27 Ideas for Organizing and Saving Space in an RV Kitchen
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Ashley Mann spent three years living full time in a 38-foot, 5th-wheel RV with her husband Josiah and their cat, Kitty. Her favorite thing about RV life is the challenge of finding the perfect way to organize a space, and she loves seeing all the creative and clever ways people come up with to customize their RVs.
Here are some of the best RV kitchen storage solutions I've found for efficiently organizing and using every bit of storage space in a small RV kitchen.
Tip #1: Use wall space to add storage to your RV kitchen.
Idea #1: Add a Wall Mounted Knife Caddy
Just about every empty wall in my RV is used for storage, like this wall of my RV kitchen where I have a knife holder and a small wire storage basket.
I initially tried hanging the basket with three Command hooks, but since the items I keep in it are pretty heavy, it eventually it fell down, so I used screws instead.
Idea #2: Make Room for Wall Mounted Organizers
My friend Brooke mounted a narrow spice rack (which she spray painted blue) on a wall in her travel trailer, along with a galvanized metal file organizer she uses as plate storage.
Idea #3: Install Tall Cabinets for Extra RV Kitchen Storage
The owners of the RV pictured below doubled their kitchen cabinet space by installing two kitchen cabinets. They purchased them at a home supply store, stacked them on top of each other, and secured them to the wall with screws.
Since they match their existing cabinets, you can't even tell they weren't part of the original design!
Idea #4: Use Magnets to Store Spices on Kitchen Walls
One of my personal favorite uses of wall space is for spice storage. I made this magnetic spice storage wall in my RV, which I wrote about in a separate blog post.
Read Next: Spice Storage Ideas to Help You Organize Your RV Kitchen
Update: My New and Improved Adhesive Spice Rack
We now own a motorhome instead of our fifth wheel, so now I use adhesive stainless steel strips to hang magnetic spice tins.
This one was much easier than my other spice wall! But at the time I made the other one, I couldn't find anything like these small strips of stainless steel.
Tip #2: Look for other vertical spaces in your RV kitchen that can be turned into storage.
Idea #5: Hang a Rack for Storing Cutting Boards and Cookies Sheets
I already had this hanging rack, but didn't have a use for it. For storing my cutting boards and cookie sheets, I decided to hang it on the side of my cabinets.
I used screws to mount it. It also conceals our converter and other electrical components.
- Please Measure Before Making Purchase: Basket Dimension (Wall-mounted): 13.5'' L x 9.5'' H x 3.62'' D; Over the Door Height: 18.5 inches
Idea #6: Mug Hooks Used to Hang Wire Baskets on the End of an RV Kitchen Cabinet
One of my favorite small camper storage ideas is to hang baskets on the wall wherever extra storage is needed.
In my fifth wheel, I used mug hooks to hang wire baskets from the end of an RV kitchen cabinet as a place to store fruit and root vegetables.
Read next: Ideas for Storing Fruit & Vegetables in Your RV
If you don't want to use hooks that would leave holes in your walls or cabinets, you could try this type of wire basket hung with adhesive hooks.
- 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐄 - MaraFansie over the door cabinet organizer is Ideal for organizing and storing spice bottles, pantry items, snacks, toiletries, tools, craft supplies, etc. MaraFansie basket can be used anywhere around the house, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the bedroom and more.
Idea #7: Use Tiny Gaps to Create Magnetic Pizza Pan Storage
Here's an “RV kitchen storage hack” that I'm particularly proud I thought of. The gap next to my microwave seemed like wasted space, so I stuck a couple of magnets to the side of my microwave and it became the perfect spot to store my pizza pan.
Idea #8: Store Small Items on RV Refrigerator Doors
Another RV kitchen storage idea is to use the doors of your refrigerator for added storage.
If your refrigerator doors are magnetic, you can use magnetic hooks to store all kinds of kitchen supplies. I've got measuring cups and spoons, pot holders, and a plastic bag holder hung on my refrigerator.
If your fridge isn't magnetic, you can either replace the panels with magnetic stainless steel sheets or use adhesive hooks instead.
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL USE: This magnetic hook is perfect for hanging tools such as keys, towels, kitchen utensils, umbrellas, garlands and many more objects. Ideal for home, office, classroom decor, garage, outdoor. The possibilities are endless with our magnetic hooks
Tip #3: Utilize the Bottoms of RV Kitchen Cabinets for Under Cabinet Storage.
Idea #9: Pots and Utensils Hung Underneath RV Cabinets
First of all, I just love the wall decor in this kitchen. But also, I love how the owner of this motorhome hung her pots and pans and other kitchen items from the bottom of her cabinets.
Idea #10: Hang Utensils Under Cabinets
This rotating adhesive hanger can be stuck to your backsplash (it bends) or under a cabinet for hanging utensils in your RV kitchen.
- 🩹【STRONG ADHESIVE】Hey! Do you need strong Adhesive Hooks? You found! This 4 hooks is created with special material which cannot be removed if you don't wish! Enjoy being your kitchen king!
Idea #11: Hang Wine Glasses Over Dining Area
I hung wine glasses from the bottom of one of my RV cabinets using a couple of racks like this one.
We've only moved our RV once so far since I hung them. Unfortunately, I forgot to run a bungee cord across the end of the rack before we left so they wouldn't slide off, and a few fell off and broke.
But the ones that stayed on the rack did just fine with liquor bottle sleeves over them. I use those sleeves to protect my actual liquor bottles and glassware as well.
- KEEP IT SAFE: Keep your bottles safe while traveling or shipping by placing these mesh protective sleeves around your wine or liquor bottle which prevents them from banging against each other.
Idea #12: Attach a Paper Plate Dispenser to the Bottom of a Kitchen Cabinet
For RV owners who prefer to use paper plates, one of these paper plate dispensers mounted to the bottom of a cabinet could come in really handy.
Idea #13: Use a Magnetic Knife Strip
A lot of people mount a magnetic knife strip on the wall of their RV kitchens.
If you don't want your knives out, you can also hide them by mounting them in a cabinet.
- Powerful Knife Magnetic Strip: Our magnetic knife holder is made from strong magnet and covered in stainless steel. Space-saving design saves valuable countertop and workbench space. The magnetic knife holder for wall accent any kitchen decor.
Idea #14: Rack for Wraps and Baggies Mounted Under a Kitchen Cabinet
A wrap and bag holder like this one, which is designed to be mounted on a kitchen cabinet door, could just as easily be mounted to the bottom of a cabinet.
- Store for Bigger Paper Roll, Food Wrap and Foil
You could even try using Command hooks or adhesive cable clips to hang it if you wanted, although I would probably choose mug hooks myself so that the height and angle could be adjusted as needed. You could also spray paint the rack to be whatever color you wanted.
Idea #15: Hang an Under Cabinet Rack for Coffee Pods
Do you use a Keurig to make coffee in your RV? If so, under the cabinet can be a great place to store K cups.
Idea #16: Install an Under Cabinet Organizer for Small Items
- Ingenious Storage Solution: An ideal compact size, our patented Anything Keeper provides a sturdy permanent storage container in your home, office, cabin, RV, & other busy areas. Perfect for use at everyday workstations, the tasteful black mesh movable basket hangs in reaching distance for essentials like pens, paperwork, computer accessories, and personal items. The interior holder measures 10.25” x 9” x 2” & includes a slip-resistant mat, making it extra user-friendly.
This space-saving “stuff” organizer (it's literally called an “Anything Keeper” has a similar design, but can be used to store anything. It comes in either black or white, but of course, it too could be spray painted to match your RV decor.
Idea #17: Add Small Drawers to the Bottom of an RV Kitchen Cabinet
Here's another under-cabinet storage idea that I would love to try sometime.
- A multipurpose organizer cabinet featuring burnished metal hardware and a vintage-style dark brown wood finish
It's a set of wooden drawers that could be mounted to the bottom of a cabinet using L brackets, acrylic mounting tape (since it's very small), or countless other ways I'm sure. If you do this, please send me a picture!
Idea #18: Find a Rod with Hooks for Hanging Utensils
The owners of this RV use the space under their kitchen cabinets as a place to store kitchen gadgets in their camper by hanging them from a utensil rack. These can be purchased in different lengths and you can even get an adhesive one, but be sure to measure the height of your space before buying one.
- Sturdy & Durable --Made of good iron material, strong hardness, not easy to break. And it's a nice sturdy design with full metal construction; It looks nice with any pan pot and with almost any kitchen theme. It definitely holdes weight of cast iron pans. The total weight of pots/pans/utensils on the rack not to exceed 30 kg or 66 lbs will be best.
Tip #4: Use countertops for adding RV kitchen storage.
Idea #19: Spice Rack Next to Backsplash
Here's a neat idea that one of my blog subscribers sent to me in an email. It's a nail polish rack, which she keeps on her counter, held in place by clear Command hooks.
The bottom was originally rounded, her husband used a grinding wheel to make it flat across the bottom, but if you're like me and have no way of cutting metal, you could get a rectangle-shaped one instead. I'm sure these could also be secured in place with a bit of my trusty friend, acrylic mounting tape.
Idea #20: Store Silverware On the Counter
I know most of us grew up with a silverware drawer as a basic kitchen essential, but after experiencing the convenience of having a silverware caddy next to my sink, I'm obsessed. It's so easy to grab and store now!
I made this caddy by putting some tin cans in a basket I got at a thrift store. I wrap a bungee cord around it to hold it in place when my RV is in motion. Adding some rubber shelf liner to the bottom would probably prevent it from moving too.
There are some really neat silverware caddies on Amazon, such as this galvanized metal one, which would be super handy for carrying outside to eat at a camp table or picnic table if you eat most of your meals outside.
- The Artland Oasis Carry-All can be used to carry things like napkins, condiment jars, silverware or a 6 pack of beer bottles
Idea #21: Shower Caddy Used in an RV Kitchen
Sometimes the best camper organization ideas involve using items in a way that was different than their intended use. This RV owner used a caddy from the bathroom department at Walmart to add extra storage in her kitchen.
Idea #22: Create a Tea or Coffee Station
This caddy would be perfect for organizing tea or creating a coffee station.
- Effortless Organization: This condiment holder offers an easily accessible solution for sorting condiments, coffee pods, tea bags, cups, stirrers, and more. Its stacked sectional design minimizes countertop footprint, ensuring everything stays tidy
Idea #23: Build a Raised Shelf Behind the Sink
A friend of mine added a small wooden shelf behind the sink in her RV kitchen when she renovated her RV to create a place to set decorative items while keeping them up and off the counter.
Tip #5: Look for other empty spaces that be used as RV kitchen storage.
Idea #24: Stash Snacks in the Microwave
Here's a cool space-saving idea if you're really desperate for storage space in a small camper or travel trailer. Use the microwave as storage.
RVer Amanda Kehler keeps a basket in her microwave which she simply removes whenever she needs to use the microwave and replaces afterward.
Idea #25: Hang a Pot Rack from the Ceiling
In my RV, I put the kitchen ceiling to use by hanging a pot rack above my sink. The screws in my RV's vent cover happened to be perfectly located and I was able to remove them and replace them with hooks. I've also seen other RV owners hang a pot rack from a wooden light fixture.
You probably won't want to try this idea if you have a motorhome, because I can't imagine that you'd want to listen to pots and pans banging around as you're driving down the road!
Idea #26: Multi-Level Drawer Organizer
Giving drawers a storage upgrade with multi-tier cutlery trays and drawer dividers is a good way to utilize space near the top without them becoming too messy.
RV owner Kathy Johnson is a pro at drawer organization, as you can see in the photos below.
Idea #27: Check If You Have a Panel with Empty Space Behind It
Many RV kitchens have panels with empty space behind them that can be turned into storage, like this spot I found underneath my pantry cabinets.
Want to see more ideas for RV kitchen organization? Check out these other blog posts:
You have given me some good ideas on how I can increase storage in my kitchen. Thanks for the inspiration! I’m going to start looking for interesting things at garage sales and thrift store that will help organize and add some interesting decor at the same time.
Great ideas! We have a ladder on the back of our pantry door and I think I want to hang baskets from the rungs.
That would be so cute, and handy too!
You’ve totally sold me on acrylic mounting tape! Using your link to order some! I too use a utensil holder in my camper for silverware–a basket with 3 veggie-can sized compartments. Just a caveat–my utensils rusted on the bottom (I must have put them away damp and the basket material held moisture), so now I put a small pad of paper towels in the bottom of the compartments. Thanks for all the great ideas!
You’re welcome! And thanks for the tip for preventing utensils for rusting! Hope you like the acrylic tape as much as I do!
My parents just purchased an RV in a park. Its older but well kept and has has some remodel done. Where can she find mini valances for the windows ( she has a kitchen window that stretches the entire front ) also appliance replacements and parts? Smaller, comfortable furniture. And fixtures that look nice and not cheap.
Hi Melissa,
You can find replacement RV furniture and valances at RecPro.com. However, you could also replace the valances with regular curtains. Check out my article about RV window treatment ideas to see some examples.
Same with the furniture – you can just use residential furniture, especially if they are planning to leave the RV stationary, but even if they intend to travel as long as they stay within the RV’s cargo weight limit. Wayfair.com has a great selection of furniture and you can see the dimensions before you buy; I’ve bought several pieces of furniture from there myself. Or if you live near an IKEA that’s where I would shop for furniture.
As for the appliances, I would just do a Google search for each individual appliance. If you’re looking for the same brand, include the brand name in your search; otherwise you can do a general search and big name RV parts suppliers will come up in the top results.
Thank you for all the tips and ideas. We just bought a ‘new to us’ camper, first time ever and we are 68 years old! So excited but nervous about learning how to use it. LOL
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy many adventures with it! 🙂
I am so thrilled that I found your page.
such great info..
so helpful.. in about a year were heading off to live in ours for maybe a year just traveling around.
thanks for all the tips…keep em coming