Running Out of Space? ​​21 The Most Clever Ways to Organize Kitchen on a Budget

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If you’ve ever tried to do a big kitchen reorganization, then you might know it can be expensive! All those new boxes, labels, and specialty organizers can really add up.

Not everyone is interested in investing that much into a kitchen re-do. Trust me, I totally get it. Luckily, there are just as many clever people out there who are looking for budget-friendly hacks.

That’s where this list comes in. I’ve gathered twenty-one seriously clever ways to organize your kitchen on a budget. From getting your pans in order to sorting your jars, there’s something for every area!

Ways to Organize your kitchen on a budget

1.Pan Organizer

pan organizer

Source: drivenbydecor.com

One of the biggest sources of chaos in any kitchen is the pan and pot drawer. Let’s face it, it’s tough to keep those things in order. After all, we have to pull them out to cook every day!

Using a clever vertical pan organizer like this lets you stack the pans in an easy-to-access way. Clean, simple, and super easy to keep organized.

2. DIY Pot Rack

DIY Pot rack

Source: littleyellowwheelbarrow.com

Speaking of pans and pots, you might want to put your nicest set on display. I’ve always loved the look of hanging pot racks. They’re a stunning architectural element (and a great way to keep your pots out of the way).

That’s why I love this DIY pot rack. You need to be comfortable with a drill for this one, so set aside your Saturday for this!

3. Key Rails

key rails

Source: twotwentyone.net

You know those little key hangers that are supposed to go near your front door? The ones designed for keychains? What if you repurposed those to give your chaotic baking cabinet new life?

If you’re an avid baker like me, this is a life-saving idea. Keep your measuring cups and spoons out of the way with some command strips and a couple key rails like these.

4. Glass Canisters

glass canisters

Source: @sageandgreige

This idea has been all over Tik Tok and Instagram for a good reason… glass canisters look so good! A matching set of glass canisters is a budget-friendly way to keep your pantry organized and clean.

You can buy bulk sets of these matching glass canisters to keep the cost down. This also helps reduce food waste, so it saves you money in the long run!

5. Storage Container Bins

storage container bins

Source: polishedhabitat.com

We all know of that one cupboard in our kitchens. You know the one. With the random containers stacked high, lids everywhere… the one we have to close quickly to keep everything from falling out.

Well, there’s a simple solution. Storage container bins! These simple pull-put drawers create some extra space while adding levels, so stacking suddenly becomes so much easier.

6. DIY Spice Rack

DIY Spice rack

Source: @refinishedbyrianne

If you’re the kind of household that can’t live without a big assortment of spices, then this might be for you. I love being able to clearly see all my spices when I’m cooking. It keeps things creative!

That’s why I love this DIY open-air spice rack. Packed to the gills with glass canisters, this is a neatly-labelled and organized dream. Try using glass jars like these to complete the effect.

7. Kitchen Pegboard

kitchen pegboard

Source: @once.and.future.travels

Have you ever seen a picture of Julia Child’s kitchen? The belle of cooking herself used a pegboard like this one to keep her cooking utensils neatly organized on her kitchen wall. And you know what? I’m in love.

This is such a neat, utilitarian take on kitchen organization, but it still has some warmth to it! Perfect if you need to store a lot in a small space (on a small budget).

8. DIY Foil Organizer

DIY Foil organizer

Source: areal-lifehousewife.com

If you’re anything like me, you’ve struggled with tangled plastic wrap and crumpled tin foil in some random drawer in your kitchen. Even though it comes with its own box, this kind of stuff is hard to keep neat!

That’s why I love this DIY foil organizer idea. All you need is a couple of hooks on your wall, and you can keep it in easy reach (without the mess).

9. DIY Pantry Shelves

DIY Pantry shelves

Source: aturtleslifeforme.com

Let’s talk shelves. If you contract a job to someone, a new set of high-quality pantry shelves can cost you thousands. But if you have a little DIY know-how and a free weekend, you can create your own!

All for a tenth of the cost! All you need is some low-cost lumber, a measuring tape, some brackets, and your thinking cap.

10. DIY Pantry and Spice Labels

DIY Pantry and spice labels

Source: kidgredients.com.au

If you have a Cricut (you know the one, this great cutting machine), then this idea is for you. Sometimes, the best way to organize your kitchen is to just clearly label what’s already there.

Labels make it easy to find what you need in a pinch. Not only that, but they clearly define where everything goes, making it so much easier to keep your kitchen organized long-term.

Don’t have a Cricut but want to try it out? A label-maker like this would be my go-to.

11. DIY Can Organizer

DIY Can organizer

Source: prettydiyhome.com

Cans are so great to stockpile in your kitchen. Whether you’re saving them for a rainy day or rely on them for cost-effective dinners, cans will always have a place in the kitchen. However, they can be a little finnicky.

This DIY can organizer idea is so great for rotating your cans to make sure you’re using the newest ones. All while making the most effective use of limited storage space!

12. Floating Shelves

floating shelves

Source: @montyroadabode

If you have some wall space to spare, floating shelves might be your next kitchen DIY. They’re a great way to put some of your nicest dishes or jars on display. Plus, they save a ton of space!

Luckily, putting up a pair of floating shelves is super easy when you have the right equipment. You’ll definitely need a stud finder like this to pick out the most secure spot on your wall. Don’t skip that step!

13. Kitchen Trolley Island

kitchen trolley island

Source: @number7treeview

One of the best ways to give yourself some extra storage space and surface space is to invest in a kitchen trolley island. Seriously, this is one of my favorite budget-friendly kitchen hacks.

Islands like this are on casters, so they’re easy to move around your kitchen as needed. Extra storage and more surface area? That’s a win-win.

14. Acrylic Storage Bins

acrylic storage bins

Source: @fromhousetohome__

When you think about the cupboard under your sink, does it send a shiver down your spine? It’s so easy for that space to devolve into chaos… sounds like a job for some acrylic storage bins.

Quick, simple, and cost-effective, this is a great way to bring some order to your cleaning supplies.

15. DIY Hanging Shelf

DIY Hanging shelf

Source: @viks_cornishhome

If you don’t fancy putting up some floating shelves, a DIY hanging shelf might be for you. Instead of sitting on mounted brackets, this kind of shelf has a whole unit that hangs down from two hooks secured into the wall.

This is another place you’ll need to use a stud finder. You’ll also need some wall anchors like these to make sure the shelf can bear some weight!

16. Storage Tubs

storage tubs

Source: @blissfullittlehome

When you think about it, the storage tubs you choose can make or break your kitchen décor. For example, these clean white storage tubs are perfect for storing your cleaning supplies.

They look great and do a great job of making everything easy to find.

17. Mason Jars

mason jars

Source: @thatorganizedkitchen

Mason jars have gotten a lot of love in recent years, and I’m on board with the movement! Mason jars are a sustainable, cost-effective way of organizing your pantry staples.

They’re best for dry ingredients, as they’re airtight and well-sealed.

18. Drawer Dividers

drawer dividers

Source: @organizedbydanielle

Drawers are so tough to keep organized. We always reach into them quickly for something we need then shut them in the next second, so it’s tough to keep them sorted in the long-term.

That’s why I love this drawer divider idea. With a space for everything, everything can easily end up in its place, no matter how fast you’re moving.

19. Wicker Baskets

wicker baskets

Source: @steeleorganizingco

Wicker baskets are back, and I couldn’t be happier about it. The raw texture of these baskets makes them a great choice for farmhouse-style kitchens that need something rough-hewn.

Of course, they also do a great job of hiding clutter behind those woven walls. No downsides here!

20. Mesh

mesh bags for produce

Source: @oak_abode

Mesh baskets keep the chaos back in a super cost-effective way. This is a versatile idea you can use almost anywhere in your kitchen. The best part? You can really make it your own.

Make sure to be careful with your measurements before purchasing, so you don’t buy too much or too little.

21. DIY Wooden Pantry Boxes

DIY wooden boxes

Source: prettydiyhome.com

Finally, we have to give some time to the classic wooden pantry box. This DIY version uses low-cost lumber, so you can make them to measure on a Saturday afternoon.

Paint them to match your pantry’s décor scheme, and watch them blend seamlessly into the wall. I recommend using pre-made wooden boxes like these to speed up the process.

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