Canned foods are a kitchen staple that provide a long shelf life and easy storage. However, the bulky cans can take up a lot of precious cabinet space. With some clever solutions, you can maximize your cupboard organization to fit more canned goods. Here are 18 creative canned food storage ideas to help make the most of your kitchen cabinets.
Utilize Tiered Shelving
Installing extra shelves that stack vertically creates more storage layers without claiming more floor space. Opt for narrower shelves sized just for canned items. Stack the cans upright and use the adjustable shelves to customize the heights between each layer. This takes advantage of the often wasted vertical room between shelves.
Tiered shelving also allows you to categorize canned goods. Keep fruits on one shelf, vegetables on another and so forth for easy access. Just be sure to place the heavy cans on the bottom shelves for stability.
Use Wall-Mounted Rails
Wall-mounted rails install onto the inside of cabinet doors to take advantage of an overlooked storage spot. The rails keep cans upright and in plain view for quick grabbing. Install them on the lower portion of upper cabinets to keep the weight close to the hinges.
For a budget option, use pegboard hooks screwed into the cabinet back. Slide the rims of cans over the curved hooks. Paint or finish the pegs to match your decor.
Under Cabinet Can Racks
The space between cabinets and countertops tends to go unused. For small kitchens, mount slide-out CAN RACKS to the underside of wall cabinets. They pull out to provide easy access without taking up counter space.
For freestanding cabinets, install a metal CAN RACK that attaches to the side of the base cabinet. The rack sticks out when you need it and tucks away when not in use.
Lazy Susan Organizers
A lazy Susan organizer is a round, spinning tray that makes items in corner cabinets more accessible. Stock it with cans to keep them visible and prevent them from getting shoved to the back.
Look for a dual lazy Susan with two stacked trays. Use the top for everyday cans like beans and tomatoes. Reserve the bottom for seldom-used items like pumpkin filling.
Sliding Drawer Organizers
Deep drawers in base cabinets provide plenty of vertical space for upright can storage. Look for sliding organizers made of wire mesh or heavy-duty plastic. They come in various heights with dividers to keep cans separated.
Label the dividers or shelves to designate spaces for similar items. Open the drawer to see all your canned goods in categorized rows for fast grabbing.
Hanging Wall Racks
Free up shelf space by moving lesser-used cans to wall-mounted racks. Opt for sturdy metal racks with a lip to prevent slippage. Mount them to the wall or inside cabinet doors.
Keep special occasion cans like evaporated milk for recipes on a wall rack inside a upper cabinet. Reserve everyday vegetables and beans for the prime shelf space.
Magnetic Strip Behind Cabinet Door
Affix magnetic strips to the back of cabinet doors to hold cans out of sight. The heavy-duty magnets keep cans firmly in place, even when the door is opened and closed. Maximize space by placing cans side-by-side across the width of the door.
Colorful can labels brighten up the inside of the cabinet. Choose matching cans like tomatoes or kidney beans for a uniform look. Keep a list inside the cabinet for easy reference.
Utilize Cabinet Dead Space
Take advantage of the dead space on the underside of shelves with specialized holders made just for cans. The metal rails securely grip each can horizontally to keep them from rolling out. Different sized rails can accommodate both large 28-ounce and standard 15-ounce cans.
For a quick DIY version, screw sturdy brackets or L-shaped corner pieces under shelves. Place cans horizontally across the makeshift holders.
Plastic Storage Caddy
Clear plastic caddies maximize vertical storage for canned goods. Their open sides allow full visibility of the cans inside. Look for stacking models that sit securely on top of one another.
Designate a caddy for each food category like fruits, beans, tuna and so forth. For double utility, get caddies with built-in spice racks across one side.
Rotating Can Organizers
Round multi-tiered lazy Susan style organizers provide vertical storage that rotates for easy access. The spinning trays bring items from the back to the front with just a turn. Labels identify each row of cans.
Install them in base cabinets or pantries to double the storage capacity. The compact footprint keeps the surrounding floor space open.
Interlocking Can Risers
Plastic risers stack together to form customized can storage. Their interlocking bottoms keep each piece tightly together when stacked. Built-up rows utilize wasted vertical space between shelves.
Vary the stacking configurations to accommodate different can sizes and shapes. Use the risers in cabinets, pantries and utility spaces for garage storage.
Stepped Can Organizers
Stepped organizers are stacked storage trays tilted at an angle. The stepped declining levels tilt each row of cans slightly forward for easy viewing and access. Labels identify the contents of each step.
These organizers sit conveniently on existing shelves. Look for a height that takes advantage of extra space between shelves. They can also mount inside cabinet doors.
Cabinet Door Mounted Basket
Get storage and style with cabinet door mounted baskets. The sturdy metal or woven baskets hold cans neatly while adding a decorative element. Look for oversized baskets that can accommodate multiple rows of cans.
Mount them to the back of cabinet doors to keep your most-used cans hidden but within easy reach. They’re perfect for stashing beans, tomatoes and other everyday canned goods.
Pull-Out Cabinet Shelves
Install pull-out metal shelves in base cabinets to access cans stashed in the back. Look for shelves that extend at least three-fourths of the cabinet depth to reveal the entire space.
The sliding shelves bring items right to you without having to reach in. Place smaller cans in front and larger jugs in back. Close the cabinet door to keep the collection out of sight.
Vertical Dividers
Place removable metal or plastic dividers on existing shelves to create neat rows of cans. The thin dividers stand upright to separate the cans into organized categories. Label the sections for quick identification.
Choose from a variety of divider styles such as grids, long vertical slats or short individual posts. Opt for dividers with grippy rubber feet to prevent shifting.
Stackable Can Crates
Stacking plastic crates offer completely customizable can storage. Their open crate design allows full visibility of the cans. Stack them vertically or place side-by-side.
The modular crates can get as elaborate as you like. Designate a crate for each food type and color code them for a visual indicator. Flat, interlocking lids are available to contain the cans.
Cabinet Door racks
Specialized metal racks mount onto the back of cabinet doors to hold cans upright and out of the way. Look for sturdy racks with dividers to keep cans separated into neat rows. The divided racks help you organize similar canned goods together.
Install them on upper cabinet doors to stash extras and lesser-used cans. Put everyday use cans on easy-access shelves and pantry racks.
Magnetic Knife Strip
Give new purpose to a magnetic knife strip by using it to store cans. The powerful magnets secure each can along the metal strip. Position the strip across the back of a cabinet to take advantage of wasted space.
The magnetic strip also mounts conveniently inside cabinet doors. Arrange cans label-out for a pop of color and easy identification. It offers a useful storage solution for renters who can’t make permanent changes.
Conclusion
With a little creativity and strategic organizing, even the smallest kitchen can accommodate a plentiful canned food collection. Use vertical space to your advantage as much as possible. Store the cans you use most frequently on the most accessible shelves for convenience. Move lesser used items up high or behind doors.
Risers, tiered shelves and interlocking stackable organizers all allow you to build layers of storage upwards. Rotating lazy Susans promote visibility and access for corner units. Sliding pull-outs and racks bring hard-to-reach cans right to your fingertips.
Keep your organizational options open by utilizing removable dividers and racks. Look for ways to stash cans out of sight on the backs of doors or under cabinets. A well-organized canned food collection makes preparing meals quick, easy and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canned Food Storage Ideas
Here are some common questions about maximizing canned food storage in your kitchen cabinets:
How should I organize my canned goods?
Organize cans categorically, keeping similar items together. Group fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, etc. You can also group by type of meal like pasta sauce and canned tomatoes. Store everyday use cans on easy access shelves and lesser used on upper cabinets or behind doors.
What are some space-saving ways to store cans vertically?
Use risers, tiered shelves, stackable organizers and interlocking systems to store cans upright and build vertical layers. You can also mount wall racks or secure cans horizontally under shelves.
Where are some unconventional places I can store cans?
Take advantage of unused spaces with door-mounted racks, under-cabinet racks, knife strips inside cabinets, wine racks, wall rails, and space under shelves. Also use the backs of cabinet doors.
How do I stop canned goods at the back of cabinets from getting forgotten?
Use organizers that pull out like sliding shelves, spinning lazy Susans and door racks. Place everyday items in front and lesser used cans in back. Label shelves and organizers so you know what’s inside.
How can I maximize cabinet corner space?
Corner space is prime for round lazy Susan organizers. Or, install vertical dividers to split the corner into rows to hold cans upright. Door mounted corner racks also utilize wasted corner space efficiently.
What kind of shelf organizers keep cans upright and separated?
Vertical dividers, wire racks, can risers, stackable crates and interlocking organizers all neatly separate upright cans. Choose the height to take advantage of vertical space between shelves.
Should I put heavy cans on bottom shelves?
Yes, always place heavy canned goods like sauces, beans and fruit on lower shelves near the floor for cabinet stability. Use upper shelves for lightweight broths, vegetables, tuna and other lights cans.