Declutter Your Kitchen Cabinets with These Brilliant Space Savers

If your kitchen cabinets are cluttered chaos, you're not alone. Limited cabinet space and disorganization can make it frustrating to cook and prep meals. But before you go drilling holes to install additional cabinets, there are clever solutions to maximize your existing storage. With a few innovative space savers, you can transform those cluttered cabinets into a highly functional, decluttered dream kitchen.

These DIY storage solutions will help you optimize every inch to conquer the clutter once and for all. From lazy susans to drawer dividers, these simple yet effective storage ideas can uncover hidden space you didn't know you had.

Assess Your Current Kitchen Cabinet Storage Situation

Start by taking a bird's eye view of the storage situation in your kitchen. Look inside all your cabinets and drawers and take note of problem areas causing the most clutter and frustration. Identify frequently used items that need to be more readily accessible. Consider which items are used daily, weekly or only for special occasions. Then, take measurements of your cabinet and drawer interiors so you can find storage solutions that fit.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What areas or cabinets are the most disorganized?
• What items are hardest to find or always buried?
• What gets stacked on top of other items causing avalanches?
• Are there wasted corners or blank vertical spaces?
• Do drawers get stuck because they are overstuffed?

Once you pinpoint your kitchen's trouble spots, it will be easier to identify clever solutions to tackle them.

Install Lazy Susans for Those Tough Corner Cabinets

The corners of kitchen cabinets often end up an ignored wasteland because contents get buried in the back. Lazy susans are the perfect remedy for these inefficient corner spaces. A lazy susan consists of shelves that spin 360 degrees so you can access items in cabinets with ease.

The benefits of adding a lazy susan include:

• Access to back areas of corner cabinets.
• Avoid constantly removing items to reach buried contents.
• Spinning shelves makes items easily viewable.
• Saves having to install additional cabinets.

There are many options when choosing lazy susan hardware. Measure the width and depth of your corner cabinet to find the right fit. Consider finishes like wood, metal or plastic. Some susans are multi-tiered to double your storage capacity. Installation is straightforward with most kits including brackets and hardware for securing to cabinet walls. Place frequently used items on the top lazy susan shelf for convenient access.

Double Vertical Storage with Shelf Risers

Shelf risers are an inexpensive way to maximize vertical storage space in your cabinets. These furniture lifts securely fit under existing shelves to raise them higher so you can store more items stacked vertically. Shelf liners come in adjustable heights to meet your needs.

Benefits of shelf risers include:

• Taking advantage of wasted vertical space above shelves.
• Creating more room to stand tall bottles or stack larger items.
• Avoid buying more shelves or entire cabinets.
• Gain a few extra inches of height wherever needed.

Consider the weight capacity when selecting materials like metal vs plastic risers. Measure existing shelves and cabinet openings carefully to calculate ideal riser heights. Ensure there is adequate room above shelves for the raised height. Install securely by evenly supporting bottom shelves to prevent tipping when stacked with heavier cookware or dishes.

Get Organized with Drawer Dividers

Dividing kitchen drawers into compartments is an easy way to organize utensils, gadgets and cooking tools that typically get jumbled together. Customizable drawer dividers keep everything neatly separated so items don't get buried under the clutter.

The benefits of drawer dividers include:

• Prevent utensils and tools from getting mixed up.
• Create dedicated spaces for different item types.
• Make locating cooking items quick and easy.
• Avoid digging through messy drawers.

Choose dividers made of durable materials like wood, sturdy plastic or acrylic. Look for adjustable dividers with slots so you can customize the sections to fit your needs. Measure the interior dimensions of your drawers when selecting sizes. Opt for non-slip dividers to keep everything neatly separated and in place.

Store Dishes Vertically with In-Cabinet Racks

Limited cabinet space often leads to stacks of dishes that take up valuable real estate. Solve this by storing dishes vertically to maximize cabinet storage. Mounted dish racks or plate holders keep your dinnerware organized while quadrupling your capacity.

Advantages of vertical dish storage include:

• Make the most of wasted vertical space above stacks.
• Avoid piles of plates and bowls cluttering shelves.
• Create more room for other essential kitchen items.
• Make dishes more accessible.

Consider installing dish racks that mount inside cabinet doors to free up shelf space. For frequently used dishes, install racks on the underside of cabinet shelves for easy access. Place delicate dishware on racks at higher shelves. Measure your dishes' dimensions when selecting racks to ensure a secure fit.

Modular Storage Bins Maximize Pantry Space

It's hard to locate ingredients when your pantry is a jumbled mess of packaged foods. Modular storage bins create smart compartments to organize and categorize bulk pantry items.

Benefits of storage bin systems include:

• Compartmentalize like items into appropriate bins.
• Easily view bin contents through clear plastic.
• Stack bins vertically to optimize shelf height.
• Reconfigure bins anytime to accommodate changing needs.

Look for bins with attached lids to keep items sealed and protected. Square and rectangle bins make the most of shelf space efficiency. Label bins clearly so everyone knows the designated contents. Measure your existing pantry space and choose bin dimensions accordingly for an organized custom fit.

Utilize Magnetic Strips to Store Knives Safely

Unsecured knives rattling around kitchen drawers are an injury waiting to happen. Storing knives on a magnetic strip keeps sharp blades secure yet accessible. Mounted out of reach of children, they also create safer knife storage compared to loose cutlery in drawers.

Benefits of magnetic knife strips include:

• Quick access to blades without opening drawers.
• Knives displayed neatly in order of use.
• Easy to rearrange knife order on the strip.
• Safer than loose knives in drawers.

Choose strips with ultra-strong magnets designed for holding heavy cutlery. Avoid placing strips directly above heat sources or near moisture. Allow a few inches between blades for safe, easy removal. Properly mounting screws into wall studs provides secure attachment.

Repurpose Cabinets with Adjustable Dividers

Cabinets filled with a mishmash of different items can quickly become chaotic. Adding adjustable dividers lets you create organized compartments to neatly separate contents. Dividers transform jumbled cabinets into structured, categorized storage.

Benefits of cabinet dividers include:

• Customizable compartments to fit your needs.
• Prevent a mismatched mess of items.
• Find items quickly with dedicated spaces.
• Easy access to all cabinet contents.

Consider materials like wood, acrylic or wire for adjustable yet study dividers. Measure the interior cabinet dimensions to select appropriate divider sizes or DIY your own. Label divided sections clearly for foolproof organization. Reconfigure compartments anytime as contents change.

Bonus Idea: Drawer Dividers for Utensils and Small Appliances

If you have a lot of utensils and small appliances, consider using drawer dividers to keep them organized and easily accessible. These dividers can help prevent items from getting lost in the back of a drawer or getting mixed up with other utensils. They also allow you to maximize the space in your drawers, making it easier to find what you need. Look for dividers that are adjustable or customizable to fit the specific items you have.

Bonus Tip: Magnetic Knife Strips for Drawer Storage

For those who prefer to store their knives in a drawer instead of on a magnetic strip, consider using a magnetic knife strip that attaches to the bottom of a cabinet or drawer. This allows you to keep your knives organized and easily accessible, without taking up valuable counter or cabinet space.

Bonus Hack: Stackable Storage Containers

Stackable storage containers are a great way to maximize vertical space in your cabinets. These containers can be easily stacked on top of each other, allowing you to store more items in a smaller space. They're also great for storing bulk items, such as pasta, rice, or cereal.

You can conquer chaotic kitchen cabinets with these solutions. Ditch the clutter and make the most of your existing storage space. Employing a combination of these clever organizational hacks will help maximize every inch of your kitchen. Now you can finally find that pesky spice jar buried in the back or locate the right lid for every container. Organized cabinets and drawers make cooking less stressful and more efficient. Just think of all the extra storage room you'll uncover to stash extra cookie sheets or that oversized stockpot. With a decluttered, optimized kitchen, you can be well on your way to cooking joy.