SEO meta description: Discover ingenious small kitchen wall space savers to maximize storage and organization. This guide provides tips on wall-mounted racks, shelves, pegboards, and more for small kitchens.
When you live in a small space, making the most of every inch is a must. The kitchen often presents some of the biggest storage and organization challenges. With a bit of creativity and smart design, you can transform those blank walls into practical storage solutions. Read on for a roundup of wall-mounted racks, shelves, pegboards and more to maximize your small kitchen’s potential.
Wall Shelves For Extra Storage
Installing floating shelves on your kitchen walls is one of the easiest ways to add storage. Look for shelves in materials like wood, metal or tempered glass that can handle the weight of your dishes, cookbooks and small appliances. Consider these shelving ideas:
Stacked Shelving
Having shelves at different heights gives you more real estate to work with. Stagger your shelving units for a more visually appealing look as well. Place everyday dishes and glasses on the lower shelves for easy access and use higher shelves for rarely used items or display pieces.
Corner Shelving
Take advantage of wasted corner space by installing angled corner shelves. They’re great for keeping spices, jars and other small items nearby as you cook. Look for corner shelves with rounded edges for safety.
Floating Shelves
Mounting floating shelves at varying heights adds modern appeal. They’re easy to install on drywall. Use them in place of upper cabinets to put your most-used items within reach. Try open-backed shelves to create a lighter look.
Dish Shelves
Opt for shelves designed just for dishes, with built-in edges to keep plates from sliding. Mount them near your sink or stove to store dishes nearby. Size them to fit your cabinetry for a cohesive look.
Produce Shelves
Perforated metal produce shelves allow air circulation to keep fruits and veggies fresh longer. Style them with your decor by choosing black, white, bronze or chrome finishes. Position over the counter, sink or fridge.
Spice Racks
Take spices off the counter by mounting racks on walls or inside cabinet doors. Choose ones large enough to store all your spices in alphabetical order for easy access as you cook.
Space-Saving Wall Racks
Taking things off your counters and putting them on wall racks and rails is an easy way to open up countertop workspace. Wall-mounted racks can also be used inside cabinet doors to optimize space. Consider these options:
Knife Racks
Free up drawer space and keep knives easily accessible by mounting magnetic knife strips or horizontal knife blocks on walls. Choose versions with built-in knife guards for safety.
Pot Racks
Hang pot racks from the ceiling or mount them on walls to get cookware off the counters. Opt for swing-out racks to lower pots easily as needed. Look for solid metal racks that can handle heavy pans.
Towel Racks
Install wall-mounted racks near the sink to hang dish towels. Opt for racks with hooks to drape towels neatly or horizontal bars to cleanly store towels when not in use.
Wine Racks
Mount wine racks to walls or inside cabinet doors to store bottles out of the way. Choose chrome, black, bronze or wood models to match your decor. Display your best bottles or stash extras.
Utensil Racks
Use wall-mounted utensil holders to free up drawer space. Opt for horizontal versions to keep utensils easily visible and accessible as you cook.
Multi-Use Racks
Utilize all-in-one racks designed to hold utensils, pots, pans, cutting boards and more. The vertical storage style keeps items off the counter but still within reach.
Rack Rails
Install horizontal rail systems designed to hold S-hooks for hanging everything from utensils to mugs. Place them on walls, inside cabinets or under shelves.
Organizational Wall Grids & Pegboards
Grids, pegboards and slatwall panels allow you to fully customize your organizational system. Take advantage of all that vertical wall space to neatly store anything from tools to spices. Consider these options:
Grid Shelving
Grid-style panels with built-in shelves are easy to install. Mix and match baskets, hooks and accessories to create the perfect organizational system for you.
Pegboards
Pegboards with customizable hooks allow you to hang utensils, pots, pans, paper towel holders and more. Paint them to match your walls or leave natural.
Slatwall Panels
Slatwall, with its horizontal grooves, is perfect for hanging hooks, baskets and shelves. Use it to organize an entire wall or inside cabinet doors.
Magnetic Strips
Use magnetic strips or mesh to hold knives and frequently used tools like measuring spoons for easy access as you cook.
Spice Racks
Keep spices organized and visible by mounting wire mesh panels, magnetic strips or pegboard racks on walls. Label spice jars for easy identification.
Clever Kitchen Wall Niches & Cubbies
Take advantage of the often unused space between cabinets and appliances for extra storage. These out-of-the-way niches are perfect for storing gadgets, applicances and other kitchen necessities.
Between Cabinets
Make use of narrow gaps between cabinets or appliances. Install shelves or cubbies to stash small appliances, cooking gadgets, spices and more.
Around Windows
Take advantage of awkward spaces around windows with narrow shelves or cubbies. They’re perfect for storing oils, spices and other staples you regularly reach for.
Near Stovetops
Install angled open shelves near your stovetop to keep cooking tools and spices within arm’s reach as you cook.
Around Sinks
Make use of narrow spaces around sinks with vertical shelves or angled cubbies for storing soaps, sponges and cleaning supplies.
Inside Cabinets
Optimize cabinet corners with angled shelves or lazy susans. Or get creative, like mounting a vertical spice rack inside cabinet doors.
Hanging Wall Storage For Light Items
Make use of vertical wall space to store lightweight items right where you need them. Opt for hanging storage solutions like:
Wall-Mounted Utensil Caddies
Keep cooking utensils and tools handy by your workspace with wall-mounted caddies or crocks. Opt for versions with hooks, shelves and openings for handles.
Hanging Wall Pots
Make use of vertical space for lightweight pans and pots. Choose lidded models to eliminate dust and grime. Opt for smaller pots to keep weight minimal.
Fruit Hammocks
Store fruit like bananas, onions and garlic in breathable mesh hammocks. They allow air circulation while keeping fruit contained and off counters.
Paper Towel Holds
Free up precious counter space with wall-mounted paper towel holders. Look for versions that allow you to easily tear off sheets while cooking.
Under Cabinet Hooks
Utilize the space under cabinets with hooks for hanging everything from colanders to measuring cups right where you need them.
FAQs About Small Kitchen Wall Organization
What are the best materials for small kitchen wall storage?
Look for storage solutions made from durable materials like powder-coated steel, aluminum, solid wood and tempered glass. Avoid anything too lightweight that could fall.
How can I add storage without drilling holes?
Adhesive wire racks, removable tension rods and over-the-cabinet hooks allow you to add storage without drilling holes or permanent installation.
What should I avoid storing on open shelves?
Don’t store anything that could spoil, spill or collect dust on open shelves. Reserve them for durable items or things you use often like dishes, cookbooks and decorative items.
How can I make my wall storage look cohesive?
Use matching materials throughout like all white steel racks or solid wood. Keep things visually cohesive by limiting colors and using matching hardware like black brackets and hooks.
What are space-saving tips for wall organization?
Take advantage of all vertical space, even awkward narrow areas around windows and appliances. Opt for stackable shelves, hanging racks and pegboards to fully maximize every inch.
How can I include wall storage without cluttering my small kitchen?
Keep things neat with closed cabinets for bulky items. Only display your most used, attractive items. Avoid clutter by regularly editing items and getting rid of anything you don’t use often.
Should I mount storage very high or low?
Mount shelves 18-48 inches above counters within easy reach. Place lightweight items higher and heavy items lower for safety and convenience.
How can I incorporate wall storage on a budget?
DIY floating shelves from inexpensive lumber and brackets. Use paint or contact paper to update the look of old shelving pieces. Shop second-hand stores for vintage finds to add charm.
Conclusion
With some smart planning, you can transform any small kitchen’s walls into invaluable storage space. Take advantage of organizational solutions like shelves, racks, pegboards and cubbies specially designed to maximize vertical storage potential. Invest in durable, high-quality materials and attractive designs that enhance your decor as they provide practical space-saving benefits. Don’t forget to fully utilize narrow gaps and awkward areas around windows and appliances too. With a bit of creativity, you can give every inch of wall space a storage purpose to keep your compact kitchen clutter-free.
