Kitchen area inside a small vintage camper.

8 Small Kitchen Storage Ideas for Your Camper

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If you’re looking for some small kitchen storage ideas, these will inspire you to organize your tiny kitchen!

Sometimes, I wonder if some of the RV kitchens I see can actually be classed as “kitchens.” They’re so small that I’m surprised if anything more than a cup of tea can be prepared in the space!

No matter how large or small your RV kitchen is, there are always a few hacks to make it more functional.

Read Next: 8 Low-Cost, High-Impact RV Kitchen Upgrades

Here are some of the most useful small kitchen storage ideas that I could find.

1. Create a hideaway in false sink fronts.

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas - Create a hideaway in false sink fronts. When you need to utilize all the space you can in your small RV kitchen.

I find it frustrating that some RV manufacturers would allow dead space in their rigs! This is a great spot for storage that often goes unused. I love this great tip from All Things Free that makes great use of the empty space at the front of your RV kitchen sink.

My disclaimer is that there are some places in your RV that you don’t want to use as storage. For example, they’re left empty and inaccessible because they are ventilation spaces or something like that.

But the front of the sink is perfect for storing dishcloths or scrubbers!

Rev-A-Shelf 14" Tip-Out Plastic Sink Trays for Kitchen and Bathroom Base Cabinet, Pull Out Vanity Shelf Home Organizer, White, 6572-14-11-52
  • MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE: Maximize space and efficiency of your kitchen with these 14-inch white polymer tip-out accessory trays; One conventional open tray and one accessory tray with ring holder and soap dish perfect for kitchens, laundry room or vanity cabinets

2. Use magnetic spice containers.

Sale
Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars for Refrigerator - 3oz Metal Spice Containers with Sift-and-Pour Lids (12 Magnet Spice Jars, 269 Preprinted Labels, 2 Label Styles)
  • Magnetic Spice Tins: This set comes with 12 metal spice containers with clear lids; 269 spice labels in 2 styles; 144 round chalkboard-style and 125 clear rectangular labels; and 1 magnetic conversion chart

These magnetic spice containers can be stored on the door or side of the fridge. If you have a steel backsplash, you can store them there and have them right at hand. Just don’t store them too closely to light or heat, as this affects the potency of spices.

My friend Ashley created a whole wall of spices in her fifth wheel kitchen. You can see how she did it here.

Hanindy 24 Magnetic Spice Tins, 200 Spice Labels, 4 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons Magnetic Spice Containers Organizer Storage Condiment Jar Set of 24, Clear Lid, Sift and Pour
  • EASY AND CONVENIENT SPICE STORAGE: Enjoy the convenience of 24 magnetic spice jars. The magnet spice racks are perfect for receiving and storing condiments and other spices in your kitchen. They are both convenient and add an artistic touch too.

3. Use a tension rod to hang spray bottles.

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas - Use tension rods to hang spray bottles - when you need to utilize all the space you can in your small RV kitchen.

This is an easy-to-implement idea from A Thousand Words. It gets the bottles up off the bottom of the cupboard so that you can utilize the space for other things. Yes, they will likely fall when you drive, but they will still be contained in your cupboard!

Sale
iDesign Cameo Metal Tension Rod, Adjustable Customizable Curtain Rod for Bathtub, Shower Stall, Closet, Doorway, 26-42 Inches, Bronze
  • RELIABLE TENSION ROD: Functional spring tension rod is perfect for bathroom, shower stall, bathtub, changing area, closet, window opening, and more. Strong enough to hold shower curtains, window curtains, clothing, and other items

4. Hang things on the inside of cupboard doors by using:

1. Hooks

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas - Add hooks (either over cupboard door, fixed or command) and make the most of some of that wasted space.

Either over-cupboard, fixed, or adhesive hooks would work well for cleaning supplies or utensils:

Sale
GLUIT Adhesive Wall Hooks for Hanging Heavy Duty 22 lbs Hooks for Walls No Damage, Towel Sticky Clear Hooks, Waterproof, Home, Bathroom, Kitchen, Office, and Outdoor 12 Pack
  • Sticky wall hooks for hanging: Are crafted for walls in your office, garage, or workshop. Avoid using on painted walls. Their transparent design makes them nearly invisible on surfaces, making them ideal for tool organization, indoor and outdoor use.

2. Baskets, boxes, or racks

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas - use the inside of your cupboards by hanging baskets, boxes or racks to store items. Especially the ones that are used often as this space is easy to get to.

Baskets and boxes don’t have to be what you would normally think. Document holders work perfectly for foil, plastic wrap, and baking paper.

Sale
Spectrum Diversified Vintage Cabinet & Wall Mount Basket, Small, Industrial Gray
  • ENJOY VINTAGE STYLE: Wrapped wire ends and grid designs create a popular rustic look that will complement farmhouse-style homes. Make your storage double as décor for a streamlined, organized, stylish home.

5. Store things vertically.

Magazine holders are great for organization in the kitchen! I love this idea of using it to store and separate produce that would normally roll around a cabinet.

U Brands Mesh Steel Magazine File Holder, 12.5" x 9.8" x 3", Black
  • Add simple sophistication and style to your desk or office with this unique magazine holder

You can also find pot lid organizers like the one below to keep items stored vertically.

YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack, Cookie Sheet Baking Pan and Tray Organizer for Kitchen Cabinet and Pantry Storage, Standard, White
  • FLEXIBLE STORAGE: Includes seven adjustable dividers to organize your bakeware, cutting boards, and pans in a lower cabinet or pantry. Dividers keep bakeware upright and separated, so you can quickly see and grab what you need.

6. Use stackable shelves.

Again, keeping it vertical is one of the best ways to maximize the space in your cabinets. Add stackable shelves or build your own permanent shelves inside your cabinet.

7. Add a pull-out pantry.

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas - the pull out pantry is often standard on many new model RVs, but if you're thinking of doing an RV renovation or bus/van conversion it's worth keeping these in mind!
Source: Leisure Vans

This one’s a no-brainer really, isn’t it?

Some RVs already have a pantry space like this, while others have to build their own pantry.

See More: 10 RV Pantry Storage Ideas

8. Install a utensil bar.

Photo Credit: cwendt15

Free up a drawer by storing items on your walls or backsplash instead.

Sale
Wallniture Gourmet Kitchen Rail with 10 Hooks, Wall Mounted Wrought Iron Hanging Utensil Holder Rack with Black 17 Inch
  • Farmhouse Rustic Design : The 17 inch x 1.2 inch x 1 inch rail is built with durability and the sturdy construction will prevent the hooks from swaying or falling off easily. Hang it on your unused wall space to organize your kitchen with ease.

Or add a crock to store your utensils if you have the counter space. Use museum putty or acrylic mounting tap to secure your crock to the countertop so you never have to move it.

Sale
LE TAUCI Utensil Holder, 7.3"+5.4" Ceramic Kitchen Utensil Holder for Countertop, Large Cooking Utensil Crocks for Kitchen Counter, Morden Utensil Organizer for Spatula, Kitchen Decor, Set of 2, White
  • Thoughtfully Sized, Set of 2: Our utensil holder set includes 2 carefully proportioned holders for your kitchen accessories; The larger holder, measuring H7.3" x D6", is designed to comfortably store around 15 spatulas or utensils; The smaller holder, at H5.4" x D3.8", is suited for the organized arrangement of up to 10 sets of flatware; Say hello to a well-organized cooking space

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

By utilizing open cabinet space, adding shelves and baskets, and getting creative with where you store your utensils, your kitchen will quickly become more functional and more organized.

In the comments: What other small kitchen storage ideas do you have? Share with us!

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9 Comments

  1. I find a lot of these organization pictures look beautiful but how do they keep the dishes from not sliding off or breaking as you are motoring down the highway on the way to your next adventure

    1. Hi Kim,
      I’ve heard of people putting dots of silicon on the bottom of their porcelain plates (to stop them sliding and scratching the other plates) or using a drawer/shelf liner to stop things sliding about.
      Personally… our cabinets are so small that there’s literally no where for anything to slide. 🙂

  2. Try putting your plates and cups in a drawer using dowels or cardboard dividers. In our trailer I use magazine holders to hold my melamine plates and platters in an upper cabinet because I have small drawers. I do have some smaller glasses in my drawer with cardboard dividers like for ornaments.

  3. I really need more ideas!! Love what I see but it doea not reflect the solution for why I am.having a issue!! We just bought a 94 model 5th wheel. The kitchen is so nice. Has plenty of drawers..but there is a pantry cabinet. And a cabinet along the wall. The wall is in the curve of the camper. So the inside wall is curved. This makes for smaller space and less items that can be stored there. Then to top it off, the cabinet is not wide enough to put my plates in. We are RVing full time!!

  4. Love this! just what i’ve been looking for super helpful! i’ve just started the planing for my van conversion but really needed to know the best way to maximise my storage space! So thank you, really helpful

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