Kitchen benchtop clutter. It’s something we’re all faced with. You know how it is. It starts with just the toaster. Then the kettle. Then the coffee maker, the airfryer… and soon you’ve used up every inch of counter space. What you need is smart storage for small appliances, and this article has got you covered!
Resident organising expert, Eve Mizzi from Ducks in a Row Home Organisation is back to share her best smart storage solutions on how to store those small kitchen appliance essentials. Let’s reclaim that bench space!
Related article: How to organise a utensil drawer
Related article: How to style and organise your pantry
Words by Eve Mizzi
How to store small appliance can be a tricky one to manage. If you’re building or renovating, consider a built-in storage cupboard, dedicated to small appliances. All the handy gadgets in one place, but tucked neatly away behind closed doors.
But if you’re working with an existing kitchen, don’t stress! There are still plenty of ways to free up counter space and keep your appliances organised.
1. Make use of awkward corners
Corner cupboards are often deep, dark, and hard to access, making them the Bermuda Triangle of kitchen storage. Instead of letting your appliances disappear into the abyss, install swing-out cabinets or pull-out shelves.
Best for…
Stand mixers, slow cookers, blenders, rice cookers and food processors.
Why this works…
They maximise deep storage space while keeping everything within reach.
How to make it happen…
Install a swing-out lazy Susan or pull-out shelves into corner cabinets. These are readily available in places like IKEA, Amazon and other kitchen storage stores.
Tip: If you’re renovating, ask your kitchen designer about custom swing-out shelving to keep your appliances hidden but easily accessible.
2. Use deep drawers
If you already have deep drawers in your kitchen, they can be perfect for small appliance storage. However if you only have shelves, you can install drawer inserts or use drawer organisers to create the same effect.
Best for…
Toasters, slow cookers, blenders, sandwich press
Why this works…
Having easy, pull-out access without having to shuffle everything out of the way to get to the stuff at the back is a game changer. You know it just makes sense!
How to make it happen…
Use soft close deep drawers or add roll-out drawer inserts for shelves and lower cabinets.
Tip: Add drawer dividers or anti-slip mats so appliances don’t move around when you open the drawer.
3. Go for some open storage
If you don’t mind displaying your appliances but want them off the counter, open shelving is a great solution. It keeps your kitchen looking stylish while ensuring your go-to appliances are within reach.
Best for…
Coffee machines, stand mixers, air fryers
Why this works…
It frees up kitchen bench space and gives you easy access to those appliances you always reach for.
How to make it happen…
A stand alone shelf is ideal as it gives you maximum storage space. These styles of open shelves are readily available, come in a range of materials, sizes and budgets.
Shelving units on wheels (sometimes called a kitchen cart or serving cart) are another great option.
Alternatively, you could go for floating shelves or wall-mounted racks if you only have limited space available.
Tip: Keep shelves looking tidy by using matching baskets or containers to store cords and small appliance attachments and accessories.
4. Create a dedicated small appliances station
If you have the space, a dedicated small appliances cupboard is the ideal solution on how to keep things clutter free. Better yet, have powerpoints installed inside the cupboard so you can store, charge and use them all in the one spot.
For those of us who don’t have a dedicated small appliances cupboard, grouping similar appliance and items is the next best thing.
Grouping similar appliances into dedicated zones makes your kitchen more efficient and eliminates clutter. For example, a coffee and tea station — store your coffee maker, kettle, mugs, tea bags and accessories together in the one space.
Love to bake? Having a baking station is a great solution to keep all your bits and bobs together for when you want to get creative in the kitchen.
Another top idea is having a breakfast zone. Store your toaster, blender and breakfast accessories in the same spot for a smoother running morning (well, we hope this would help but can’t make any promise if you snooze that alarm!).
Tip: Group similar items together in baskets or containers to keep things neat, tidy and easily accessible.
No matter the size of your kitchen, smart storage solutions can help keep your small appliances out of sight but easily accessible. Whether you’re renovating or just making small changes, these tips will help you free up counter space and create a functional, organised kitchen.
More home organising tips
Meet the expert
Eve Mizzi is the founder and head organiser at Ducks in a Row Home Organisation. She loves nothing more than sorting, clearing and organising all day long. Based in Melbourne, she and her dedicated team help busy people get their homes tidy, feel less stressed and give them back more time to do what they really care about.
Website: yourducksinarow.com.au
Instagram: @yourducksinarow
