How to Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen

Adequate kitchen storage has long plagued the conscience of countless kitchen organizers everywhere. With all those appliances and food items, plus the dishware and utensils, it's hard to find any space to work around everything. No one likes clutter, but in a small kitchen, it can quickly render your workspace useless. The spice rack, the bread box and the fruit basket are great, but in the age of endless clutter, space-savers everywhere have to keep up with the latest trends in kitchen storage. Here are a few examples of some awesome clutter clearers.

1. Storage Caddy: Whether you tuck it in a drawer or in a cabinet, the storage caddy makes it easy to pull out the dishes, cookware and food items you store. It's tempting to pile things into kitchen cupboards and drawers, and even easier to lose track of the items that end up stuffed into the back. By making it easier to locate the items you need, storage caddies help your prepping, cooking and cleaning all go on without a hitch.
2. Bulk Wine Rack: If you have an extensive wine collection, then you need a wine rack that does not fall short on space. Sometimes those 6- to 12-bottle racks just won't cut it, especially if you're an avid wine collector, or a regular dinner party host. Buying a larger wine rack will not only free up space that has been taken up by endless wine, but it will also add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. If the space in your kitchen doesn't permit a large wine rack, then try storing it in the dining room.
3. Plastic Bag Holder: Plastic grocery bags can present a huge problem if you let them stockpile under the sink or in a drawer. Plastic bag holders can hang on a closet or cupboard door, and they allow you to keep bags all together and accessible. They're anywhere from $5 to $10, and take up a relatively small amount of space. If you want to banish the bags altogether, then you can invest in reusable shopping bags. Hang them by your door, and bring them to the supermarket every time you go.
4. Bakeware Holder: It's never easy to store those giant cookie sheets and bulky cake pans. Bakeware holders can support multiple items in a row without taking up too much space. If you're a baking fiend, then keep the holder handy; it can fit on your countertop or an easily accessible cupboard. If you only use your bakeware occasionally, then store it in your cupboards, right beside your storage caddy.
5. Circular Dish Drying Racks: Have you ever noticed how bulky and impractical dish drying racks are? They take up at least a square foot of counter space, and they usually hold nowhere near the right amount of dishes. You end up piling your plates about a foot too high, and inevitably break your husband's favorite coffee mug (you know, the one you've super-glued together about eight times). If you have a small kitchen, then you need all the extra counter space you can get. Circular drying racks take up about half the counter space, and they hold almost double the dishes. They can be found at most home stores for around $10.
6. Multifunction Paper Towel Holder: Over-the-sink paper towel holders are great. They keep the towels out of the way, and allow easy access after you're done with the dishes. Well, with a multifunction holder, you can now add your plastic wrap and your aluminum foil to the mix as well. All three line up atop the sink to make it easy to access during prep and clean up. These are relatively affordable, and can be found online for less than $20.
7. Cereal Dispensers: Cereal dispensers may seem a bit too whimsical and bulky for a small kitchen, but they really do hold a lot of cereal. Modeled after bubblegum machines, cereal dispensers allow you to buy cereal in bulk, and to keep it all at just a chute-fall's length. They can be stored on your countertop, or on top of the refrigerator to maximize space.
8. Step Shelves: If you are Captain Cabinet User, then step shelves are right up your alley. They allow you to set up your spices, condiments and other cabinet filling items in stadium positioning. Not only can you see all the labels and expiration dates clearly, but everything is completely within reach. No more fumbling around for the lemon pepper or knocking over all the balsamic vinegar to get to the brown sugar. Everything will be laid out in perfect order.

Having a clean kitchen makes cooking and entertaining relatively painless. Regardless of the size of your kitchen, there are always ways to decrease clutter and to maximize workspace. If you think you've tried all there is to try when it comes to kitchen organization, then these tools may just what the cook ordered.