyday items while making a design appear roomier by opting for shelves, like @ipbowen_homes, for a less crowded layout.

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7. Open-up with shelves

Open shelving can boost storage without filling walls with banks of units or blocking the light, making a cramped area appear larger and brighter. @ipbowen_homes demonstrates how it can also be custom-made to fit into narrow gaps or awkward corners, so every bit of space is maximised. This means pops of colour and personality can be introduced with accessories that can be switched out when trends or tastes change.

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8. Go for glass

Introduce glass fronts to create a bright and spacious impression – a popular small kitchen storage idea demonstrated by @jamesduhan.

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8. Go for glass

Solid door-fronts can cause a cooking area to feel closed-in, whereas glass versions let light flow through, making them an easy way to transform a compact room. @jamesduhan shows how this idea also adds textural variation in a smaller scheme without the need for accessories or patterns that could crowd a space. Store crockery or glassware in these units to channel the style of a vintage dresser on a simple scale.

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9. Access all areas

Add storage accessories to turn the hard-to-reach corners of a small U or L-shaped floorplan into a handy home for lesser-used supplies.

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9. Access all areas

In a room with a smaller footprint where every bit of space matters, carousels are a clever choice as they ensure that even awkward areas are put to good use. Pull-out designs can be extended to bring groceries and cookware closer, before neatly sliding out of sight – so no more reaching to the back for ingredients.

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10. Level-up a larder

Use @bobbins.at.home's idea, who uses timber door balconies to maximise storage in larders, so clutter is kept from counters.

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10. Level-up a larder

A chef’s collection of condiments and spices can soon take over a cooking area, causing a small room to feel more cramped. @bobbins.at.home shows how door balconies allow units to accommodate extra items, like sauces and seasonings, while ensuring that the entire cupboard is used efficiently. These can be retrofitted, which means this small kitchen storage idea offers a quick fix for those who want to be more organised or for homeowners on a tighter budget.

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