Looking for kitchen storage ideas without cabinets? Rolling carts, hanging baskets and wall-mounted racks give you plenty to work with.
I especially love the open shelves that keep everyday dishes right where you can see them.
You can keep things simple with a few hooks or try a whole freestanding shelf. A heads-up: several selected pictures show built-in cabinets, a bathroom or another room.
Those aren't cabinet-free kitchen solutions, so they're identified below, with transferable ideas kept separate.
Kitchen storage inspiration, from open shelves to hanging baskets
trays around the plumbing
This picture shows a bathroom vanity, not a cabinet-free kitchen. Two narrow upper trays sit on either side of the exposed plumbing, with a larger tray underneath.
The layout is worth noting if you're organizing an existing sink cabinet, but it doesn't solve a lack of cabinets.
a hidden appliance nook
I love how the mixer and microwave sit together behind this lifted white panel. The gray counter underneath gives both appliances their own little nook.
This one relies on built-in cabinetry. For a cabinet-free alternative, you could explore an open appliance stand, checking the appliances' clearance requirements before choosing it.
a three-tier rolling cart
How cute is this little cart? Produce fills the top tray, jars sit on the middle shelf and boxes share the bottom with a lidded pot.
Try a narrow rolling cart beside your kitchen work area if you need extra storage without adding another cabinet. Keep the route around it clear.
patterned pegboard and baskets
Don't want plain pegboard? This patterned version is such a pretty alternative.
You can see hanging containers and wire baskets, though the large text overlay covers much of the setup.
It's shown with craft supplies rather than kitchen tools. For a kitchen variation, try a small basket for recipe cards and hooks for measuring spoons.
open shelves and hanging pans
This may just be my favorite storage setup here. Pans hang beneath the top shelf while plates, cups and glassware fill the shelves below.
I especially love the baskets around the stacks of dishes. Try grouping your everyday plates together like this instead of spreading them across several shelves.
two rows of pot racks
If you have a collection of pans taking over your kitchen, this one's worth saving. Two wall-mounted racks hold hanging cookware, with more pieces resting on top.
Choose racks and wall fixings rated for your cookware's weight. The shelf-and-hook combination gives you two different ways to use the same patch of wall.
a dark green countertop hutch
I am obsessed with this dark green hutch. The little drawers, arched openings and rows of jars are so pretty together.
This setup sits above existing base cabinets, but the open storage is the detail to borrow. If your counter has room, a shallow countertop organizer could give spices their own spot.
shelves with baskets below
How lovely is this little wall arrangement? The upper shelves hold plants, canisters and jars.
Black baskets below gather more jars, utensils and rolled towels.
You don't have to copy every piece. Start with a shelf and one wall basket if that's all your space allows.
an unfinished corner frame
This is a work-in-progress picture rather than finished storage. Tall framing stands in the corner, with horizontal supports and water containers on the floor below.
If you're considering custom corner shelving, treat this as layout inspiration only. The photo doesn't provide enough information to copy the construction or know what it can hold.
a long shelf and hooks
I love the simplicity of this long shelf with a row of hooks underneath. The shoes and bench show that this is an entryway setup, not a kitchen.
Borrow the upper half for your kitchen: a shelf for baskets plus hooks for aprons or dish towels. You can leave the bench out entirely.
a small utensil rail
Don't want to hang every kitchen tool on the wall? A short rail like the one beside this sink keeps the idea simple.
A red spatula and dark ladle hang beneath the upper cabinets.
Read also: 20 One Car Garage Organization Ideas for Shelves, Tools and Sports Gear
The kitchen itself is cabinet-heavy, but a separately mounted utensil rail could work without them.
black rails for everyday pans
Here's another way to get your pans out of a stack. Two black rails hold cookware against a white wall, with a framed print beside them.
I love that this uses wall space away from the counter. Measure your longest pan before deciding how far apart to place your rails.
white bins in open cubbies
The white bins against that deep green are so cute! Larger woven baskets fill the lowest cubbies while smaller bins sit on the shelves above.
These are open cabinet compartments, not a freestanding solution. Still, you could use the same mix of bins and baskets on an open shelving unit.
a cart with folding sides
If you're open to adding a small freestanding cabinet, this cart gives you a different option. It has a drawer, an open shelf and a two-door compartment, plus folding side panels.
It isn't completely cabinet-free. But unlike the built-in examples, it's a separate piece on wheels.
brush hooks and towel bars
There is so much going on inside this sink cabinet. Brushes hang from the doors, little baskets hold cleaning supplies and towels are draped over separate bars.
This is another cabinet-dependent example. For an open-storage variation, you could give brushes and towels their own wall-mounted rail near the sink.
wire trays beside the sink
These pulled-out wire trays make the contents easy to see. A bowl and utensils sit on the upper level, with more kitchen pieces below.
The trays are built into the cabinetry beside the sink, so this isn't a cabinet-free option. An open cart nearby would be a separate alternative, not the setup pictured.
three hanging corner baskets
How adorable are these hanging baskets? Garlic fills the top one, red onions sit in the middle and a little potted plant fills the bottom.
I love how they fit into the narrow wall space beside the window. Try a similar hanging arrangement if you'd rather leave that corner of your counter open.
a narrow display tower
The tall display section on the right is the storage detail that stands out here. Its illuminated shelves hold jars and other kitchen items beside a fully fitted kitchen.
This picture doesn't show a cabinet-free solution or reveal the upgrades mentioned in its overlay. For a different approach, you could look for a slim freestanding shelf to hold your jars.
crates turned into cubbies
I love how the openings switch direction in this crate-style bookshelf. Some are tall and narrow while others are wider.
It's shown empty outside a kitchen. If you want a similar piece for cookbooks or baskets, choose a securely assembled, anchored unit with a suitable load rating rather than simply stacking loose crates.
a wall rack for platters
Last but definitely not least, we have this pretty white platter rack. A large metal tray sits near the top while white plates and platters sit behind the lower rails.
This is such a lovely idea if you want your serving pieces on display. Measure their diameter and depth before choosing a rack so they fit behind the rails.