Countertop Shelves That Double a Small Counter: What Fits Under Your Cabinets?
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On a short counter, everything ends up in one layer: spice jars, oil bottles, the kettle, the dish basket. The space above them, up to the cabinets, goes unused.
My own counter is a good example. It holds a two-level wire rack for seasonings (spice jars on top, three containers for salt, sugar and the like underneath), a few bottles of honey and oil, a basket for washed dishes and an electric kettle. The rack is the only thing on it that uses the height.
A small shelf, or “riser,” does the same thing for anything: it adds a second level so you can store things on top and underneath. Yamazaki makes several, and the main question isn’t which looks best. It’s what will fit under your cabinets.
To be upfront: I haven’t used the Yamazaki shelves below myself. This guide is based on the manufacturer’s listings and buyer reviews on Amazon, including the complaints.
First, measure the space above your counter
Here’s the simple math:
Height under your cabinets − height of the shelf = height left for what goes on top
In my kitchen, the space from the counter to the bottom of the cabinet above is about 60 cm (23.6 inches). Most of the shelves below are about 5.5 to 6 inches tall, so I’d have about 18 inches left for whatever sits on top. Two stacked shelves are about 11 inches tall, which would leave about 12.
Three more things to check:
- Depth. The smaller shelves are about 5.5 inches deep and the larger ones about 8.7. Measure from the back wall to where you want the front edge to be.
- What goes underneath. The space under a shelf is only about 5 inches high, so it suits short jars, mugs, cans and small containers.
- Room to use it. Leave a few inches above the tallest item so you can lift it out. If a kettle goes on top, make sure you can still open the lid.
The Yamazaki shelves at a glance
| Shelf | Size (L × W × H) | Holds | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Stackable Rack, Small | 5.51 × 12.01 × 5.51 in | 6.6 lb | Spices, small jars | 4.6★ (about 700, both sizes) |
| Tower Stackable Rack, Large | 8.66 × 12.01 × 5.51 in | 11 lb | Dishes, bigger bottles | (same listing) |
| Tosca Wood-Top Rack, Small / Large | 5.51 or 8.66 × 12.01 × 5.71 in | 8.8 / 11 lb | The same, with a wood top | 4.7★ (about 600, both sizes) |
| Tosca Kitchen Rack Wide | 4.72 × 15.75 × 6.1 in | 4.4 lb | A long, shallow row of spices | 4.6★ (about 200) |
| Tower Expandable Rack | 7.87 × 10.63 × 5.98 in, width adjusts | 11 lb | Awkward spaces, inside cabinets | 4.2★ (about 100) |
| Appliance Rack | 9.84 × 8.66 × 4.33 in (D × W × H) | 11 lb | A kettle or coffee maker | 4.5★ (about 100) |
1. Tower Stackable Kitchen Rack
A simple powder-coated steel shelf in two sizes. You can stack two of them for a third level.
- Small: 5.51″ L × 12.01″ W × 5.51″ H, holds up to 6.6 lb
- Large: 8.66″ L × 12.01″ W × 5.51″ H, holds up to 11 lb
- Colors: white or black
- Rating: 4.6★ from about 700 ratings (both sizes)
Buyers describe it as very sturdy, almost heavy, and say it stacks well and matches the listed dimensions. People use it for a coffee station, for spices on the counter and inside cupboards to fit more dishes. A buyer in Japan points out a small detail: a raised line along the inside of the top helps keep things from sliding off.
Good to know before you buy
- The price comes up a lot. Several buyers love it but call it expensive for a simple shelf.
- One buyer in the UK received it slightly damaged, packed only in a paper bag.
2. Tosca Wood-Top Stackable Kitchen Rack
The same idea as the Tower rack, with a white steel frame and a top made of ash wood. It also stacks two high.
- Small: 5.51″ L × 12.01″ W × 5.71″ H, holds up to 8.8 lb
- Large: 8.66″ L × 12.01″ W × 5.71″ H, holds up to 11 lb
- Rating: 4.7★ from about 600 ratings (both sizes)
It’s the best-rated of the group. One buyer says the wood matched their birch cabinets so well it looks custom-made. Others use it inside cabinets to split one stack of plates into two.
Good to know before you buy
- It needs some assembly. One buyer says you need a short screwdriver, and getting the screws straight into the wood is tricky.
- Even the Large is smaller than some people expect, so check the numbers.
- Like the Tower rack, it’s not cheap.
3. Tosca Kitchen Rack Wide
A single long, shallow shelf, about 4.7 inches deep and almost 16 inches wide. It’s the closest of these to my own seasoning rack: a row of jars on top and a row underneath, along the back of the counter.
- Size: 4.72″ L × 15.75″ W × 6.1″ H, 1.1 lb
- Holds: up to 4.4 lb
- Rating: 4.6★ from about 200 ratings
Good to know: I couldn’t read detailed buyer reviews for this one. With a 4.4 lb limit, it’s for spices and small jars, not heavy bottles.
4. Tower Expandable Support Rack
A two-level steel rack whose width can be adjusted, so it can fit an awkward spot on the counter or inside a cabinet. The listing says it can hold two 2-liter bottles.
- Size: 7.87″ L × 10.63″ W × 5.98″ H, width adjustable
- Holds: up to 11 lb
- Colors: white or black
- Rating: 4.2★ from about 100 ratings
Buyers in Japan like it a lot. One fits a steel basket underneath and keeps a small electric kettle on top, and says it’s stable. Another uses it to organize an old dish cabinet and likes that the width can be matched to the plates. A third says it doesn’t wobble even at full width, with heavy pots on top.
Good to know before you buy
- Assembly complaints: two US buyers say the pieces didn’t fit together properly and the screws were small and flimsy. Both returned it. It has the highest share of 1-star ratings here (8%).
- The black version is very glossy, according to a buyer in Japan, almost mirror-like, so fingerprints and dust show. It’s different from the matte finish of most Tower products.
- One buyer’s ceramic dishes scratched the shelf. A thin liner underneath helps.
5. Yamazaki Kitchen Appliance Rack
A low metal shelf made for a single appliance, such as a kettle, coffee maker or blender, according to the listing.
- Size: 9.84″ D × 8.66″ W × 4.33″ H
- Holds: up to 11 lb
- Rating: 4.5★ from about 100 ratings
Good to know: I couldn’t read detailed buyer reviews for this one either. At 4.33 inches, it’s the lowest shelf here, which leaves the most room above for a tall appliance. Check your appliance’s weight against the 11 lb limit.
Which one?
- Spices and small jars: the Tower Stackable Rack (Small) or the Tosca Kitchen Rack Wide for a long, shallow row.
- Dishes or heavier bottles: the Large size of the Tower or Tosca rack.
- You want warmth in a white kitchen: Tosca, with its wood top.
- An odd-sized spot: the Expandable Rack, but check every piece when it arrives.
- A kettle or coffee maker: the Appliance Rack.
Whatever you choose, do the math first: cabinet height minus shelf height. In a small kitchen, a few inches decide whether a shelf doubles your counter or just gets in the way.
For more ideas, see my 7 Yamazaki kitchen picks for small kitchens and magnetic organizers for the side of your fridge.
Star ratings and rating counts are from Amazon.com product pages as of October 2026 and may have changed. Counts include ratings from other Amazon stores. Product details are from the manufacturers’ listings.
Sources:
- Yamazaki Home product listings on Amazon.com
