1. Vintage charm. If you’ve got a spare wall or part thereof, don’t automatically jump to adding built-in units. A vintage dresser or armoire can store your plates just as well, and adds a bit of personality, too. I like this painted hutch from County Living.

2. Open it up. With that same wall, you could also try some open, industrial-style shelving. These blue-painted shelves, also from Country Living, look lovely, and the metal boxes keep things neat.

3. Pretty pegboard. Pegboard might not be a new idea, but it’s still a pretty good one. You can paint it any colour, and use as much or as little as you like. Go for a small square on the wall, a larger piece covering the back of a door, even a whole wall. This lovely teal board comes from Australian mag Inside Out, via Apartment Therapy.

4. Through the cupboard door. The slim space just inside a cupboard or pantry door can be a great find. Think of a magnetic strip for knives, a hook for spare tea towels, or a slim custom-built spice rack. In this image from Martha Stewart, pot lids are held up with towel racks.

5. Frame it. Got something pretty to show off? A storage frame, like this one I found via Living etc, is fantastic for showing off cups and smaller items. This is from Heal’s, but I bet an old frame, some plywood and a lick of paint would make a great DIY version, too.

6. Roll with it. A butcher block, trolly or other small unit on wheels can make a great occasional storage and work space. Choose something that fits in with your decor, and then simply roll it where and when you need it. Bonus points if there are shelves underneath, like in this example from Apartment Therapy.

7. Hanging out. Simply looking up can reveal several unexplored storage options. The classic over-island pot rack is a good example, but even mounting a single hanging rail can keep utensils out of the way and free up your countertop. The space under cupboards works well, as does a patch of bare wall, like in this kitchen from Marie Claire Maison.

8. Up, up and away. In some kitchens the cabinets go right up to the ceiling, but in others, there’s a bit of headspace. Make that work for you by tucking rarely-used but attractive (or simply decorative) items out of the way, as in this room from Domino (RIP) which I found at Little Green Notebook. Just make sure you’ve got a sturdy chair or stepladder at the ready, if and when you need to get them down again.

9. Under covers. We don’t often see tablecloths in a kitchen anymore, but consider this: a floor-sweeping fabric can hid a multitude of sins- er, stuff. Choose a beautiful colour or print, as in this photo from Canadian House & Home, and it’ll add a whiff of French country glamour, too.

10. Skirting the issue. Similar to the last tip, I’ve got a total weakness for skirted work tops and tables. It doesn’t matter how messy the junk behind is- if you can hide it with a pretty fabric, who cares?! I like the skirted corner in this room from Marie Claire Maison.

Have you got any kitchen storage tips you’d  like to share?

When I jumped on over to Etsy this morning, the work of Parada Creations was among the first I came across- and I knew I’d found today’s feature shop. Graphic designer Susana Parada’s prints have a cute, friendly and slighly retro quality to them- I think these ones, particularly, would work well in the kitchen.

I love the type and colours in this Smaller Portions print, though it comes in two other colourways, too:

Sweet Peas is just charming, I love the colour and the background:

This Coffee Mugs print has a cute, cartoony quality to it:

While not strictly kitchen-related, I couldn’t resist the Magical Mushrooms print. I think it would look fantastic in a kid’s room:

I’ve always liked the floor in this kitchen, which I found at Brown Button. The horizontal stripes make the space feel wider, and are a nice take on the retro checkerboard look:

Sleek design makes the most of the available space in this modern galley, from Living etc:

You can’t see the other side of this kitchen, from Canadian House & Home, but I like what I do see. The quirky objects and bright touches bring character to the minimalist design:

This shorter, mini-galley is modern and pristine. I found it on Apartment Therapy and loved the open shelving and calming colours:

Also from Apartment Therapy, this kitchen is cheerful and traditional. I love the ceiling-height units, and all the bright touches:

I think the pale, soothing colour of the units in this kitchen from house to home create more space, as do the curved countertops:

This space is from skona hem magazine, found via the photostream of coco+kelley. I love the touches of wood with so much white, and the abundance of natural light:

Design blog fans will recognize this nook as Holly‘s, from her old home in New Hampshire. I found it on her Flickr account, and fell for the soft colours and warm light:

I’ve always loved the eating area in this eclectic kitchen, from Marie Claire Maison:

A more traditional space from Living etc, this nook has built-in seating. I like how the floral rug draws your eye, picking up on the colours in the room:

A sweet table for two in a modern kitchen, from house to home:

I’m not sure an eating area this big quite qualifies as a nook, but I love this space from Country Living just the same:

From sarahleeab‘s photostream, this kitchen is minimalist and surprisingly light: 

I like the mix of industrial and country going on in this scan, from the now-defunct Domino mag, via Tammy Manet‘s photostream:

From another magazine no-long-with-us (House and Garden) and found on Farmhouse Modern, I adore this elegant space: 

Black floor and walls are made fun with the addition of bright yellow accents, in this space from Living etc: 

Not just black, but a mix of dark shades, this kitchen from Canadian House & Home manages to mix elegant, funky, retro and modern into one neat package: 

From the same source, this space is slightly more traditional, with a classic mix of black, white and stainless steel: 

A collection of beautiful blues from Living etc: 

From Canadian House & Home, these old-fashioned plates look whimsical and modern in a small kitchen: 

Elaborate plates shine in a minimal space, via Sunset: 

From the Bluelines blog, a colourful dining room arrangement: 

Simple, modern and impactful, from Marimekko: