12 Easy Ways to Extend Your Kitchen Storage

Use the magnetic side of the fridge to hold mitts and kitchen utensils.

No remodeling required. Westend61/Getty Images/TNS

Not all kitchens are created equal. Some are so small that they are barely usable. We tapped Kate Fisher of The Neatist in Durham, North Carolina, and Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out in Dallas, Texas, for easy kitchen storage ideas that can make things feel less cluttered and cramped—without having to tear down any walls.

Make Use of Magnets

The side of the fridge, which is usually magnetic, is a great surface to load up. Ms. Fisher particularly loves magnetic paper towel holders, and Ms. Tomlin suggests you consider a magnetic rack or magnetic hooks to hold anything from kitchen utensils to oven mitts and aprons to the lids for pots and pans. Magnetic knife racks mounted to the wall are also a great solution.

Put a Shelf Above the Stove

Many ovens and stoves have a little ledge at the back, but they’re often sloped and underutilized. Ms. Fisher finds that a simple magnetic over-the-stove shelf can turn these unused inches into a storage area for frequently used spices and oils.

Make Your Cabinet Shelves Work Double

Both organizing experts are big fans of adjusting shelves to accommodate dishware, and in any cabinet, a shelf riser will help you use the full height of the cabinet.

“These are my go-tos when I’m doing a kitchen,” Ms. Fisher said.

Take Advantage of Cabinet Doors

Items such as measuring spoons or pot holders can easily hang from adhesive hooks, either along the outside of the cabinet or inside a cabinet door. Ms. Fisher says this can be very helpful because it means that you can free up space from a drawer or another cluttered spot and utilize unused space.

Store Spices Horizontally

Another product Ms. Fisher likes is a slide-out under-the-cupboard drawer, which is just deep enough for items such as spice containers or pill bottles. Use it inside a cabinet or underneath the bottom-most shelf to make up for lacking cabinet space and make small items more easily accessible.

Corral Miscellaneous Items in Bins

For hard-to-contain items such as napkins, spice packets, or cookie cutters, consider investing in clear stacking bins. They’re perfect for those smaller, oddly shaped items because you can still see them. This method is also helpful for using up out-of-sight storage space.