11 easy ways to extend your kitchen storage

Not all kitchens are created equal. Kate Fisher of The Neatist and Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out give easy kitchen storage ideas that can make things feel less cluttered and cramped — without having to tear down any walls.

Make use of magnets

The side of the fridge, which is usually magnetic, is a great surface to load up. Fisher loves magnetic paper towel holders, and Tomlin suggests magnetic racks or hooks to hold utensils, oven mitts, aprons and more. Magnetic knife racks mounted to the wall are also a great solution.

Put a shelf above the stove

Many ovens and stoves have a little ledge at the back, but they're often sloped and under-utilized. Fisher finds that a simple magnetic over-the-stove shelf can turn these unused inches into a storage area for frequently used spices and oils.

Make your cabinet shelves work double

Both organizing experts are big fans of adjusting shelves to accommodate dishware, and in any cabinet, a shelf riser will help you use the full height of the cabinet. "These are my go-tos when I'm doing a kitchen," Fisher says.

Take advantage of cabinet doors

Items like measuring spoons or pot holders can easily hang from adhesive hooks, either along the outside of the cabinet or inside a cabinet door. Fisher says this can be very helpful, because it means you can free up space from a drawer, or another cluttered spot, and utilize unused space.

Store spices horizontally

Another product Fisher likes is a slide-out under-the-cupboard drawer, which is just deep enough for items like spice containers or pill bottles. Use it inside a cabinet or underneath the bottom-most shelf to make up for lacking cabinet space and make small items more easily accessible.

Corral miscellaneous items in bins

For hard-to-contain items like napkins, spice packets or cookie cutters, consider investing in clear stacking bins. This method is also helpful for using up out-of-sight storage space.

Use the ceiling, walls and door

If your layout (or landlord) permits it, a pot hanging rack above an island or in a window nook can save loads of cabinet space. But even a smaller hanging solution, like a hanging fruit basket, can pull bulky but lightweight items, like napkins or drink koozies, out of a drawer. Or, consider an over-the-door rack (if you have a door to your kitchen) to hold spices, canned goods or smaller kitchen tools.

Clear the countertops

Give your counters a good assessment and determine what really needs to stick around, and what can find a home elsewhere. Anything that you can mount to the underside of your cabinets — like a paper towel holder or dish towel rack — clears space for small appliances or just room for food preparation.

Install easy-access systems

Consider installing a drawer-style cabinet organizer to help reach items in the way back and make it easier to locate your stuff. Tomlin particularly likes organizer drawers with compartments to help corral pot lids.

Add some wheels

If you have space for a small rolling island in your kitchen, it works to both add storage and to create more surface area for cooking or entertaining wherever you need it. If you only have a few inches to spare, a narrow freestanding cabinet on wheels can slide right into wasted space between a cabinet and refrigerator.

Think outside the kitchen

Bar carts help extend storage, as they get glassware, bar tools and bottles out of the kitchen. Buffets or bookshelves in the dining area can be a statement piece, while housing lesser-used items like serving trays, small appliances or bakeware.