7 Ways to Maximize Cabinet Space

Do you need to maximize your cabinet space? If your cabinets are overflowing to the point that the doors are always ajar, if you are storing things that should be in your kitchen cabinets in the closet, laundry or garage instead, if things seem to disappear into your cabinets never to be seen again, then you can benefit from organizing your cabinets for maximum space. Try these space saving techniques to regain control of your kitchen cabinets.

Getting Started.
This is the hardest and most frightening part of your fight. You need to take stock of EVERYTHING you have in the kitchen cabinets or that needs to be in the kitchen cabinets. You will find things that you haven't used in years or perhaps didn't even know you had. This is a sign to put it in the give-away or trash pile. For keepers, this can be a major challenge and may even stop you from getting started. I know because I am a keeper. Even so, I can assure you it really makes a difference. If you have some things that you really can't give up but must keep (such as Grandma's old tea cups) pack them up and keep them in the garage where at least they won't be eating up valuable kitchen space.

1. Get the Pots & Pans Out of the Cabinets
Pots and pans tend to be the largest space suckers. Hanging your pots and pans can be a huge space saving technique if you can find the space in your kitchen. You may have to be creative but you can hang them from the ceiling, the sides of your cabinet, a wall or even the edge of an existing wood shelf. If you have copper bottom pots and pans, hanging them is a great way to show them off. You can also display pots and pans on a cookware stand like this one from the Crate & Barrel website. If you really can't get them out of your cabinets then do the next best thing. Add a pull out cookware organizer to your drawer or cabinet. Whichever option you choose to organize your pots and pans, you will to need to separate the lids who also seem to have a passion for eating precious space. But fear not, you can keep those in a lid organizer. These can be mounted on the inside of a cabinet door, the side of your cabinet or on the wall.

2. Use Plastic Storage Bins
You can use plastic storage bins to organize or store all kinds of things in your kitchen. One major space monster and organizational nightmare is tuperware. A large plastic bin that can easily slide out of your shelf along with a smaller one for lids is great way to make more space and less mess. Bins can also be used for loose items such as blender and other kitchen appliance pieces.

3. Utilize Your Blind Corner Cabinets
Do you have one of those corner cabinets which are so hard to reach inside that you need to send the two year old in for search and rescue missions? Often these cabinets have a shelf that gets in the way more than it helps. Take it out and install a lazy susan or a creative blind corner organizer. The Cabinet Door Shop website has several practical and nice looking solutions available.

4. Organize Your Dishes.
Plates, sauces, bowls and cups can reek havoc on your cabinet space. The right organizer can be a real cabinet space saver. So before you head out to store or surf the internet, measure your cabinet shelves as well as your dishes. Not only should the organizer rack fit into your cabinet, the dishes should fit solidly on it. When choosing an organizer that stacks the plates upwards, you also need to consider the clearance your plates or bowls will require.

5. Maximize Your Under the Sink Storage
Organizing the area under your sink can be tricky. Traditionally, it has been difficult to install shelves in this area because of the piping. However, there are several solutions available on the market now. Check out this simple, expandable and relatively inexpensive under the sink shelving unit available at the Organize-It website.

6. Capitalize on Your Under Wall Cabinet Space
Some amazing space saving organizers that fit under your wall cabinets are now available. No longer are they only for paper towels. You can find organizers for spices, knives, wine bottles, wine glasses (with stems), and even coffee filters. Best of all, you can easily install them yourself.

7. Get a handle on Your Pantry Goods (when you don't have a pantry)
When your kitchen cabinet doubles as a pantry, it can eat up space quickly. Buy plastic containers to store dry goods such as sugar, flour, rice and so on. Small bins or boxes can also be used for things such as tea bags or small packages. Canned goods stack easily enough but can frustrate you when you need to locate the cranberry sauce. So you end up with 15 cans of cranberry sauce after the holidays. If you haven't done so already, donate these surplus cans. Not only will you be creating more cabinet space, you will be helping out someone else. Rather than stacking the cans to ceiling, add a shelf or two. An easy solution to the visibility problem is to build or buy tiered shelving which acts like a mini bleacher elevating those cans in the back so you can see them again.

Like many home improvement projects, maximizing your cabinet space requires a bit of creativity, thought and planning. However, once you have a plan, it is not so overwhelming. So take a good look at your kitchen and look for solutions. When you visit friends, family, internet sites or stores, keep looking, reading and thinking about how to make the best use of your cabinet space. You will be amazed at the solutions you can find on your own.