Living in a small apartment or house means dealing with limited kitchen space. Your counters fill up fast with toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and mixers. But you can store kitchen appliances smartly without feeling cramped.
This guide shows you simple storage solutions that work. You’ll learn where to put your appliances and how to keep your small kitchen clean and functional.
Why Small Kitchen Storage Matters
A cluttered kitchen makes cooking stressful. When appliances crowd your counter, you have no room to prep food. You waste time moving things around. You may even stop using appliances you own because they’re hard to reach.
Good storage gives you more workspace. It makes your kitchen feel bigger. You can find what you need quickly. Plus, organized kitchens look better and feel calmer.
Best Ways to Store Kitchen Appliances in Small Spaces
1. Use Vertical Space
Look up. Your walls and upper cabinets offer valuable storage space.
Install shelves above your counter or near the ceiling. Store appliances you don’t use daily on high shelves. Keep lighter items up top for safety.
Add hooks under cabinets to hang mugs or small tools. This frees up cabinet space for bulkier items.
2. Install Pull-Out Shelves
Standard cabinets waste space in the back. You can’t see or reach items easily.
Pull-out shelves fix this problem. They slide forward so you can access everything. Install them in lower cabinets to store heavy appliances like stand mixers or food processors.
You can buy ready-made pull-out shelves at home improvement stores. Many are easy to install yourself.
3. Add Rolling Carts
A kitchen cart on wheels is a game-changer for small spaces.
Use it to store appliances you use weekly. Roll it out when cooking and tuck it away when done. Park it in a corner, closet, or even another room.
Choose carts with multiple shelves or drawers. This gives you more storage in a compact footprint.
4. Use Cabinet Door Storage
The inside of cabinet doors offers hidden storage space.
Attach small racks or hooks to store pot lids, cutting boards, or measuring cups. This keeps them organized and frees up shelf space for appliances.
Make sure the racks don’t interfere with items on the shelves when you close the door.
5. Store Appliances in Drawers
Deep drawers work great for storing small appliances.
Keep your toaster, hand mixer, or immersion blender in a drawer. You can access them quickly without cluttering your counter.
Use drawer dividers to keep cords tidy and prevent items from sliding around.
6. Create Appliance Garages
An appliance garage is a cabinet space on your counter with a roll-up or sliding door.
Store your coffee maker, toaster, or blender inside. Keep them plugged in and ready to use. Close the door to hide them when not in use.
You can build a simple version using a corner cabinet or create one with a small shelf and curtain.
7. Use Corner Spaces
Corners often go unused in small kitchens. These awkward spots can store appliances perfectly.
Add a lazy Susan turntable in corner cabinets. This makes items easy to reach. Or place a tall, narrow shelf unit in a corner to maximize vertical space.
8. Hang Items on Walls
Wall-mounted storage keeps appliances off your counter and out of cabinets.
Hang a pegboard and use hooks for small items. Mount shelves for microwave ovens or toaster ovens. Install a magnetic knife strip for metal tools.
Make sure wall mounts are secure and can hold the weight of your appliances.
9. Add Floating Shelves
Floating shelves look modern and provide extra storage without taking up floor space.
Install them above your counter or in empty wall areas. Use them for appliances, dishes, or decorative items.
Keep heavier appliances on lower shelves for stability.
10. Store Under the Sink
The cabinet under your sink can store more than cleaning supplies.
Use stackable bins or sliding organizers to create levels. Store small appliances you rarely use, like specialty blenders or waffle makers.
Keep a barrier between appliances and any potential leaks from plumbing.
11. Use Multi-Purpose Appliances
Reduce clutter by choosing appliances that do multiple jobs.
An Instant Pot replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker, and pressure cooker. A food processor can replace a blender for many tasks. A toaster oven can handle baking, toasting, and reheating.
Fewer appliances mean less storage space needed.
12. Keep Daily Items on Counter
Store only what you use every day on your counter.
If you make coffee each morning, keep the coffee maker out. If you rarely use the blender, store it away.
This simple rule prevents counter clutter and makes your kitchen more functional.
13. Stack Stackable Items
Some appliances nest together to save space.
Stack mixing bowls, measuring cups, and pots. Store small appliances inside larger ones when possible. For example, keep hand mixer attachments inside the mixing bowl.
14. Use Clear Containers
Clear bins help you see what’s stored in cabinets and closets.
Group similar items together in labeled containers. Store accessories, attachments, and cords with their appliances.
This system makes finding things faster and keeps cabinets neat.
15. Declutter Regularly
Go through your appliances every few months.
Donate or sell items you haven’t used in a year. If an appliance is broken and you haven’t fixed it, let it go.
Less stuff means easier storage and more space for items you actually use.
What to Keep and What to Store Away
Keep on Counter:
- Coffee maker or kettle (if used daily)
- Dish soap and sponge
- One knife block or utensil holder
- Cutting board
Store in Cabinets:
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Blender
- Food processor
- Hand mixer
- Slow cooker
- Rice cooker
- Specialty appliances (waffle maker, juicer)
Store in Pantry or Closet:
- Appliances used seasonally
- Duplicate items
- Large serving pieces
- Extra dishes
Adjust this list based on your cooking habits. The goal is to keep only what you need within easy reach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t store appliances you’ll never use. Be honest about your cooking style. That bread maker collecting dust can go.
Don’t pack cabinets too full. Leave some breathing room. Cramming shelves makes items hard to reach and may damage appliances.
Don’t ignore safety. Heavy items belong on lower shelves. Keep appliances away from water sources unless they’re waterproof.
Don’t forget about cords. Tangled cords create mess and fire hazards. Use cord organizers or velcro ties to keep them neat.
Don’t buy storage before decluttering. Get rid of excess items first. You might not need as much storage as you think.
Final Thoughts
Storing kitchen appliances in small spaces takes planning, but it’s completely doable. Use vertical space, add rolling carts, and keep only your most-used items accessible.
Remember that less is more in a small kitchen. Choose multi-purpose appliances when possible. Regularly review what you own and remove items you don’t use.
With these smart storage ideas, your small kitchen can feel spacious and organized. You’ll enjoy cooking more when everything has a place and you can move around freely.
Start with one storage solution today. You’ll be surprised how much difference small changes make in your daily kitchen routine.