How To Organize Kitchen Utensils Without Drawers 

Don’t let overstuffed drawers ruin a kitchen you love. See how to organize kitchen utensils when there’s no room in the drawers.

Millie Pham stopped by today to share her best tips to organize kitchen utensils without drawers.

Every year, exciting new kitchen tools and utensils are released. This makes cooking a fun and rewarding hobby—but it also makes it hard to keep track of everything you have.

You might want your utensils to be easy to find and organized, but you don’t want them to take up too much space in the drawer or get in the way when you’re cooking.

I understand that because I’ve been there myself. I know how frustrating it can be to have utensils all over the place instead of in a neat and orderly fashion.

With this in mind, I want to share with you some of my favorite ways to organize kitchen utensils without drawers, along with 3 tips to arrange utensils in a small kitchen so you can make the most of your space and keep all your cooking utensils easy to find. 

Now, without further ado, let’s get into it!

Wood spoons and forks organized in a hanging tin pail.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

7 Ways To Organize Kitchen Utensils Without Drawers

If you don’t have a drawer or want to use your space more efficiently, here are some ideas:

  • Mount a pegboard for your kitchen utensils
  • Use Kitchen Utensil Holders
  • Store them in mason jars or other glass containers
  • Add Floating Shelves
  • Hang them from a magnetic knife strip.
  • Add a utensil caddy to the on-counter area
  • Repurpose a magazine holder to hold cutting boards

Let’s look at each idea in more detail!

1. Mount a pegboard for your kitchen utensils

Pegboard organizer hanging on kitchen wall with utensils and plant.
Photo provided by Millie Pham


Mounting a pegboard for your kitchen utensils is a great way to keep things organized and easy to find. You can mount the pegboard on the wall or in a cupboard, depending on how much space you have.

You can use screws or nails to attach the pegboard to the surface it’s going on. Then, just hang anything that you need right on top of it. You can hang knives, spoons, spatulas, and so much more!

If you have a lot of cookware or other cooking tools, it might be helpful to mount multiple boards so that everything is easy to find. This will allow for easier organization of your kitchen utensils and ensure everything stays clean and organized in one place.

2. Use Kitchen Utensil Holders

Utensils in metal holder on kitchen counter.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

Kitchen Utensil Holders come in all shapes and sizes—some are made of plastic, and others are made of wood. They can even be personalized with your own name or initials!

The most important thing to look for when buying one is that it’s sturdy enough to use daily. You don’t want something that will fall apart after a few uses. If you’ve already got a drawer full of utensils, consider getting an organizer instead. These will hold everything in one place, so you don’t have to dig around for a spatula when making dinner.

3. Store them in mason jars or other glass containers.

Wood spoons, forks, and glass containers.
Photo provided by Millie Pham


Another best way to make your kitchen look neat and organized is to store cooking utensils in mason jars. They are a great choice for storing your utensils because they are sturdy and can be used for other things besides storing utensils.

You can also use these jars to store other things in your kitchen, like spices or small items like napkins or paper towels. Just clean out the jar before you store something new inside it!

If you want to keep your mason jars extra clean, wash them with hot soapy water and then rinse them thoroughly. Dry them well before putting them away in a cabinet or drawer.

4. Add Floating Shelves

Kitchen shelf and countertop storage containers.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

Adding floating shelves is a great way to add extra utensil storage and organization to your kitchen. You can use them to store pots and pans or other cooking utensils without having drawers clutter up your cabinets. 

They can also be used as a surface to display items you may not need at the moment but want to keep handy. The best thing about floating shelves is that they are very versatile. You can place them anywhere in your kitchen, and they will look great!

5. Hang them from a magnetic knife strip.

Hanging magnetic knife organizer.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

Have you ever thought of using magnetic strips to organize your kitchen utensils?

Magnetic knife strips are commonly known as magnetic racks for knives, but few people know they can also hold kitchen utensils with metal parts.

The benefit of using magnets instead of hooks is that they will not scratch your utensils or cookware and will fit perfectly on any standard wall space, saving your kitchen counter space.

6. Add a utensil caddy to the on-counter area

Wood utensil caddy.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

The idea behind this idea is to help you keep your utensils organized and accessible in one place. You can also use this idea for other types of household items, like dish towels.

You can buy utensil caddies in different sizes and shapes to fit with the rest of your kitchen decor. You can also choose from different materials, depending on what you want your utensils caddy to look like. For example, if you want a more traditional feel, go with wood or metal; if you’d rather have something sleek and modern, consider glass or stainless steel. The options are endless!

7. Repurpose a magazine holder to hold cutting boards

Magazine Holder.
Photo provided by Millie Pham

We all have those extra magazine holders that we just never use. They’re sitting in the corner, collecting dust and taking up valuable space in your home.

Why not turn them into pieces of kitchen storage that are both practical and stylish? 

You can use magazine holders to hold cutting boards; they are lightweight and easy to carry around. They are also easy to clean and will keep your kitchen looking great.

Plus, they can be used for more than just cutting boards. Some people use them to store spices or other kitchen utensils. 

Tips To Organize Kitchen Utensils In A Small Kitchen

If you have a small kitchen, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of utensils you need to keep on hand. Finding a place for everything can be hard with many different sizes, shapes, and materials.

So with these 3 tips below, you can find a place for all kitchen utensils and make your space feel organized.

1. Clear out any items that you rarely use

The first step to organizing your utensils is clearing out any items you rarely use. This is a good way to start because it helps you see what is truly important. Once you have a clear view of your needs, you can begin organizing them.

2. Organize utensils by size 

Next, organize utensils by size. This will help you know where to find what when it’s time for cooking or cleaning up after meals! 

For example, large pot and pan; small pot and pan; spoon/spatula; can opener; knife; cutting board; measuring cups and spoons; etc. 

3. Make use of the walls.

Don’t just rely on your drawers—use your walls! You can hang utensils on hooks or tuck them away on shelves. This trick will let you maximize every square inch of your kitchen and keep everything in one place.

Final Thoughts

When your utensils are disorganized, it can be difficult to cook or bake.

But if you take the time to organize your utensils once in a while using these seven ideas for organizing kitchen utensils without drawers, your life will be easier than it would be with an unorganized drawer. 

And best of all, you’ll spend less time searching for the right tool and more time enjoying delicious food.

Author Bio: Millie Pham is a home and lifestyle blogger at milliepham.com where she explores all things cleaning, decorating, outdoor cooking, and more. She’s been featured on Yahoo, eHow, Edible Arrangements, and GOBankingRates. You can reach her at millie@milliepham.com.

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