Good news for budget-minded cleaning compulsives: Getting organized in the kitchen won’t drain your piggy bank.
Stash more cash and control the chaos with these low-cost kitchen storage solutions, all readily available at home centers, discount stores, and online.
Rack Attack
Store pots, everyday dishes, spices, and wine on racks that are freestanding, wall-hung, and ceiling-hung--and voila! Everything is in its own location, visible, and easily accessible!
Position the racks where they make sense: A pot rack above the cooktop; a dish rack close to the dishwasher for quick unloading; spices near the range or meal prep area; a wine rack near the wine glasses and dining table.
You’ll find racks in metal, wood, and other materials, starting as low as $10 to $15.
Shelf Expression
You can size an open shelf to fit anywhere you need it and paint or stain it to match your décor. Use shelves for storing such kitchen necessities as cookbooks, attractive dishware, oils and vinegars, and spices.
Home improvement centers have storage sections where you can hunt, but don’t overlook the office supply and bathroom sections for even more low-cost shelves.
You’ll find cool shelves starting as low as $8.
Great Divide
Organize the contents of kitchen drawers and cabinets with wire or wood inserts. Drawer dividers keep utensils sorted and orderly. Vertical dividers inside cabinets create a spot for storing trays and cookie sheets. You’ll also find special inserts for storing knives and spices neatly inside drawers.
Available in wire, wood, or plastic, dividers start at about $3.
Elevated Thinking
Wire stacking shelves have legs to elevate the storage surface. Set a stacking shelf on a countertop, existing shelf, or inside a cabinet to increase kitchen storage space. Use a stacking shelf for canned goods, dishware, spices, and more.
Prices start at about $6.
Hang Ups
Install pegs or hooks along a backsplash, inside cabinets, or anywhere on a kitchen wall to create a place for cups, hot pads, cooking utensils, keys, and recipe clips. Hooks are available that fit over doors or come equipped with magnets that adhere to any metal surface.
Pegs and hooks start as low as $1.
Basket Case
Baskets come in a variety of materials to complement your décor, from natural woven grasses to canvas to colorful plastic bins. Set baskets on open shelves, inside cupboards, and on the kitchen counter to round up small items, such as napkin rings and bamboo skewers.
Baskets are great for storing dish towels, cloth napkins, and coupons. Prices start as low as $1.
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