You don't have to shell out the big bucks to get a beautifully organized kitchen. These affordable storage solutions let you keep your cash while making your own kitchen storage-rich.

Freestanding Shelves

Bookshelves aren't limited to reading materials. Locate one near your kitchen to store all your cooking odds and ends. Stack the storage unit high with dishware, spices, and cookbooks to free up cabinet space.

Single File

Keep water bottles within reach and in view by stacking them in magazine files. Rest the inexpensive organizers on their backs for quick grab-and-go access.

Hang Baskets

Baskets are helpful for organizing kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce. Place a pair of baskets above a sink using a metal rod or adhesive hooks for easy access. A wire design allows you to see contents at a glance and helps wet dishes and sponges dry quicker.

Gather Loose Lids

Utilize thrifty organizers to make over the chaotic space where you stash food-storage containers. A wall file mounted to a cabinet door is an easy solution for separating plastic lids from bases.

Floating Shelves

If you have a bit of extra wall space but not enough room for cabinetry, add a pair of floating shelves. Install hooks under the bottom shelf for hanging coffee mugs, utensils, or hand towels.

Rise Up

A collapsible riser designed for cabinet interiors lends heightened storage when tackling hands-on recipes. Prepare your workstation by arranging ingredients in the created space underneath, and set dishes and utensils on top.

Clutter Cutter

Backsplashes are storage space waiting to happen. One strategy to put this space to work for pennies: Add magnetized strips to one side of a finished board, and secure it to the backsplash to hold knives -- they're as easy to grab and use as they are to put away.

Clear Containers

Keep a uniform look on your countertops with clear storage containers. Buy them in bulk online from kitchen supply stores for less. They're good for storing dry cereals, pet foods, and snacks, too. Even apothecary jars with long lost or broken lids can be used to store a countertop collection of rolling pins on end.

Try Tension Rods

Rethink how you use tension curtain rods. Place rows of the affordable window-treatment hardware inside a cabinet to keep plastic food-container lids, baking sheets, or serving trays upright and organized.

Corkboard Cabinetry

Applying cork to a door face or cabinet interior is a handy way to organize notes and lists. Use spray adhesive to apply the inexpensive sheets of corkboard. Store recipes, chore lists, and coupon clippings on the boards while keeping the surface of your cabinetry clutter-free.