Clever kitchen storage ideas on a budget

Label your pantry containers

Maximise your cupboard space with labelled baskets in bright colours. Stash unboxed individual wrapped snacks and breakfast essentials in the bins to make the morning rush a breeze. As an added kitchen storage idea, label the shelves and containers with their food category. 

Organise your drawers

Have you ever had to remove the whole contents of a drawer in pursuit of that one garlic crusher? We’ve all been there! The truth is that an ordinary drawer can quickly become chaotic if left unorganised. To prevent the dreaded panic search, invest in a compartmentalised drawer organiser to neatly store your utensils. Alternatively, buy a low-cost utensil pot from your local homeware store or supermarket. 

Make use of your cupboard doors

Your cupboard doors may seem uninspiring when organising your kitchen, but they can be handy when ordering your kitchen gadgets and utensils. Installing some simple kitchen cupboard door storage allows you to manage saucepan and food tub lids in an easy-to-reach and fuss-free way. 

Use tension rods

Rethink how you use your curtain rods with this simple kitchen organising hack. Place rows of these tension rods inside a cabinet or drawer to create adjustable compartments. You can use them to keep plastic food containers, lids, bakeware, or serving trays in an organised way. 

Try shelf risers 

A collapsible shelf riser design can maximise your kitchen cupboard storage when cooking or baking. Arranging your popular ingredients on the lower section can give you access quickly and conveniently, while placing dishes and utensils on the top can allow you to house these essentials without dedicating a whole cupboard to them. 

Set up a cleaning station 

Full of cleaning rags, endless products, and spare parts – the dreaded under-sink cupboard can quickly lose structure. However, with an over-the-door caddy, you can regain control of your cleaning station. These handy caddies can be picked up at most homeware stores and supermarkets for a reasonable price and can make an enormous difference to your kitchen organisation. Use the lower rack to house bottles of products you use regularly, while the upper rack can hold sponges and scrubbers for easy access. 

Mount your knife rack 

A blank wall holds so much potential in your kitchen. Why not free up counter space by banishing your knife block for good with this simple storage hack. Simply add magnetic strips to one side of a finished board, then carefully secure it to your backsplash to hold your knives. 

Disclaimer: please ensure your knives are kept out of the reach of children and are fixed securely to your wall. 

Add freestanding shelves

If you've got the space, freestanding shelves can provide a smart, space-efficient solution to your kitchen organisation. House one in or near your kitchen to hold those cooking odds and ends that are needed but are used less frequently. Alternatively, use the shelves to store dishes, spices, and cookbooks to create a more aesthetically pleasing storage solution. 

Incorporate clear containers

Keep a uniform look on your countertops while providing additional kitchen storage with clear containers. Buy them in bulk from kitchen supply stores for less and create a Pinterest-ready feel for your space. This kitchen storage idea is ideal for dry goods, cereals, pet food, and snacks. 

Utilise hooks

Hooks are one of the most useful kitchen storage ideas for small spaces because they can hold many items and free up room in your cupboards. If your kitchen is located near your front or back door, hooks secured to shallow cabinets can house items that you need close to hand, like dog leads and keys. Screw-in cup hooks are perfect for holding keys, while removable adhesive-back hooks for umbrellas or backpacks are preferred.