Wasted space in the kitchen can make time-consuming extra steps each day. The best way to improve the functionality of your kitchen and maximize your wasted space is to identify these areas and reorganize them so you can utilize what you have to its fullest potential. Below, I will share seven ways to waste space in the kitchen, along with solutions on how to make the area more functional.
Jump to:
- Wasted Space #1: Space between 'fixed' shelves in cabinets and open shelving.
- Wasted Space #2: Under unused bar areas.
- Wasted Space #3: Above the upper cabinets
- Wasted Space #4: Back of Lower Cabinets.
- DIY Food Storage Bag Holder
- Wasted Space #5: Lower cabinets with no shelves.
- Wasted Space #6: In between the Refrigerator and the wall or cabinet.
- Wasted Space #7: Inside the upper cabinet and lower cabinet doors.
- How to Make a DIY Chalkboard Pantry Doors
- Conclusion
Wasted Space #1: Space between 'fixed' shelves in cabinets and open shelving.
The first wasted space I will discuss is the space between fixed shelves (affiliate) in cabinets and open shelving (affiliate). It gets very frustrating when there is a gap between the fixed shelves (affiliate), and you can not make them closer together. Due to the excess space, we find anything to fit in these spaces, even if it is not a suitable item.
The Solution for this Wasted Space.
Add risers that fit on the shelf to create two levels in the cabinet. Take a look at this pull-out unit I found on Amazon (affiliate). I like it.
Use these to fill in the dead space on fixed shelves
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2-Tier Pull Out Cabinet Organizers, Under Sink Organizer, Bathroom Organizer and Storage,
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Adding additional fixed shelving (affiliate) that stands on the lower shelf works well to fill the space. I like to use these for plates and mugs to fill up the space between the fixed area. 
Wasted Space #2: Under unused bar areas.
The area under a bar is not usable in a small space if there is room for a table at least 3 feet away. We experienced this issue in our kitchen and found that it made more sense to use it as storage before we remodeled.
The Solution for this Wasted Space.
Here is what I did to organize my kitchen and add more storage space. Get shelving (affiliate) that fits under the counter. I used the low, easy-to-assemble black wire shelves (affiliate) from Target that were shallow. I also found pretty wicker bins (affiliate) to hide the items inside. On the right-hand side, I added my recycling bins (affiliate), and in the middle, I also added a place for my dog food bowls. I even had space for snack items for the kiddos to pick from when they were making their lunch.
The Container Store's Kitchen department offers a wide range of products, including food canisters, drawer organizers, pantry organizers, spice racks, storage carts, cookware, kitchen gadgets, and more. Visit their website for more wonderful products!
Wasted Space #3: Above the upper cabinets
Everyone has a space above the kitchen cabinets, especially in a starter home. This is what our house looked like before we remodeled. Because it would get greasy on the top of the cabinets, we couldn't use it at all.
The solution for this Wasted Space
So, instead, I was about to add my decorative tiles since they were easy to clean. But it was just dead space and couldn't be used for storage. If possible, store infrequently used items above the cabinet for display purposes. Select items that can be easily cleaned, such as aluminum or ceramic pieces. So, if you need them, you can clean them and use them right away. Avoid items made of wicker or fabric. They will not clean well and will most likely be destroyed by the cooking grease.
Or, if you have a soffit, consider removing it. If you can not remove the soffit, you can hang plates or other things you love from the space above the cabinets.
Wasted Space #4: Back of Lower Cabinets.
Things can easily get lost in the depths of the deep lower cabinet. That area can easily hide items that you may forget about and want to use. So, do this instead.
The Solution for this Wasted Space.
Add a roll-out drawer that mounts to the cabinet for frequently used items and utilizes the back of the cabinet shelf for infrequently used items or extra supplies. I made these baggie holders out of 4-inch PVC pipes and decorative adhesive paper. You can visit the DIY post below to see how I made them.
Feel free to check out my DIY project below to help you organize the food storage bags. 
DIY Food Storage Bag Holder
While remodeling our kitchen, I realized that I didn't have shelving to hold all the manufactured, prepackaged storage bags. So, I decided to stand all the food storage boxes on their side to save space and to allow me to grab what I needed without having to slide out the other boxes.
Below is one that I used. I like this brand.
Rev-a-Shelf products are sturdy and so helpful. Great for a DIYer.
Rev-A-Shelf 11" Pull Out Single Draw Organizer
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Buy Now → (affiliate)
Wasted Space #5: Lower cabinets with no shelves.
Sometimes the shelf is missing in a lower cabinet, which makes it a mess to deal with. Things can easily be piled up and hidden from use. This is what I did to maximize the use of this cabinet.
The Solution for this Wasted Space:
Stand up long wrapping rolls on a wire rack on its side and place them on a pull-out drawer so you can see them all at once. Here is one similar to what I have that you can buy on Amazon (affiliate): Shelf On Wheels Expandable Pull-Out Kitchen Cabinet Shelf.
This is similar to the one that can be mounted behind the lower cabinet door to store plastic wrap containers. I used to hold the kitchen wrap rolls: Grayline 40232 Deluxe Wrap Rack.
This is the one I used in the lower cabinet shown above.
Rev-A-Shelf 11" Pull Out Single Draw Organizer
Buy Now →(affiliate)
Wasted Space #6: In between the Refrigerator and the wall or cabinet.
The wasted space around a refrigerator is so frustrating. We had to deal with it when we purchased a smaller refrigerator, and when my daughter went away to college, her rental had a small refrigerator, which created a gap between the cabinet and it. This results in dropped items into this space and makes it difficult to keep clean. Here is what we did instead.
The Solution for this Wasted Space:
We decided to purchase narrow shelving (affiliate), specifically designed to fit into these tight spaces. There are a variety of them in various sizes and widths. Just be sure to measure your opening to ensure you get the right one. Below are some I found on Amazon (affiliate) so you can see what they look like.
You can also add powerful magnetic shelves (affiliate) to the side of the refrigerator to increase storage space.
Slim Rolling Storage Cart with Wheels 4 Tier Skinny Bathroom Storage Organizer Narrow Shelf Unit
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Buy Now → (affiliate)
Wasted Space #7: Inside the upper cabinet and lower cabinet doors.
And, the last wasted space is the inside of the cabinet doors, especially in a pantry (affiliate). It can be used for so many things. Check out how I used mine.
The Solution for this Wasted Space:
Use removable chalkboard contact paper (affiliate) and write your grocery list. Visit my posts below to see what I've placed on the back of my cabinet doors. You can also add command hooks to hold measuring spoons (affiliate). Another option to add to the back of a cabinet door is an over-the-cabinet bin to hold pan lids.
How to Make a DIY Chalkboard Pantry Doors
Did you ever have to write something down while looking in your pantry? Do you have a place to write your weekly meals? Do you have a place to write your needed groceries? Here is a DIY Chalkboard Pantry Doors project anyone can do.
Conclusion
By making these minor adjustments over time, you will have a well-organized and functional kitchen and be able to fit even more supplies into your space. These solutions will make your kitchen work for you, rather than you having to work for it. Please share and let me know what you did to optimize the space in your kitchen. I would love to hear from you.
Feel free to check out our other small home organization ideas!
Please note that the link above is an affiliate link through Amazon (affiliate). At no additional cost to you, I will receive affiliate fees if you click through and make a purchase.
Hilda Rodgers says
Great ideas Sabrina! I love using the backs of doors... anywhere, but especially in the kitchen. Really makes use of otherwise wasted space and then my counters are less cluttered.
Liana George says
Great post! I love the ideas you shared and how to fix them - genius!!
Janet Barclay says
I use the space above my kitchen cabinets to display my collection of vintage tins.
Seana Turner says
The kitchen is just too important of a room to waste even an inch, right? Nice suggestions... I love a pull-out drawer. It changes the way we interact with a space, and turns a tough location into an easy-to-use storage zone. I've even started thinking about adding these pull-outs in other rooms, like the bathroom or office. What a difference a drawer can make!