Having lived in small apartments with kitchens measuring roughly 90 square feet or less for my entire adult life, I know how challenging the lack of work and storage space can be when you’re cooking.

I professionally test kitchen equipment for Wirecutter, the New York Times company that reviews products, and the more gear I acquire, the more my kitchen starts looking like a scene from “Hoarders” (much to the dismay of my very patient husband). I’ve had to find creative ways to store tools, equipment, and food.

It sounds counterintuitive to buy more stuff when your kitchen is small, but a handful of inexpensive items have helped me take full advantage of my limited space and bring order to what would otherwise be a chaotic kitchen. I’ve tested dozens, and here’s what’s best for under $40.

Magnetic fridge storage rack

My fridge is a hodgepodge of kooky magnets, pictures, and to-do lists, but it also provides ample vertical storage on the side. I was giddy with excitement when I first brought home the Yamazaki Magnetic Kitchen Organization Rack because of how well it makes use of the unused space on the side of my fridge.