The Smart Trick That Keeps Cutting Boards Organized And Off Your Countertops

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Organizing the kitchen requires a balance between tidiness and functionality. As much as you may want to tuck everything away into a cabinet for clutter-free countertops and shelves, fishing out a particular item, such as a cutting board, can become incredibly tedious. But if you leave cutting boards out on the counter, they can quickly become one of the things that are making your small kitchen look even more crowded. Luckily, there is a solution that creates storage for cutting boards while staying surprisingly hiddenmounting brackets underneath your upper kitchen cabinets to hold the boards.

This hack is a great way to avoid some of the common storage mistakes people make with cutting boards. Drawers and cabinets are not usually well-ventilated, so if your cutting board gets damp, it can be a recipe for bacteria or mold that can contaminate your food. Ventilation is also why many people advise you to store cutting boards vertically. When stored underneath your cabinets, even horizontally, they should receive lots of airflow that prevents them from trapping moisture. Just be sure to choose a bracket that leaves enough space between the boards and the upper cabinets.

If you want to try this hack to create clever storage for cutting boards, there are plenty of bracket options. Some allow you to mount them with screws, while others can be held up with adhesives, making them renter-friendly. With proper measuring and care, this cutting board storage trick can solve your cluttered countertop problems.

Before deciding on a bracket, check the length, height, and width to ensure that your boards fit within them. If you have thin cutting boards, it may be tempting to stack multiple boards in one bracket, but this can lead to the aforementioned moisture retention issues. Instead, purchase multiple brackets or a style that separates the boards, such as the Home in Bold Under Cabinet Metal Cutting Board Rack on Amazon for about $30. Once you find your brackets, use your cutting board measurements to place them on the underside of your upper cabinets so that your board can slide in securely. If you choose to store a glass cutting board in the brackets, make sure they are very secure.

The final thing to consider before mounting the brackets is the location. In a small kitchen, you might be limited, but if you have more space, you can install the brackets directly above where you normally use them. You might keep one board near your produce and another near the sink, or just keep them near your knives. It is also important to keep cutting boards away from heat to prevent warping, cracking, and melting, so do not install the brackets near the stovetop or oven. If you have a particularly sunny kitchen, you may want to avoid window areas, too. The right location can make this trick even more convenient, and for even better results in your kitchen, consider trying another simple organization tip that'll keep your kitchen counters clutter-free.