Storage Ideas for Little Upper Cabinets
Today I am sharing a quick and simple storage solution for little upper cabinets. This has been working so well in our kitchen for over a year or so now, that I felt like I road tested it enough to finally snap some pictures and share it with you guys! It’s about these little mini cabinets we have above our kitchen sink. Do you have any of these in your kitchen?
What do you have in yours’? In previous homes, these little upper cabinets were either stuffed with miscellaneous, unimportant, and forgotten items…or left completely empty due to their awkward size and location. When trying to figure out how best to use these cabinets, I came across THESE Target baskets and they were a PEEEEEEFECT fit. Wanna see?
Products Featured In this Post!
DYMO Label Maker | Martha Stewart Metal Bookplates | Washi Tape | Room Essential’s Decorative Storage Basket
These baskets fit into the little upper cabinet cubbies so perfectly that I now feel like I better use every inch of these shelves. And better yet? Things don’t get stuffed up in there, all the way in the back where I can’t see or reach them!
NOTE – I bought the turquoise and blue years ago; Target changes the color options for these exact baskets each season, so you may or may not be able to find the same colors! The size I used is “Medium Y Weave Basket.“
As a result, these baskets come down almost daily (if not several times a day) and are our most organized and useful nook in the kitchen! I would have never said that about these little upper cabinets before, that’s for sure!
So what all do I have stored in these wide and long but short baskets? Let me show you!!!!
First up, one of my favorite storage solutions in our entire house: Sippy Cups! No more of these cups rolling around, with mis-matched (or lost!) lids, within the ranks of our regular cups and glasses Now, all the sippy and snack cups are stored in one easy-to-grab basket. Positioned above the sink and dishwasher, this basket is easily grabbed half a dozen times a day!
Two other baskets store our plastic tubs and lids for leftovers. I’m pretty excited about this one; truth be told, this is the main reason I am sharing this whole post with you today. I had a “eureka!” moment while figuring out how to store my tupperware. Instead of storing matching tops and bottoms together, I store the containers in one basket and the lids in the other. “Eureka!!!” right?
Okay, maybe you’re not nearly as excited as I was. But hear me out! While this system does require me to pull down both baskets anytime I want to pack up leftovers, I no longer have mountains of containers that fall over every time I remove one. More so, emptying the dishwasher and loading these baskets back up takes no time, rather than matching up and (precariously) placing stacks of tupperware onto shelves.
One more disclaimer here. We don’t have tons of plastic containers, so this might not work for you if you have a large collection. AND, I don’t keep really large containers, as I choose to store larger things either 1) in plastic bags that freeze flat or 2) glass dishes that can go right into the oven. I genuinely love having my containers stored like this. If you have a mountain of plasticware giving you a headache, give this method a try!
Learn more: The Easiest Way to Organize Food Storage Containers
My last basket stores our spices. And you better believe that I spent months trying to come up with a better (and prettier!) spice storage solution than this one.
Here’s the thing though. I stopped trying to figure out a better spice solution months ago when….this was working so well. Admittedly, I could use some labels on the tops of the jars to prevent me from having to search through each bottle just to find the paprika; but otherwise, having all my spices in one easy-to-grab basket has been an awesome solution for our family. Again, I don’t have un-sturdy towers of spices toppling over each time I need one; they aren’t taking up precious shelf or cabinet space; and they are all in one, tidy location. This is just another one of those “give it a try” ideas if your current spice solution isn’t working. It’s working really, really well for us. However, just looking at these pictures is making me crazy for a prettier presentation. I haven’t given up yet – I might keep thinking on that one!
Psssst…I finally labeled all my spices! Read more about it HERE.
For a long time, these baskets weren’t labeled and I didn’t really have any trouble keeping them straight. But it has been easier for guests (and my husband!) to have them labeled. I took a cue from Jen and used some stick-on bookplates, washi tape, and a label maker to give each basket a simple little descriptor!
It’s like the baskets were made to fit these cabinets! Love!
What do you think? Do you have little upper cabinets in your kitchen? How do you keep them organized? Think you might give the basket idea a try?
Other Great Kitchen Storage Solutions
Ready to organize the rest of your kitchen? I’ve got you covered with more easy solutions!- How to Organize a Pantry
- How to Organize Baking Pans
- How to Organize Kitchen Drawers
- How to Organize Corner Kitchen Cabinets
- How to Organize Upper Kitchen Cabinets
- How to Organize Cabinets Under the Kitchen Sink
- How to Organize Small Appliances Inside Kitchen Cabinets
- How to Organize Spices
- How to Organize Coffee Mugs
- How to Organize K-Cups
- How to Organize Recipes
- How to Organize Ziplock Bags
- What to Do with Dirty Dish Towels
- How to Make Pantry Labels
Megan
76 Comments on “Storage Ideas for Little Upper Cabinets”
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Here’s what I did with that space! https://b4andafters.com/adding-kitchen-cabinet-open-shelving/
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I experienced the excitement behind storing your plastic containers in separate tubs like that a short while ago.. dont be ashamed , I was amazed by the organization
I just signed up for your kitchen course and can’t wait!
We use an inexpensive plastic lazy susan for our spices. All the most used are on the exterior, and others inside. We keep a couple things, like salt, beside it in the cabinet.
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I keep my Thanksgiving dishes up there. As a short person there is no way for me to get anything up that high without a ladder.
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Never, ever put spices above a heat source, NEVER!!!!
Thanks for chiming in, but these cabinets are above a sink not a stove! But good to know, thanks!
Megan
You just gave me a great idea for some of my cabinets and shelves. I have two cabinets that are really deep and the way they are situated, one wouldn’t want anything they use regularly in the way back of the cabinet because they would have to dig out what’s in front in order to access it. I’d never considered using baskets for this! I’m going to do this for sure. I’m so thrilled. Thank you!
In ktichen’s that i have had these small cabinets I put two round “spinner” turntables and put oils , large salt , vingar etc. This works great since i am too short to reach the back of the cabinet.
I have to say I’m super excited I found your post about the little upper kitchen cabinets. I think that’s something alot of people might think do but I sure didn’t. It might be because I haven’t started putting away the kitchen yet. We just bought our first home and we have lower kitchens cabinets and upper cabinets but above the upper ones we have more. The are small but they are above all the upper kitchen cabinets. So far I’ve looked at them everyday wondering what I’m going to do with them. We definitely have stuff we don’t use alot I plan on putting up there. I kept thinking it would be nice to be able to put other stuff up there and not have to cliam on the counter to get it down. Especially if its stuff we use alot. Just wanted to say thank you! I’ll definitely be giving this a try.
Hi Jess!
So glad you found these ideas helpful! Those little cabinets are tricky for sure, but in my experience, baskets are key to getting those higher-up things down with ease!Congrats on the new home!Megan
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Same here.. I have my spices there. If you need somethin to store it in. Use box or anything else that fits in there. I have some carton boxes that I decorated (glued some nice napkins around the carton). You don’t have to buy expensive baskets – use what you have. 🙂
Hi Megan, This is a great idea, but my little cabinets are over the fridge, so not as easy to access as yours. I just store things I need very infrequently there.
The reason I’m commenting though, is because your blog and one other blog that I follow started behaving wonky over the weekend. I was happily reading your post, and suddenly, there is a big white space on the right side of the screen, and your ads that rotate are appearing OVER the text of your blog, on the left hand side of the screen–making it very difficult to read your blog! I’ve been to a couple of “blog hops” since the weekend, clicking on numerous blogs, and yours and the one other are the only ones giving me this problem. I hope you can fix this. I LOVE your blog!
Thank you.. These are helpful tips. Tq so much dear..
This is a fantastic idea for our small over-the-stove/microwave cupboard! Always wondered what to do with our collection of teas stored in this cupboard- Thanks!
You’re welcome! Yes, those cabinets can be tricky but this basket trick has worked brilliantly for us!
Have a great start to your week!
Megan
I have used the turn tables. Works great for above the sink
I have already copied some of your ideas, thanks! I love your spice container above the stove idea. I hope you don’t mind if I share one of mine. I have the same white shelf that you have above your stove. I have a kind of high and wide (33″) bit of wall space next to my stove. I put 4 white shelves like you have above your stove in the high and wide column next to my stove and filled the shelves with spices. I have a lot of spices now and room for plenty more! lol We travel a lot and I collect souvenir coffee cups from the places we visit. I have four of the same type white shelves in a column in a cubby above my sink where I put my mugs from traveling. They remind me of all the adventures that we have had! Thanks for sharing all of your ideas. After living in the same spot for 23 years we’ve moved 6 times in the last 3 years.
Baskets are a great idea! I have recently remodeled my kitchen. The one thing I love is more drawers rather than cupboards for lower storage.
A lot of my ideas came from pintrest. So many great ideas to the point of spending too much time scrolling! I love it!
My little cabinets are over my fridge and they’re set back at least 12″ from the front of the fridge making them hard to get to for this 5’4″ woman!
But I like your idea so I finally thought about less used items taking up valuable space: Voila picnic items on one side and grandkid’s dishes and utensils in the other side! Brilliant! 2 shelves cleared for more important things.
We took the shelf out and keep the liquor/wine in ours……haha.
I’ve never had a cabinet over the sink like that one you have, but I do have two uppers. One is deep, counter depth over the refrigerator. It’s 32 in wide and has no shelves and two doors without a stile between the doors. I used an expandable rack and filled it with large baking pans, cookie sheets and my electric griddle standing on its side. My other is over my microwave. It’s upper counter depth, same width as the other. It houses small metal baking pans, like round cake pans. There’s no vent pipe in that cabinet so I have the whole space. My rules of them for both areas are nothing breakable, nothing used daily or multiple times a week. I keep glass and ceramic in a lower cabinet. The racks I used are from Amazon.
Hi what is the best liner to put down under kitchen sink and under cooktop while storing pots and pans?