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?

I like this glass Milk Bottle Carafe, useful for drinks or as a vase:

The Isak Tulip Cutting Board has the most beautiful print:

A Hovis English Bread Tin makes a great planter, and I think it would be good kitchen storage, too:

I love this vintage Kiwi Slices Ceramic Dish, as it’s just so cute:

There’s a selection of tea towels too, and I think this Utensils one is a good bet: 

These colourful Enamel Mugs remind me of camping. These ones are vintage and not recommended for drinking, but could be cute for storing things:

Classic retro in style, I love this cute green-and-white set from de Epoca: 

From ClearlyChristine‘s shop, these pink Lincoln Beauty Ware canisters are labeled and oh-so-cool:

I’ve never seen stacking canisters before, but think this Asian-style set from OlivePit Vintage would be great in a small space:

I really like the industrial feeling of this aluminum set from TJ’s Vintage, and think it would work surprisingly well in a modern space: 

Vintage at its sweetest, a Yellow Ransburg Canister Set via Kitty B. Creative:

These old-fashioned tins from Electric Lime are almost too pretty to use in a kitchen: 

Pantry by Aquistbe: 

Pantry shelf from H is for Home: 

From theunquietlibrarian, a Shabby Modern pantry: 

Organized and full of light is this pantry from la fattina: 

Yvestown‘s pantry is sweet, light, and awaiting doors: 

This Old Pantry brought to you by seeks2dream: 

Pantry in the Cabin, via greenbroke: 

Until I saw this at La Dolce Vita this week, I’d never thought to do anything about my bottle of dish soap, though. The photo is from the kitchen of Brooklyn Limestone, a fab reno blog that I read occasionally, and a little research taught me that the idea came from the incomparable Martha Stewart. 

I think this is a great idea, especially if you can get as pretty a bottle as the one above. I imagine a pump-style would work better, though, so I’m on the hunt for one of those. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

While not strictly kitchen-related, I think it would work in any room of the house, and it sure beats an ugly cardboard box. It also comes in other colours, and is available at Molla Space.

This kitchen-kitsch cabinet from MarionQuaggatuggu‘s home photo set is a perfect example. With the back lined in bright patterned paper, it serves as practical and attractive storage for cookbooks, plates and knickacks: 

Originally selling garden and outdoor living products, Garden Trading now deals in kitchenware, lighting and gifts as well. Part shabby chic and part retro kitsch, the look is English charm at its best. I might go out later to have another look in person, but in the meantime, here are my favourite things from the site: 

The items that first caught my eye, the Louella Butter dish and Retro juicer (also available as a set): 

I can never resist anything in this shade, so I’m coveting this apple green Retro Jug: 

A touch pricey for me, but this Wall Scoop Cabinet would be useful in any room of the house (I’d love it for my bedroom, to store jewelery): 

I like this Mini Chalk Panel Box for its versatility- just label and re-label as needed: 

This Casserole Pot has flowers on it! Enough said: 

From the Found collection of vintage and reclaimed items, this wooden Fruit Bowl is appealingly rustic: