Make The Most Out Of Small Kitchen Cabinets With A Clever Shower Caddy Hack

There's no denying that the KonMari method works well for decluttering a kitchen. But what if you've set aside the things you use and love and ditched the rest (after thanking them), only to discover you still don't have enough space to pack everything without risking an avalanche whenever you open a cupboard? There's actually wasted space that you might not have considered: inside your kitchen cabinet doors. And all it takes to put it to work for you is a plastic-coated Wire Shower Caddy from Dollar Tree. Don't let the name put you off. Just because it's called a shower caddy doesn't mean it can only be used in the bathroom. Remove the label, and you can hang this handy organizational tool wherever it suits you.

The best part about this shower caddy hack is that it doesn't require any special tools. With only a few strategic folds, the caddy is transformed from a spot for shampoo and body wash into a storage solution for flatter kitchen items, like those Tupperware lids that are always going missing. This is especially clever since this sort of thing often takes up valuable cabinet shelf space and is also notoriously tricky to keep neat and accessible.

Start by folding the hanging section at the top back and down. This is so it can go over the cabinet door. Next, you're going to fold the shelves up so they essentially become storage slots for pot lids, cutting boards, or anything else that needs a permanent home and fits the space. Who knows, you might even be able to say goodbye to cluttered kitchen countertops with this DIY storage solution. At a little under 9 inches wide and just over 18 inches in length, the shower caddy will have no problem fitting inside your kitchen cabinet door since standard cabinet sizes range between 12 and 36 inches wide and start at 30 inches in height.

Dollar Tree shower caddies are only available in white, but you can always dress yours up with a coat of plastic-friendly spray paint. You can use a primer and clear top coat if you plan on keeping this for the long haul, but it's not a must. Another option is to add adhesive shelf liner or peel-and-stick wallpaper to the inside of the door. However, this is best used on flat cabinet doors for ease of application.

The one caveat with this storage hack is that hanging it inside your cabinet door might prevent it from closing properly. If the door jutting out slightly doesn't cause your inner neat freak to shudder, you can go ahead and implement it as is. However, if sleek, smooth lines are more your vibe, there is an easy enough workaround. Instead of bending the top to hook it over the door, you can add a couple of Plastic Removable Hooks (also from Dollar Tree) inside the door and hang the caddy that way. Whichever route you go with, you'll have peace of mind knowing that they're both renter-friendly and easy to move if the need ever arises.

The other thing to consider when setting this up is that whatever you store on the inside of the door will extend into the cabinet. What this means is that you can't pack your cupboards to the edge of the shelf, as that space is going to be in use. Still, if you can make it work for you, $3.00 (if you add the hooks) is a small price to pay for organizational bliss. If you would love even more packing space, you can always utilize the bare side of kitchen cabinets to maximize storage even more.