Cooking at your lake house can be a sheer pleasure if your kitchen is functional and well organized. But it can quickly become an annoyance if you’re forever short on space and you’ve let clutter get out of control and take over every square inch. If you’re constantly searching for more space in your kitchen—or even the proper cooking utensils—these brilliant storage solutions will instantly simplify your life and free up that coveted counter space we all crave. For most of us, our kitchens are the favorite gathering spot in the house—the heart of our homes. So, take the challenge this year, and tidy up this most beloved hangout to make your cooking and entertaining endeavors at the lake an absolute joy.
Climb the Walls
In this newly renovated lakeside home, a formerly dark-wood kitchen made the space appear closed in and dreary. Insufficient counter space and outdated cabinets only made the problem worse. After a fresh facelift, this little jewel of a kitchen feels bright, airy, and full of storage opportunities. The addition of rustic wood-beam open shelving on the walls—over the stovetop and on an empty wall next to the window—along with chicken wire installed on the cabinet fronts creates more storage space and makes the room feel open and breezy. A tip? Keep open shelf space neatly arranged with beautiful dishware and glasses that align with the kitchen’s overall color palette.
Tower Power
When you run out of horizontal space, go vertical with a handy tower countertop freestanding pot rack. This portable vertical shelving will enhance the useable space around your stovetop or anywhere you need some extra storage space atop your existing kitchen counters. This one is designed to hold all your vital kitchen tools, spices, and other basic cooking essentials. Handy hooks on the side store your hanging utensils within easy reach. Equipped with three spacious shelves, it also features gray pads on the bottom shelf that can double as trivets for hot pans fresh off the stove.
Island Oasis
Maximize the functionality of your kitchen island by incorporating prep space, seating, and storage. Cabinets and drawers on the working side of your island make cooking a breeze and are within easy reach for the chef. On the seating side of your island, make room for some open shelving to store cookbooks, tableware, or other appealing kitchen items you don’t mind having on display. In addition, installing glass-front cabinets is also an innovative way to open up your space visually. They instantly create a light and airy sense of spaciousness you can’t get from solid-front cabinetry.
Stash & Spin
Corral your spices and oils with a miniature lazy Susan along with some clear storage bins to organize your pantry in a snap. All from Squared Away ä, this divided cabinet turntable and stackable cabinet organizers are both made of shatter-resistant plastic, ensuring long-lasting use. Ideal for a lake house, where cabinet space is often limited to essentials, these transparent storage solutions will keep your items orderly and in clear view—a beautiful sight indeed. And don’t forget to add them to the cabinet below your sink to store dish detergent and other cleaning products.
Pantry Panache
Take advantage of every square inch in your kitchen by installing a hinge-mounted shelving unit inside the pantry doors. These clever organizers can store spices, oils, and other baking goods to save space inside the pantry for larger, bulkier items. With an endless array of styles to choose from, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs, taste, and dimensions. For example, check out this one we found on Etsy that includes a full-size spice rack with baskets below for onions, potatoes, and awkward items like foil and plastic wrap.
Chop Chop!
Bring function and a touch of elegance to your counter space with this sleekly designed over-the-sink cutting board. Created by StoneWon Designs Co., the board is handmade from thick American wood that has been coated and waxed with a vegan-friendly mixture made from mineral oil, beeswax, and coconut oils. Available from West Elm in mahogany, ambrosia maple, and walnut, this clever kitchen necessity features a built-in mesh strainer that’s perfect for prepping fruits and veggies. Choose from 30-inch and 36-inch widths, depending on the size of your kitchen sink. After use, wash it clean and store it in an easy-to-reach kitchen cabinet, preferably right below your sink. Beautifully crafted and brilliant!
Magnetic Attraction
An ingenious space-saving solution to be sure, this steel magnetic spice rack can attach right to the side of your refrigerator—or any other metal surface. This stream-lined Japanese design by Yamazaki can hold up to five spice jars, depending on their size. Perfect for smaller lakeside cabins, this magnificent and versatile little gem will keep your most-used spices within quick and easy reach. The shelf measures 4 inches deep by 10 inches wide and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
For more clever kitchen storage ideas to create that luxurious space you never knew you had, check out these smart kitchen solutions. From all of us at Lake Homes, cheers to a carefree—and clutter-free—life on the lake!