15+ Smart Kitchen Storage Ideas to Solve Design Problems

The kitchen holds the mantle of being the most vital area in a home, given its constant activity and high footfall. As expected, there are many aspects to its design. When a kitchen isn’t designed with sufficient attention to storage, a host of kitchen storage problems can plague your everyday life. However, with the help of our kitchen storage ideas, these problems can be easily resolved. Let’s take a look at some of the common design problems and their appropriate solutions.

Problem #1: I can’t access cooking essentials quickly

By essentials, we mean spices, condiments, oils, sauces, herbs, etc. 

Solution: Open kitchen storage ideas

You may like the seamless quality of completely closed storage because they are easier to maintain. However, open kitchen shelf ideas will save you precious time while cooking during those busy mornings. So, have at least some open shelves because this is one kitchen storage idea that will get you through those busy days when you are juggling a ton of things.

“Worried about open storage getting grimy? Use high-gloss laminate or acrylic finish. For affordability, use glass shelves.”

Problem #2: I can’t reach the extreme corners of my kitchen

This would typically be the corner space in an L or U-shaped kitchen. 

Solution: Corner carousel kitchen storage ideas

While this can turn out to be an expensive kitchen accessory, it’s definitely worth its weight in gold. This corner space is essentially dead space until you salvage it. And these revolving shelves make this entire space usable without batting an eyelid!

Problem #3: Where do I fit my pots and pans?

If we may add, they are best placed in a spot where you can see them and don’t have to hunt for them!

Solutions: Hooks, racks or magnetic strips

When it comes to pots and pans, they may fit into your cabinet space. However, they don’t always fit inside like a glove. Moreover, visibility is important when it comes to vessels that you need every day.

Three kitchen storage ideas can help you solve this problem. Firstly, you can add hooks to hang your pots and pans. Secondly, you can add a rack to keep the frequently used utensils handy. Thirdly, magnetic strips provide a one-touch solution to wall-mount these vessels. 

Problem #4: I struggle to find the ingredients

If your kitchen is being used by several people, it might be difficult to find ingredients after you have kept them unless you have a dedicated storage/system in place. Because rarely anyone puts things back in their place, right? 

Solution: You need kitchen storage designs with tall units and pantry pull-outs

You do not need to explore several kitchen storage ideas for this problem because all you need is a tall cabinet. This cabinet, with its size, will fit all the groceries in your kitchen, so you can find your supplies easily. A pantry pull-out design is a brilliant kitchen pantry design idea that can house all your condiments.

“To make life easier, add a pantry pull-out unit to the tall cabinet so that you can easily access everything you need.”

Problem #5: My countertop is always cluttered

The countertop is usually crowded because you have too many appliances or essentials there. 

Solution: Wall-mount all your accessories and have in-built appliances

On a design level, you can resolve this issue by getting in-built appliances for your kitchen. More space can be saved if you wall mount essentials like chopping boards and knives. This will leave more counter space for you to do prep work.

Also Read: 10 Trendy Kitchen Trolley Designs for Your Kitchen

Problem #6: Where do I keep everyday vegetables like potatoes and onions?

What happens when you have to store vegetables that don’t require refrigeration and also don’t want to use up floor space by adding a basket rack?

Solution: You need wicker baskets!

Has anybody told you about wicker baskets, which are one of the most revolutionary kitchen storage ideas in the modular age? These kitchen shelf ideas allow the vegetables to breathe and keep them fresh. They are also light and easy to wash. The best part is that these baskets fit into modular settings perfectly, and hence are a great addition to modular kitchen storage designs!

Problem #7: I can never find a spoon or ladle when I need one. What do I do?

Might be pertinent for those who cannot find forks, soup spoons or beaters, too.

Solution: Get a cutlery tray and you are sorted!

One simple kitchen storage accessory that can solve your problem is the cutlery tray. This tray has slots for different kinds of cutlery so that you can find them in one place. And if you have a lot of cutlery, use two of these trays by installing them in two different drawers. We don’t want the spoons and forks to fight for space, do we?

Problem #8: How do I ensure that my precious China plates do not get chipped?

Placing them on top of each other is really not helping!

Solution: A thali basket will solve your problem

Utilise your lowermost drawer to install a kitchen accessory called the thali basket. This basically is a stand for the plates with some space between them, so that they do not clash with each other and get chipped. 

Problem #9: How to store my glassware

Every time you pull out a glass from a cabinet, you are sure to find dust, and that’s not something you want.

Solution: Hang glasses upside down for optimised kitchen storage

If the rims of your glasses are strong enough, you can hang most of them upside down. This kitchen storage design does not allow dust to accumulate in your glassware. Not only that, when you hang the glasses, you keep them away from the cabinet, thereby reducing the chances of them getting chipped.

Problem #10: My appliances are taking up too much counter space

Plus, keeping them away from the counter isn’t letting you use your appliances easily when you need them.

Solution: Store appliances in your tall unit

Having one dedicated tall unit for keeping appliances can help you battle your storage woes. Specifically suited for grinders, mixers and ovens, a tall unit is a vertical storage that can make access to these electronic appliances easier, while hiding visual clutter and saving you much-needed counter space.

Also Read: 5 Kitchen Accessories to Make Your Life Easy: Do You Have Them?

Problem #11: I want a 4-burner gas stove, but I don’t want it to look bulky

Having a 4-burner gas stove speeds up your cooking time, but is a freestanding gas stove still a good idea in modern urban kitchens?

Solution: Built-in hobs/gas stoves can save the day

Tired of a cluttered kitchen counter but still want to whip up a storm in the kitchen? Consider switching to built-in hobs or gas stoves. These not only give your kitchen a sleek look by hiding messy wires but also make cooking a breeze with their pulse ignition feature – no more hunting for lighters or matchsticks!

Problem #12: My kitchen doesn’t have space for a tall unit

Not having room for a tall unit can definitely put a damper on your storage and organisation plans. But fear not!

Solution: Go for a pull-out pantry

A tall cabinet with multiple shelves that slide out on tracks is one of the perfect kitchen organisation ideas for items stored in the back. Pull-out kitchen pantry designs are a great way to maximise storage space in your kitchen, especially in deep cabinets or corner spaces.

Problem #13: I have storage space but it’s too deep inside to reach

Those with trouble bending, reaching, or lifting can greatly benefit from easy access to items that would otherwise be hidden in the back of cabinets.

Solution: Pull-out shelves bring everything closer

The pull-out kitchen shelf idea shown here is made of wood and has two tiers with the top tier being fixed and the bottom tier being a pull-out shelf. This is a common design for pull-out shelves, as it allows you to store both large and small items.

Problem #14: Where do I display my cutlery or spice collection?

This type of organiser is sometimes called a tiered spice rack or a step spice rack.

Solution 1: Ledge out your culinary world!

Without the ledge, you lose valuable storage space that could be used to display spices, condiments, cookbooks, or small appliances. The absence of a ledge can leave the wall more exposed to spills and splatters from cooking, requiring more frequent cleaning.

Solution 2: Display with glass doors!

Tired of your collectables taking a nosedive? Chuck those worries away! Safely flaunt your treasures in a display cabinet – no more edge-of-the-shelf heart attacks!

Problem #15: Open cabinet doors make it unsafe for my kids

You need something that doesn’t swing out, making them ideal for tight spaces and tiny humans.

Solution 1: Shutter out your cabinets!

These are fixed or hinged doors made of multiple horizontal slats or louvres. The slatted shelves give your kitchen that farmhouse or beachy feel while keeping your snacks cool with their breezy air circulation.

Solution 2: Bi-fold cabinets are also a boon!

They are often used in kitchens and other small spaces where there is limited clearance for traditional swing doors. However, bifold doors have more hinges and moving parts than traditional swing doors, so they can be more fragile and are prone to breakage.

Also Read: Introducing 4 New Luxurious Kitchen Shutters in the Exclusive Regalia Range

Problem #16: Can I do something about the kitchen corners?

Corner cabinets are a great way to maximise space in your kitchen, especially in the often-unused corner areas.

These corner kitchen cabinet organisers are shown here as floor-to-ceiling cabinets with diagonal doors often called a diagonal corner cabinet or a pie-cut corner cabinet. Perfect for hiding all your stuff, from snacks to secret treasures, thanks to its big storage space.

Problem #17: I don’t fancy a traditional spice rack

You need something that’s a space saver but with its home organisation game on point!

Solution: Simply spin the rack and voila! 

These compact kitchen organisation ideas utilise vertical space, freeing up precious countertop real estate. Labelled jars and neatly arranged tiers bring order to your culinary chaos; just make sure to choose a rack that fits your counter or cabinet space and can accommodate your spice collection.

Problem #18: I have neither wall space nor floor space in my kitchen

Then, ceiling it is!

Solution: Mount your shelves on the ceiling

Tired of boring shelves? Try hanging shelves instead! Stick ’em on walls or dangle them from the ceiling—super flexible. Just be smart about it: hang low for easy grabs or high to avoid accidental head bumps. And if they’re too tall, trim ’em down with tin snips.

Problem #19: I need to dry my dishes without making a mess

The best way to dry dishes is to just let them air dry on their own with no fuss of using dish towels.

Solution: Rack up your dishes!

Add a bohemian touch to your kitchen with macrame or woven cord pot hangers – they’re like stylish swings for your pots! Hang these kitchen cabinet organisers under cabinets for quick pot-grabbing convenience. Go for a rack that fits all your pots, lids, and cooking tools for a clutter-free cooking zone.

How Can Livspace Help You? 

• With us, you get to choose your kitchen accessories or decor elements from over 20 lakh catalogue products
• Our expert designers use the finest design principles to create a home that suits your requirements and lifestyle
• We use only the best, branded materials that are precision-engineered and undergo 146 quality checks

Want to know more? Book an online consultation with Livspace today!