7 Tips to Organize Your Cluttered Kitchen Appliances

Before diving into clever storage hacks, start with a clean slate. Pull out every appliance, big or small, from your cabinets, pantry shelves and counters. If you have a self-storage unit, now’s the time to check your inventory list or pop into your unit for a quick look at what you own. Seeing everything laid out at once makes it easier to decide what really deserves space in your kitchen. Then, you’ll want to:

• Sort into categories. Place items into three groups: everyday essentials (coffee maker, toaster), occasional-use appliances (slow cooker, blender) and rarely used gadgets (ice cream maker, bread machine).
• Be honest about what you actually use. If you haven’t used that popcorn machine in three years, it may be time to consider donating or selling it.
• Streamline duplicates. If you have two hand mixers or three French presses, keep your favorite and let the extras go.

Once you’ve narrowed down what stays, it’s time to give everything a clear “home” based on how often you actually use it. The trick is to keep your kitchen flowing smoothly so you can avoid digging behind stacks of gadgets to reach the one thing you need every morning.

• Keep your daily workhorses within reach. Your coffee maker, toaster and blender should live on the counter or in an easy-access cabinet. These are the items you’ll grab without thinking.
• Tuck away any occasional appliances. Tools like slow cookers, air fryers or food processors don’t need prime real estate. A lower cabinet or pantry corner works perfectly for appliances you pull out a few times a month.
• Rotate in seasonal gear. Some items, like turkey roasters, fondue pots, pressure canners, grilling gear and ice cream makers, really only shine during certain times of year. Instead of letting them take up cabinet space year-round, store them in a labeled bin or shelf outside of the kitchen, or in self storage if you’re tight on space.

With your appliances prioritized, the next step is to make every inch of storage space count. Deep cabinets and pantry shelves often become black holes where small appliances disappear, so it pays to use tools that bring order to the chaos. Adding pull-out shelves or risers can double your usable space and make it easier to see what you own, while a lazy Susan in a corner cabinet ensures smaller gadgets don’t get lost at the back. 

Grouping appliances and their attachments together — like storing a food processor with its blades or a stand mixer with its attachments — also cuts down on wasted time hunting for pieces when you’re in the middle of cooking. Even vertical space can be put to work by mounting hooks under cabinets for handheld mixers or by installing a simple wall rack for lightweight gadgets. This allows you to fit more things and also to create a system where every item has a place and can be accessed without hassle, even during the busiest cooking days of the year.

Creating a dedicated space for your appliances ensures they stay organized and accessible, no matter the size of your kitchen. 

For Pantry Owners

If you’re lucky enough to have a pantry, carve out a section specifically for appliances instead of mixing them in with dry goods. This keeps your shelves from feeling chaotic and makes it easy to grab what you need without disturbing your food storage. Dedicate one shelf to heavier appliances like stand mixers or bread machines, and use upper shelves for lighter gadgets you don’t reach for as often.

For Apartment or Tiny-Home Dwellers

Not everyone has a walk-in pantry, and that’s where creative solutions come in. A freestanding shelving unit or a sturdy rolling utility cart can serve as a “mini-pantry” for appliances, giving you a compact but efficient hub that keeps tools together. Look for slim units that tuck into tight corners or even between the fridge and wall to maximize otherwise wasted space.

Label and Streamline

No matter your setup, labeling bins or shelves helps eliminate the guesswork when it’s time to find the right tool. Keep attachments and accessories stored with their main appliance so you’re never left digging through a drawer for a missing blade or cord.

The holiday season often brings oversized baking projects, bulk grocery hauls and serving platters that don’t normally see the light of day, so it’s important to anticipate that extra load before it hits. Start by clearing a dedicated spot for holiday essentials, whether it’s flour and sugar for cookies or trays for entertaining. If your shelves are already packed, consider rotating out appliances and gadgets you won’t need until after the holidays, and store them in a labeled bin or in your self-storage unit. This not only frees up precious cabinet space but also ensures that everything you do need is close at hand when the kitchen is at its busiest.

Self storage can be a game-changer for keeping your kitchen organized, but knowing what belongs there (and how to pack it properly) makes all the difference.

What You Can Store

Appliances that are bulky or reserved for special occasions are perfect candidates for self storage, where they’ll be protected but not take up valuable cabinet space. These include items such as:

• Stand mixers, espresso machines and extra coffee makers that you don’t need every day but want to keep for entertaining or seasonal baking.
• Blenders, slow cookers, juicers and food processors that can be rotated in and out depending on your cooking habits.
• Large roasting pans, stockpots, special utensils and oversized serving dishes that otherwise crowd your cupboards.
• Fragile glassware, pitchers and stemware that deserve safekeeping when not in use.
• Party-specific appliances such as fondue sets and chocolate fountains are fun to have on hand but rarely see action.

What You Shouldn’t Store

While self storage is great for appliances and kitchen equipment, it’s important to remember that food items are never a good fit. In fact, storage units prohibit the storage of any food or beverage items. This is because even sealed or canned goods can spoil or leak, which can attract pests over time. This means you cannot store:

• Dry ingredients like flour, sugar, pasta and rice.
• Pantry staples such as oils, condiments, soups and canned goods, even if they are unopened.
• Any perishable items, frozen or otherwise.

How to Store Appliances Properly

To keep your kitchen tools in good condition while they’re in storage, it’s worth taking a few extra steps before boxing them up. Always clean appliances thoroughly and dry them completely to prevent mold or lingering odors. Whenever possible, pack them back into their original boxes, which are designed for both protection and a snug fit, or use sturdy bins lined with bubble wrap or soft padding. Fragile parts like glass carafes, mixing bowls, lids, etc., should be wrapped individually to avoid chips and cracks. Finally, resist the urge to stack boxes directly on the floor — placing them on shelves or pallets adds a layer of protection against moisture, keeping your appliances safe until the next time you need them.

One of the easiest ways to save money on kitchen appliances is to shop with the sales calendar in mind. Major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Black Friday often bring steep discounts on everything from countertop mixers to air fryers, while January is a great time to find markdowns on small appliances as retailers clear out inventory. If you know you’ll need an extra slow cooker for entertaining or a stand mixer for your growing baking projects, buying during these sales and tucking the item safely into your self-storage unit until you’re ready to use it can be a smart strategy. Storage units offer a secure space to store boxed appliances, eliminating clutter from your kitchen. This ensures that when the busy holiday season arrives, you'll have what you need on hand at a fraction of the price.

That said, it’s important to shop intentionally rather than impulsively. Just because an appliance is marked down doesn’t mean it’s worth the space — or the money — if you’re not actually going to use it. So before you add an extra gadget to your cart, ask yourself whether it will truly serve a purpose in your cooking routine. The last thing you want is to turn your storage unit into a graveyard for unused appliances.

Ready to find a storage unit for your kitchen appliances? Use our Storage Locator to find a facility near your college campus. For more tips on staying organized, head to the SmartStop blog.