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A small kitchen usually does not need more cabinets. It needs the cabinets it has to hold more. Most of the volume inside a kitchen is empty air above the plates, behind the pots and under the sink, and a few cheap fixtures turn it into storage.
Everything below works in a rental. Nothing needs a plumber, and most items take less than ten minutes to install.
Check three numbers first
- Shelf height inside the cabinet. Measure from shelf to shelf, so a riser fits under the next shelf.
- Door clearance. Racks on the back of a door need about an inch between the door and the shelf edge.
- Depth of the cabinet. Standard base cabinets are about 24 inches deep, standard wall cabinets about 12.
01Shelf risers
A shelf riser puts a second level in a cabinet, so plates, bowls and mugs stack in two layers rather than one tall pile. It is the cheapest way to add storage and the first to try.
02Drawer dividers
Dividers turn a drawer of loose tools into rows you can see. Adjustable bamboo ones fit most drawers, and a single tray for knives is safer than loose blades.
03Pull-out baskets
A sliding basket in a base cabinet brings the back of the cabinet forward. Put pots, lids and baking sheets there, or use two baskets stacked in one tall unit.
04Under-sink organizer
The space under the sink is the least used and most awkward. A two-tier shelf with cut-outs for the pipes holds cleaning sprays and bags and keeps them off the cabinet floor.
05Door-back racks
A rack on the inside of a cabinet door holds spices, foil, wraps and bags. Use ones that hook over the door, not screw into it, if you rent.
06Rail and hooks above the counter
A metal rail with hooks holds pans, utensils and a towel and costs little to hang. Fix it into studs or use anchors rated for the weight, and keep the hooks at least a few inches clear of the stove.
07Magnetic knife strip
A strip on the wall frees a drawer and keeps knives sharp. Mount it high enough to be out of reach of children.
08Stackable canisters
Square canisters waste less space than round ones and let you see what is left. Label the lid with the date you opened the pack.
09Over-the-fridge shelf
The top of the fridge is dead space in most small kitchens. A low cabinet or a basket there holds bread, cereal and trays. Leave a gap for the fridge to vent.
10Rolling cart
A slim cart on wheels adds a counter and three shelves where the room allows 15 to 20 inches. Park it by the stove while you cook and tuck it into a gap when you do not.
11Corner solutions
Corner cabinets lose the most space. A turntable in a corner base brings everything within reach, and a lazy-susan shelf does the same in a wall corner.
12A new set of cabinets, if the old ones fail
If doors sag and boxes are swollen, organizers will not help. Replacing the cabinets is the last step. Read small kitchen cabinet ideas before you order.
Kitchen cabinets at Rara RTA Cabinets
Where to start
- Under $30: shelf risers, drawer dividers and a door rack.
- Under $100: add a pull-out basket, an under-sink shelf and a rail.
- Rental: use hook-over racks and plug-in lights, and avoid anything that needs holes.
Before you pay
- Measure the inside of the cabinet, not the outside.
- Check the weight limit for anything that hangs.
- Buy one organizer, try it for a week, then buy the rest in the same style.
