Next, look at your countertops. What is on them? While many people prefer to keep their countertops cleared off, by investing in some organizing tools you can use your countertop for storage without risking a cluttered look. Canisters, knife holders and countertop spice organizers all provide you with a way to maximize your storage space without having your countertop looking cluttered or messy.
Some inexpensive solutions turn near useless space into a storage bonanza. A tiered wooden corner shelf, for example, lets no space go unused. It could hold spice shakers, knickknacks, cookbooks and some kitchen gadgets, freeing up valuable counter space. Or try adding extra free-standing furniture storage. A counter-height portable pantry can be a super-efficient solution, adding shelf space as well as comfortable work space. Styles with a tilt-out drawer for trash and recycling are particularly efficient and good at hiding unsightly kitchen debris. Some of these islands or pantries have an integrated paper towel holder as well as towel bars for easy-to-grab convenience. Free-standing furniture may also come with rotating wheels to allow you to easily move it from place to place.