Affordable Kitchen Storage Ideas

Bookshelves aren't limited to reading materials. Locate one near your kitchen to store all your cooking odds and ends. Stack the storage unit high with dishware, spices, and cookbooks to free up cabinet space.

Keep water bottles within reach and in view by stacking them in magazine files. Rest the inexpensive organizers on their backs for quick grab-and-go access.

Baskets are helpful for organizing kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce. Place a pair of baskets above a sink using a metal rod or adhesive hooks for easy access. A wire design allows you to see contents at a glance and helps wet dishes and sponges dry quicker.

Utilize thrifty organizers to make over the chaotic space where you stash food-storage containers. A wall file mounted to a cabinet door is an easy solution for separating plastic lids from bases.

If you have a bit of extra wall space but not enough room for cabinetry, add a pair of floating shelves. Install hooks under the bottom shelf for hanging coffee mugs, utensils, or hand towels.

A collapsible riser designed for cabinet interiors lends heightened storage when tackling hands-on recipes. Prepare your workstation by arranging ingredients in the created space underneath, and set dishes and utensils on top.

Backsplashes are storage space waiting to happen. One strategy to put this space to work for pennies: Add magnetized strips to one side of a finished board, and secure it to the backsplash to hold knives -- they're as easy to grab and use as they are to put away.

Keep a uniform look on your countertops with clear storage containers. Buy them in bulk online from kitchen supply stores for less. They're good for storing dry cereals, pet foods, and snacks, too. Even apothecary jars with long lost or broken lids can be used to store a countertop collection of rolling pins on end.

Rethink how you use tension curtain rods. Place rows of the affordable window-treatment hardware inside a cabinet to keep plastic food-container lids, baking sheets, or serving trays upright and organized.

Applying cork to a door face or cabinet interior is a handy way to organize notes and lists. Use spray adhesive to apply the inexpensive sheets of corkboard. Store recipes, chore lists, and coupon clippings on the boards while keeping the surface of your cabinetry clutter-free.

Repurpose a vintage metal caddy or milk crate as a moveable seasoning station. Keep the holder near food prep and cooking zones, then transfer it to the table during meals.

Maximize the space in your pantry with labeled baskets in bright colors. Group individually wrapped snacks and breakfast essentials out of their boxes and in the bins to make mornings a breeze.

Wheels take a standard kitchen cabinet to a new level! Roll it in when you need extra counter space or a set of specialized tools stored within.

If the items in your freezer are expiring because you can't find what you need when you need it, seek out low-cost storage to finesse a tidy interior. A trip to a dollar discount store or down the clearance aisles at the home center can yield storage bargains galore, including colorful wire bins for sorting frozen meat. Opt for stackable clear plastic containers to keep other frozen foods tidy and on view; add labels to note contents and "use by" dates.

A simple pegboard is right at home in your kitchen -- and the metal is a modern and industrial twist on the standard brown pegboard. This customizable solution works for pots and pans, as well as spatulas and big spoons. Combine multiple sections to create a wall of organization.

Take a cue from restaurant kitchens and add a stainless-steel storage shelf to an empty wall in your kitchen. This approach maximizes the height and bare wall space and adds a modern look.

For a baker, a rolling pin must be close at hand at all times. By adding a simple storage solution to the end of the cabinet, the kitchen makes a personal style statement and adds function for everyday baking.

This utensil caddy is made out of Mason jars and a simple metal handle. Add cottage style to any table setting and make serving a snap!

Keep the mix of mismatched towels out of sight with an over-the-door storage unit. Get smart and make use of the backside of cabinet doors, as well as the insides for storage.

Add hooks to the back of a shallow cabinet near the family entry to keep track of keys, umbrellas, bags, and anything else you might need as you head out the door. Screw-in cup hooks are ideal for holding keys; use removable adhesive-back hooks for other items so you can change the arrangement and number of hooks when needed.

An average drawer becomes all the more purposeful with the addition of a drawer organizer. A compartmentalized insert such as this neatly stores utensils. Add labels to the compartments to designate spaces for specific items.

Keep your cleaning supplies organized and ready to use with an over-the-door metal caddy like this one. The lower rack is perfect for holding bottles of supplies, while the upper rack keeps sponges and scrubbers at the forefront.

Not all storage belongs behind closed doors. Make oft-used items easy to find and access when you outfit the food-prep side of an island with affordable add-ons: bars for tea towels and paper towels, as well as a repurposed wire bin to house cutting boards and rolling pins.

Multiply the capacity of any cabinet when you add storage to the interior side of the door. Six shallow shelves fit neatly between this door and the interior shelves to offer space for single-file lines of little luxuries and kitchen dry goods. Lips on each door shelf keep items from tumbling off.

Keep your eyes peeled for newer or vintage wicker picnic baskets at flea markets or estate sales, and use them to stow kitchen gear and keep countertops clear of clutter. Stack baskets in a countertop corner to store linens, dishware, or even stacks of coupons and household papers.

Turn an open display shelf into triangular storage niches for just a few dollars. Add intersecting 1x boards, as shown, to one or more shelf sections to create attractive, angular storage that works well for displaying and storing everything from wine to rolled cloth napkins.

A single ledge or shelf installed near the ceiling can take advantage of untapped storage potential. This long shelf displays and stores bottles of oils and vinegars, showing off golden hues and shapely outlines while drawing attention to the rustic ceiling beams and beautiful lighting.

S hooks suspended from the ventilation hood above the cooktop make simple, stylish display devices for a collection of shiny copper bowls and other vintage cooking pieces.

A vintage plate rack offers a pretty way to display plates while storing them safely on edge. Position your plate rack in a spot that's convenient to the dishwasher -- so dishes are easy to put away -- and also near the dining table, so accessing plates is a piece of cake.

Install hooks and labels on the inside of a cabinet door within your kitchen baking center so every measuring spoon and cup has its proper place. Add a conversion chart for good measure.