9 years ago, Martha Stewart made small kitchen storage so much smarter (and discreet) – her solution is still as ingenious today

'It is really just an ideal use of what could be just wasted space': Martha's intelligent trick is the most timeless feature you can introduce in your kitchen

Martha Stewart
(Image credit: Vivien Killilea via Getty Images)

Anyone who's an avid-reader of Homes & Gardens' celebrity style section may already be familiar with my favorite past time: Watching archival Martha Stewart footage.

In recent months, I've taken comfort from nostalgic Martha clips, with some dating back as far as the early 1980s. My most recent find, her small kitchen storage tips, is much more recent, originating from 2025, but it's a testament to her timeless advice nonetheless.

'Having plenty of storage space should be a priority when designing your kitchen. Not having enough is the number one regret people have after their kitchen renovation is complete. I have some really good ideas to make the most of your storage space,' Martha says in the footage. First, she demonstrates her most versatile tip: A pull-out drawer under the kitchen sink.

Get More Room Out of Your Kitchen with These Storage Tricks - Martha Stewart - YouTube Get More Room Out of Your Kitchen with These Storage Tricks - Martha Stewart - YouTube
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'Below-the-sink storage is very, very beneficial. It's a big space. Under the sink storage can be so well thought out, and a pull-out tray makes it easy to get cleaning products. They'll be right at your fingertips, and only store things under the sink that won't get damaged in case of a leak,' Martha says.

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After showing us how to organize under the sink, Martha tackles more underutilized areas that double as storage in almost every kitchen.

'The space above your refrigerator is another space that oftentimes just goes unused. Store items up there that you don't use as often,' she says. 'Open storage on an island is also very attractive, and this could be all open shelves for cookbooks, extra dishes, and glassware, but it's also a great place for cabinets.'

In the footage, Martha demonstrates how she uses her hidden kitchen island storage to keep her pet's food and toys out of sight.

'I have lots of animals, so this is a great place for leashes and leads. It's a great place for big containers of dry food and canned food, and also for dog toys. This maximizes the space, and it is really just an ideal use of what could be just wasted space,' she says. 'It's a great place, too, because of this overhang, to put your dog's water dishes and food dishes. Nobody's going to be tripping on them.'

Whether you're designing a new kitchen or looking to make the most of the unused areas you already have, Martha's tips are as useful today as they were on the day they first aired.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.

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