[10 Min] Over Bulky Dish Racks? These Dollar Tree Alternatives Save Space And Money

Tired of squeezing a cutting board into the inches of counter space you have left next to the awkward dish rack every time you make a meal? Countertop dish racks can take up a lot of useful kitchen space and, let's be honest, can also be a bit of an eyesore. But when you wash dishes by hand, you have to put them somewhere to dry, right? Many people don't have the time or energy to dry each dish, cup, fork, and spoon before putting them away. Plus, air drying the dishes is more sanitary than doing it by hand with a kitchen towel. But that clunky contraption on the counter isn't your only option.

Fancy, wall-mounted dish racks free up a ton of coveted meal prep area, but not everyone wants to make that kind of investment. Fortunately, you can ditch that old school dish rack and grab one of these amazing, budget-friendly, and space-saving alternatives. From seasonal drying mats to unique DIY air dry stations, you can say goodbye to bulky dish racks and try a cute and affordable Dollar Tree Alternative.

Home Collection's Bees Drying Mat only requires  12 by 18 inches of counter space and can be rolled, folded, or otherwise put away with the dry dishes. Although it's so cute, you might just want to leave it out or drape it over the oven door handle to show it off in between loads. The bee print is a great way to liven things up, add a little touch of personality, or impress your mother-in-law, who kindly pointed out that your kitchen could use a little more pizazz.

If busy prints aren't your thing, you can still capitalize on Home Collection Dish Drying Mat's space-saving features. Just grab one of the solid color options. They have neutrals like black, beige, and a light blue for a pop of color. With these dish drying mats, you can say goodbye to cluttered dish racks that take up space and hello to saving both space and money. A single 12-by-18-inch mat will only cost you $1.50. At that price, you could even buy a few and swap them out for different looks.

To save even more space and add a touch of holiday cheer, opt for the Christmas House Red and Green Plaid Dish Drying Mat. This is a great option if you want something to keep out all the time or if you're just doing a few dishes throughout the day. It's the perfect combination of festive and functional for cleaning up after Christmas cocoa and holiday cookies. The compact size makes it convenient to use for other things, like a place to set your produce after it's been rinsed off.

When you need every square inch of counter space you can get, grab one of the Cooking Concepts Non-Slip Sink Mats from Dollar Tree. You simply place it in one side of the sink so dishes can dry without taking up any extra space. The mat allows for air flow under the dishes for efficient drying. With a measurement of 12 by 9 inches, it can fit into nearly any sink, keeping your counters clear.

If you still want a more traditional dish drying rack, but something that doesn't quite take up your entire kitchen, this Essentials White Wire Dish Drying Rack from Dollar Tree could be exactly what you need. It measures about 11-by-5 inches and has four slots. You can set it inside the sink to save counter space or place a drying mat underneath it to keep water off your countertops. This works great for doing a few dishes throughout the day, when you don't need to dry a lot at once.

This Dollar Tree Essentials Wire Cabinet Shelf is another smaller alternative to traditional dish racks. In fact, it's not technically a dish rack at all but can function like one. Just place a dish drying mat or dish towel on the countertop and place the wire shelf on top. Now you have a double-decker drying space. Place dishes directly on the drying mat and also on the shelf above to double the capacity while still only occupying about 11-by-6 inches of counter space.

For those who still want a good old-fashioned dish rack but simply don't have the space, Dollar Tree offers a small plastic one that will work well for tight spaces. Some dish racks take up nearly two square feet of countertop space, but the Essentials Plastic Dish Drying Rack is only about 14-by-12 inches. This could even fit into a decent-sized sink if you need to clear the counters. This is a great way to save precious kitchen countertop space with a versatile dish-drying rack.

Another unconventional dish drying option from Dollar Tree is their Essentials Wire Storage Basket Tray. This stylish basket allows for great airflow and can be placed on a dish mat or kitchen towel to catch dripping water. The tray is about 9-by-12 inches, taking up minimal space while adding a unique look to your kitchen. It can easily be stored away under the sink or in a cabinet when not in use, so it's not taking up permanent residence on your countertop. For only $1.50, this is an inexpensive alternative to bulky dish racks.

Who said cooling racks were only for cookie sheets hot out of the oven? Turns out, they also make great dish drying rack alternatives. The Cooking Concepts Metal Cooling Rack at Dollar Tree is 10-by-16 inches and is a great way to elevate your dishes to allow for airflow as they dry. Place a drying mat or kitchen towel beneath it to absorb excess moisture, and you have yourself the perfect space-saving drying station. You can even use a festive kitchen towel to bring a seasonal flair to an otherwise boring dishwashing routine.

For the bare bones minimalists, we offer you the microfiber kitchen towel. Who needs fancy mats or oversized racks when you can just throw down a dishcloth? Obviously, you'll want to make sure you pull a clean one out of the drawer so your sparkling dishes don't end up with residue from when you wiped up that coffee spill earlier in the morning. Since the Dollar Tree's selection of Microfiber Kitchen Towels are only $1.50, you can purchase several seasonal and printed options to switch things up and keep it fresh.