Feeling cramped and looking for space-saving ideas for your kitchen?
You’re not alone.
Even a well-designed space starts to feel cluttered between appliances, dishes, and daily essentials. Fortunately, with a few smart upgrades and intentional layout choices, you can reclaim your space and create a kitchen that works harder for you.
Whether you’re remodeling or looking for a few strategic improvements, these space-saving ideas for the kitchen will help you stay organized, reduce clutter, and enjoy a more functional home.
1. Install cabinet slots for cutting boards, platters, and sheet pans
Long, flat items like sheet pans and serving platters are hard to stack and even harder to access. Adding vertical cabinet slots makes a huge difference. When you order your kitchen cabinets, consider dividers that allow you to store these items upright instead of lying them flat. You’ll be surprised how much space you save.
In a custom kitchen cabinet design, build your vertical storage specifically for your cookware to maximize space and accessibility. This keeps your tools organized and eliminates that frustrating cabinet shuffle.
2. Organize drawers with custom built-ins
Drawers are full of potential, but without a set structure, they quickly become chaotic. Built-in organizers give every utensil, spice jar, and gadget a designated place. Think spice trays, knife blocks, or even built-in device charging stations.
Without these solutions, drawers often become catch-alls — AKA junk drawers — where random items pile up and get lost. Adding kitchen cabinet built-in storage ensures everything has a home, from everyday tools to specialty items. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce countertop clutter while making your kitchen easier to use daily.
3. Add cupboards and drawers to your island
Your island is more than a prep surface, it has potential to be a fully stocked storage zone. If you’re remodeling, consider adding lower cabinets and deep drawers to the base of your island. This lets you store mixing bowls, small appliances, or pantry items right where you prep meals.
Designing a custom kitchen cabinet layout for your island allows you to tailor every drawer and door to your routine. You’ll gain hidden storage and improve your kitchen’s flow simultaneously.
4. Use pull-out pantry shelves or slide-out racks
Deep shelves in your pantry or base cabinets easily get overloaded. Pull-out shelves or slim slide-out racks let you see and access everything without emptying the whole cabinet. These space-saving solutions work exceptionally well for dry goods, canned food, or narrow spice jars.
This is one of the top space-saving ideas for the kitchen because it helps you use the full depth of your cabinets without sacrificing visibility. Integrated into a kitchen cabinet built-in system, these pull-outs keep your storage smooth, streamlined, and frustration-free.
For more custom cabinet ideas check out our blog, “Top 5 Custom Kitchen Cabinet Trends.”
5. Hide your countertop appliances
Between the toaster, coffee maker, blender, and stand mixer, countertop space disappears fast. Fortunately, there’s a smart fix: appliance garages. These cabinet features conceal your tools behind a clean door, while keeping them within easy reach.
Depending on your kitchen layout, you may want to incorporate lift-up doors, tambour roll-ups, or even pocket doors that slide into the cabinet frame. Some custom kitchen cabinet designs feature pull-out or pop-up surfaces that let you use your appliances right where they’re stored, no need to move them around.
Hidden storage like this keeps your kitchen visually calm and better organized for everyday use.
6. Mount racks or hooks inside cabinet doors
The backs of cabinet doors get overlooked, but are perfect for shallow storage. Add racks for lids or spices, or install hooks for small tools like measuring spoons and oven mitts. These simple upgrades are simple to install, create easy-access storage, and make a big difference.
These kitchen cabinet built-in enhancements work well in smaller kitchens where every inch counts. You can even use them to stash cleaning supplies under the sink or store lids and utensils near your stove. It’s a simple solution that keeps the inside of your cabinets organized and your most-used tools within reach.
7. Utilize vertical space with tall cabinets or ceiling-height shelving
Don’t let the space above your cabinets go to waste. Tall cabinetry or open shelving extending to the ceiling creates valuable storage for items you don’t use daily — think seasonal bakeware, serving platters, or décor.
If you’re working with a custom kitchen cabinet builder, ask about extending your cabinets upward. This design increases your storage while giving your kitchen a clean, built-in aesthetic that feels polished and complete.
8. Add toe-kick drawers beneath base cabinets
That recessed space under your lower cabinets — the toe-kick — can do more than collect dust. Add shallow drawers to store baking mats, table linens, or flat kitchen tools. You won’t even notice them until you need them.
Better Homes and Gardens also recommends using toe-kick storage as one of the many ways to create more organizational space in your kitchen.
Toe-kick drawers are subtle, innovative, and useful in small kitchens. When paired with other space-saving ideas for the kitchen, they help you make the most of every corner.
9. Put your favorite items on display
Floating shelves or hanging rails provide additional storage without requiring whole cabinetry. Open shelving keeps essentials like mugs, bowls, or frequently used cookware visible and accessible. It also gives your kitchen a personal touch, perfect for showcasing dishware or coffee station essentials while freeing up traditional cabinet space.
Pair this strategy with a custom kitchen cabinet system to keep the rest of your storage sleek, minimal, and clutter-free.
10. Choose multi-functional furniture and fixtures
When space is limited, every item in your kitchen should earn its keep. Look for furniture that does more than one job, like a rolling island cart with shelves and drawers, a fold-down table that doubles as prep space, or a bench with hidden storage inside. These adaptable pieces create a more efficient kitchen layout without permanent construction.
Real Simple has more decluttering tips for keeping your kitchen counters clean if you need help getting organized.
Multi-functional furniture works well in open-concept or compact homes where your kitchen blends with other living areas. Incorporate space-saving design elements like magnetic knife racks, built-in spice drawers, or even a coffee station built-into a hutch. These options pair seamlessly with a custom kitchen cabinet design and bring flexibility to your day-to-day routine.
Save space with new cabinets from Mountain States Kitchen and Bath
If you’re looking for space-saving ideas for the kitchen, Mountain States Kitchen and Bath has you covered. We do more than install cabinets. We help you design a kitchen that fits your lifestyle. From toe-kick drawers to ceiling-height shelving, we help you craft each detail with purpose.
When you work with us, we listen closely to your needs and suggest cabinet solutions that maximize space, improve organization, and make your kitchen feel like home.
Whether you’re ready to remodel or exploring new options, contact us today to start working toward your dream kitchen design. We’re located in Lehi, Utah, and proudly serve homes throughout Salt Lake County and Utah County.
