Buzz
1. Brighten a grimy tile floor using a grout pen, so you won’t have to keep glancing at stained grout and picturing how it once looked. Grout doesn’t take up much space, but as these images show, it makes a significant difference!
2. If you’re tight on space and prefer to keep your trash hidden, a small compost bin/trash can can easily be hung on the inside of a cabinet door. The lid either lifts up or flips over for easy disposal as you prepare food. I actually bought this for my tiny NYC apartment kitchen and absolutely love it!
3. Clear up countertop clutter from various cereal boxes with a cereal dispenser, which reviewers claim even their kids can easily operate.
4. Bring old cabinetry and wooden furniture back to life with wood polish and conditioner and a little elbow grease. Reviewers have used these products to rejuvenate front doors, kitchen cabinets, wood floors, furniture, and nearly any wooden surface. Just so you know, replacing kitchen cabinets can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. So, this little miracle worker is definitely worth a try.
5. If your kitchen cabinets are painted and have a few missing chips here and there, grab a bottle of touch-up paint to conceal those marks that always seem to follow you around, much like a portrait where the eyes track your every move.
6. Clear up some kitchen counter space by moving the spices that are cluttering it onto a magnetic stove shelf that’s even perfect for renters! You can easily take it with you when you move out.
7. Get an expandable under-sink kit to accommodate those tricky pipes beneath your sink while providing some solid space for cleaning products and extra dish sponges. Say goodbye to cabinet disasters!
8. Keep all your plastic bags (they're handy for lining trash bins and, in some cities like NYC where I live, you even have to pay for them!) organized with a plastic grocery bag holder that’s light enough to hang from a hook on your wall *or* inside your kitchen cabinet. These would definitely look adorable in your pantry.
9. Keep your countertop neat with a kitchen mixer cord organizer that attaches directly to the back of your appliance.
3DHomeSolution is an Etsy shop based in Frisco, Texas, specializing in organizational products.
Customer Review: "Fantastic product. So simple to use! I’m currently using it on my KitchenAid, Instant Pot, air fryer, and toaster. These have cleared up my counter space by double and made storing everything 100% easier. Thanks!!" —Suzanne Baker
Available at 3DHomeSolution on Etsy for $8 (in three colors).
10. If you dream of having stainless-steel appliances, you can achieve that look with stainless-steel-effect contact paper, giving you the sleek, modern feel of new appliances without breaking the bank. Sure, it takes a bit of effort, but just look at the results!
11. Install a simple broom organizer to create an efficient organization station, so you no longer need to lean a broom in the kitchen corner or risk being hit by a falling mop every time you open the pantry.
12. Keep your cleaning essentials neat with a set of Command spray bottle hangers, which stick wherever is most convenient for your space, allowing you to grab them quickly to tackle a spill or mess as soon as it happens.
13. Reduce the clutter in your cabinet where you store your tea with a tea bag holder that will not only save you space but also look stylish enough to leave out on the counter when you're serving coffee or tea to guests.
14. Store your high-end cutlery on a magnetic knife strip (it has a premium look) instead of that bulky knife block taking up space on your kitchen counter.
15. Lift your farmers market finds and create extra counter space with a charming fruit hammock that can be screwed onto the underside of your kitchen cabinets. It's time to retire that fruit bowl you’ve been keeping more for practicality than style.
macraYAYmacrame is a shop based in Indianapolis, Indiana, known for making a range of stylish macrame accessories.
My colleague Jenae Sitzes owns and loves this:
"I recently bought this macrame basket (in the Cactus color) and *highly* recommend it if you're looking to add a cozy vibe to your kitchen. With my small NYC kitchen, I need every bit of counter space, and this lets me store produce without cluttering up my counter with a fruit basket or banana stand. I love using vertical space for storage, and this does just that; plus, it lets air flow through to keep fruit fresh for longer. I’m always cooking with onions or grabbing an apple for a snack, and having them so easily accessible is amazing. By the way, these baskets come with hooks that screw into a cabinet, but if you want to avoid any damage like I did, I suggest using Command hooks — I’m using four of these small toggle hooks, and they've held the basket *with* produce in it just fine."
Get it from macraYAYmacrame on Etsy for $33.
16. Organize a drawer (or a mess of lids) with a smart lid organizer featuring adjustable dividers. It might look simple, but it will work wonders because you know how much you love great food storage options—just as much as you love snacks.
17. Embrace the world of kitchen rugs with a *vinyl* runner that mimics a vintage Persian masterpiece but is easy to wipe clean because, let's face it, spills are inevitable. This is how you avoid a future eyesore!
Promising review: "This is the rug I didn’t realize I was missing! I took a chance when it went on sale, and I’m so glad I did — it has amazing cushion, is super easy to clean, and looks fantastic!" —Kelly K
Get it from Food52 for $63+ (available in two sizes and eight color combinations).
18. Organize your food wraps and cutting boards with a cabinet door organizer to make finding exactly what you need a breeze. This will keep everything neat and easy to access, far better than stacking them haphazardly on top of your microwave!
19. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something even easier to clean, try a plastic bag dispenser that’ll keep everything neat and organized just the same.
20. Transform a blank or unsightly, stained wall with peel-and-stick backsplash tiles for a fraction of the cost of real tile installation.
21. Get rid of tough grime on your ceramic stovetop using the Cerama Bryte cooktop cleaning kit, which is way more durable than it looks. Who knew this little kit would outlast its own grime?
22. While we’re on the topic of cleaning, grab the Easy-Off oven cleaner—it’s a miracle worker for that burnt cheese from frozen pizza. Sure, it’s more of an assault on your nose than your eyes, but it’s time to get rid of it!
23. Scrub away built-up grime and residue from various surfaces with an all-natural scouring paste. Perfect for tackling grout, sinks, tubs, and even those tricky, hard-to-reach corners.
Humble Suds is a small cleaning brand run by two moms — Holli Schuab and Jennifer Parnell — based in Evergreen, Colorado. Their products are crafted from potent, plant-based ingredients and packaged in recyclable materials. They suggest using a tablespoon of their scouring paste on a cloth and scrubbing in a circular motion.
My Shopping team colleague Danielle Healy is a fan (she captured the images above!), sharing:
"I recently relocated to a new apartment, so I've been cleaning non-stop. After moving in, my partner and I went to store something on top of the kitchen cabinets, only to discover they were covered in a thick layer of grime 🤢. After trying regular multipurpose cleaner with no luck, we resorted to the scour paste as a last-ditch attempt, and WOW, it worked wonders (see the photos above). If it can handle that mess, it will surely conquer day-to-day stains like soap scum and burnt-on food. Plus, it smells amazing and comes in eco-friendly packaging!"
Purchase it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $14.35+ (originally $15.95+; available in two sizes).
24. Say goodbye to the electric can opener sitting on your counter and switch to an under-cabinet lid opener that makes opening that jar of pasta sauce a breeze. While anyone can benefit from this, it's especially useful for those with limited hand strength or dexterity!
25. Install stove burner covers to catch spills immediately on gas stove tops or to cover up old, chipped stove surfaces. (I live in a rental with a white gas stove top, and let me tell you, the chips are very noticeable — I totally get it!)
26. Shield your kitchen staples from unnecessary damage with cabinet and drawer liners — even if your kitchen cabinets are older than your grandma's!
27. If you're up for a fun project, consider trying a cabinet paint kit that’s perfect for giving your current kitchen cabinets a fresh coat or totally revamping their look.
28. Check out this marble-look self-adhesive film—it might not be time for a new kitchen countertop, but with a little patience, you can make your existing one look brand new. It's also a fantastic option for bathroom countertops!
