31 Creative Ways to Store Dishes and Utensils That Go Beyond Cabinetry

Dish storage can be a particular challenge in small kitchens. In areas where installing shelves or cabinetry would take up too much room, opt instead for simple hooks that can hang dishes and cookware flat against the wall. Simply attach the hooks directly on the wall surface, or install a pegboard for customizable storage.

Turn a blank stretch of wall into a hub for storing dishes. A recessed niche outfitted with shelves provides a handy spot to organize and display serving dishes, cutting boards, trays, and more. Try painting the back of the niche in a contrasting color to make your dish collection pop.

If you have a colorful dishware collection worthy of display, don't hide the pieces in a closed cabinet. To easily add open shelving to your kitchen, simply remove the doors on a set of existing cabinets. Use the area to neatly arrange plates, glasses, bowls, and other items in rows and stacks. For added interest, cover the back of the cabinet with wallpaper in a graphic pattern.

Ban junk-drawer clutter with sliding cabinetry that features small built-in buckets. Silverware, spices, scissors, and more fit snugly into the storage units, which can be removed for painless cleaning. You can also outfit the pullout's lower shelves with metal guardrails that keep spice jars and other small items in place.

Open storage ensures an easy reach for often-used dishware. Reserve lower shelves for items used daily, such as plates and bowls, and upper shelves for larger serving pieces used only on special occasions. For added organization, corral small items like napkins and table linens in small baskets to keep shelves clutter-free.

Transfer silverware from countertop to tabletop easily with a portable basket. This budget-friendly storage idea repurposes a vintage metal caddy and Mason jars for flatware storage. Organize cutlery into various jars by type, then move the entire storage unit as needed.

Hutchlike dowels offer a straightforward way to show off dish collections. Incorporate them into a kitchen island for unexpected storage on display. You can also create a pleasing backdrop for pretty dishware by updating island shelving with a fresh coat of stain or paint. Switch out dishware as the seasons or your decorating tastes change throughout the year.

Go vertical when considering open storage to maximize kitchen floor space. A tall, ready-to-assemble shelving unit ($97, Bed Bath & Beyond) puts glassware next to the refrigerator for ease of use. Place large serving pieces or mixing bowls on the remaining shelves.

Don't overlook the storage potential of a banquette bench or window seat. Utilize the space underneath the seat to tuck away baskets filled with wooden utensils, silverware, and paper napkins. Keep the area open or conceal with a hinged cabinet door.

Wire racks, whether new or found at a flea market, become works of art when outfitted with pretty patterned coffee mugs and teacups. This metal display rack was formerly used in a retail store. For the kitchen, hang dishware from the top rungs and store colorful towels below for a simple beverage station.

An open island with shelves makes for accessible, centrally located dish storage. Cutting boards and serving trays easily slide into this island's upper shelves. Baskets store spare dishware and oversize pots and pans below.

Deep pullout drawers ensure the right serving pieces, linens, and flatware are always within reach. This dish storage drawer includes a modified pegboard approach that uses oversize pegs to divide stacks of bowls and plates. These buffers keep the dishes from sliding and chipping when opening and closing the drawer.

Hang measuring cups and spoons within a cabinet door to keep them at arm's length. Simply install small cup hooks ($1, The Home Depot) on the back of the door. Cover the area with chalkboard paint and outline each utensil to ensure nothing ever goes missing.

Floating glass shelves provide dishware storage that adds to a kitchen's open and airy feel. Reserve this area for storing glassware to maintain a visually lightweight look. This dish storage solution won't detract from kitchen walls covered in pretty tile or patterned wallpaper.

If you're storing your family's precious silver, consider a nested approach. Here, a drawer outfitted with a divided pullout tray protects the silverware from tarnish or scratches. When the drawer is open, it's easy to admire the delicate artisanship of each piece.

Adapt mobile storage solutions to keep everyday utensils handy and organized. Here, a wooden crate with handles easily carts dishes between the kitchen and dining area. To ensure utensils don't get lost in a large box, use small jars to keep forks, knives, and spoons separate.

Keep your French press, coffee cups, and sugar bowl in one convenient location with a rolling storage tray. Fix a pullout shelf at the bottom of a cabinet for easy-access dish storage. Position the coffee station near the refrigerator so you're just a step away from milk and cream.

Utensils, silverware, and cookware are well within reach when stored on a pegboard. Paint a sheet of the versatile material a fresh shade, then mount to an empty wall or the kitchen island. Use hooks to hang baskets of kitchen linens and various utensils.

Pullout drawers give easy access to stacks of plates and bowls within banquette seating. To further disguise the storage area, forego hardware on the drawer fronts for a streamlined look. This dish storage idea makes it easier to put away clean dishes and saves your back by eliminating the need to lift a heavy stack into an upper cabinet.

Avoid the scuffle when searching for a cookware lid with this easy dish storage solution. Line base cabinet drawers with pegboard, then insert wooden dowels to keep lids upright and at the ready. Storing lids vertically instead of horizontally lets you quickly grab the one you need without disrupting the rest.

Free up shelf space by maximizing the area around open kitchen shelving. Install small hooks on the underside of shelves to store dishes with handles. Mount mugs with a similar color palette to the hooks for gorgeous grab-and-go drinkware.

For the most effective use of space, every cutlery and utensil drawer should include divided storage. Before shopping for inserts, take into account what you need to store, along with the inside dimensions of each drawer, including height, width, and depth. Add labels to each section for extra organization.

Utilize every spare inch of space to make the most of your kitchen storage. Keep cookie sheets right where you need them with narrow drawers beneath your oven. The shallow storage space provides an easy hiding spot for spare linens and cutting boards as well.

The right kitchen layout will help streamline your dish storage solutions. Install open shelves and a hutch for plates above the dishwasher to house frequently used dishes. This way you won't need to cart heavy stacks of plates, bowls, and serving platters across the kitchen after every wash.

Employ vibrant dishes and glassware to create a pleasing color scheme on island shelving. Fill the top shelf with your most frequently used dishes, as this area will be easiest to reach. Limit the depths of shelves to make accessing items easier.

No room left in your cabinets for pots and pans? Install two or three short metal rods on a blank kitchen wall, then use S hooks to hang cookware. Make sure to measure the lengths of each pan before hanging the bars to minimize overlapping.

Open storage helps small kitchens appear larger and makes essentials easier to grab. Here, a cabinet front was removed in favor of a more convenient, drawerlike solution. Now a pair of decorative baskets fills the space to house napkins, oven mitts, and table linens.

Prevent stemware from collecting dust by mounting glasses upside-down. Install a wineglass or champagne flute holder underneath an open shelf for easy accessibility. This doubles your storage capability by using both the top and bottom of the shelf area.

Out of cabinet space for large serving pieces? Look up. This simple shelf solves the dilemma of storing oddly shaped items, such as gravy boats and pitchers, while also displaying dishware that doubles as decor. The upper shelf isn't practical for everyday dishes, but it works well for pieces on used on special occasions.