16 Kitchen Cabinet Organizers That Solve Any Storage Complaint
Updated: Mar. 20, 2024
Make better use of storage space with these kitchen cabinet organizers.
Multi-Purpose Translucent Bins
Complaint: mixed together ingredients
Multi-purpose bins are an organizing wonder for kitchens and pantries because of their versatility. These bins store pasta, rice, baking supplies and any other items you want to keep together as a group, says Ellen Delap, certified professional organizer. The height of these kitchen cabinet organizers fills the standard space between shelves, and the uniform look is magazine-worthy.
Delap’s pro-tip for organizing your pantry is filling the bin with items and toting it to your work surface with the cutout handles. Another tip: “Add a label, so everyone can unload the groceries and place items where they belong.” Labels are also helpful to know what missing item needs to be added to your grocery shopping list.
Steel 12-Piece Container Set
Complaint: stale food
No more ripped cereal bags or stale crackers. Keep perishables fresh and tidy with another one of those must-have kitchen cabinet organizers. Easily decant everyday staples into this see-through canister set. Then, you can see snacks and just how much flour is left. Leanna Pegorari, professional organizer and owner of Leanna Pegorari Organizing, says this set is “designed to stack,” while “really maximiz[ing] your storage space.” Stick on the included labels for a custom-designed pantry that’s both pretty and functional.
Pegorari says these containers “are perfect for decanting items because the airtight silicone seal is the best of the products out there for keeping food items fresh and preventing them from hardening or going stale.” The list of things professional organizers never buy also includes food storage containers that aren’t airtight.
9-Inch Lazy Susan
Complaint: awkward spaces
Stop digging around in difficult spaces for what you need. Instead, spin it forward. Make better use of awkward corner cabinets by placing a lazy Susan on each shelf for easier access to condiment bottles, small boxes and jars. Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified., shares that “each lazy Susan can hold one category of items. One for baking supplies such as sanding sugars and sprinkles, another for tea and coffee.”
The 9-inch size makes them ideal for tighter spaces. A favorite feature is the low lip which keeps things from tumbling off as they take a ride on the spinner. Just wipe it clean as needed. Interestingly, the cabinet is not the only place to use a lazy Susan. Try one in the refrigerator as a little-known hack for fridge organization.
Amazon Basics Stackable Kitchen Storage Shelves
Complaint: need more shelf space
Double what you can store on a shelf with a stacking extender. The steel construction makes them strong, and the vinyl coating means they won’t scratch your cabinet. Place them side-by-side or as a stack to take advantage of vertical space. Try dinner plates on the bottom and salad bowls on the top or large canned goods below and shorter cans above.
Assembly is as easy as sliding the legs into the holes on each corner of the shelf, no tools required. Delap reminds us that products like these kitchen cabinet organizers “help us create structure and systems in our space.” They’re intended for the kitchen, but they could easily be a utility closet organizing idea.
YouCopia Turntable Shelf
Complaint: deep cabinets
Two of the most popular choices, the lazy Susan and extender combine to make the turntable shelf. Perfect for deep cabinets (or any other kind), this Container Store product is nothing short of brilliant. It solves the issue of losing things in the back of the cabinet thanks to the adjustable shelf underneath that practically doubles your storage options. A stainless-steel mechanism means a smooth spin, and the lipped tray keeps things from falling off as they ride to the front of the shelf for easy access.
“No matter the product, always declutter first,” Delap reminds us. “A well-organized space adheres to keeping only what you love and use. That applies to the kitchen with dishes and glassware. We love multiple sets of dishes, however often use fewer than we have. Excess pantry purchases can quickly overtake an organized space.”
YouCopia Bottle Organizer
Complaint: missing water bottles
Bring order to your stash of water bottles with this space-saving two-level storage rack. Heading out the door for a yoga class? The broad horizontal view lets you grab bottles on the go. One of those easy-snap kitchen cabinet organizers, it installs in a matter of minutes. Fully adjustable shelves accommodate even the largest water bottle and contoured grooves prevent them from rolling away.
“I love a water bottle holder that holds them horizontally. Many water bottles are too tall to fit on the shelf, and they can easily get knocked over,” Saltman explains. One of the things in your home a professional organizer would throw out is any water bottle without a matching lid.
Gravity Can Feeder
Complaint: tipsy towers of cans
A gravity can feeder is the solution to your stacked canned goods problem. Keep back stock fresh by always refilling from the rear, so the oldest cans dispense first. The space-saving design frees up cabinet space for storing all the other things.
Adjustable and sturdy, these shelves are designed to fit even the larger 32-ounce cans. It’s one of the kitchen organization ideas you’ll wish you knew sooner. Delap’s rule: “Declutter your pantry with each season to keep it organized.”
YouCopia Expandable Cookware Rack
Complaint: pots and lids don’t stack
If you’re tired of stacking (and unstacking) pots and their lids, use this space-saving cookware rack. It’s just the thing to transform how you access items. “Say goodbye to having to pull out an entire stack of cookie sheets to find just the right one,” says Saltman. “Now you’ll be able to reach in and grab exactly what you are looking for.”
Dividers hold large cookware upright and support pots, lids, skillets, cookie sheets, cutting boards and platters. Easily slide out the one you need without unstacking the whole pile. Ten extra-high adjustable dividers are coated to protect against scratching and the non-slip feet hold the base in place. Expandable from 12 inches to 22 inches wide, this will fit almost every lower cabinet. For even more decluttering, add the dusty lid (for the pan you tossed years ago) to the list of things in your basement to throw out.
YouCopia Expandable Container Lid Organizer
Complaint: mismatched food storage lids
Speaking of those lids, you’ll have no more evenings spent matching food storage containers to their lids with this ingenious lid organizer. Food container lids are sorted by size and easy to grab. Pegorari loves this organizer, saying, “The expandable rack is great for those pesky Tupperware lids.”
Eight movable dividers let you customize the storage compartments so that lids stay upright and visible. Food prep and leftover storage have never been faster. Plus, the 9-inch design fits both round or square lids.
Metaltex Medium Undershelf Basket
Complaint: wrinkled linens
Where is the best place to store napkins, placemats and dishtowels? In an undershelf basket, of course. Free up drawer space by storing kitchen linens here, flat and wrinkle-free. This vinyl-coated basket slides onto any existing solid shelf, up to 1-inch thick.
The best kitchen cabinet organizers take advantage of the wasted space, like below a shelf. And you’re going to need those towels handy when learning how to clean a refrigerator inside and out, according to cleaning pros. Delap suggests choosing fun and functional products because they help you feel more organized, which keeps you motivated to maintain order in a space.
YouCopia Adjustable Box Organizer
Complaint: bulky boxes of food wrap
Boxes of kitchen essentials, such as sandwich bags and parchment paper, are bulky to store. Keep them visible and accessible on a customizable rack. Sit it on the cabinet shelf where non-slip feet keep it in place. “When you need to take advantage of the vertical space in your cabinets, usually because your shelves aren’t adjustable, you need to look for a shelving unit that you can easily add to your cabinet,” says Saltman. “Having one that is adjustable is even better.”
Saltman confirms that this organizer is great for boxed kitchen items. Sorting out leftovers is something professional organizers do to declutter every day.
Handled Pantry Organizer Storage Baskets
Complaint: items tip over
Storage baskets are one of those must-have kitchen cabinet organizers. They let you corral like items together, and the helper handle makes it easy to pull the basket out and take it with you. These nest when not in use, which will be never, because they’re so handy. Need a coffee station, a baking supply basket or a sandwich condiment caddy? These baskets hold it all.
Plus, the best part is that the basket keeps things standing up, so no more drips, spills or splatters (here are stain removers in case that happens). Delap’s pro-tip: “Use this product to categorize and keep food together by zones. Keep baking products, such as sprinkles, cupcake liners and icing stored together. Corral oils, vinegar and condiments together to bring these to the table or stove to use.”
Adhesive Organizer Bins
Complaint: little things get lost
These versatile little holders are the solution to lost packets of hot cocoa, envelopes of soup and that always-missing coffee frother. Add storage to any pull-open kitchen cabinet by sticking this adhesive bin to the door. Pick the 6-inch or 11-inch wide version for instant storage right where you need it most. A fan of translucent organizers, Delap says, “Clear storage gives you high visibility of the items you are storing.”
This accessible bin is an ideal place for tucking things within quick reach of your work area. Delap suggests keeping spices closest to the stove for convenience while cooking. Coffee condiments are best near the coffee maker, which would get them off the counter and help in kitchen counter organization. They’re actually one of the 10 items you shouldn’t store on your kitchen countertop.
Simplehuman Grocery Bag Holder
Complaint: plastic bags jam the cabinet
Corral 30 (or 100) plastic bags in this stick-up organizer. Insert the plastic shopping bags you want to reuse into the top of the holder, then pull them out through the bottom dispenser slot. “If you’re like most homeowners, you pick up a few plastic bags here and there during the week,” says Saltman. “Of course, we try to use our reusable shopping bags whenever we can, but sometimes we forget them at home.”
So how do you corral all those plastic bags in your home? This bag holder is a good place to start. Its 6-inch by 15-inch size instantly frees up cabinet space. Store bags for when you need them by keeping one under the sink. Or use Saltman’s pro tip: put it near the garage, so you remember to take them with you on the next shopping trip. People tend to never throw out shopping bags, so might as well keep them organized and reuse them.
Expanding 3-Tier Organizer
Complaint: items get lost in the back
The days of finding a long-forgotten can of green beans or rebuying vanilla extract when you already had one are over. This 3-tiered organizer is like stadium seating for your cabinet, making it easy for the cook to see inventory. Expanding side-to-side up to 22.75 inches wide for a custom fit, the organizer locks securely into place.
Frequently, this storage is used for spices, soups, cans and boxes of tea bags. Delap says, “Because it’s clear, the organizer blends into the color of the cabinetry, and your spices, condiments or cans pop out for visual impact.” It’s an essential home storage solution.
Corner Cabinet Organizer
Complaint: corners are difficult to reach
Three tiers bring all the items, especially those all the way in the back, clearly into view. The unique design of this corner cabinet organizer makes use of those awkward corners, making it the perfect spot for your spice collection. A raised lip around the edges keeps those frequently used items, such as olive oil or salt and pepper, in place.
“Corner cabinets are tricky to use as it’s so easy for our items to get lost in the far back corners,” says Saltman. “Use a corner organizer with shelves to help keep your items visible and easy to access.” She suggests grouping like-items together when using this type of organizer. Finding one that’s easy to clean is a must, but this one wipes clean. With your cabinet complaints addressed, learn more organization tips for the rest of the house.
About the experts
- Ellen Delap: Ellen Delap is a certified professional organizer and owner of Professional-Organizer.com. Ellen has extensive experience working with ADHD individuals, earning certificates of study in ADD and Chronic Disorganization. She’s also a member of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).
- Leanna Pegorari: Leanna Pegorari is the owner of Leanna Pegorari Organizing in the Berkshires, Massachusetts area. She aims to provide balance for her clients by implementing luxury home organization systems.
- Lauren Saltman: Lauren Saltman is the owner of Living. Simplified. As a professional organizer, Lauren is passionate about creating clutter-free homes for her clients.
Originally Published: March 20, 2024
