10 Things You Should Be Hanging in Your Kitchen for Better Storage
No matter how big your kitchen is, floor space, countertop real estate, and cabinet shelves are always at a premium. One of the best ways to clear up some room is to use your walls (read: hang things up!). Whether you use adhesive hooks, installed hardware, over-the-door racks, or some fancy kind of system, hanging things instead of putting them on a shelf or on the counter will free up usable space and make your kitchen feel more organized and accessible. Plus, a lot of your stuff is probably pretty good-looking — why hide it all?
1. Knives
A big knife block takes up counter space, but throwing your knives into a drawer can nick the blades and be dangerous, too! Solve both problems with a magnetic knife rack, which looks great just about anywhere.
2. Cutting boards
Wooden cutting boards are bulky and stack awkwardly — plus, they’re often some of the more attractive cooking tools in your kitchen. So show them off instead of stuffing them into a cabinet, either solo or as part of a gallery wall, if you have a whole collection.
See more of the space above: You’ll Want to Get on Board with this Gallery Wall Idea
3. Cooking utensils
They take up tons of drawer space, but they don’t have to! Hang them from a rack or individual hooks. Don’t have a free wall? We love this trick from homeowners Rachel & Brian, who put the side of their cabinets to good use.
Tour the space: Rachel & Brian’s Spacious Place in Chicago at Apartment Therapy
4. Pots and pans
Pots and pans take up tons of cabinet space with those big bases and long handles — so hang them up! Beyond the traditional pot rack, S hooks can create spaces to hang them just about anywhere.
Read more about this kitchen: Hanging Pots and Pans in Front of a Window
5. Mugs
This often unstackable drinkware can turn into a display (and free up shelf space, too) when you hang it from hooks. Need inspiration? This shot from Kimberly Duran of Swoonworthy should do the trick.
See more: Is This the Best Way to Organize All Your Mugs?
6. Fruits and vegetables
Fruit baskets used to be a thing, and then they weren’t, and now they’re back! Hanging baskets turn your favorite fruits into part of the room’s design. And you’ll be more likely to reach for a healthy snack, too. Hang a basket and free up some pantry, fridge, and/or counter space.
See more: 3 Fresh Takes on a Hanging Fruit Basket
7. Plants
If you love the idea of plants in the kitchen but don’t have a ton of counter space, consider hanging them from the wall or ceiling. You can also hang herbs and then you’ll get that pop of green and keep some fresh ingredients handy at all times.
Get some ideas: 9 Kitchens with Smart, Inspiring Uses of Plants
8. Aprons
Rather than folding up all your aprons and stashing them in a drawer that could be used for other things, consider hanging them up. Aprons, especially super-colorful ones, can really fun up a space.
See more of this kitchen: Aprons as Wall Art? Yes, Please!
9. Spices
The same kitchen with the aprons (see number 8) also features a spice rack, which hangs from the bottom of upper cabinets. Free up a drawer or shelf by doing the same. You could also get a spice rack and mount it on the wall if you don’t want to mess with your cabinets.
10. Cleaning tools
Cleaning tools tend to be oddly shaped: Long and skinny, short and unstackable, etc. If you have a pantry with a door on it, that could be a great place to hang some dusters and a broom.
See more: A New Traditional Home in the Suburbs at Apartment Therapy