6 Space-Saving Kitchen Hacks for Tiny Kitchens 2025

When I moved into my NYC apartment a few months ago, I already knew the kitchen would be tight based on the listing photos. What I did not anticipate, though, was just how challenging it would be to cook in a space that’s barely bigger than a walk-in closet. At just 60 square feet, my kitchen has exactly three feet of counter space, four cabinets, and zero room for any of the bulky storage solutions I’d relied on before. In my tiny kitchen, every single inch matters, and traditional organization methods simply don’t cut it.

After months of trial and error (and more than a few frustrated tears), I’ve discovered that the key to making a small kitchen work is about “hacking” my space with multifunctional, square footage-efficient products like vertical spice organizers, expandable or collapsing kitchenware, or even swapping some beloved appliances for miniature versions. These six tips for surviving a tiny kitchen have genuinely transformed how I cook, and below I’ve also shared some essentials that I now can’t do without. If you’re dealing with limited space, I promise that these kitchen organizational hacks will be game-changers.

Best Tiny Kitchen Essentials

• Yamazaki Tower White Expandable Kitchen Counter Organizer, $32, originally $38 at westelm.com
• Sur La Table Over-the-Sink Drying Rack, $35 at surlatable.com
• Schmidt Brothers Magnetic Wall Bar, $50 at williams-sonoma.com
• YouCopia StoreMore Pan and Lid Expandable Rack, $30 at target.com
• The Container Store 4-Tier Rolling Cart, $46, originally $65 at containerstore.com
• OXO Pop Plastic Food Storage Containers, Set of 3, $33 at target.com
• Yamazaki Countertop Spice Caddy, $36, originally $42 at westelm.com

Hack: Go Vertical With Your Kitchen Organizers

When counter space is nonexistent, you should be storing up, not out. Over-appliance organizers have been my biggest revelation because they create usable storage in the dead space above your countertop appliances. (I use mine to store mugs, coffee supplies, and even small plates.) Organizers with expandable designs also mean you can adjust the width to fit over your specific appliances or to fit into tight kitchen spaces. 

Yamazaki Tower Expandable Kitchen Support Rack

This expandable shelf stretches to fit over most microwaves and coffee makers, instantly creating a second tier of storage where there was only wasted airspace. I have a pretty large mug collection, so I keep some of them on the shelf along with coffee accessories here, which thankfully freed up an entire cabinet. The white powder-coated steel looks sleek and modern, plus the built-in hooks let me hang my oven mitts right where I need them.

Yamazaki Countertop Spice Caddy

I love the minimalist Japanese design of this two-tier steel organizer, and it fits in just right next to my stove. Each tier has a slight lip to keep jars secure, and it holds way more than just spices — I store my olive oil, vinegar, and frequently-used seasonings here, too. At just 5 inches deep and 11 inches wide, it maximizes vertical space without eating up valuable counter real estate.

Hack: Embrace Collapsible Kitchen Tools

The biggest mistake I made initially was keeping full-size, inflexible tools like colanders and mixing bowls that ate up precious cabinet space even when I wasn’t using them. Switching to collapsible versions was a great idea, and they work just as well as their traditional counterparts. I keep my collapsible colander tucked in a narrow gap beside my fridge, and it pops open in seconds when I need to drain pasta or rinse vegetables. This hack alone gave me back an entire cabinet shelf.

OXO Collapsible Colander

It’s hard to believe how much storage space I’ve saved with this colander, which expands to a full 5 inches high for draining pasta or washing vegetables, and then collapses to less than 2 inches flat. The heat-resistant silicone means I can pour boiling pasta water directly into it, and the non-slip handles make it easy to shake out excess water. 

Sur la Table Over-the-Sink Roll-Up Drying Rack 

This roll-up drying rack is pure genius for tiny apartment kitchens. It sits right over my sink when I’m hand-washing dishes, then rolls up into a compact tube for storage in a drawer. The stainless steel is heat-resistant up to 400°F, so it tends to also pull double duty for me as a trivet and cooling rack. 

Hack: Install Magnetic Wall Storage

Trust me when I say that wall space is your most underutilized real estate in small kitchens. I installed a magnetic knife strip and a magnetic organizer rack on my backsplash, and they’ve completely changed how I access my most-used kitchen tools. My knives still stay easily accessible, but now the magnetic strips can also hold other metal utensils and scissors. Installation often takes just minutes, and you’re using vertical space that was previously just decorative tile.

Sur la Table Bar Magnet 

This 14-inch magnetic knife strip freed up my knife block space and made my knives so much easier to grab. I mounted it on the wall next to my cutting board, and now I can pull the exact knife I need in seconds. The strong magnets hold even my heaviest chef’s knife securely, and I love being able to see all my blades at once.

Yamazaki Magnetic Spice Rack 

This clever organizer attaches magnetically to the side of your refrigerator and holds spice jars on the wooden bar. It measures 10.75 inches wide and only 5 inches deep, so it’ll likely fit that awkward space beside the fridge. The steel body is open, which means you’ll be able to see all your spices at a glance instead of digging through a cabinet.

Hack: Use Adjustable Organizers for Pots and Pans

Stacking pots and pans is a nightmare — the clanging to pull one out drives me nuts, and it feels like I always need the pot that’s at the very bottom of the stack. Adjustable pot organizers let you store cookware vertically, like files in a cabinet, making everything visible and accessible. I use mine in my deepest cabinet, and now I can slide out a single pan without disturbing the rest of the stack. I’ve also stored cutting boards and baking sheets this way, as well. 

YouCopia StoreMore Pan and Lid Expandable Rack

This budget-friendly organizer expands from 12 to 22 inches wide and has a whopping 10 adjustable dividers that accommodate different pan sizes. I store all my skillets and pot lids vertically in an organizer like this one, which means I can grab what I need without unstacking everything. The sturdy base also prevents round lids and pans from rolling while non-slip feet keep the rack securely in place. 

Lynk Professional Slide-Out Pot & Pan Organizer

Getting pots and pans off the countertop and organized vertically frees up so much space and makes cooking infinitely less frustrating. This sturdy steel organizer has six slots for storing pans and lids vertically. The glides allow it to slide out of cabinets effortlessly, and the slots are even wide enough for cast iron skillets. 

Hack: Invest in Slim Rolling Storage

The narrow gap between my refrigerator and wall was completely wasted space until I picked up a slim rolling cart from Ikea. These carts are specifically designed to fit in those awkward 5- to 7-inch gaps, so you can add more functional storage for spices, oils, canned goods, and small kitchen gadgets. The rolling casters also make it easy to pull something out when you need it, and it’s hands-down one of the best space-saving purchases I’ve made.

• Brightroom 3-Shelf Narrow Metal Storage Cart, $19 at target.com
• Yamazaki Slim Wood Top Rolling Storage Cart, $140, originally $165 at westelm.com
• Lantine 4-Tier Slim Rolling Cart, $70, originally $110 at target.com
• The Container Store 4-Tier Rolling Cart, $46, originally $65 at containerstore.com

Brightroom 3-Shelf Narrow Metal Storage Cart 

This cart is only 5.9 inches wide, but it’s also 35.6 inches tall, so it can fit nicely in the narrow gap next to a fridge or stove. It has three tiers for storage and rolls smoothly on four casters, and you can use it to store bottles like oils and vinegars. At this price, it’s also an absolute steal for the amount of storage it creates.

Yamazaki Slim Wood Top Rolling Storage Cart

For a more substantial option, this industrial cart on wheels offers three steel shelves with a wood top. It’s 18.7 inches wide, so it works in slightly larger gaps or could stand freely in a corner. The wood top also doubles as a sliver of prep surface, and while it’s not much, every extra bit counts. 

Hack: Choose Stackable and Nesting Food Storage

Yes, I’ve dragged my mismatched Tupperware collection to every apartment I’ve rented, and yes, they’ve always taken up way too much space. Switching to stackable, nesting storage containers meant I could store twice as many containers in the same cabinet. I opted for glass containers this time around because they nest inside each other when empty, and also have the added benefit of being free from microplastics and not staining or holding odors like plastic does. 

• Crate & Barrel Round Glass 2-Cup Storage Containers, Set of 4, $40 at crateandbarrel.com
• OXO Pop Plastic Food Storage Containers, Set of 3, $33 at target.com
• Hold Everything Rectangular Glass Food Storage Containers, 6-Piece Set, $40 at williams-sonoma.com
• Progressive ProKeeper+ Baker’s Storage, Set of 9, $49, originally $70 at containerstore.com
• Brabantia Tasty+ Stackable Glass Food Jars, Set of 3, $54 at westelm.com

Crate & Barrel Round Glass 2-Cup Storage Containers, Set of 4 

The round shape of these glass storage containers stack beautifully in my fridge and cabinets, and the bamboo wood lids are gorgeous and airtight. For under $50, this set has replaced a whole chunk of chaotic, mismatched plastic containers in my cabinet. 

OXO Pop Plastic Food Storage Containers, Set of 3

These Pop containers work great for pantry staples like flour, sugar, and pasta, and the square shape means they stack and store more efficiently than round containers. The pop-up button makes them easy to open with one hand, and they also create an airtight seal that keeps everything fresh. I own six of these in various sizes and my pantry’s never looked better.