Your Ultimate Guide To Kitchen Organization  (2024)

Starting the process of organizing your kitchen can be overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at a mountain of dishes, a cluttered countertop and a pantry that looks like a tornado ran through it. But don’t panic. Just like with any big project, the key is to start small. Break it down into manageable chunks and tackle one area at a time.

To paint a broad view, you could start by cleaning off the counters which should help you feel like you are working with a blank canvas. You can then focus on one cupboard and drawer at a time so the task doesn’t feel too enormous. The lack of stress in knowing you can find anything in your kitchen immediately will be worth any headache you might experience during the process. Once you start seeing progress, it will be easier to keep muddling through the task and before you know it, your kitchen will be the room you always hoped it would be.

1. Clear the Clutter

Think of this step as hitting the reset button on your kitchen. The end goal here is to be able to move forward with a clean slate in order to design your dream space. Start by sweeping off any items from your counters and like magic, you’ll start to see the full potential of your kitchen. This may seem like a small step but it makes a big difference.

2. Purge and Sort

Imagine this step as a treasure hunt in your own kitchen, where you’ll unearth hidden gems you’ve been missing out on. Start by sorting through every cabinet and drawer to identify any expired spices, broken utensils or any items you simply don’t use anymore. To play into the treasure hunt theme, don’t keep anything that doesn’t have value to you anymore. So grab a trash bag and discard the coal and keep the gold.

3. Create Zones

Creating zones is like designing your own culinary masterpiece. Imagine each cupboard and drawer as your favorite meal or dish and each item as the different ingredients. Start by grouping like items together such as:

• Utensils
• Food
• Appliances
• Cutting boards

The list could go on, but the goal here is to be able to find what you need quickly and easily, just like finding the perfect ingredient can elevate a dish. So grab a marker and map out the design recipe that will take your kitchen over the top.

4. Get Labeled

Shine the spotlight to illuminate your kitchen’s hidden gems. Picture opening your pantry and fridge and being able to see everything clearly. Clear containers are the game changer here. Using airtight, clear containers allows you to store food safely and for longer periods. They also help with organization by being able to group like items, and the fact you can see inside the container can help make sure you don’t run out of your favorite foods. Next time you are at your favorite home goods store, grab some clear containers and give your kitchen the spotlight it deserves.

5. Streamline Your Surfaces

Just because most appliances and kitchen gadgets are marketed as countertop-friendly, doesn’t mean that they should always be on display. Leaving them out can make your kitchen feel cluttered and claustrophobic. Instead, prioritize the items you use daily like the coffee maker and maybe a toaster. Everything else should be stored away in the pantry or a dedicated cabinet. This will help keep the kitchen feeling functional versus disorderly.

6. Hang It Up

This will give your kitchen an immediate makeover. Free up valuable cabinet space by hanging mugs and wine glasses underneath your cabinets, like pictures on a wall. You can also add hooks on the inside of your cabinet doors to hold items such as:

• Measuring cups
• Kitchen gadgets
• Pot lids
• Oven mitts

Consider installing a ceiling rack as well to hang your pots and pans, like a chandelier. Not only is this a practical solution but it will also give your kitchen a unique touch.

7. Divide and Conquer

Drawer dividers are the gold standard of organization. They work perfectly for every drawer in your kitchen, giving each utensil and accessory its own little home while solving the solution to clutter. Almost like a librarian cataloging books, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly and easily when your kitchen drawers are neat and tidy.

8. Be Cool and Collected

Maintaining an organized fridge and freezer is essential to a smoothly-operating kitchen. Try categorizing similar items together and assigning them specific locations within the refrigerator and freezer. Additionally, it is important to establish a regular schedule for decluttering and discarding expired or spoiled items.

To increase visibility and efficiency, you can also use clear containers for storage. Implementing these methods will not only make it easier to find your food items, but will also help preserve them for longer. This is because airtight containers are typically better suited for storing food items than their original packaging from the grocery store.

9. Re-Evaluate, Reorganize and Rejoice

When it comes to reorganizing your kitchen, it’s important to take your time and get a feel for the space before making any drastic changes. Give yourself several weeks to get accustomed to your new kitchen and pay attention to what’s working and what’s not. If you find yourself constantly struggling with the location of certain items, jot it down to revisit later.

Remember, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get it perfect the first time. Every kitchen is unique, and what may be a great organizational technique for one, may not be as effective for another. Embrace the process, be open to experimentation and, most importantly, have fun with it.

You can quickly get far into the weeds when searching for storage solutions in your cook space. But you don’t need to do an entire kitchen remodel to cut clutter. The tried and true options should never steer you in the wrong direction. Here’s a quick list of storage solutions to get the brainstorming ball rolling:

• Pull-out shelving for lower-level cabinets
• Wall-mounted pot racks
• Spice racks
• Lazy Susans
• Over-the-door pantry organizers
• Clear storage containers

Just because you have additional storage space in your kitchen doesn’t mean any household item should take up the vacancy. Here are some items that should and should not be stored in your kitchen.

Items that should be stored in your kitchen

• Cooking oils and vinegar
• Spices and herbs
• Condiments and sauces
• Canisters for dry goods such as flour, sugar and pasta
• Pots and pans
• Cooking utensils
• Appliances such as a toaster, coffee maker and mixer
• Tableware, glassware and cutlery

Items that shouldn’t be stored in your kitchen

• Cleaning supplies
• Personal care items such as medicine and toiletries
• Paperwork and bills
• Items that may attract pests such as open bags of pet food or birdseed
• Hazardous materials such as pesticides and chemicals
• Items that produce a strong odor, such as paint or gasoline
• Items that are not food related like clothes or shoes
• Items that can cause fire hazards like fireworks or matches