Easy Kitchen Storage Upgrades Shopping Guide

Getting organized in the kitchen is an important goal for many homeowners. A cluttered, disorganized kitchen can lead to frustration while cooking and make it difficult to find the tools and ingredients you need. The good news is there are many easy and affordable ways to upgrade your kitchen storage with smart solutions that make better use of existing space.

In this comprehensive shopping guide, we’ll explore a variety of clever kitchen organization products and ideas to help streamline your space. From drawer organizers to cabinet storage solutions, these upgrades can transform the most crowded kitchen into an organized oasis! Read on for tips to assess your current storage situation, solutions for common kitchen storage problems, and a look at the best products to consider for every area of your kitchen.

Assess Your Kitchen Storage Needs

Before shopping for new kitchen storage solutions, take some time to analyze how your current space is (or isn’t!) working. Here are some things to consider:

Take Inventory of Your Dishes and Equipment: Open up all your cabinets and drawers and take note of what you have. Are there items you rarely use that could be removed or stored elsewhere to free up space? Are there gaps where you could add organizational products to better utilize the space?

Look For Wasted Space: Pay attention to corners, above appliances, and the back of cabinets for wasted vertical storage opportunities. Spaces like these are perfect for shelf risers, lazy susans, or tiered storage racks.

Identify Clutter Zones: Note where items seem to accumulate, like counters, islands, or tables. These are spots that could benefit from some additional storage like trays, baskets, or bins for quick clean-up.

Analyze Traffic Flow: Look for spots in your work triangle where clutter seems to accumulate. Can you re-route traffic to minimize these pile-up points? For high-traffic spots, mobile storage like carts or extra containers can help.

Consider Your Workflow: How you cook and move through the kitchen can inform your storage needs. Are pots and pans hard to access? Are spices buried in a dark cabinet? Adjust storage so items you use most often are convenient.

Once you’ve identified your kitchen’s problem zones, it’s easier to find and prioritize the organizational upgrades that will help tackle them. Storage solutions come in many shapes, sizes, and price points, so you can tackle small upgrades immediately and work your way up to larger projects over time.

Storage Solutions for Common Kitchen Problems

To give you an idea of the types of organizational products available, here are some suggested solutions for common kitchen storage trouble spots:

Problem: No Lid Storage

Pots and pans are annoying enough to store without their unruly lids. Get these necessary kitchen accessories organized with one of these options:

Hanging lid racks mount inside cabinets vertically so lids stand upright and easy to grab. Great for deep cabinets.
Counter lid racks sit on the counter when cooking for quick access. Can be stashed away afterwards.
Retractable lid holders mount inside cabinets and flip up when needed, store flat when not in use.
Magnetic strips mount on the wall or inside cabinet doors so lids attach magnetically for clutter-free storage.

Problem: Messy Pots & Pans Cabinets

Keep stacks of pots, pans, and lids from toppling over with these space-saving solutions:

Vertical pan racks store pans upright so you can easily grab the one you need. Great for deep cabinets.
Pull-out pan organizers extend fully from the cabinet so everything is visible and within reach.
Tiered pan racks stagger pots and pans vertically for efficient, clutter-free stacking.
Hanging pot racks get bulky pans up and out of the way until you need them. Frees up cabinet space.

Problem: No Spice Organization

Digging around messy spice bottles is frustrating. Organize your seasonings with:

Spice racks line bottles up alphabetically so spices are easy to ID and grab. Mount inside a cabinet or on the wall.
Spice drawers feature built-in divided compartments for categorized storage of spice containers.
Rotating spice racks spin for easy access to every bottle. Great for corner cabinets or under cabinets.
Magnetic spice tins attach to magnetic strips, vent hoods, refrigerators and more for easy access when cooking.

Problem: Messy Cabinets & Drawers

Utilize all your cabinet and drawer space efficiently with handy organizers:

Shelf risers double vertical storage space by stacking two levels of storage. Great for plates, bowls, etc.
Drawer dividers customize drawer space into compartments for utensils, tools, etc. Choose from removable or built-in versions.
Cutlery trays corral loose utensils into divided compartments to prevent sliding around.
Adjustable storage racks conform to fit odd spaces like gaps between appliances, pipes, corners, etc.

Problem: Cluttered Counters

Reclaim counter space and keep essentials handy but out of the way with these solutions:

Under-cabinet racks mount metal or plastic racks underneath upper cabinets to hold knives, utensils, and more.
Hanging wall racks get everything from paper towels to cooking utensils up and off the counter yet easily accessible.
Decorative canisters keep staples like flour, sugar, coffee, etc. organized and displayed on the countertop.
In-counter storage integrates hideaway compartments into unused areas of counter space.

Storage Solutions by Kitchen Area

Ready to tackle your kitchen’s storage needs? Here’s a closer look at smart organizing products and ideas for every zone:

Kitchen Cabinets

The heart of your kitchen, cabinets offer tons of storage potential. Make the most of this prime real estate with handy organizers:

Lazy susans provide smooth rotating access to corner cabinet items. Great for dark hard-to-reach spaces.
Pull-out shelves fully extend so everything is visible and easily reached. Retract when done.
Deep cabinet storage use vertical organizers like stacking racks to optimize space. Good for lesser-used items.
Tiered shelving adds a second level of storage. Ideal for dishes, cups, canned goods. etc.
Spice organizers contain spice chaos! Options like pull-out racks and tiered shelves keep spices tidy.
Bottle racks corral wine bottles, oils, etc into neat organized rows rather than loose jumbles.

Kitchen Drawers

Drawers crammed with tools and gadgets are frustrating. Tailor these spaces to your needs with handy inserts:

Cutlery organizers tackle messy utensil drawers with customized compartments for each type.
Knife blocks provide safe, tidy storage for knives of all sizes. Choose in-drawer or countertop styles.
Utensil organizers line up cooking tools neatly in divided trays. Opt for deep models to hold taller tools.
Gadget organizers bring order to a jumbled mess of whisks, spatulas, ladles, and more. Some include knife storage too.

Countertops & Surfaces

Counter space comes at a premium in most kitchens. Utilize every inch with space-saving storage options:

Counter risers add a second tier of storage to counters and islands with these vertical racks.
Mobile carts provide storage that can roll wherever extra space is needed. Great for small appliances too.
In-counter storage conceal items in hideaways integrated directly into counter surfaces. Takes the clutter off the counter.
Hanging racks mount under or on the sides of cabinets to hold paper towels, utensils, and other kitchen essentials.

Pantry & Food Storage

Keep dry goods organized so you can actually find what you need when cooking. Helpful products include:

Storage racks add vertical levels to maximize limited shelf space. Many include closet rods for longer items.
Pull-out shelves provide full-extension access to items at the back of deep pantries and cabinets. Retracts when not in use.
Freestanding racks provide additional space-saving storage with shelving units that don’t require installation. Easily mobile too.
Lazy susans are ideal for organizing canned goods and condiments on existing pantry shelves. Spinning design makes everything accessible.

Sink & Cleaning Supplies

Keep sponges, soaps, brushes, and cleaning products organized but out of sight with these solutions:

Caddy organizers attach to the sink to corral dish soap, sponges, scrub brushes, and more for easy access when washing dishes.
Under-sink organizers hide messy bottles and cleaning tools out of sight but within reach under the sink. Options include slide-out trays, door racks, and pull-out vertical storage.
Wall-mounted racks hold essentials like hand towels or cleaning tools. Great for quick access when you need them.

Helpful Storage & Organization Tips

To get the most out of your new kitchen organizing gear, keep these handy tips in mind:

Focus first on making the most of your existing cabinet and drawer space with smart inserts and racks to maximize vertical storage opportunities.
Don’t overlook “dead zones” like inside cabinet doors, above fridges, and backsplashes as prime real estate for additional storage using racks, rails, and magnetic strips.
When choosing organizing products, look for materials like powder-coated steel, anodized aluminum, and bamboo that are durable and easy to clean.
Opt for organizing systems that are adjustable, removable, or expandable so storage can evolve as needs change over time.
Store items used most often at eye-level while lesser-used items can go up high or down low. Keep the most convenient spots for everyday essentials.
Make sure to measure existing spaces before shopping to ensure new organizational products will properly fit the intended storage spot.
Try to store like items together when possible for quick, easy access. Group canned goods, all baking pans, cleaning supplies, etc.
If you’re short on space, get creative utilizing the backs of cabinet doors, vertical walls, inside appliances, under sinks or counters, etc.
For extra kitchen storage, make use of spaces outside the main kitchen area like pantries, utility rooms, garages, and basements.

Top Kitchen Storage Brands

When shopping for new kitchen organizational gear, consider sticking with brands known for their storage expertise and quality products. Here are some top names:

OXO Good Grips: Offers a wide range of ingeniously designed kitchen tools and storage products, from space-saving utensil crocks to non-slip drawer dividers.

Elfa: Best known for customizable shelving and easy-install storage systems to tackle any kitchen’s organizational needs.

Ikea: Provides huge selection of budget-friendly storage products from spice racks and drawer inserts to cabinets and pantries.

Rev-A-Shelf: Leading manufacturer of handy pull-out drawer organizers, waste containers, sink accessories, and more specialized storage.

SimpleHouseware: Affordable organizers offering a variety of drawer inserts, countertop racks, hanging racks, freestanding units, and non-slip organizational solutions.

Umbra: Contemporary, stylish storage like sleek utensil crocks, multi-level organizer trays, and magnetic rails to declutter kitchen surfaces.

Container Store: Extensive selection of storage bins, racks, carts, jars, and other products to organize every inch of kitchen space.

Honey Can Do: Specializes in space-saving hanging racks, freestanding shelving units, drawer inserts, and other useful kitchen organization products.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Storage

Ready to reorganize your kitchen? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about upgrading kitchen storage:

What are the main benefits of organizing my kitchen?

Some top reasons to get your kitchen in order include:

Greater efficiency when cooking and preparing food. You’ll know exactly where to find what you need.
Reduced stress from cluttered, messy spaces. Everything has a designated organized home.
More usable counter and cabinet space when organizers make the most of existing storage areas.
Safer kitchen with sharp tools properly stored away from accidents.
Prevents buying duplicates of kitchen tools and gadgets you already have but can’t find.
Improves the aesthetic of the space by minimizing visual chaos.

Where are the best places to add storage in a kitchen?

Smart storage solutions can be added just about anywhere in the kitchen. Top spots include:

Inside existing cabinets and drawers using inserts like dividers, racks, and trays customized to your needs
On cabinet doors utilizing vertical racks and hanging bins to take advantage of wasted door space
Inside pantry closets with additional racks, dividers, baskets and other space-saving upright storage
Above cabinets by installing extra shelving or racks, especially good for lesser used items
Under cabinets with hanging racks or baskets for convenient access when cooking or cleaning
On countertops with caddies, crocks, and trays that corral items but keep them accessible
Inside or attached to major appliances like refrigerators and microwaves

How can I add more storage to my kitchen without remodeling?

There are many smart storage upgrades and add-ons that are simple to DIY or require no installation at all:

Freestanding shelving units like utility carts, bakers racks and storage cubes
Tension rods and hanging racks that mount under cabinets and shelves
Slide-in drawer organizers like cutlery dividers, tray inserts, and spice racks
Slide-out trays that attach to cabinet floors for easy access to back of cabinet items
Lazy susans and other spinning organizers that maximize use of corner space
Multi-tiered counter top racks and vertical freestanding shelving units
Attaching additional rails, hooks, and magnets inside cabinets and on walls

How can I make the most of my awkward kitchen storage spaces?

Odd shaped nooks and crannies may seem like wasted space but specialty organizers can help maximize these unique spots:

Corner cabinets: lazy susans provide full rotational access. Vertical organizers like tiered shelves also helpful.
Narrow cabinets: slide-out tray racks, pull out baskets, vertical storage like hanging racks or spice racks.
Microwave shelf: add extra storage above with cabinet risers or shelf inserts. Use for lesser used appliances.
Under the sink: install pull-out vertical storage, door racks, sliding trays to neatly organize cleaners, sponges, etc.
Deep cabinets: utilize backspaces with extra shelves, vertical racks. Pull-out shelves bring items in back forward for easy access.
Dead corner spaces: L-shaped corner organizers with vertical dividers, wall mounted spice racks.
Appliance garage corners: use slide-out trays or baskets to neatly store small appliances tucked out of the way.

How often should I clean my kitchen organizers?

The frequency of cleaning your kitchen storage gadgets and inserts depends on the material and how often they are handled:

High touch items like drawer organizers, utensil crocks, and dish racks should be cleaned weekly or bi-weekly.
Interior cabinets, shelves, and drawer inserts only need cleaning every few months or when visibly dirty.
Exterior surfaces like cabinet doors and sides of freestanding units should be cleaned monthly.
Metal and hard plastic organizers are the easiest to sanitize with soapy water.
Bamboo, wood, and fabric organizers will require more delicate cleaning.
Containers that hold food should be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination.
Adjust cleaning schedule based on use. For instance, clean surfaces touched when cooking raw meat immediately.

Shop Top Rated Kitchen Storage Now

Hopefully this shopping guide provided helpful ideas and products for tackling your kitchen’s storage needs. The good news is there are tons of clever, affordable ways to get even the most disorganized, cluttered kitchen looking neat and streamlined. With a little assessment of your needs and the right organizational tools, you can create a kitchen that’s optimized for efficiency and ease when cooking. Visit or order online today from leading retailers like Container Store, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ikea, and Amazon for the top kitchen organizers and storage solutions for every space in your kitchen. Happy organizing!