21 Cheap No-Pantry Solutions for Kitchens With Little Storage

Organizing a kitchen with no pantry is a tough ask.

I know, I have been searching for no-pantry solutions since we moved into our small home.

If you’ve recently downsized or are looking for solutions on how to downsize effectively, these no pantry solutions may be just what you need.

People say that the kitchen is the heart of the home.

But what happens when your kitchen is tiny and you’re out of ideas on where to put your much-needed ingredients and supplies?

Trust me, you aren’t alone in this thought process or issue.

Many homeowners feel the one area of their home that could be a bit bigger is the kitchen space.

A lot of homes don’t have a pantry at all.

If this is your space, don’t fret.

You don’t need a pantry to have a home that’s functional and flows well.

You have just to get a bit clever about it.

Here are some simple no-pantry solutions that could be a game-changer in a small kitchen space.

21 No Pantry Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

From galley kitchens to large open spaces, pantries are not always a “thing”.

If your kitchen is lacking one, try these small pantry ideas instead.

1. Repurpose a bookshelf

Not only does adding a bookshelf to your kitchen work really well but it’s also a super affordable way to make a makeshift pantry.

First off, it’s sleek and slim and can easily go right up against any wall or side of the fridge.

Secondly, it has a ton of space and shelving that can really take your kitchen organization game to another level.

If you’re worried about having an open pantry for the world to see, just sew fun and funky curtains to hang up and put over the front of your pantry bookshelf.

2. Use a rolling pantry

The slimline rolling pantry pictured above is a clever way to utilize any spare space between your refrigerator and wall or any other narrow gap.

Simply roll away when you’re done.

3. Hang open shelving on blank wall space

More than likely, there is probably blank space on your walls that you could quickly fill with shelving like this Yuanshikj set – pictured above.

This will allow you more room to store your plates, cups or other items as needed.

If you’re not using the wall space for anything, you’re just wasting precious real estate space that could be turned into more storage.

4. Use a Cabidor Storage Cupboard

I have an entire post dedicated to my adoration of this clever storage solution because it’s super-versatile and perfect for small spaces.

The Cabidor is a hinge-mounted behind-the-door storage cupboard that you can use anywhere in your home (with a door, of course).

This is the ideal way to fit a slimline pantry into a tiny kitchen.

5. Invest in stackable storage containers

Stackable storage containers can make your kitchen look more streamlined, especially if they are on open shelving.

Investing in high-quality kitchen storage containers will allow you to reduce a lot of waste in your home.

Plus, if you shop at bulk food stores you can fill up the containers directly and eliminate the packaging waste.

Read our guide to the best dry food storage containers on the market today.

6. Make a pantry in another room

This might not sound perfectly ideal, but it’s a way to get your pantry without having to sacrifice too much.

If you have a storage closet or space in another area of your home, who says you can’t turn that space into the perfect kitchen pantry for yourself?

All it will do is cause you to have to take a few more steps to get to it, but walking is always a good thing anyway, right?

Put those extra blankets and towels somewhere else in the house and take charge of that hall closet.

What was your storage overflow closet can now be a simple solution for decluttering in your kitchen and creating a functional kitchen pantry as well.

7. Get a stacking can dispenser

These highly-rated can dispensers are designed for maximum space efficiency and ease of access.

You can place them on a countertop or in any cupboard space that fits.

(Pro tip: They are amazing for organizing your fridge, too!).

Some reviewers have noted using them under a dining table or in other non-kitchen spaces.

8. Build a pantry between the studs

Image credit: **Live from Julie’s House**

Julie from Live from Julie’s house has built a pantry between the studs of her walls.

She has written an in-depth tutorial on her blog, which is linked below.

I love this idea and empathize with her on cutting into a lathe and plaster wall – utterly terrifying!

But the result – WOW!

Click here to read the full pantry between the studs tutorial

9. Get a bakers rack

This Mr IRONSTONE bakers rack can be used for many purposes, including as a pantry.

If you don’t like the exposed look, you could easily hang some lovely fabric over the bottom half to cover up the shelving while using the top as a handy place to put your toaster or microwave.

10. Use an over the door rack

If there is a door near your kitchen, you can easily use an over-the-door rack to store many pantry items.

If you want to know how to organize snacks without pantry space, you can put this rack in a nearby closet or a door that exits to the outside.

This is a great way to store extra kitchen supplies in a visible and organized way so it’s easy for you to grab what you need when you need it.

11. Try under-shelf baskets

Maximize any shelf space you have by adding these under-shelf baskets.

You can put whatever you want in these, and they’ll keep things off your shelves for a tidier look.

You can use them on shelves in the cabinet, hanging shelves, a repurposed bookshelf in the kitchen, or any other place they fit.

Best of all, it’s one of the most affordable snack organizer ideas so it works well for most budgets.

12. Invest in a rolling kitchen island

A rolling kitchen island is a great way to expand your kitchen space, allowing for more storage and functionality as a portable pantry.

In addition to the added storage space, you can use the surface of it as a prepping area.

You can store cutting boards, mixing bowls, spices, and whatever else you need within easy reach of where you prepare foods.

They often come with additional small shelves or towel holders along their sides, adding to your storage options.

Portable kitchen islands come with wheels and can easily be moved around your kitchen as needed if you’re limited on space.

13. Use a wall-mounted magnetic Strip

If you often find yourself looking for knives, spoons, and other metal tools that always seem to be hiding, wall-mounted magnetic strips are a great solution.

You can stick these strips on the inside of a cupboard door or even on your refrigerator for an easy way to hang up utensils and other tools as you use them.

This can free up space for snacking and cooking items to go into the space where you previously stored your utensils.

Plus, it makes it much easier for you to grab a knife or cooking utensil when you need it.

14. Repurpose a drawer organizer for snacks

Drawer organizers are super handy for keeping your silverware in excellent condition.

But did you know that you can use them to keep your snacks accessible and organized?

This is one of the best snack organizer ideas because you can find one to fit the size and shape of any drawer, so no matter your storage limitations, you can use this cheap solution for snack storage!

Many organizers come with multiple trays, so you don’t have to worry about digging through a single layer to get what you need.

This helps keep snacks separated for fast and easy access.

They are also accessible to kids in the family since they are placed lower in a drawer, so this helps you to encourage healthy snacking with readily available snacks.

15. Get hanging baskets

Hanging baskets are most commonly used for fruits and vegetables in the kitchen.

However, they’re a clever solution for snack storage ideas as well.

They take advantage of vertical space and are usually quite attractive.

You can hang one or several of these from the ceiling for better snack visibility and access.

Hang them from the ceiling, and use additional rope or ribbon to hang them at the perfect length so they are easy to access.

You can also use them as room dividers if you have an open-plan kitchen or live in a small studio.

16. Use a pegboard

Pegboards are traditionally used for hanging tools and other hardware.

However, you can also use them to store chips, crackers, dried fruit, cereal, and other snacks in bags or boxes to create the perfect makeshift pantry.

You just need to be creative with how you hang them up.

You can attach baskets to the pegboard for easy access or use clothespins to hang chip packets from the pegboard hooks.

You could even drill holes and attach a large key ring to hold snack-size bags of pretzels, popcorn, and other snacks.

It’s an easy way to create a full pantry look without shelling out for another storage solution that may not work or be as versatile as this one.

17. Use Command Strips

Command strips are a versatile solution for keeping your items in place without getting in the way of your cooking space.

Use them to mount a small magnetic strip on a cupboard door or sidewall and attach knives, spoons, forks, scissors, measuring spoons and cups, skewers, etc.

You can also use Command strips to attach hooks, which you can use for towels, measuring cups, cupcake liners, etc.

This can be a great way to use your vertical space for storage in an apartment with little kitchen cabinet space to spare.

The best part about these strips is that you can use them on most surfaces in your kitchen, as long as they aren’t too textured.

You can also get Command strips in different shapes, sizes, and strengths to suit your needs.

18. Install some hooks

In addition to Command hooks, there are plenty of other types of hooks that you can use for easy access in a small kitchen.

Under-cabinet hooks are a space-saving solution for kitchens with cabinets below countertops.

You can install these under your upper cabinets to store spices, pans, utensils, or even baking sheets and trays.

This way they don’t take up room in your cabinets and are still in easy reach when needed.

They also work great for storing dish towels, oven mitts, pot holders, etc. so they don’t get lost at the back of a cupboard or drawer where you can’t access them easily.

19. Place an organizer on the side of your fridge

Every kitchen has a refrigerator, so it’s a perfect space to add more storage capacity to your kitchen.

An organizer is an excellent solution for keeping snacks and other daily items at arms reach, so they don’t get lost in the back of your fridge or freezer.

You may also want to consider positioning your fridge so that both sides of it are free and you can hang two organizers on it, doubling your storage capacity.

20. Make more space inside your fridge

The right fridge organizer set can help you keep bulky packages of snacks in your fridge without wasting too much space.

Many small storage containers are specifically designed to fit inside a refrigerator perfectly.

You can use this space to organize your fridge and free up more room in your kitchen cabinets.

These containers are stackable, so you may need several sets if you have a large family or entertain often.

21. Minimize what you have

If you can’t possibly find a way to make a space work in your creation where you can create your own pantry, then it might be time to face the fact that you need to reduce some of the items that you have.

Take stock of your plates, cups, silverware and cooking pans and ask yourself if you’re using them all and if it’s necessary to keep them all.

If you can easily ditch some of them, do so.

Decluttering your kitchen will free up some of the space in your cabinet that you can then use to create a cabinet pantry.

Sometimes, the easiest way to obtain what we want is to get rid of some of the things we already have.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars remodeling your kitchen to have your pantry dreams come to fruition.

Instead, try these simple no-pantry solutions above and see how well they work for you.

If after that you find that they aren’t very good solutions for what you need, you can then dive into the more expensive and time-consuming options and see what might work best for you there.

The point of having a pantry is to create a sense of flow, have a place to store your foods or kitchen supplies and to allow you to have a bit of food stored ahead of time to be able to meal plan for your family.

If you can find a simple storage solution that you can easily implement that will give you all those needs, that’s a total win in my book!

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