What can I do with empty under counter space in my kitchen?

Quick Introduction

Under counter space in kitchens often goes unused, leaving empty cabinets that serve little purpose. However, this wasted space presents an excellent opportunity to optimize your kitchen’s storage and functionality. With some clever solutions, you can transform that unused under counter real estate into a valuable asset in your cooking space.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore numerous ideas to fill empty under counter space and help you make the most of the available room in your kitchen. From pull-out spice racks to tilt-out trays, we have creative storage options to suit all needs and budgets. Read on for an in-depth look at the many possibilities for your unused cabinet spots.

Maximize Vertical Storage

One of the best ways to take advantage of under counter voids is to add vertical storage solutions. Countless vertical organizers allow you to stack items or subdivide the space to store a variety of goods. Here are some of the top options for maximizing vertical storage in under counter spaces:

Pull-Out Pantry

Pull-out pantries are tall and slim storage units that mount inside your lower cabinets. They utilize the full height of the cabinet and have shelves to hold items of various sizes. Pull-out pantries are great for storing baking ingredients, boxes and cans of food, snacks, and more. The sliding shelves provide easy access to items in the back that can be difficult to reach in deep lower cabinets.

Tilt-Out Trays

Tilt-out trays are an excellent choice for storing smaller items like spices, condiments, oils, and other kitchen essentials. Mounted to the interior cabinet wall, these trays tilt forward when you open the cabinet door, providing easy access. They come in a range of sizes and configurations to suit your needs. The tilt-out design is great for maximizing vertical storage in tight under counter spots.

Cabinet Organizers

Cabinet organizers are vertical storage units with adjustable shelves and compartments. They make good use of the full height of under counter spaces. Available in metal or plastic, cabinet organizers have open or enclosed storage to house dishes, cookware, food staples, cleaning supplies, and more. Choosing organizers with different sized shelves and compartments allows you to customize your storage needs.

Pull-Out Towel Racks

Pull-out towel racks are narrow vertical storage units perfect for tucking into a small under counter space near the oven or sink. Slide out the rack to access dish towels or oven mitts when you need them and tuck it out of sight when not in use. Vertical towel racks are an excellent way to make use of a narrow gap between cabinets or appliances while keeping towels and mitts handy but out of the way.

Take Advantage of Blind Corner Spaces

The awkward blind corner spaces common in kitchens are prime real estate for adding storage. Specialized organizers can transform these inefficient dead zones into accessible storage space. Consider these excellent options for blind corner cabinets:

Lazy Susan

A lazy Susan consists of round, rotating trays that sit on a base. Installed in a blind corner, the lazy Susan brings items at the back of the cabinet within reach with a simple spin. Theserotating organizers come in different configurations, with some designs having multiple trays stacked vertically to maximize storage. Lazy Susans are great for storing spices, canned goods, baking supplies, and other food items in an accessible way.

Blind Corner Pull-Out

Blind corner pull-outs are vertical racks that install in the corner and pull out when you open the cabinet. The vertical design takes full advantage of the floor to ceiling height. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize storage for dishes, cookware, or pantry items. Some blind corner pull-outs come with a built-in lazy Susan for the ultimate in accessible storage.

Diagonal Corner Organizer

Making use of the angle of the corner, diagonal organizers have shelves that extend from the back corner of the cabinet on a diagonal. The front of the shelf angles out within reach when you open the cabinet door. Diagonal organizers maximize space in the dead zone of the corner and are great for dishes, bakeware, and other kitchen tools.

Add Pull-Out Storage

Pull-outs are one of the best ways to access items stashed in deep lower cabinets. Here are some recommended pull-out solutions for under counter spaces:

Storage Drawers

Drawers that pull out provide an easily accessible and organized storage solution for lower cabinets. Cutlery dividers, compartments, and adjustable dividers allow you to customize drawer organizers. Use storage drawers to consolidate items like cutting boards, bakeware, pots and pans, table linens, or kitchen electrics. The pull-out design brings contents to the front of the cabinet for easy access.

Wastebin Pull-Out

Installing a wastebin in an under counter pull-out is brilliant for keeping trash neatly tucked away. Choose a slim wastebin that fits in the cabinet depth. When closed, only the cabinet front is visible for a streamlined look. When you need to toss something, simply pull out the wastebin for convenient access. Retracting trash bins are great for small kitchens where floor space is limited.

Spice Rack Pull-Out

Pull-out spice racks keep your seasoning collection organized and easily accessible, even if your cabinet space is limited. Mounted horizontally, vertical spice racks pull out to display spices in the cabinet cavity when opened. Retracted spice racks conserve space when closed. Models with tiered racks give you room for large and small spice jars.

Take Advantage of Rolling Storage

Rolling carts are a versatile storage solution that can be tucked into an under counter space when not in use. They are great for adding storage with mobility throughout the kitchen. Consider these excellent rolling cart options:

Microwave Cart

A microwave cart provides extra countertop prep space along with storage. Tuck a microwave cart into an empty lower cabinet spot. When you need the extra surface to prep ingredients or cook, just roll it out. Use the shelves and drawers to store cookware, bakeware, or kitchen tools. Retract the cart into the cabinet to reclaim floor space when not using it.

Wine Cart

Wine carts are great for storing wine bottles on their sides, preventing corks from drying out. Slide a wine cart into an empty base cabinet near a counter for serving. The rolling design lets you easily access your wine collection and retracts when entertaining is done. Some wine carts have room for stemware storage too.

Two-Tier Cart

Two-tier rolling carts provide a surprising amount of storage and workspace. Slide one into a lower cabinet and pull it out when you need additional prep area or storage for cooking projects. Use the bottom shelf for cookware and the top for small appliances. Two-tier carts are very versatile – store linens, dishes, pantry items, craft supplies, or anything else on the shelves.

Install Functional Inserts

For specialized tasks, insert pull-outs create a dedicated space. Here are some great options:

Cutlery Insert

Cutlery inserts mount inside lower cabinets to store cooking utensils and cutlery. The shallow design fits in cabinet depths as narrow as 9 inches. Knife blocks, compartments, and racks keep your cooking tools organized and within easy reach. Close the cupboard doors to keep the streamlined look of your kitchen.

Mixer Lift

A mixer lift creates a convenient spot for your stand mixer inside a base cabinet. The platform raises the mixer up when you open the cabinet door for easy access and lowers when stowed. Mixer lifts keep your mixer in a handy spot but out of the way. No more lugging it from a pantry shelf or back of counter.

Appliance Garage

An appliance garage is perfect for under counter small appliances like a blender, toaster, or food processor. When retracted, the unit looks like a standard cabinet panel. Open the door to pull out a slide-out shelf holding your appliance – ready to use. Close the appliance garage door to tuck small appliances out of sight but easily accessible.

Use Dividers and Risers

Simple cabinet organizers can transform wasted under counter spaces into effective storage with little investment. Consider these budget-friendly solutions:

Cabinet Dividers

Dividers insert into cabinet shelves to create compartments for vertical storage. Available in a range of heights, cabinet dividers allow you to customize spaces for different items. Use them to organize cutting boards, bakeware, plastic containers, pans, and more. Dividers are an easy way to add organization in minutes.

Shelf Risers

Shelf risers stack on existing shelves to double your vertical storage space. Risers lift back rows up for clear visibility and easy access. Opt for risers with lip edges to hold items in place. Risers allow you to utilize the full cabinet height and are great for plates, bowls, food storage containers, and other kitchen items.

Pan Organizers

Pots, pans, and lids can take up a lot of cabinet space. Pan organizers insert into cabinets to store stacked cookware efficiently. Vertical dividers separate pans and hold lids in place. Models with tilted dividers make accessing pans easy. Get the most storage from awkward under counter spaces with pan organizers.

Top Under Counter Storage Solutions

To recap, here are some of the top storage solutions for filling empty under counter spaces in kitchens:

Storage Type	Benefits
Pull-Out Pantry	Maximizes vertical storage for food and supplies
Tilt-Out Trays	Provides easy access to small items
Lazy Susan	Brings items at back of blind corner into reach
Storage Drawers	Pull-out design for complete access to contents
Microwave Cart	Rolls out to provide extra prep space
Shelf Dividers	Quick and budget-friendly way to add organization

Creative Under Counter Storage for Specific Spaces

Beyond universal storage solutions, you can also get creative with under counter spaces meant for specific kitchen tasks. Here are ideas tailored to different spots:

Next to the Sink

The space under the sink can utilize vertical organizer racks to neatly store cleaning supplies. Mount narrow pull-out spice racks in adjacent under counter spots to keep seasonings handy while cooking.

Near the Fridge

Install swing-out baskets under cabinets by the refrigerator for produce storage. The open baskets allow air circulation to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. For dry goods, add a pull-out pantry with shelves.

Around the Island

Islands often have unusable cabinet spots in the toe kick space. Install slide-out trays to hold must-have items like oils, condiments, and gadgets for easy access while cooking.

Under the Peninsulas

Peninsulas offer shallow under counter spaces perfect for specialized pull-outs like cutlery inserts, appliance garages, and mixer lifts to make cooking tasks more convenient.

Next to the Oven

Take advantage of the empty space around the oven by installing pull-out towel racks or storage drawers for pots, pans, and baking sheets. A slide-out spice rack is ideal for seasoning dishes while cooking.

Small Kitchen Solutions

Limited space kitchens can especially benefit from maximizing under counter real estate. Here are great options for tiny kitchens:

Shelf Risers

Double your existing storage by stacking shelf risers. Great for dishes, food containers, and pantry goods.

Vertical Storage

Opt for vertical solutions like pull-out pantries and organizers to make the most of limited cabinet footprint.

Tiered Carts

Rolling two-tier carts provide a surprising amount of storage and extra prep space.

Cabinet Dividers

Inexpensive dividers allow you to customize shelves to fit storage needs.

Spice Racks

Pull-out or wall mounted racks keep spices organized in tight spaces.

Under Counter Storage for Open Shelving

The trend toward open shelving maintains an airy look but lacks enclosed storage. Under counter spaces are perfect for tucking away less visually appealing items.

Pull-Out Baskets

Baskets stow cookware attractively when retracted. Pull them out to access contents.

Wastebin Cabinets

Hide garbage bins in a retractable cabinet to maintain your open concept aesthetic.

Appliance Garage

Keep small appliances hidden away but easily accessible.

Drawers

Use drawers to conceal items you don’t want on display.

Choosing Under Counter Storage Solutions

When selecting under cabinet organizers, keep these tips in mind:

– Measure carefully to ensure a perfect fit.

– Allow for plumbing, electric, and HVAC when positioning pull-outs.

– Opt for durable metal or solid wood over cheaper plastic.

– Include lighting inside pull-outs to see contents.

– Look for smooth glide hardware on slides and hinges.

– Keep cleaning in mind – avoid closed cabinets or inaccessible areas that collect dust.

– Maximize kitchen efficiency by putting items near where they will be used.

Conclusion

Empty under counter spaces provide the perfect opportunity to maximize your kitchen’s storage potential. With so many excellent pull-outs, organizers, and carts, you can transform wasted space into accessible and functional storage.

Clever solutions like pull-out pantries, spice racks, storage drawers, and tilt-trays allow you to neatly stow items of all kinds while keeping contents easily accessible. Make the most of awkward blind corners and narrow spaces with specialized organizers fit for the area.

With some creativity and the storage options outlined, you can gain valuable real estate in your kitchen. No more digging to the back of lower cabinets or useless voids. By optimizing empty under counter spots, you can enjoy a decluttered, high-functioning cooking space.