This Hidden 'Appliance Garage' Trick Is the Best Kitchen Upgrade I've Made – My Counters Have Never Looked Better
It instantly transformed my tiny renter kitchen
A kitchen should, first and foremost, be convenient. That means storage is neat, counters are clear, and appliances are easy to use. In a small kitchen, however, it is easy to be overwhelmed and struggle to achieve any of the three.
In my tiny cook space, my air fryer was always getting in the way. A bulky, dual-drawer model, it is too big for my limited counter space, and too awkward to put anywhere but at the front of a cabinet. As I don't use it every day, it gets in the way of my everyday kitchen storage. It's a constant inconvenience.
That was until I installed a pull-out cabinet organizer from Amazon in my awkward corner cabinet, giving me instant, easy-access storage that didn't break my back to use. Here's why I wish I did it sooner.
Custom pull-out kitchen cabinets are often expensive and are not an option for renters like myself. Rather than waste space at the back of the cabinet, adding a pull-out drawer can make storage easier to access and install.
Kitchen corner cabinets are awkward at best. Unless you invest in a custom pull-out system, they're notorious for wasting space, with bulky appliances and cookware disappearing into the back, only to be forgotten about.
Rather than continue to struggle organizing a corner cabinet, I picked up a simple pull-out drawer organizer from Amazon. While it's designed to sit at the front of a cabinet, I installed mine deep in the back corner so it slides forward into the accessible part of the shelf. It now holds my air fryer, but it's just as useful for stand mixers, slow cookers, or other bulky appliances you don't reach for every day.
It works because I have all the items I use weekly directly in reach. When I need my best air fryer, it is easy to lift my baking trays (organized with a handy Joseph Joseph tray organizer from Wayfair) onto my counter to slide the tray out. Previously, because of its weight, I had to lift the whole air fryer out to reach the trays behind. This is a far quicker solution.
By tucking larger appliances away, I can keep counters clear without making them any harder to access. It's a simple upgrade, but it's easily one of the smartest investments I've made in my small kitchen.
What Else to Shop
One thing people with tidy kitchen cabinets never do is underestimate the power of a good organizer. I've rounded up my favorite cabinet storage solutions to help restore order, maximize space, and make even the most chaotic cupboards easier to use.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This neat baking sheet organizer makes it easier to store your bakeware, offering a sturdy frame with eight stainless-steel wire dividers that can be adjusted to fit different tray sizes.
If you have the budget, a swing out cabinet organizer will always be the most efficient way to organize corner cabinets. This kitchen blind corner cabinet organizer has a large load capacity, each basket is exceptionally durable and can hold up to 33 lbs.
To prevent damage to your pan rims, and to keep your cabinets organized, consider stick-on cabinet holders, freeing up space in your storage.
These felt pan protectors can be cut to size and laid in your pan bases to prevent damage to the delicate non-stick ceramic.
Cabinets under the sink are also awkward spots to organize due to pipework. These pull out organizers fit around that to double storage space for cleaning supplies.
Ideal for both cabinet shelving and counters, these risers support up to 33 lbs each for plates, coffee accessories, pantry goods, and more.
Before you start reorganizing your space, take the time to declutter your kitchen first. There's little point in creating storage solutions for items you never use, and clearing out the excess will make it much easier to build an organization system that actually lasts.
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