THE BEST KITCHEN CABINET ORGANIZATION IDEAS

This post is all about kitchen cabinet organization ideas for your space!

I love a beautiful kitchen and every woman on this planet probably does! And let me tell you, one of the worst parts about moving into a new place is opening the kitchen cabinets and realizing there is absolutely zero space. I mean like none. And unless you are super lucky, your cupboards are probably those standard builder-grade sizes that are practically impossible to keep clean. 

As someone who has dealt with some seriously tiny kitchens, I know a thing or two about how to make the most out of a small kitchen cupboard even if you feel like you lost hope.

Let me tell you, when you’re working with a small space, every single inch counts!! It’s honestly important to maximize your vertical space so you aren’t playing a high-stakes game of cupboard Jenga every morning just to grab a coffee cup and even simple glass for your morning smoothie. 

1. Keep it clean with neutrals

I would go for neutral colors here, that’s why I recommend getting cupboard organizers that are neutral but if you like color just try to not be too much. This will make a small, crowded cabinet look way less cluttered and very clean. I absolutely love white and clear shades and will always recommend this over bright colors inside a cupboard! Sometimes, I just love white so stacking simple white bowls on a white metal riser against a white cabinet back looks soo good. And like I said you can pick any color of your choice but be careful.

2. Transform the corner into a chic coffee bar

I think this an amazing idea and here’s why,  a small wood or bamboo shelf riser placed right next to your espresso machine is so perfect for creating a designated coffee nook. Line your favorite mugs up on the top tier and tuck your coffee pods or sugar jar underneath. Let me tell you, this alone instantly looks like a boutique cafe!

3. Separate your categories completely

I need you to understand me on this one to get it right. So here is a major mistake I made when I first started organizing. Okay, I tried storing the exact same type of item both above and below the riser. It became annoying fast! What worked much better was separating categories completely. Try your best to keep dinner plates on the bottom floor, and everyday salad plates on top all the time and you’ll love it.

4. Mix textures with earthy stoneware

I am honestly a huge advocate of using different textures to make spaces feel less clinical to make sure that it’s warm and homey.  If you have glass-front cabinets or open shelving, put heavy, earthy orange stoneware baking dishes on the bottom level under a riser. Place your delicate glass stemware or smaller patterned ceramic bowls on top. I really think that the contrast looks incredibly high-end and classy and you never go wrong here!

5. Go with heavy-duty wire for plates

You have to be creative and be smart when organizing your home. Now one of the smartest kitchen organization tips is to stick with solid metal or heavy-duty wire for your heaviest stacks. I originally tried cheap plastic risers and they started sagging within a week!! I absolutely love the wire risers because they’re the absolute workhorses of the organization world LOL  because they won’t bend over time, trust me quality is very important here because YES they do bend over.

6. Clear the chaos with acrylic risers

Here’s another thing to take into consideration, if you want a completely invisible look, clear acrylic is the way to go for your space even if your small is not too small! These are fantastic if you love an ultra-modern, clean, and minimal look. I love the fact that they practically disappear inside the cabinet and are great for lighter items like glassware or wine glasses but you can still be creative here. 

I hate a messy kitchen and I don’t even joke about it and there’s no better way to organize a messy spice cabinet with a tiered riser. It creates a perfect little staircase effect for your jars so you can actually see the labels of the spices in the back. Everything here is clear, I love that this also completely prevents the back row from being forgotten and I know it happens to most of us.

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8. Tackle the under-sink plumbing nightmare

Well here I know I’m not the only one who always sighs when I open this part of my kitchen, I mean the area under the kitchen sink is just so difficult to organize because of all the pipes that take up all the space in your cabinet. A sturdy shelf riser can help you stack your extra sponges, dish tabs, and cleaning supplies right around the plumbing. I honestly feel like this is a great tiny kitchen hack because it makes a messy space feel so much more alive than a scary little dark place. 

9. Maximize deep pantries for canned goods

I hope you’ll love this one cause this is what I did in my pantry and I loved it so much cause it works and it’s practical! If you have super deep shelves, a long riser in the back is perfect for stacking cans or jars. This is perfect for those days when you’re super tired because It makes it so easy to see what you actually have when you’re prepping dinner or making a grocery list. It’s effortless. You should definitely try it.

10. Stick to the 1-inch clearance rule

I know you might think that this is unnecessary but this is the most important thing to keep in mind when planning your cabinet layout so please try it! Always measure your tallest plates or mugs and ensure you have at least one inch of space above them on the top rack. Honestly speaking If you don’t leave enough headroom, you’ll end up scraping your knuckles every time you pull a glass out so don’t take it lightly.

11. Add warmth with bamboo elements

I want my house to be homey all the time so the bamboo risers add so much warmth and look beautiful on visible shelving, it’s the little things that add up to make your house homey! They are usually a little more expensive than basic wire ones, but they are totally worth considering if the organizer will be visible. It’s been trending and I love the trends because It fits perfectly into that modern organic vibe we want here.

12. Mix in small wicker baskets

I honestly love the idea of placing a small wicker basket underneath or next to a riser. It looks really nice to me! This is a super unique and creative idea to hold smaller items like tea bags, packets, or linen napkins. You might think that it’s not a big deal but It adds a layer of warmth and texture that keeps the organization from feeling too stiff so why not!

13. Double your glassware storage

Now this is also perfect for someone who loves to host people. You probably have a lot of glassware that you don’t use every single day but once in a while. Using a long, sleek riser lets you safely stack your daily drinking glasses on top and your fancy wine glasses underneath without worrying about anything scratching or breaking your glasses, and also doesn’t mess up your kitchen organization.

14. Turn mug handles in the same direction

I want to emphasize on this, I don’t like a messy kitchen so don’t just shove things back in when you’re done organizing!! Taking an extra two seconds to stack your plates perfectly and turn all your mug handles in the exact same direction makes a massive difference trust me. I always say that all these tiny details are what make the aesthetic part of an organization actually work and don’t take too much of your time.

15. Give your items “breathing room”

Now here’s the last thing you want to do, cram every single dish you own into one cupboard without wasting too much time. Getting a couple of high-quality risers and leaving a little bit of empty space around your stacks will make your cabinets look boujee and super put together. Yes it’s organizing your space but also giving the items you love the space to be seen and shine, that’s it!

KITCHEN CABINET ORGANIZATION Q&A:

1. How do I choose the right size for my shelf riser?

Well if you want to choose the right size, you have to measure the height of your cabinet shelf and the height of the items you plan to store in your space. It’s also important that you make sure that there’s enough headroom on both levels so you can easily slide things in and out without hitting the shelf above, it’s painful but also avoidable!

2. Are the shelf risers a good storage solution for renters especially in small apartments?

Oh yes ofcourse, they are the perfect solution for renters! Since they don’t require any drilling or permanent installation, you can take them with you whenever you move. They allow you to customize a rental kitchen without losing your security deposit, which is a major win for you trust me on this one!!

3. How do I keep my shelf risers from sliding around the cabinet?

It’s important that if your risers feel a bit unstable on a smooth cabinet surface, you can use a tiny piece of non-slip shelf liner or even small glue dots on the feet. I like that it  keeps them firmly in place even when you are pulling out heavy stacks of plates, and will still work well even if you’re in a hurry!

This post is all about small apartment kitchen ideas for your small.

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