Kitchen Cupboard Storage Ideas for a More Functional Kitchen

From food to appliances, pots to cutlery, there are so many things that we store in our kitchens and sometimes, even in larger kitchens, it can be difficult to find the space for it all.

So how can we get kitchen cupboards and their contents looking good, whilst maximising their storage and keeping the kitchen counters free from clutter?

If you’re wondering how to make the most of a corner kitchen cupboard or are keen to discover clever kitchen storage ideas, then you’re in the right place.

Our kitchen cupboard storage ideas are focused on helping you utilise your space and leave your kitchen clutter free!

Rework shelving

When it comes to making the most of any space, whilst you can only work with the space you have, you can make that space work harder for you with some clever thinking!

To create more functional kitchen cupboards, it's worth considering changing the layout of the existing shelving to best utilise the height of the cupboard.

In most cupboards and pantries, you can usually easily move around shelves, which can quickly provide you with more or less space where you need it the most.

Organise cupboards by zones

Before getting started with organising kitchen cupboards, you should take a few minutes to think about where you would like to store your items and how you would like your kitchen to function.

The following are zones you may wish to consider to create a fully functional kitchen:

• Food preparation zone

• Food storage zone

• Baking zone

• Breakfast zone

• Tea / coffee zone

• Storage container zone

• Cleaning product zone

You will come up with other zones depending on you and your families preferences in order to make your kitchen as functional as it can be for your needs.

Decant for ease

Decanting dried goods (rice, pasta, pulses, nuts, seeds) into containers rather than keeping them in their original packing can be great for saving space in kitchen cupboards and making them look great too!

Decant goods into clear containers that allow you to see the contents within. Having these items decanted means you will easily be able to see when you need to add them to your shopping list, plus you won’t need to contend with the risk of spills from packets.

Always remember to label and date the contents of each container so you can keep track of use-by dates.

Make the most of corner cupboards

Making the most of all available space in a corner kitchen cupboard can be tricky. That’s why we love to use a lazy susan (or 5!) in these cupboards.

A lazy susan makes it really easy to find exactly what you need, because you can simply spin it around until you find what you’re after. Be sure to select the lazy susan with the biggest diameter that will fit your kitchen corner cupboard as this will enable you to fully maximise the space.

If you’re having your kitchen renovated you can also get them fitted into the cupboards which really make use of all the space in a corner cabinet.

Use the back of kitchen cupboard doors

Whilst often overlooked, the back of kitchen cupboard doors are an important space to consider if you are thinking about increasing kitchen storage in your home.

A cupboard door spice rack is an ideal way to display small spice jars in a visible and accessible location within your kitchen.

Just make sure you measure the space available in the cupboard when the door is closed. This is often overlooked, and the shelves in the cupboard can sometimes get in the way.

Use the space beneath each shelf

More often than not, shelf space is often far too high in kitchen cupboards which can mean a lot of wasted space. To fully utilise this extra space in your kitchen cupboards, add under shelf baskets.

An under shelf basket is such a simple addition and they look great too! Just select a colour that fits with the aesthetic of your kitchen and slide onto the cupboard shelf and you’ve already doubled your storage space!

Remember to measure the space you’ve got available so you can select the correct height for the basket.

Choose the correct organising products for your cupboards

Organising products are excellent tools to help you make full use of every inch of space in your kitchen cupboards, however don’t forget to measure the dimensions of your cupboard and each shelf within first!

Depending on what you will store in each kitchen cupboard you can figure out the best organising products to help you fully utilise the space available.

The following are examples of some common organising products used in kitchen cupboards:

Baskets

Boxes / Bins

Bottle Holders

Add labels

To ensure it is as easy as possible to find what you’re looking for in your newly organised kitchen cupboards you should add labels to everything! Choose labels that compliment the aesthetic of your kitchen and ideally get ones that you can reuse or easily replace.

A label maker is a great investment if you're looking for a sleek finish in your kitchen (and the rest of your organised home!).

Maximise the use of vertical space

Shelf risers are a really quick and easy way to add double layers to your kitchen cupboards. They are available in different heights and widths so shop around to find the ones that suit the items you want to store on them and the size of your cupboard.

Stepped shelves are another great option for displaying items niceley and visibility in kitchen cupboards - they are ideal fro cans, jars and spics, ensuring nothing gets left hidden at the back!

Use slot-in racks to organise cookware

It’s common for flat items such as chopping boards, baking trays and lids to get piled on top of one another in a cupboard, making it a hassle to access them each time you want to use them.

An organiser rack, similar to a toast rack, is a great solution to this problem. Simply place on a cupboard shelf and slot items in individually for easier access.

Turn cupboards into open shelves

Create open shelving from your kitchen cupboards by removing the doors! If you aren’t naturally tidy this option may not be for you as open storage can get cluttered quickly, however, if you wish to display a few key items, and you are already a bit of a minimalist, then this could be a great option for you.

Open shelves are highly functional, enabling you to quickly see at a glance what you need and, with the addition of a few stylish baskets, they can add character to your kitchen too.

Consider slide out kitchen cupboard shelves

Slide out kitchen cupboard shelves are a great organising solution if you find that items tend to get lost at the back of your cupboards. Swap out fixed cabinet shelves for ones that simply slide out.

The benefit of having sliding shelves in your kitchen cupboards is that you can see and access items at the back of the shelf as items at the front. A win, win!

How will you utilise your kitchen cupboard space?

Happy organising! We hope you have fun implementing these kitchen cupboard storage tips to create a more functional kitchen.

If you feel like you need some support in getting your kitchen organised, don’t hesitate to get in touch today - Homefulness is here to help!