Small Kitchen Space Saver: Jar Lids Affixed To Cabinets

When you have a small kitchen with limited storage space, finding a place for a full pantry can be a dilemma. Certain items – tea, coffee, sugar, salt ndash; need to be readily available, and while those sets of kitchen canisters are great in theory, who can afford to waste valuable real estate keeping them on the counter? Got some glass or plastic jars about to be tossed into the recycle bin? Wait!

There's a solution that we remembered from our childhood that's not only a great space saver, but it's a great way to use jars that might otherwise go towards recycling. Once you've devoured the contents of a plastic or glass jar, clean the inside thoroughly, remove the label and let dry. Then screw, nail, Crazy Glue or use magnets to secure the jar lids to the under side of a shelf. Fill their matching jars and screw into place.

Design*Sponge has a full tutorial if you want to go the "screwing the lids to the shelf" route; if you're all thumbs, you might want to go the magnetic route via this tutorial on Instructables by a resourceful Parsons student, Garrett Tillman.

(Image: Garrett Tillman)

Comments (7)

I can see screwing or gluing jar lids to the bottom of a shelf in the garage, but not to the bottom of my kitchen cabinets. That seems, to me, in the same vein as people who paint over wallpaper. Yes, it's expedient and satisfying in the moment, but it's totally inconsiderate of anyone who might come along after you and have to deal with the glued-on jar lids or painted-over wallpaper.

I really love the look of this, but I don't like the idea of having the lids permanently affixed. I positively love the thought of magnetizing them so that you can easily grab, rearrange, or do away with them all together.

Yeah, I thought the jar in the picture was actually magnetized. No matter, it's still a clever idea.

love, love, love. I have a really tiny kitchen and the cabinets are so high up it's not very practical to store things that are used often in them. I have a shelf right above the sink calling for this project!

Growing up, my dad did this in his basement workshop to store nuts, bolts, screws, etc. I like the idea of doing it in the kitchen!

Perhaps instead of doing this, use one of those ikea wine racks affixed to the bottom of a shelf to instead of holding wine holding bottled seasoning?