Ayn-Monique is a lifestyle editor and writer who's worked for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, FamilyFun and more. She loves lattes, jogging and hanging out at the playground with her husband and daughters.
updated Sep 6, 2022
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Storing a collection of cooking utensils can be a challenge: You want your wooden spoon and spatula within reach, but you don’t want them cluttering up every available drawer. And how about that potato masher that makes it pretty much impossible to open the drawer? And those tongs that always seem to spring open!? See? Utensil storage is hard!
Luckily, we have a few brilliant ideas to help. Here are our seven best tips and tricks for getting all those tools (spoons! spatulas! tongs! whisks! and more spoons!) under control.
1. Hang them on a pegboard.
Commonly used for tools in a garage or workshop, a pegboard is just as handy for storing kitchen utensils. After all, Julia Child had one hung in her kitchen.
Read more: Use a Pegboard as Gadget Keeper
2. Put them in Mason jars in a drawer.
We love this inspiring before-and-after drawer organizing story! Mason jars make great organizers … if you lay them down on their side.
3. Hang them on the side of cabinets.
Even if you lack wall space, you still probably have room to hang your utensils, as this Chicago home proves. Just hang a bar or individual hooks on the side of your cabinets and you’ll have instant storage!
Tour the rest of the space: Rachel & Brian’s Spacious Place in Chicago at Apartment Therapy
4. Set them up diagonally in a drawer.
Storing long utensils diagonally makes smarter, more efficient use of drawer space. So simple, yet so brilliant. We even have the steps you need in order to make one custom for your drawer.
Read more: How to Build a Diagonal Drawer Organizer
5. In big crocks.
You’ve already heard of utensil crocks, we’re guessing. But we’re just here to point out that you can always go bigger. No, bigger. Go for the biggest crocks you can find (like antique stoneware pickle crocks) and you’ll be able to store lots of tools in a single one.
Related: Utensil Crocks Are the Best Thing to Ever Happen to My Kitchen
6. Hang them from a pot rack.
Pot racks aren’t just for pots! Just add hooks and hang. We love that they add a surprising decorative touch among skillets and sauce pans.
7. Use a magnetic knife strip.
A magnetic knife strip can hold, well, anything that’s magnetic! That includes things like like stainless steel spoons, ladles, whisks, and other utensils.
Do you have your own smart ideas to add? Share it in the comments.
