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In this guide
- Storage hacks for your kitchen appliances by use
- 1. Vertical storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- 2. Under-cabinet storage solutions
- 3. Appliance garages: classic storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- 4. Use cabinet doors
- 5. Pull-out drawers and grouping by frequency
- 6. Multi-purpose storage solutions
- Create appliance stations
- 7. Tame the cords
- 8. Declutter and donate unused appliances
- Small-space storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- Products for storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- FAQs about storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- Final thoughts
Small appliances are one of the main reasons kitchen counters disappear. The coffee maker, toaster, blender, air fryer, stand mixer and multi-cooker each seem essential, but together they can swallow every inch of prep space. The fix isn’t necessarily owning fewer appliances (though that helps). It’s giving each one a home that matches how often you use it.
These efficient storage hacks for your kitchen appliances will help you clear the counters, find what you need quickly and make even a small kitchen work harder.
Quick answer: The best storage hacks for your kitchen appliances are to group appliances by how often you use them, keep only daily-use items on the counter, use an appliance garage or a cabinet with a pull-out shelf near an outlet, store heavy appliances low, use vertical shelves and under-cabinet space, tame cords with wraps, put small appliances on sliding trays and use a rolling cart for overflow. Donate appliances you haven’t used in a year.
Storage hacks for your kitchen appliances by use
| How often you use it | Where to store it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Counter, appliance garage or sliding tray | Coffee maker, kettle, toaster |
| Weekly | Lower cabinet or pull-out near the counter | Blender, air fryer, food processor |
| Monthly | Pantry or upper cabinet | Waffle maker, slow cooker |
| Seasonally or rarely | High shelves, basement or garage | Ice cream maker, roaster oven |
| Never in the past year | Donate or sell | Duplicates, unused gadgets |
1. Vertical storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
Adjustable shelves and shelf risers inside tall cabinets let you stack lighter appliances and attachments efficiently. Store heavy appliances like stand mixers and multi-cookers on lower shelves to avoid lifting them overhead. Wall-mounted shelves or rails can hold lightweight tools and accessories.
2. Under-cabinet storage solutions
The space under upper cabinets is perfect for mug hooks, paper towel holders and slim mounted appliances such as under-cabinet radios or can openers. Keep heat-producing appliances away from under-cabinet surfaces, and follow manufacturer clearance recommendations, especially for toasters and air fryers.
3. Appliance garages: classic storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
An appliance garage is a cabinet that sits on the counter with a door, so appliances stay plugged in and ready but hidden. If you’re remodeling, add outlets inside the garage. For a quick version, dedicate a corner of the counter and add a tambour or lift-up door, or simply use a cabinet with a pull-out shelf near an outlet. Ventilate well and never run heat-producing appliances inside a closed cabinet.
4. Use cabinet doors
The back of a pantry or cabinet door can hold attachments, lids, measuring cups and recipe cards with slim racks or adhesive hooks. Check the clearance so items don’t hit shelves when the door closes.
5. Pull-out drawers and grouping by frequency
Deep drawers and pull-out shelves are ideal for heavier appliances such as food processors and blenders; you can slide them out instead of lifting them from the back of a cabinet. Group appliances with their attachments, for example the blender with its cups and lids, so everything is in one place.
6. Multi-purpose storage solutions
A rolling cart can serve as a coffee station, extra prep space or appliance storage that moves where you need it. Islands with deep drawers and open shelves can hold several appliances. Multi-function appliances, like a multi-cooker that replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker and pressure cooker, also save space. See our guide to essential kitchen appliances.
Create appliance stations
Grouping appliances by task makes a kitchen easier to use and keeps related accessories together. A coffee station holds the coffee maker or espresso machine, grinder, mugs, filters and beans in one cabinet or cart. A baking station puts the stand mixer, hand mixer, measuring tools and sheet pans near the oven. A smoothie station keeps the blender, cups and frozen-fruit containers together near the fridge. Stations reduce steps, and because each zone has clear boundaries, clutter is less likely to spread across the counter.
7. Tame the cords
Cords make appliances harder to store. Cord wraps that stick to the back of an appliance keep cords neat and prevent tangles. Never wrap cords tightly while an appliance is still hot, and replace any cord that’s frayed or damaged.
8. Declutter and donate unused appliances
Be honest about what you use. If an appliance hasn’t been used in a year, or another appliance does the same job, donate or sell it. Keeping fewer, better appliances is one of the most effective storage hacks of all. Our guide to a kitchen with minimalist design explains how to edit your kitchen.
Small-space storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
- Store appliances in the pantry or a nearby closet and bring them out as needed.
- Use a sliding tray under the coffee maker so you can pull it out from under cabinets.
- Choose compact or stackable appliances where possible.
- Mount a microwave over the range or use a microwave drawer.
- Use the space above the refrigerator for rarely used items.
Find more ideas in our space-saving solutions and 8 ways to create more space in your kitchen.
Safety note: Let appliances cool completely before storing them, unplug appliances you aren’t using, avoid overloading a single outlet or power strip, and keep air fryers, toasters and coffee makers away from cabinets and curtains while in use.
Products for storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
1. Appliance Slider Sliding Tray, 12 x 16 Inch
A sliding tray that lets you pull a coffee maker or air fryer out from under cabinets.
- Size12 x 16 in
- ColorBlack
- UseCoffee makers, air fryers, mixers
- FeatureSmooth sliding base
Pros
- Easy access under cabinets
- Protects counters
- Simple to use
Cons
- Check weight capacity
- Measure appliance footprint
Who it’s best for
Coffee makers and air fryers tucked under upper cabinets.
Good to know before you buy
Check the weight capacity, and pull heat-producing appliances out before use.
2. Appliance Cord Organizer, 8-Pack
Adhesive cord wraps that keep appliance cords neat and tangle-free.
- Quantity8
- MountAdhesive
- UseSmall appliance cords
- FitMost small appliances
Pros
- Neater storage
- Prevents tangles
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Don’t wrap cords on hot appliances
- Clean surface before sticking
Who it’s best for
Keeping appliance cords neat in cabinets and drawers.
Good to know before you buy
Let appliances cool before wrapping cords.
3. Rolling Kitchen Cart, 3-Tier with Wood Top
A three-tier rolling cart with a wood tabletop for appliances and extra prep space.
- Tiers3
- TopWood
- MobilityWheels
- UseAppliances, coffee station, pantry
Pros
- Moves where you need it
- Extra prep surface
- Flexible storage
Cons
- Lock wheels before use
- Check weight limits
Who it’s best for
Small kitchens that need flexible storage and prep space.
Good to know before you buy
Lock the wheels and stay within the weight limit.
4. FOMANSH Under-Cabinet Mug Rack, 12 Hooks
An under-shelf rack that hangs up to 12 mugs to free cabinet space.
- Capacity12 mugs
- MountSlides onto shelf or cabinet
- UseMugs, cups
- BrandFOMANSH
Pros
- Frees cabinet space
- No drilling
- Great for coffee stations
Cons
- Check shelf thickness
- Not for heavy items
Who it’s best for
Freeing cabinet space at a coffee station.
Good to know before you buy
Check that it fits your shelf thickness.
FAQs about storage hacks for your kitchen appliances
Where should I store small kitchen appliances?
Keep daily-use ones on the counter or in an appliance garage, weekly ones in lower cabinets and rarely used ones in the pantry or high shelves.
How do I hide appliances in a small kitchen?
Use an appliance garage, pull-out shelf, rolling cart or nearby closet.
Is it safe to store appliances in a cabinet?
Yes, once they’re cool and unplugged. Don’t operate heat-producing appliances inside closed cabinets.
How do I store heavy appliances?
Keep them on low shelves or pull-outs to avoid lifting them overhead.
What can I do with appliances I rarely use?
Store them out of the main kitchen or donate them if you haven’t used them in a year.
How do I organize appliance cords?
Use adhesive cord wraps or ties, and never wrap cords on hot appliances.
Final thoughts
The most efficient storage hacks for your kitchen appliances start with one question: how often do you use it? Keep daily appliances handy, store weekly ones nearby, move rarely used ones away and donate the rest. Add pull-outs, sliding trays, cord wraps and a rolling cart, and your counters will finally have room for cooking. For more styling ideas, see our guide to open shelving displays.
