Food Kitchen Tools & Products Kitchen Appliances 10 Kitchen Must-Haves That Are Perfect for Small Spaces No cabinet space? No problem. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 09, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images You may have the kitchen of your dreams—double islands, ample cabinet space, and a giant, Sub-Zero fridge. But it's much more likely that you're making do with a kitchen that has a fraction of the space you crave. If so, you probably need to get very creative with the little space you do have. Luckily, there are several products (many designed especially for small spaces) that can help you make the most of a compact kitchen. Whether you're lacking counter space, cabinet space, or both, these products will help you maximize your square footage without sacrificing style or function. From wall-mounted food storage dispensers to a dish drying rack that rests above your sink, these space-saving solutions won't exactly transform your space into a dream kitchen—but they could keep it from being a cramped nightmare. How to Design a Kitchen You'll Never Regret, According to Real Simple Home Designer Delia Kenza 01 of 10 Drying Rack That Rests Above Your Sink The Spruce Eats / Jacqueline Weiss If you don't have a ton of counter space, consider purchasing an expandable drying rack that can rest above your sink. Once you're done rinsing dishes, you don't take up any additional space to dry them. Look for a rack with slits, so excess water falls into the sink below. 02 of 10 Compact Coffee Maker target.com You can find a coffee maker that's less than 5 inches wide. Look for one that is slim and compact enough to nestle among your other appliances without eating up too much of your free counter space. 03 of 10 Set of Nesting Mixing Bowls Amazon Mixing bowls are essential for any baker or home cook, but finding space for (at least) half a dozen bowls of various sizes is no easy feat if you only have a few cabinets at your disposal. Invest in a set of mixing bowls that nest inside one another. 04 of 10 Magnetic Knife Holder FW / Amazon While keeping a knife block on display may make you feel like a professional chef, there's no doubt it eats up some precious counter space. Still, since a quality knife set is a kitchen must, you need to find some way to store your knives. Why not on the wall? A wall-mounted magnetic knife holder easily keeps all of your knives organized and in place. This is the Best Way to Store Your Knives, According to a Chef 05 of 10 Wall-Mounted Food Dispensers Courtesy of Chewy Another wall-mounted item that's great for small kitchens? Food dispensers. Sure, you can stick some food storage containers in your pantry or kitchen cabinets, but if space is at a premium, securing them to a wall is the way to go. Fill them with dry goods you use frequently (think pet food, pasta, dried beans, and rice) to make sure they really come in handy. Pro tip: If you've got kids, fill one of the dispensers with cereal so your little ones can help themselves to breakfast. 06 of 10 Expandable Cabinet Shelf Amazon Many kitchen tend to have enough vertical space, but could really use more horizontal space. If you're in that boat, pick up an expandable cabinet shelf that goes inside your kitchen cabinets and adds more surface area. This gives you an extra row to work with, so you can safely stack your dishes or glasses while freeing up some cabinet real estate. Found: The 12 Most Popular Kitchen Organizers on Amazon Shoppers' Wish Lists—All Under $40 07 of 10 Nesting Food Storage Containers amazon.com Mixing bowls aren't the only items that can nest! There are several sets of nesting food storage containers as well, which means you can store roughly six (or more) containers within one large container. If you find yourself with leftovers often, or prefer to prep your meals several days in advance, a set like this is crucial. 08 of 10 Floating Wine Glass Rack wayfair.com Wine glasses are pretty to look at, but thanks to their wide tops, they often require more storage space than regular glasses. If you don't have room for an array of red and white glasses (not to mention tall Champagne flutes), try purchasing a rack that can adhere to the underside of your cabinets. This way, you can store the glasses upside down without using up any valuable space in your cabinets or on your bar cart. Easily accessible glasses are an added bonus. The Right Glass Can Elevate Any Wine—Here's How to Choose the Best One for Each Varietal 09 of 10 Tiered Spice Rack Amazon Every kitchen needs a set of spices. Consider containing your collection with a tiered spice rack that can go in your pantry or kitchen cabinets. Not only will all of your spices be in one place, but they'll take up much less room. 10 of 10 Hanging Pot and Pan Rack Bill Oxford/Getty Images Pots and pans can be unwieldy, but you obviously need these kitchen essentials. If you don't have the cabinet space to store all (or any) of your pots and pans, invest in a hanging rack that can be mounted on a wall near your stove. Most racks come with numerous hooks, and some even have a built-in shelf for additional storage. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit