When you have a small kitchen any extra storage space is a must.
We recently discovered the Best Small Kitchen Storage Solution to utilize some unusable cabinet space. It was such a simple solution and with minimum cost.
We are currently renovating our guest cottage and in doing so we discovered an item that we assumed had been sold or donated years ago.
Do you have those spaces in your cabinet that once an item is place there, it’s quickly forgotten to never be seen again?
Well, we had that situation in the guest cottage kitchen.
Best Small Kitchen Storage Solution
We began cleaning out the cabinets when we started our renovations and discover our old ice cream freezer hidden in the back corner where it had not seen the light of day for at least 20 years.
We thought we had sold it at a yard sale or donated it during one of our moves. But no, it was just in that space where thing disappear.

Small Kitchen Storage Problem
The kitchen is very small and the cabinet extends beside the stove. Therefore, the space beyond the stove is where things disappear.

Storage Solution
Fortunately, the back side of the cabinets are exposed to the living area of the guest cottage. Therefore, our solution to this wasted storage space is to create a door from the backside. If you have a similar situation, here’s what you should do.
First, determine what size door is needed for easy access. Use a marker to draw the area for your opening. The opening we cut is approximately 18 by 26 inches.
Then you can use a jigsaw to cut through the wall of the cabinet.
You can now see how much storage was originally hidden when the access was only from the front of the cabinet.

In order to make the space functional and less confusing, we added a divider board between the two spaces.
This is just a simple piece of plywood that we had from another project and it was easily attached and held in place with wood strips and screws.

Door for New Storage Space
Next, we built two frames to create a door for the storage space.
Each frame is built using wood strips that are 2 by 1 inch.
Using a miter saw, cut the wood into the correct lengths for each frame.
The outside dimensions of the larger frame is approx. 20 1/2 by 28 1/2 Inches and the smaller frame is approx. 16 1/2 by 24 inches.

One frame will fit around the new opening and the second frame fits inside the first one.
The frames were built using wood glue and finishing nails.
The cabinet bead board paneling that was cut out to create the opening, is attached to the smaller frame from the back side.
Note: The bead board was trimmed to fit behind the smaller frame and attached with wood glue.
Before installing the new door frames, you will want to paint them with your choice of paint color.

Attach door to new storage space
Next, lay the frames on a table with the smaller one inside the larger. Then using door hinges, attach the smaller frame to the larger frame, making sure they will open and close freely.
Now it’s time to install the frames to create your door.
If your cabinet material is light weight and thin, you will want to add wood strips to the inside of the cabinet. Be sure to position them in the exact location that the screws will be attached from the outside. In addition, you want the wood strips inside the cabinet to be positioned so that the door cannot swing to the inside.

Position your frames over the opening and hold securely as you use wood screws to attach.

Finally, add a latch or door handle to keep the door closed.
Note: You may prefer to have a cabinet door professionally built to match your current cabinetry if you are planning this solution in your home. However, for our rustic guest cottage, this was a low cost solution for us.

New Small Kitchen Storage Space
Since the new storage space is beside the door, leading to the deck, the space is perfect for storing cushions ready to be taken out when guest are arriving.
Now the space is functional and items stored here can be easily seen.

I hope you enjoyed this simple small kitchen storage solution. If you have a space similar to this in your cabinets, you will be amazed at how much more functional your kitchen cabinets can be.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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Linda+Johnston
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
Smart move! We did the same when we renovated a few years ago.
rahrags@gmail.com
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Oh, it makes such a difference.
Marlene Stephenson
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
I actually like your DIY door it's super cute for you new can see storage.
rahrags@gmail.com
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Marlene, Yes, it makes a lot of difference.
Mary from Life at Bella Terra
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
Rachel, what a great idea! I love that you used the panel for the door. You are so creative! Now I need to look around my house to see opportunities like this! So wonderful.
rahrags@gmail.com
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Mary, You are so sweet to stop by. Thanks so much.
Renae
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
Such a great idea! You are brilliant!
rahrags@gmail.com
Thursday 19th of August 2021
renae, Awww, you are so sweet.
stacy
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
I love the storage ideas for the kitchen! That's a great spot for the cushions! xo
rahrags@gmail.com
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Stacy, Thanks for your encouragement.