Maybe it’s a little more apparent at this time of year, in the thick of the holiday season when so much is happening in the kitchen (and with so many people, to boot!). But kitchen space is invaluable. No matter what style your kitchen is – traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between – and no matter how big it is, maximizing the space you do have is one of the keys of enjoying this holiday season.

Saving space is really about making things easier, more organized, and less cluttered. In essence, making the most of not only your space but also the items within your space. Here are some pretty quick and easy, yet totally essential, ideas for you to incorporate into your kitchen. Most of them are so simple, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner!

Built-In Drying Rack.

This is a really great idea for saving space in the kitchen – a drying rack that utilizes the otherwise wasted space between the back of your sink and the backsplash. This one is wisely made out of bamboo so it can withstand water association for longer periods of time without warping or growing mold.

Cupboard Door Storage.

For those awkward long, narrow boxes that hold things like aluminum foil, wax or parchment paper, plastic freezer bags, and other kitchen essentials, a rack on the back of a cupboard door might be just the trick. Store them vertically to provide best access and efficient usage.

Wall of Pot Hooks.

Sometimes 4” or 5” of wall depth is all you need to go from chaos to uber-organized. This wall of hooks for pots and pans proves this. More accessible than they would be crammed into a cupboard or deep drawer, these pots make very efficient use of what would otherwise be wasted wall space.

Space Saving Cup Holder.

This unique and wildly efficient cup/mug hanger simply slides onto your existing shelf. It requires no screws or any other assembly. This is a highly effective use of the “dead space” that inevitably falls in the top 1/3 of most cupboards.

Basic Utensil Rack.

Install a metal bar directly under your cabinets and throw on some S-hooks – viola! You’ve just freed up a couple of “miscellaneous” drawers. You know the ones – the ones that are so full with oddly shaped items that they’re hard to open and, once open, it takes a while to find the item you actually need. I love how this idea can integrate easily into any style of kitchen.

Under-Sink Hanging Cleaner Rod.

Taking two minutes to install a tension curtain rod in a kitchen cupboard (think: under the kitchen sink) will reap major rewards when you find you now have an organized, sanitary place for your kitchen cleaner spray bottles. You could even use the rod to drape cleaning cloths so you have everything in the same place for some quick cleanup.

Doubled-Up Drawers.

An alternative to hanging a curtain rod under the kitchen sink is to install some stacked drawers, which opens up tons of accessible space for storing any number (and type) of items. Of course, this is more architecturally intrusive than the tension curtain rod…but doesn’t it make your organization-loving heart sing?