Some years ago, we redesigned our kitchen. We had a lot of drawers and loved them! But then, when we were putting stuff away in the drawers, we found an issue. The drawers' height was a little shallow compared to what we are used to in our older kitchen. Because of this, I had to go on a hunt to find space-saving kitchen tools (affiliate) swaps for these items.
Recently, I went to my favorite kitchen store and came across these space-saving kitchen tools (affiliate). I was so excited to find these items. Finally, I don't have to destroy my drawers just to store a kitchen tool. Below, I am going to share with you the items I replaced to save space in the drawers. I also included additional items designed for small kitchens to save even more space. As well as items you just do not need in your small kitchen. I hope these items help you keep your kitchen from getting cluttered.
Things to swap out to save space!
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- 1. Splatter Guard that Folds in Half with No Handle
- 2. Whisk that Flattens
- 3. Potato Masher that Flattens
- Collapsible Kitchen Products to Swap to Save Space
- Collapsible Swaps Options
- Who can use these items?
- Multi-tool swaps to save space.
- Items to eliminate rather than replace
- FAQ for space-saving kitchen tool swaps
Key Takeaways
- The author redesigned their kitchen and encountered shallow drawers, prompting a search for Space-Saving Kitchen Tool Swaps.
- They found innovative products like a foldable splatter guard, a flattening whisk (affiliate), and a collapsible potato masher to save space.
- The article lists additional collapsible items and multi-functional tools (affiliate) to consider for small kitchens.
- It suggests eliminating single-use gadgets and duplicates to declutter kitchen space.
- The author emphasizes the importance of finding tools (affiliate) that maximize drawer space and maintain organization.
1. Splatter Guard that Folds in Half with No Handle
First, I found this large (affiliate) splatter guard. It fits standard pans nicely and can be stored in a drawer easily. The traditional guards would never fit in my drawer. It would have to be stored somewhere else. Here is one from Amazon (affiliate) if you'd like to buy it. Kuhn Rikon Foldable Splatter Guard, 12-Inch, red
(affiliate).
2. Whisk that Flattens
Then, I found this whisk (affiliate) that flattens. The one I purchased was coated, which works well with non-stick saucepans too. Here is one from Amazon (affiliate), but it is metal and not coated. Kuhn Rikon Easy-Store 10-Inch Whisk
(affiliate). It saves so much room in my baking drawer.
3. Potato Masher that Flattens
And lastly, I found this collapsible potato masher. My concern was it wouldn't be sturdy enough for mashing potatoes, but it works great. To tilt the masher, all I needed to do was press the two sides together. It then locks into place. Really cool. Here is the brand I purchased: Prepara Flip Potato Masher, Brown
(affiliate). I found it on Amazon (affiliate) too.
Update 2026: We are still using this today, and it works great!
Collapsible Kitchen Products to Swap to Save Space
OK, it has been many years since I wrote this post, and I am still using all these great products. So, to add to the fun, I wanted to include some more.
Note: these links are from Amazon (affiliate); if you click-through and buy something on their site, I will receive a small commission.
4. Silicone collapsible colander or strainer - flattens to about an inch, replaces a rigid metal one
5. Collapsible measuring cups - a nesting set of silicone cups that flatten
6. Silicone collapsible mixing bowls - a stacked set that compresses down
7. Collapsible funnel - folds flat instead of taking a full slot.
8. Collapsible salad spinner - one commenter on your post mentioned wanting this.
9. Collapsible food storage containers - the lidded silicone kind that fold down when empty
10. Over-the-sink collapsible drying rack - rolls up or folds away
Below are these more minimalist versions on Amazon (affiliate) if you want to buy them and replace the large (affiliate) version.
Collapsible Swaps Options
Collapsible Bowls, 3pcs Food Grade Silicone Camping Bowl Salad Bowl with lids
Buy Now →
Collapsible Colander for Kitchen, Silicone Strainer and Steamer, BPA-Free
Buy Now →
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Collapsible Silicone Measuring Cups with 60ml/80ml/125ml/250ml
Buy Now →(affiliate)
Who can use these items?
Without stating the obvious, a smaller kitchen or a galley kitchen may need these items to help organize an apartment or a condo.
These products are also great for college dorms since they are easy to carry and travel with, and they are also easy to use in a small dorm.
They are also great for RVs and Tiny Homes.
Multi-tool swaps to save space.
I'm a big fan of small appliances (affiliate) that serve multiple purposes, which save counter space. Below are some more that you may want to consider if you do not have these items.
11. A two-cup adjustable measuring cup to replace a whole measuring cup and spoon set (affiliate): We have the OXO brand. We have one of these and have replaced it twice in the last 30 years. It's a great product and is my husband's go-to measuring tool. There is also a wonderful spoon-and-cup set by KitchenArt(R), which we used as well.
12. A box grater with nesting plates, or a single adjustable mandoline, replaces multiple graters.(affiliate) If you grate a lot, you can buy a single item with multiple attachments.
13. A garlic press(affiliate) that also zests/grates, or skipping the press entirely for a microplane.
Items to eliminate rather than replace
I'll share items that need to be removed to save you time. We all have something in our small kitchen we do not use that can be given away or donated. Below are some items to ponder to see if you can get rid of them to give you more space in your small kitchen.
Single-use gadgets: avocado slicer, egg slicer, banana slicer, strawberry huller, corn stripper, because a knife does all of these, and you don't need unitaskers in a small kitchen.
Duplicate utensils (affiliate): most kitchens have three spatulas and two ladles too many. Do you need all of them? We have several, and I can easily get rid of at least two or three of them.
A bulky knife block: Swap for a magnetic wall strip or an in-drawer knife organizer. They are also germ collectors and take up lots of space in a small kitchen counter.
FAQ for space-saving kitchen tool swaps
Yes. The collapsible potato masher held up to real mashing, and after many years it's still going strong. Most collapsible tools - colanders, measuring cups, mixing bowls - are made from food-grade silicone with reinforced frames, so they perform just like their rigid counterparts while folding flat for storage.
The biggest offenders are tall or rigid items: traditional splatter guards, balloon whisks, sturdy potato mashers, colanders, and salad spinners. Swapping these for flat-folding or collapsible versions frees up the most room, especially in shallow drawers.
Single-use gadgets are the easiest to eliminate - avocado slicers, egg slicers, banana slicers, strawberry hullers, and corn strippers can all be replaced by a good knife. Duplicate utensils (extra spatulas and ladles) and bulky knife blocks are also worth clearing out.
Absolutely. Because they fold flat and are lightweight, collapsible tools are easy to pack and travel with, and they fit well in tight dorm or RV kitchens with limited storage.
A magnetic wall strip or an in-drawer knife organizer both work well. They free up counter space and avoid the dust and germs that can collect inside a traditional knife block.
I am so happy I found these items. They fit so much better in the drawers, and I can open and close them much more easily now. Do you have any kitchen tools (affiliate) that don't take up much space in your drawers? Please comment below.
Below are some other posts I found online that also offer tips on kitchen tools to save space.
19 space-saving gadgets under $60 that every kitchen needs
9 Genius Space-Saving Finds for Your Kitchen
Full Disclosure: I purchased these items myself. No one is paying me to talk about these items. If you purchase the items from Amazon (affiliate), I will receive a small commission fee from your order at no additional cost to you. Happy Shopping!
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Rachel Seavey says
Hey Sabrina! I love my flat whisk! I will be on the lookout for that collapsible masher. Thanks for the share!
Kim says
Those are great especially for people with small spaces like most of us. I will keep those in mind.
Nancy Borg says
LOVE these new collapsible gadgets! I've seen the collapsible salad spinner but these utensils are the very ones that get stuck in the drawers! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I just might switch my old ones out for these new space -saving ones.
Jill Robson says
Great products Sabrina, I have some collapsible sieves I found at Target.
Janet Barclay says
Great finds! I've never seen these either.
Andi Willis says
I didn't even know some of these collapsible utensils existed. They would be great for people with tiny kitchens and RVers too. Thanks for sharing.