21 Ways to Organize Your RV Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers
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Now that I bought a new trailer, I need to organize my RV kitchen to clear the clutter and make cooking a breeze.
I’m ever conscious of the weight factor in an RV, so when I’m talking about organizing’I’m not trying to fit the maximum amount of items into every cupboard and drawer. Rather, I’m trying to organize them so that I can find the item I want in the first place.
(And that I don’t have to move 12 things out of the way to get to the one thing that I want in the deep dark recesses of a cabinet!)
Organizing an RV kitchen isn’t about being “Pinterest Perfect” either. Tiny camper kitchens don’t have space for rows of perfectly coordinated storage containers!
In a small RV kitchen, it’s all about making the most of your space, using every nook and cranny.
To add complexity to an already too-small space, add the fact that your kitchen will rumble its way down wide-open highways AND windy, bumpy roads. Keeping everything in the spot that you allocate it is another fun challenge.
Here are some ideas I’m considering for organizing my RV kitchen as we move into a new caravan.
Don’t forget…
You don’t have to buy things to organize your space! Use the tips below to give you ideas and use what you already have on hand. You don’t need fancy dividers when a piece of wood will work just as well. You don’t need expensive trays if you have a cardboard box that fits perfectly.
Organizing Your Cabinets
Avoid the tumble of dishes in your face when you open your cabinet doors with these cabinet organization ideas.
Under Sink Cabinets
Most sinks have plenty of storage space underneath that is awkward to utilize due to the pipes! There are two solutions for this space, depending on your preference.
Shelves
Small shelves are inexpensive and can be a great way to utilize more space under your sink.
- Set of 2 metal wire racks for kitchen and cabinet organization
However, cleaning bottles will definitely get knocked around as you drive! Build a lip around your shelves or buy shelves with a border to keep items from falling off after driving.
Baskets
A basket system may work better to keep things contained during travel.
- Ball slide design Under Sink Organizer sliding-out shelf is professionally designed with an industrial-grade ball sliding system to ensure smooth and quiet sliding every time. With this shelf, you can easily retrieve items without being affected by stuck, broken, or noisy systems under the cabinet. Our design can withstand considerable weight and easily support up to 100 pounds.
Of course, baskets are a little more expensive, but I love ones like this with drawers that will pull out for easy access.
- Efficient Kitchen & Bathroom Organization: Maximize your storage with our versatile 2-tier under sink organizer, ideal for bathroom organizers and storage and under cabinet storage. Perfect for bathroom cabinet organizer and under kitchen sink organizer needs. (Size: 14" L x 9.5" W x 12.2" H)
There are many options for style, color, and size available on Amazon to fit your sink space.
- STORAGE MORE ITEMS: The stack size is 13.78x9.45x15.35in, Upper basket size: 13.78x9.45x6.3in, Lower basket size:13.78x9.45x9.45in. Larger baskets can help you store more items.
Overhead Cabinets
The most common way I’ve seen to organize overhead cabinets is with tubs/containers/boxes / baskets. But there are so many ideas you can steal and make your own.
Clear bins like this are great so you can see the basket contents.
- STYLISH FOOD STORAGE BIN – Streamline your kitchen storage with the iDesign Kitchen Storage and Fridge Organizer Bin; it’s a quick and easy addition to your pantry, cabinet, fridge, or freezer that will bring functional beauty and organized style
I love the idea of this lazy Susan for oils, sauces, and other items that can easily spill if tipped.
- EASY REACH: This rotating lazy susan organizer spinner tray makes items easy to reach; The deep outer walls keep items safely in place while the tray is spinning; Divided compartments sort individual products; Use throughout the home; Place spinner inside cabinets, on pantry shelves, sitting on countertops, the island, or inside the refrigerator for chilled drinks or snacks; Multipurpose spinners are great for the kitchen, home office, craft room, bathroom vanity, laundry room, and more
These baskets are a little more inexpensive and available in a few different sizes and colors.
- Dimensions of the clear plastic weave storage basket: 10" x 7.5" x 4".
You can also find drawers or stackable systems like this:
- Sliding basket for easy access in limited space
If you use canned foods often, avoid the pain of a can of tomato sauce landing on your toes (trust me!) with a shelf like this:
- Product Dimension - 17 W x 11.5 D x 13.75 H inches. | Minimum Clearance Required - 17.5 W x 12 D x 16 H inches.
Keep cups and bottles secure in your cabinet with an organizer like this:
- THOUGHTFULLY SIZED: Each Measures 11.5" x 8.2" x 4" high
Cupboards
Use the inside of the cupboard door to store items you want to access easily. I love this one that will hang a towel outwardly and store a basket inside your cabinet.
- Save Space: Unlike other products that only offer one function, KES cabinet organizer has an internal basket and an external towel bar that can save cabinet space.
Be sure to check the dimensions before purchasing anything to ensure it will fit your cabinet doors.
A basket like this would be good for cutting boards or pot lids:
- Utilize Open Areas: The Spectrum Grid Over-the-Cabinet Basket features a door design, allowing the holder to make use of space inside any cupboard to store cleaning supplies, personal care items or other products.
An adhesive basket like this would also work in smaller cabinets.
- 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐄 - MaraFansie over the door cabinet organizer is Ideal for organizing and storing spice bottles, pantry items, snacks, toiletries, tools, craft supplies, etc. MaraFansie basket can be used anywhere around the house, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the bedroom and more.
I love acrylic mounting tape as a sturdy solution for the adhesive.
Drawers
Drawers seem to be woefully lacking in caravans/travel trailers/RVs here in Australia. You’re lucky if you get one set of three drawers, so you’ll want to make the most of them.
The secret to drawers is…no secret at all… it’s all about separation.
Cutlery Drawer Trays
This one goes without saying! Have you ever had a cutlery drawer without a tray or dividers? Total annoying nightmare.
Ones like this are a beautiful solution:
- PERFECT FOR STORAGE - Drawer organization that fits perfectly in almost all standard drawer sizes at 17.5” long and 2” deep. The width is 13” when utilizing 3 compartments and can expand up to 20” in width when utilizing all 5 compartments. Easily store flatware, utensils and other kitchen gadgets.
Or there are cheap plastic ones you can find at any home store:
- ✅【Keep your space tidy and organized】Say goodbye to cluttered drawers! Our silverware organizer is designed to keep all your standard silverware neatly organized. Whether it's in your kitchen drawer, pantry shelf, or buffet table, this organizer ensures easy access and a clutter-free space.
Personally, I love the dividers like this where you can customize them to fit any of your drawers.
- UPGRADED VERSION 2024 | MEASURE YOUR DRAWER LENGTH FIRST | For the best organizing experience, be sure to measure the depth/length of your drawer (from the front of the drawer to the back) in order to select the correct divider length-range (S/M/L). Ordering the correct size enables you to start decluttering your kitchen utensils, office supplies, junk drawer, utility drawer, crafts, and more sooner!
If you have deep drawers, then individual dividers might be better.
- INSTANT ORGANIZATION: Kitchen drawer dividers organize cutlery, flatware, forks, spoons, knives, serving pieces, small appliances, and large cooking spoons; Great for separating and organizing kitchen towels, potholders and oven mitts; Use in deep kitchen drawers to keep aluminum foil, plastic wrap, waxed paper, and sandwich bags organized; Keep the junk drawer clutter under control; Each adjustable divider extends to the desired length and locks into place to keep everything situated; Set of 4
Or ones that cross over each other (meaning you can organize your drawer even more, while providing some stability to the divider):
- SET OF THREE roomy, sturdy, washable organizers 13.5" x 9.75" x 3.25" - with 6 long and 12 short dividers you can use to make up to 15 cells in each box (for a total of 45 cells).
Keeping Things in Place
No matter when you’re storing in your cabinet, a little goes a long way to keep items from slipping and sliding. Use a shelf liner to keep dishes in place.
- Ideal for: drawers and utility cabinets or in campers and RVs to keep objects from sliding while on the move
Install tension rods to keep items from tipping out of cabinet doors or your refrigerator.
- Keep order in the RV refrigerator and cupboards during travel.Fit Type: Universal Fit
Keep your cabinet doors, drawers, and fridge closed while traveling with latches. Baby safety locks are easy to install if your RV did not come with any locks!
- SECURE HOME BY JESSA LEONA CHILD PROOF SAFETY CABINET LOCKS WITH 3M TAPES - Unlike many similar products in the market, our baby proofing safety cabinet locks are made from the highest quality ABS and TPE material ensuring more flexibility and durability. Extreme care has been taken to the resilience and durability of the strap. Each package includes 3M adhesive replacement pads allowing to reuse the latch when needed.
Organize My RV Kitchen with Me!
As soon as I move into my RV, I know the first thing I will have to do is organize my RV kitchen! There are so many gadgets and gizmos for organizing. Writing this list has given me plenty of ideas.
Check out these other articles on utilizing the storage space in your RV:
I love RVing! I share about our journey around Australia, how we came to do this trip, all the planning involved, and snapshots of what life on the road is like.