Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for Walls, Doors and Shelves

Good small kitchen storage uses space you already have: the wall for knives, the underside of shelves for spices and rolls, cabinet doors for towels and the sink for a drying rack. The knife rack below is 22 in wide, its maker lists.

Last updated: 2026-10-31 · TidyPerch

The Picks

  1. 1IKEA

    IKEA KUNGSFORS Magnetic Knife Rack

    For knives that take up a drawer or a block.

    A 22 in stainless steel strip holds knives on the wall.

    Stainless steel front · neodymium magnet

    See it on IKEA →
  2. 2Joseph Joseph

    Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Under-Shelf Spice Rack

    For spice jars that clutter a cabinet shelf.

    A pull-out compartment under the shelf holds up to seven jars.

    Fits shelves wider than 12.6 in and up to 0.75 in thick · 3.7 in high

    See it on Joseph Joseph →
  3. 3Joseph Joseph

    Joseph Joseph RollGrip Under-Shelf Stainless-Steel Paper Towel Holder

    For a paper towel roll that eats counter space.

    It mounts under a cabinet, and a spring-loaded arm stops the roll from unwinding.

    Takes rolls up to 5.5 in across · mounting screws included

    See it on Joseph Joseph →
  4. 4Joseph Joseph

    Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Film, Foil & Bag Organizer

    For foil and food bags that tumble out of a drawer.

    It sticks under a shelf with 3M VHB tape, a strong double-sided foam tape, and holds film, foil and bags.

    Fits shelves wider than 10.25 in and up to 0.75 in thick

    See it on Joseph Joseph →
  5. 5Umbra

    Umbra Buddy Over The Cabinet Hooks, Set of 2

    For dish towels that need a home.

    Each hook holds up to 5 lb and hangs over a cabinet door with no tools.

    Foam pad protects the door · extra hook on the inside

    See it on Umbra →
  6. 6Umbra

    Umbra UDry Over the Sink Dish Rack with Mat

    For drying dishes without a counter rack.

    Wire arms extend from 13 to 22 in to span the sink, and the rack has 16 slots.

    Comes with a microfiber drying mat

    See it on Umbra →
  7. 7IKEA

    IKEA RÅSKOG Utility Cart, 11x15x24"

    For the gap between the fridge and the wall.

    An 11 x 15 x 24 in cart with three tiers that hold 9 lb each.

    26 lb maximum load · lockable castors (small wheels)

    See it on IKEA →

Look Up, Under and Behind

Small kitchens have three kinds of unused space: walls above the counter, the underside of shelves and the inside of cabinet doors.

Pick one item for each spot before you buy more bins. A knife rack, an under-shelf drawer and a door hook can free a drawer and a stretch of counter.

Check Shelf Thickness for Under-Shelf Storage

Under-shelf organizers clamp or stick to the shelf edge. Measure the shelf thickness and width first.

The CupboardStore spice rack and foil organizer both take shelves up to 0.75 in thick. The spice rack needs a shelf wider than 12.6 in, and the foil organizer one wider than 10.25 in.

Measure the Sink for an Over-Sink Rack

Measure across the sink from rim to rim. The UDry arms extend from 13 to 22 in, so a sink in that range fits.

Leave room behind the faucet if the rack sits at the back.

Sources

  1. IKEA: IKEA KUNGSFORS Magnetic Knife Rack
  2. Joseph Joseph: Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Under-Shelf Spice Rack
  3. Joseph Joseph: Joseph Joseph RollGrip Under-Shelf Stainless-Steel Paper Towel Holder
  4. Joseph Joseph: Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Film, Foil & Bag Organizer
  5. Umbra: Umbra Buddy Over The Cabinet Hooks, Set of 2
  6. Umbra: Umbra UDry Over the Sink Dish Rack with Mat
  7. IKEA: IKEA RÅSKOG Utility Cart, 11x15x24"