14 Clever Storage Finds That Tripled the Space in My Tiny Kitchen

Anyone who’s ever lived in a studio apartment knows that the only way to really maximize your space is to get crafty and think outside the box. Ironically, I also refer to my NYC studio as a “shoebox” when I feel cramped, which is why cultivating a collection of clever storage and organization finds is a must — especially in the kitchen. When I bought my apartment, I knew I would be here to stay, so in addition to doing some kitchen renovations, I picked up several nifty items to give my 1950s space a new lease on life. 

Because I love to cook, I had to find a way to keep my drawers neat and countertops clutter-free. And now, four years into living in my apartment, I can truly vouch for these smart kitchen organizers. Not only is the dead space in my cabinets expertly utilized, I’ve also created a spot for everything. So whether you, too, live in a studio, or you just want to take full advantage of your kitchen space, these picks will help make the most of your home. Trust me. 

I used to stack things — fruit, plants, seasoning, you name it — on top of my microwave, then I found this microwave stand. It’s the perfect size to slip right over my small microwave and allows me to corral small appliances that I use on the daily. Plus, I love that it has small hooks to hang pot holders or mugs.

Whether I’m reaching for a tiny jar of paprika or a full-size bottle of Tajin, I can always find exactly what I’m looking for without taking apart my entire spice cabinet. Because this rack is designed with three tiers, it’s so easy to spot spice labels, saving me time and effort. It also stretches width-wise to accommodate my ever-growing collection. (And while the rack is ideal for spices, there’s no rule against displaying toiletries, medication, and the like!).

The previous owner of my apartment left a beautiful wooden waterfall table that’s flush against the refrigerator. It’s the perfect spot to prepare meals and display my herbs, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have any drawers — so, I created my own with these ingenious storage baskets that hook onto shelves. Instead of dumping condiments, groceries, and takeout menus on the table, I can neatly place them in this semi-hidden storage area.

This wicker storage basket is stylish and keeps everyday items (like my lunch box and reusable sandwich bags) hidden. And while it’s an expert kitchen space-saver, it also works nicely in my bedroom storage organizer, too. Having them in both “rooms” of my studio brings a level of cohesion that’s just *chef’s kiss*. 

I’ve had my fair share of plastic drawer dividers that get the job done but tend to look a little cheap. This top-rated bamboo organizer is the upgrade I never knew my studio needed. It has so many compartments for all my cutlery, as well as serveware and knicknacks. The coolest part? It expands to reveal two additional compartments for even more kitchen accessories if your drawers will accommodate it. 

Yes, trash can look good! This little plastic bag holder conceals milk jugs, glass jars, and plastic packaging until I’m ready to toss them in the big recycling bin. It hooks right onto my cabinet door, securely holding a small garbage bag between the base and the insert. Plus, the lid keeps my under-sink area looking tidy. You could also use it as a traditional garbage bag, which comes in handy for meal prepping and getting rid of food scraps.

My mom actually found this sleek paper towel holder that mounts underneath my cabinets and doesn’t steal any precious counter space. And just like that, I’m utilizing what was once dead space for something I use nearly every day. 

White walls can make a room look bigger, so naturally, my whole apartment is painted cloud white. But to add a little character, I installed minimalist floating shelves to display my pictures, cookbooks, and recipe box. These shelves are the foundation for my food-centric visuals, adding color and interest without too much clutter. 

You’d be surprised by just how many cleaning and kitchen essentials I can stock in this tiered organizer! I can slot in sponges, dish soap, and gloves in the top portion, then place drain catchers, random hooks, and other miscellaneous gadgets in the bottom. It’s the organization hack I needed under my sink, thanks to its pull-out drawers, clear compartments, and sturdy base. I loved the design so much, I bought something similar for my hair styling products in the bathroom. 

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a tower of food storage container lids falling from a cabinet! I couldn’t take it anymore and opted for this organizer that has a section for each container lid. It’s got adjustable dividers to accommodate both large and small lids of any shape and style.

When your apartment doesn’t come with a dishwasher, you become the dishwasher. The problem? The counter space next to my sink is limited, only about 8.5 inches long. This pretty, rust-resistant stainless steel KitchenAid dish rack can withstand tons of dishes, pans, and cutlery at once, and has a compact footprint. Plus, it has clever cup tines that let glasses dry without taking up space in the main compartment.

The cabinets in my apartment are decently spacious, which was an absolute surprise to me when I bought it. But with all the other renovations I was doing in my home, I decided against paying a contractor to add in more wooden shelves. Instead, I bought an expandable wire rack that creates a second tier on any shelf you add it to. It’s the perfect thing for all my food storage containers, Souper Cubes and baking sheets.

My apartment came with no medicine cabinet, so I use these hanging wire baskets to keep my DayQuil, EmergenC, and Zicam right where I need them. I added them to my pantry wall with adhesive hooks, but I can easily see these storage gems working in my closet for small accessories or my bathroom for beauty supplies. 

This might be a niche kitchen organizer, but hear me out: My front door opens right into the kitchen. I keep a shoes-off home, so this shoe bench was one of the first storage items I bought. The cubbies pack away everything from winter ankle boots to summertime sandals, and it still has room to store a few cookbooks on top.

What are your favorite kitchen organizers? Let us know in the comments below!