Pro Organizers' 8 Ingenious Tips for Storing All Your Small Appliances.

We depend more than ever on gadgetry to help us put dinner (and breakfast! and lunch! and snacks!) on the table. There is a lot for home cooks to enjoy about small equipment, whether we're talking about your Instant Pot, air fryer, toaster oven, blender, or even that new, attractive waffle maker.

However, despite how practical and entertaining they are, they may take up a lot of room. They don't always fit neatly in cabinets and cupboards, and having little counter space might make things even more difficult. This story fills that void. We asked two experienced organizers for their tips on managing little appliances. Here is what they recommended.

1. Think about cutting back.

Does changing countertop appliances with the seasons make sense? Bremer seems doubtful of our questions. She suggests downsizing if you have that many appliances, especially if you don't have much storage room. Decide which of your collection of gadgets you actually use by going through it. It's simple to get sucked into the newest and greatest, but Lowenheim emphasizes that appliances are only valuable if you utilize them. Additionally, perhaps you can get by with a few multipurpose gadgets. For instance, you might be able to replace your slow cooker with an Instant Pot. You might also purchase a toaster oven that doubles as an air fryer.

2. Keep the accessories in order.

Owner's manuals, spare parts, and attachments are some of the difficult-to-find items that float around the house and appear whenever they are not actually needed. Apply Bremer's rule to gain control: Place the accessories for each appliance in a plastic bag or container with a zip-top closure. Lowenheim recommends quart-sized bags for the smaller items and gallon-sized bags for the larger ones (such as KitchenAid attachments). You should mark the container, both parties agree.

3. Get a handle on your cables.

A tangle of cords on your countertop might result from appliances' reliance on energy to perform their culinary magic. Bremer suggests neatly tying them up to manage the mess. This will not only keep your desk uncluttered, but it will also prevent the cords from becoming entangled in spills and other food-related mess. Lowenheim suggests utilizing simple cord wraps. She also suggested moving the countertops so that the outlets are right next to the appliances that are used frequently. You can get rid of the tangled cords that run everywhere in this way.

4. Spend money on a baker's rack.

If you want to keep your appliances nearby where the activity is, follow Lowenheim's lead and purchase a baker's rack. For organizing, these free-standing cabinets include many shelves; some even have designated areas for microwaves. Consider this advice from Lowenheim if you're debating where to place it in the kitchen: To keep your frequently used appliances plugged in and ready to use, she advises that the rack should ideally be placed against a wall with an outlet.

5. Involve the washing room in outsourcing.

Think creatively and venture into the laundry room if your kitchen is cramped. According to Bremer, several of her clients have found that this underused space is the ideal location for kitchen spillover. In addition, it's not too difficult to set up affordable storage for all of those items in a laundry or mudroom.

6. Utilize the cabinet in the corner.

Appliances should be kept in corner cabinets, whether they have a built-in lazy Susan or not. According to Bremer, its peculiar, cavernous depth is ideal for these large, oddly shaped equipment. The convenience of having everything in one location will become apparent after you make the switch.

7. Keep the bulky items low.

According to professional organizer and founder of Organizing Goddess Sharon Lowenheim, "Heavy appliances should always go in a bottom cabinet, as you don't want to be lifting something heavy over your head." This means that keeping your stand mixer on top of your refrigerator is not a good idea.

8. Observe the "once a week" guideline.

Should that appliance be placed on the counter or put away? There is an easy way to make the call, says Liz Bremer, a professional organizer and the proprietor of Put it Simply Organizing. "It can go on the counter if you use it more frequently than once per week. If not, put it away, she advises. In other words, if you use your air fryer every night for supper, it's worth giving up some countertop space. (At least, carrying it in and out of your cabinets every evening is less of a headache.)