20 Best RV Kitchen Storage Ideas, Tips, and Products

When you have to make meals on wheels, you need to maximize storage space so you can cook with maximum flavor. Here are some of the best RV kitchen storage ideas to get you cooking up a storm.

In an ideal world, we would have all our favorite kitchen items on hand. But there's no question about it – RVs have a small kitchen, at least compared to a normal home's living space.

There's limited room for food items and all those small things like coffee mugs, especially in the RV kitchen cabinets.

But with little space comes creativity! That's why we've come up with a long list of the best RV kitchen storage ideas, tips, and products…

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RV Kitchen Storage Ideas, Tips, and Hacks

We'll start with two important tips that will make all of the tips much easier to employ! Then, we'll go into more specific storage tips, hacks, and more!

Here are 13 of the best RV organization ideas for your tiny kitchen. With the right storage solutions, you can make your small RV kitchen work for you on all your travels.

1 – Take Stock Of All Your Usable Space

To take advantage of the many RV organization accessories, it helps to measure everything first. How long exactly is your counter space? What are the different sizes of your drawers? How deep are your cabinets?

Then consider the heavy items you absolutely can't live without, like a blender (margaritas, anyone?). Maybe there isn't enough room for it in your RV cabinets.

There are lots of great solutions for small items, but you'll have more limited options with the big stuff. To find inspiration, take a look at the rest of your RV space. How do you use that space?

Maybe you only use your RV's dinette set to entertain. This means the space under the seats and table are available for extra storage of those things you use in that scenario. There's the added bonus of these items being tucked away out of sight all other times.

Drawing a kitchen plan with all of these dimensions will help significantly as you optimize your RV kitchen.

2 – Mount Things On The Walls If You Can

Speaking of taking stock of available space in your camper kitchen, how much wall space is available? The wall is a great place to create some extra space.

With a little bit of shopping and installation, you can create more storage room. Plus, since they're out in the open, easy access to them is maintained.

The company Organized Obie offers many super easy and affordable ways to maximize kitchen space. If you use the promo code RVLIFESTYLE they'll give you 5% off the cost of your order.

Here are some specific RV kitchen storage ideas for the wall that will free up much room…

3 – Wall Hooks

Consider which kitchen items you can hang, such as towels, cooking utensils, and even pots and pans.

Some hooks can hold more weight than others. So if you're looking to hang your cast iron pan, be sure to buy the right one!

You may have to remove some hanging items (like pots and pans) in transport to keep them from clanging and damaging your walls. But, a good hanging rack will make your RV kitchen more functional while using it.

4 – Magnetic Spice Racks

If you maybe want to limit the amount of wall damage, here's a great option that mounts using magnets. This shelf has some handy hooks and can keep your spices and pan holders ready to use, and out of the way.

There are many models of this kind of shelf so you can buy the one that fits your space.

5 – Magnetic Knife Strip

If you're bringing your nice knife set, they don't need to take up any precious counter space or drawer space. They can be magnetized to the wall!

It also helps to know that no matter how much your RV swerves, those knives are staying put.

Here is a quality magnetic knife strip that is affordable and highly-rated.

6 – Paper Towel Holder

This paper towel holder mounts on the bottom of a cabinet. This is a great way to save space on the counter in an out-of-the-way place.

The one we linked to above has a removable bar. This is important if you are installing it in a tight space because some paper towel holders require you to slide the paper towel roll on. So, you have to have TWICE the length available in order to hold the paper towel roll up next to it to slide it on.

Mike and Jennifer's NEW RV Lifestyle Merch!

7 – Cabinet Shelf Rack

One of the most effective RV kitchen storage ideas is putting another shelf on your shelf. It practically doubles your usable shelf space!

If you only have so much room horizontally, might as well try vertical!

This simple shelf rack works in most RV cabinets, but there are lots on the market to choose from. Again, be sure to measure and order the perfect size (horizontally and vertically) for your cabinets.

8 – Magazine Holders

Speaking of creating vertical space, many use magazine holders to accomplish this.

They can hold anything from pans, pot lids, a cutting board, or any kind of kitchen accessory that'll fit. You can find them at just about any Dollar Store.

9 – Clear Plastic Bins for Cabinets

This is where all that careful measuring comes into play. Tip: Don't forget to measure the lip on the shelf.

You can then buy the exact size clear plastic bins that will fit your space. The benefit is keeping food stacked and easily seen in the pantry.

By placing a rubber shelf liner beneath them, they will stay in place. However, it's possible that you can buy bins that will perfectly fit the space and won't move regardless. It will look great too!

10 – Use a BBQ Caddy

In addition to the plastic bins, we recommend having a BBQ or picnic table caddy. Then you can easily organize and move your outdoor utensils, napkins, etc.

You can even place them on your RV kitchen table, freeing up some cabinet space.

We recommend the Mr. Bar-B-Q Collapsible BBQ Caddy if you're limited on space. Or, the all-out condiment caddy with paper towel holder if you can spare the room.

(BTW, both of those caddies are on our sister website, Camping Food Recipes, list of the 35 Best Smoker Accessories & BBQ Tools for Camping. They really do come in handy!)

11 – Buy Stackable or “Nesting” Things

Mixing bowls, pans, and pots are easy to find in stackable form that nest inside each other. Plus, pots can usually fit stacked under the sink.

However, while the RV moves the pans could rub on each other and damage them. To prevent this, place dish towels or squares of felt between each pan.

Bowl tip: If you buy oven-safe bowls they can double as oven pans.

You can even store these pots and oven-safe bowls in the oven themselves. Just remember to take out the towels before using the oven!

12 – Collapsible Colanders

Colanders can be so pesky and bulky even in a regular-sized kitchen! Luckily the collapsible kind exists now, making it possible to store away easily.

Collapsible colanders often come in sets of 2 or 3, but you really only need one on the road. Leave the extra ones at home or give them to a fellow RVer.

13 – Instapot

One of the most recommended RV kitchen storage ideas is the Instapot. Its versatility in cooking methods (including air fryer!) makes bringing other appliances unnecessary.

It's also not too bulky, making for easy storage.

It takes a bit of practice to learn, but it can replace a few appliances in your RV.

14 – Over-the-Sink Dish Rack

Instead of using a dish rack next to your sink, you can get special dish racks that utilize your sink space. They essentially hang from the sides of your sink, with the dish rack sitting in the middle. This saves counter space AND keeps your countertops dry.

Many options can work for your rig, including an expandable sink dryer and a collapsible over-sink dryer.  

15 – Under Sink Expandable Shelf

You can buy a special shelf unit that works around your sink's plumbing. This Simple Houseware under sink organizer is a versatile storage unit designed specifically for RV kitchens.

With its two expandable tiers, this shelf can be adjusted from 15 to 25 inches, ensuring a perfect fit for any size RV.

Featuring three large steel panels and four small panels, this shelf provides ample space to store and organize your items. You can easily separate smaller items on the top rack and place bulkier items like chemical bottles on the bottom.

16 – Nifty Kitchen Towel Hooks

Kitchen towel hooks are a must-have for every RV kitchen. We particularly like these kitchen towel hooks because the are low profile and have a good grip.

Plus, you can attach them using the included self-adhesive tape or the enclosed screw to securely fasten them to your wall.

17- Collapsible Food Storage Containers

You don't want any leftovers to go to waste, but standard storage containers take up so much space. That's why collapsible food storage containers are so nifty.

This set comes in different sizes with very secure lids. Perfect for prepping and storing all kinds of camping food.

Speaking of leftovers, our sister website, Camping Food Recipes has great ideas for repurposing leftovers, including:

• Best Leftover Mac and Cheese Casserole
• Leftover Hamburger Patties Casserole (With Tater Tots)

18 – Reusable Food Storage Bags

One of the best ways to save room in your RV kitchen is to prep as many meals as you can at home. That's when reusable food storage bags really come in handy.

You can use them for so much, from homemade uncrustables to prepping easy tuna noodle casserole and so much more.

19 – Camping Cutting Board Set

Another great kitchen kit that saves space is this 9-in-1 camping cutting board. It includes a cutting board, collapsible colander, knives, and grater attachments.

It's really nifty for moving food back and forth from your portable camping grill, too.

20 – RV Coffee Maker

Standard coffee makers are often too bulky for RV use. That's why we made a long list of the best RV coffee makers.

Coffee-loving RV travelers have plenty of options, but here are the best coffee makers for RV travel. Go to the full list of the best RV coffee makers…

Remember, Less is More

After all these RV kitchen storage ideas, it's worth mentioning that the top advice is the mantra “Less is more.” On the road, it can be taxing to be always swimming in your stuff. Plus, you'll want to save some room for souvenirs!

Do you have any tips for kitchen storage you would like to share? Please feel free in the comments!

Also be sure to check out these other great ideas from our FaceBook group members: How Do I Organize an RV Kitchen?

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