Part of the travel experience by RV is the freedom and adventure that comes with it. However, one of the significant dilemmas RV owners always face is making the most of their small space. And RV kitchens can be especially challenging. An organized RV kitchen makes so much difference and can transform a cramped cooking area into one that is functional and pleasant. The right tools and strategies in organizing a small RV kitchen and cabinets are of dire importance. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time resident, here’s how to organize your RV kitchen.
Must-Haves for Organizing Small RV Kitchens
Organizing an RV kitchen requires flexible, compact, space-saving items. Following are some essential tools and gadgets to help keep your RV kitchen organized without sparing an inch on functionality.
Collapsible Kitchenware
Foldable pots, pans, bowls—this collapsible kitchenware will help you organize your RV kitchen. These are designed to collapse down to a mere fraction of their full-size counterparts, easily stored in minimal spaces. In addition to the cabinet space they’ll save you, they’re light and sturdy for life on the road or just for short RV camping. Look for sets with various sizes so you can cook different healthy meals without taking up a huge amount of space.
Multi-Cooker or Instant Pot
A multi-cooker or instant pot can replace several kitchen devices, saving you both space and time. With the ability to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and even bake, these all-in-one cookers reduce the need for multiple pots and pans. This not only frees up cabinet space but also reduces the clutter on your countertops. Opt for a model with multiple functions to get the most out of this essential RV kitchen tool.
Built-In Strainer Cutting Board
A cutting board that doubles as a strainer is yet another addition to your RV kitchen. This two-in-one gadget will let you chop up fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients and then strain them easily without having to use a colander. Not only does this save on space, but it also reduces the number of dishes you have to clean—a definite plus when limited to water.
Magnetic Knife Strip
A magnetic knife strip is a great way to store your knives without cluttering counter or drawer space. This strip, mounted directly to the wall or on the side of a cabinet, will nicely hang your knives out of the way for storage. Not only does this give you more space, but it also prevents the knives from becoming dull and jostled around in a drawer while traveling.
Stackable Cookware
You’ll need some stackable cookware for that small kitchen in your RV. These pots and pans nest neatly inside each other, maximizing your cabinet space. Look for those including lids that also stack, which will further reduce the space used. With stackable cookware, you can easily have everything needed for cooking on the road without giving up storage space.
Hanging Spice Rack
A hanging spice rack provides an excellent solution for organizing a small kitchen space. A mounted rack on the wall or the inside of a cabinet door will help to keep your spices very accessible and out of the way but neatly organized without requiring counter or shelf space. Choose a rack that holds the spices securely so they don’t spill around as you move about.
Must-Haves for Organizing RV Cabinets
An excellent organization system for your RV kitchen is wisely incorporating cabinet space. Here are some must-have items to help keep your RV cabinets clean and organized.
Stackable Containers
These stacking containers are great for holding dry products like my favorite various nut mixes, seeds, and grains. Airtight containers keep food fresh and prevent spills, while the design saves space to store as many as possible within your cabinet. Choose containers in a range of sizes to hold food items and label them so that you find what you need easily.
Clear Storage Bins
Finally, you should have transparent storage bins for organizing pantry items and other small requisites inside your RV cabinets. Because they are transparent, you can immediately see what’s inside without having to rummage through many bins. Use them to group similar items like snacks, canned goods, or cleaning supplies so you will find what you need without digging through your cabinets.
Cabinet Door Hooks/Racks
Make the most of every square inch of your RV kitchen by utilizing the inside of your cabinet doors. Hooks and racks can be installed on cabinet doors and can handle a long list of items, including towels, potholders, and cleaning supplies. This keeps items off the counter and off the shelves so that there is additional storage space for other items that you want to store. Look for adjustable hooks or racks so they can be moved up and down to accommodate items of varying sizes.
Adjustable Shelving
Installing adjustable shelving is an excellent way to individualize your RV cabinets in regard to your storage needs. By installing the movable shelves up or down, you will be in a position to provide the right area for storing items of different heights. This will be very handy, especially in cabinets that store taller items like cereal boxes or big bottles, since you will move the shelves to fit such without space wastage.
Bungee Cords and Straps
Securing items while traveling helps not only to keep from damage but also from clutter. Bungee cords and straps are two very simple tools that help to keep items in their places. They are attached to larger items, such as pots, pans, or even small appliances, to make sure they do not slide around whenever you are moving. This will help to keep your cabinets organized and your personal belongings safe.
Over-the-Door Organizers
Over-the-door organizers work well with utensils, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. They hang on the inside or the outside of doors to cabinets, thus adding more storage and not taking any space up from the shelves. They work well for storing items that you might need to use often, thus keeping them right at your fingertips.
Drawer Dividers
One of the problems with small spaces is that it is hard to keep your drawers organized, but drawer dividers can help that. Separating utensils, gadgets, or other small items, the dividers prevent them from jumbling into a heap. More specifically, adjustable dividers come in handy since they could be tailored to suit variable drawer sizes and the particular items one wants to store.
Conclusion: Organize Your RV Kitchen
Organizing a small RV kitchen and cabinets may be challenging, but you can easily create a workable and effective space with the right tools and strategies to supplement your RV way of life. You can utilize available space without giving up on convenience by collapsing kitchenware, using multi-purpose appliances, and implementing smart storage into your approach. Whether whipping up dinner on the road or simply keeping your cabinets in order, these must-haves can help you make the most of your very small RV kitchen and cabinets to get out there and have some fun ahead.
For More:
- On our site: A Beginner’s Guide to RV Camping.
- We’ve got some great camping tips on our site!
- Also on our site: Some incredibly useful articles with travel tips!