Which Cabinet Organizers Actually Work in Small Kitchens?

Tight on kitchen space? You’re in good company—most people find themselves frustrated with the amount of storage in their kitchen. But don't put out a garage sale sign just yet!  Even in a small kitchen there’s plenty you can do to make your small kitchen be big on storage. It starts with organization. With the right cabinet organizers, even the tiniest kitchen can pack a serious punch in style and efficiency. A few clever storage solutions can turn cramped counters and crowded shelves into a streamlined, functional workspace you’ll actually enjoy using.

At JSB Home Solutions, we’ve remodeled an average of 75 kitchens a year for the past 50 years—so we’ve seen firsthand the impact specialized organization in small kitchen spaces can make. Small changes to cabinetry can completely transform a space, and today we’re sharing some of the smartest, most space-efficient cabinet accessories we actually recommend to homeowners—and which ones might look great in photos, but don’t always make the cut in a tight space.

By the time you finish this post, you’ll know exactly which cabinet organizers can free up precious counter space, keep your kitchen tools within easy reach, and make cooking feel less like a juggling act. You’ll also learn which trendy gadgets aren’t worth the hype—so you can invest in storage solutions that actually make your small kitchen feel bigger, brighter, and a whole lot easier to work in.

Table of Contents

What Are Kitchen Cabinet Organizers and How Exactly Can They Help In My Kitchen?
What Are the Top Ten Most Popular Cabinet Organizers?
How Do I Pick Cabinet Organizers That Actually Work In My Kitchen?

What Are Kitchen Cabinet Organizers and How Exactly Can They Help In My Kitchen?

A kitchen cabinet organizer is a smart storage solution designed to help you get the most out of your kitchen cabinets. From pull-out shelves and lazy susans to spice racks, drawer dividers, and vertical pan organizers, these tools make it easy to keep everything in its place. Instead of digging through cluttered cabinets, you can see and reach what you need instantly. Not only does this maximize your storage space, but it also makes your kitchen more efficient—helping your cabinets work double duty by keeping everyday items organized, accessible, and ready to use.

What Are the Top Ten Most Popular Cabinet Organizers?

When it comes to maximizing space and keeping your kitchen running smoothly, these 10 cabinet organizers are the most popular—and most effective—solutions homeowners turn to again and again.

✅ 1. Pull-Out Shelves: A Must-Have for Any Small Kitchen

Pull-out shelves do exactly what their name sounds like: they pull out of the cabinet on drawer glides mounted on the sides or underneath so that you can see everything that is stored on the shelf. Even the stuff in the back.

If you add just one organizer to your kitchen, make it pull-out shelves.

Pull-out shelves eliminate the black hole effect of stationary shelves. Instead of digging around to find that one can of soup or buried pot, you simply pull the shelf out and everything is in view.

They’re great for:

• Pantry items
• Pots and pans
• Tupperware or dry goods

Even better? They work with most standard cabinets, meaning you don’t have to fully remodel to get the benefit. These can also be added to your existing cabinets during a cabinet reface project, making pull-out shelves a smart solution for any kitchen update.

✅ 2. Large Drawer Base Cabinets: Storage Made Simple

If you’re replacing your cabinets during a remodel, skip the standard base cabinet setup and go for deep, wide drawer base cabinets instead.

These drawers pull out smoothly for full visibility, so you can see every pot, pan, and plate without bending, crouching, or digging. Optional pegboard inserts help keep items neatly in place, so nothing shifts when you open or close them.

They’re great for:

• Dinnerware and serving pieces
• Pots, pans, and lids
• Mixing bowls or bakeware

Even better? Large drawers often hold more than traditional shelving, making them a smart choice for both style and storage in a modern kitchen. New drawer inserts can even keep lids, pans, and other tricky items neatly organized, so every piece has its place without the usual chaos.

✅ 3. Corner Organizers: Lazy Susan or Smarter Upgrade?

Corner cabinets are famous for being awkward and hard to reach, which is why the Lazy Susan has been a long-time favorite. With rotating shelves, it makes use of otherwise wasted space and keeps pots, pans, or pantry items within reach. But while a Lazy Susan works, it’s not always the most efficient option—items can still tip over or get lost in the spin.

Ultimately, the best corner solution depends on how you’ll use the cabinet and the overall flow of your kitchen. While the Lazy Susan remains a long-time favorite, newer options like pull-outs, corner drawers, and swing-out shelves give you plenty of alternatives to match your storage needs.

They’re great for:

• Mixing bowls and baking supplies
• Dry goods and pantry staples
• Small appliances you don’t use every day

Even better? Newer upgrades like blind corner pull-outs (also called Magic Corner or LeMans units), corner drawers, or swing-out shelving take accessibility to the next level. These systems pull or slide out smoothly, bringing everything into the open—no spinning required. If your goal is maximum efficiency, these upgraded organizers are worth considering.

✅ 4. Spice Racks: A Small Upgrade with Big Payoff in A Small Kitchen

Spice racks may not take up much room, but they can completely change the way your kitchen functions. Instead of digging through crowded cabinets or leaving bottles scattered across the counter, a spice rack gives every jar its place and keeps your cooking essentials right at your fingertips. Just know—spice racks and vertical pan storage often require the same narrow cabinet space, so in especially small kitchens you may have to choose one or the other.

They’re great for:

• Everyday spices and seasonings

• Oils, sprays, and small condiments

• Baking extracts and flavorings

Even better? Spice racks come in all shapes and sizes—from pull-outs that slide neatly beside the stove, to tiered, in-cabinet organizers, to wall-mounted racks that save valuable shelf space. And if you decide to dedicate a cabinet to  vertical pan storage  instead, consider an alternate location for your spices, like a drawer insert or a wall-mounted option, so you still keep them organized and close at hand.

⚖️ 5. Vertical Pan & Cookie Sheet Storage: Clever or Clunky?

If you’ve ever had to dig through a stack of heavy pans just to grab one cookie sheet, you know the struggle. Vertical storage dividers solve this problem by keeping baking sheets, cutting boards, and shallow pans upright and easy to grab. They turn an awkward cabinet into a streamlined, stress-free zone. But keep in mind—vertical dividers and spice racks often compete for the same narrow cabinet spot, so in smaller kitchens you may need to prioritize one and relocate the other.

They’re great for:

• Keeping cookie sheets, trays, and cutting boards separated

• Making heavy pans easier to access

• Turning a deep cabinet into a neatly organized station

Even better? Many homeowners add dividers inside upper cabinets above ovens or microwaves, so the most-used bakeware is stored exactly where it’s needed most. And if that space ends up housing your spice rack instead, a slim pull-out or drawer insert can be a smart alternate solution for storing pans.

⚖️ 6. Pull-Out Trash Bins: Smart or Space-Stealer in Small Kitchens?

Pull-out trash bins are one of those kitchen features that people either love or skip—and for good reason. On one hand, they keep garbage neatly tucked away, free up floor space, and give your kitchen a cleaner, more streamlined look. On the other hand, they do take up valuable lower cabinet space that could otherwise be used for pots, pans, or pantry items. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice—it all comes down to whether you’d rather keep your trash tucked away or reserve that cabinet space for storage.”

They’re great for:

• Keeping trash hidden from sight

• Small kitchens where every square foot of floor space matters

• Creating a clutter-free, streamlined aesthetic

Even better? Many homeowners choose to add a pull-out recycling bin alongside the trash bin. It’s a simple upgrade that keeps your kitchen cleaner, greener, and more organized without adding bulk to your layout.

❌ 7. Microwave Drawers: Sleek but Not Always Smart

Microwave drawers have a modern, built-in look that’s undeniably stylish—but in most small kitchens, they come with more drawbacks than benefits. Because they require custom cabinetry, they often take up valuable lower cabinet space that could be used for cookware or storage. And while they look different, they don’t actually offer any extra functionality compared to other microwave styles.

They’re great for:

• Homes with large kitchens where storage space isn’t a concern

• A seamless, built-in aesthetic

• Avoiding overhead placement if lifting hot dishes is difficult

Even better? An over-the-range microwave with a vent hood is usually the smarter choice in a small kitchen. It saves counter space, improves ventilation, and keeps your lower cabinets available for essentials you actually need to store.

❌ 8. Stand Mixer Pull-Up Shelves: Not Ideal for Tight Spaces

If you love to bake, a pull-up stand mixer shelf might sound like a dream upgrade. But in a small kitchen, it often ends up being more of a space hog than a space saver. These shelves take up an entire lower cabinet just to house one appliance—a tough trade-off if you don’t use your mixer every single day.

They’re great for:

• Storing mixers, blenders, or food processors
• Keeping counters clean and clutter-free
• Using vertical space more efficiently

Even better? An appliance garage. This simple cabinet feature keeps your mixer (along with blenders, toasters, or coffee makers) tucked neatly out of sight while still easy to access when you need it. That way, you keep your counters clear without giving up an entire cabinet in the process.

⚖️ 9. Under Sink Storage: Awkward or Essential?

The space beneath your sink is notorious for being one of the trickiest areas to organize. Between plumbing, hoses, and the garbage disposal, it’s often left as a cluttered catchall for cleaning supplies. But with the right setup—like containers, tiered shelves, or door-mounted caddies—it can become surprisingly functional. The challenge is that built-in inserts are almost impossible to find because plumbing takes up so much space. And if you overload the area with too many organizers or products, you’ll end up with less usable space than you started with. That’s why the best solution for under-sink storage really comes down to your specific needs and how you use your kitchen every day.

It’s great for:

• Keeping everyday cleaning supplies within easy reach

• Making use of an otherwise wasted space

• Creating order in one of the most chaotic cabinets in the kitchen

Even better? Many homeowners pair under-sink storage with a portable cleaning caddy or basket for easy access to daily cleaning items. That way, you keep the essentials handy while freeing up storage space elsewhere in the kitchen.

✅ 10. Drawer Dividers & Utensil Inserts: A Must-Have for Everyday Order

Drawer dividers may be simple, but they’re one of the most effective ways to keep your kitchen running smoothly. No more digging through a jumble of utensils or hunting for the right measuring spoon—everything has a designated spot. With customizable inserts available for cutlery, gadgets, knives, and even spices, you can tailor your drawers to fit the way you cook.

They’re great for:

• Keeping utensils, gadgets, and cutlery neatly organized

• Making everyday tools quick and easy to find

• Creating a clean, clutter-free look inside every drawer

Even better? Drawer dividers can be fully customized to fit the exact tools you reach for most—whether that’s spatulas, knives, or baking gadgets—so your drawers stay organized in a way that works perfectly for you.

How Do I Pick Cabinet Organizers That Actually Work In My Small Kitchen?

Want to have next level organization in you own kitchen? View some completed kitchen remodels in our kitchen gallery for some inspiration. Stop by our showroom to see all the amazing storage solutions we offer and test some of them out in person—or better yet, schedule a free consultation with our design team. We’ll help you reimagine your layout and select the features that make sense for your space, your habits, and your lifestyle.

Dream big. Remodel smart. Your small kitchen has more potential than you think!