Regardless of the size of your kitchen, two complaints always top homeowners’ lists: not having enough storage space or not being able to use it effectively. But while these issues may have been a major source of frustration in the past, today’s your lucky day: We’re here to give you six tips for expanding your storage with everything from low-budget appliances to high-end kitchen cabinets. Read on to find out how to solve your kitchen problems the smart and easy way, which may even leave you with room to spare!

1. Decide on drawers

Switching from cabinet doors to drawers is one of the hottest trends in the industry this year…and for good reason! While cabinet doors and chaos go hand in hand, full-extension drawers are a much more practical and tidy solution, allowing you to see all of your contents without having to bend down or move items out of the way. All you need to get a complete overview of your drawers is one glance – as long as you’ve organized them, that is!

2. Opt for the Organization

Our advice to keep your drawers organized leads us to the next point: how to systematize them effectively. After all, your drawers are only as good as their organization: if they’re crammed full of messy items, it won’t matter if they spill out! By making use of organizers such as shelves, dividers or trays, you will be able to locate items quickly and easily, ensuring that your high-quality kitchen cabinets live up to their potential.

3. Take advantage of the corners

Sometimes we can’t have it all: No matter how much we want a flawless kitchen design, the size and shape of the room and cabinets may not match. But instead of letting awkward angles and corners sit empty, why not think outside the box? Perhaps you could fill the space with the pantry you’ve always wanted, a shelf for cookbooks and nutritional guides, or wall hooks, from which you can hang bulky pots and pans. Regardless of where your creative ideas take you, you’ll reap the benefits when you realize how much you’ve tidied up your countertops and cabinets.

4. Invest in the kitchen island

Too often, kitchen islands are seen as primarily decorative, serving only as a casual dining area or a place to toss (and then forget about) sundries. If these are the only functions of your own island, it’s time to dig a little deeper: couldn’t it also serve as the ideal storage space? The answer is a resounding yes – you can equip the base with high-quality kitchen cabinets. Once again, the installation of drawers is probably the best option to optimize space and organization. Oh, and while you’re at it, why not clean up the stuff that’s sitting on your island countertop and put it away in your new drawers?

5. Clean your cabinets

Even if you switch to drawers, your kitchen may still have top rows of cabinets that could use a makeover. Instead of pushing items into their dark depths, it’s worth adding shelving to the interior space to improve visibility and organization. What’s more, you can use over-the-door hangers for everything from pots and pans to aprons and cleaning towels. When you think about it, it’s amazing how much potential storage space often goes unused!

6. Clever additions

Now, if you’re on a budget, or try all these tips and space is still tight, don’t give up just yet: there are a range of simple, budget-friendly solutions that will make a world of difference. High-quality kitchen cabinets and islands are all very well, but investing in a few inexpensive gadgets, like a pegboard for utensils or a magnetic knife rack, can also work. If you don’t have an island or just need extra storage space, you can also purchase a folding island, which will provide you with additional countertop as well as storage space. And the best part about all of these options is that none of them break the bank!

Whether you’re ready for a complete remodel or looking for a quick fix, these six storage tips promise not to disappoint. From installing high-quality kitchen cabinets and islands to maximizing the storage potential of your existing space, you’re certainly not short of options—all you have to do is get creative!