Staying organized in the kitchen can feel like an uphill battle. Between meal prep, cooking, baking, and cleaning up, it’s easy for cabinets and drawers to become cluttered with gadgets, dishes, and food items. An organized kitchen not only looks nicer, but it also makes cooking far more efficient and enjoyable. From clever storage solutions to tips for tidying, use these 12 great ideas to get your kitchen in order.
Perform a Deep Clean
The first step towards organization is giving your kitchen a deep clean. Clear all surfaces and empty cabinets and drawers. Get rid of expired food items and any dishes or gadgets you don’t use. Scrub surfaces, cabinets, and appliances to remove grease buildup and food residue. Once everything is sparkling clean, it will be much easier to organize.
Set aside a few hours on a weekend to thoroughly clean the kitchen. Have trash bags on hand to quickly discard any expired or unwanted items. Use an all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloths to sanitize surfaces. For tough grease stains, let warm soapy water sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing. A deep clean provides the ideal foundation for your newly organized kitchen.
Categorize Dishware and Gadgets
Storing dishes and kitchen tools properly will ensure you always know where to find what you need. First, take inventory of everything in your kitchen. Sort items into categories like:
- Bakeware
- Everyday dishes
- Serving platters
- Pots and pans
- Cooking utensils
- Gadgets
- Food storage containers
Be sure to pare down dish sets to only what you actually use. Donate or sell extra items. Purchase any missing essentials like ceramic mugs or a good set of knives.
Next, designate a space in cabinets or drawers for each category. Use drawer dividers, shelf risers, and organizers to neatly arrange items. Label the spaces for quick identification. Storing like items together keeps kitchen essentials accessible yet tidy.
Use Baskets for Fruit and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables tend to accumulate quickly. Without proper storage, they languish in the fridge and rot. Baskets offer a convenient solution for organizing fresh produce while maximizing space.
For the fridge, use plastic stackable baskets to corral fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Place tomatoes in one basket, carrots and celery in another, and so on. The baskets contain produce neatly and make it easy to see what’s on hand.
For the countertop, wicker baskets add rustic flair. Use a trio of baskets for storing potatoes, onions, garlic, and other sturdy produce. The breathable wicker helps extend freshness. Having designated baskets for produce keeps the kitchen tidy and eliminates rummaging around to find what you need.
Install Pull-Out Shelving
Many kitchen cabinets waste space in the back that ends up becoming a black hole for odd items. Install pull-out shelving to access all that wasted space. The shelves smoothly glide out so you can easily view and retrieve items.
Use pull-out shelves in lower cabinets to neatly store bakeware, pots and pans, or food storage containers. In upper cabinets, pull-outs are ideal for organizing spices, canned goods, or packaged snacks. Look for sturdy shelves that can support heavy items like cast iron pans. Pull-outs also make a great addition to existing drawers to maximize the space.
Store Spices in Magnetic Jars
Spices are notorious for getting lost in cabinets, creating clutter. A magnetic wall-mounted rack offers a space-saving solution for your herbs and spices. The rack holds small jars in place, keeping them visible and within reach while freeing up cabinet space.
First, transfer spices like cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne from their original containers into matching glass or stainless-steel jars. Use a label maker to identify the spices. Then simply screw on the lids, which have embedded magnets to hold the jars in place. Mount the rack at eye level for convenience as you cook. Grouping spices in magnetic jars makes them easy to see and grab while cooking.
Use Lids as Plate Protectors
Stacking plates, bowls, and saucers directly on top of one another often leads to scratches, chips, and even breakage. Repurpose Mason jar lids as protective barriers between your dishware stacks. The lids cushion dishes and prevent them from bumping together and damaging.
Start by collecting wide mouth canning jar lids. Look for plastic rather than metal lids to avoid corrosion issues over time. Place a lid between each piece of dishware as you stack them neatly in cabinets. The lids slip smoothly onto plates and nestle between pieces for safe storage. Protect fine china and ceramic dishes from harm with this clever trick.
Designate Cutlery Trays
Utensil drawers easily transform into jumbled messes of spoons, forks, and knives. Trays create dedicated spots to neatly sort and store cutlery for easy access. Stack two large trays in a deep drawer to separate types of utensils. Use one for everyday flatware and one for cooking tools like spatulas and tongs.
In shallow drawers, vertical cutlery organizers work well. The slim, upright design offers built-in dividers for separating types of utensils. Label the compartments so family members know where tools belong after using them. Assigning a devoted home for cutlery brings order to chaotic kitchen drawers.
Store Pots and Pans Vertically
Bulky pots and pans are notorious for hogging cabinet space when stacked. Storing them vertically, rather than horizontally, saves space and prevents toppling hazards each time you open the cabinet. Use vertical pans racks that securely grip pans of different sizes. Look for racks with thick, cradling supports to properly bear the weight of heavy cast iron.
Before loading the pans, measure the inside of the cabinet to find a rack that best fits the space. Install the rack near the oven for convenient access while cooking. Neatly arrange pans from largest on the bottom to smallest on top. The vertical storage technique keeps pans visible and within easy reach.
Under Cabinet Hooks for Utensils
Free up precious drawer space by installing hooks along the bottom of upper cabinets to hold cooking utensils. Opt for sturdy hooks with a rubber lining to firmly grip tools and prevent scratches. Measure and space hooks at equal intervals for a uniform look.
Use the hooks near the stove to hang essential cooking tools like wooden spoons, spatulas, pasta tongs, silicone mitts, and pot scrapers. Arrange tools from largest to smallest, keeping pairs together. The hooks keep tools readily available when cooking while clearing out drawer clutter. Just give them a quick rinse and rehang after using.
Magnetic Knife Strip for Cutting Tools
Similarly, keep knives safely stored yet easily accessible via magnetic strips. Mount them to the wall or under an upper cabinet near the cutting board. Choose wood or stainless steel strips over 20 inches long to accommodate multiple knives.
Prior to mounting with hardware, lay out knives on the strip to find optimal spacing. Place the blades facing upward for safety. The magnetic strip holds knives securely in place, eliminating the need for a bulky knife block. Quickly grab knives as needed for chopping, then replace on the strip once finished. It keeps sharp cutting tools nearby, without taking up precious counter space.
Install Tiered Cabinet Shelving
For a quick upgrade, install tiered shelving to double the storage space inside existing cabinets. The extra shelves allow you to effectively use the vertical space rather than just the bottom shelf. Look for shelving sets made of durable metal or wood that can handle heavyweight items.
Before installing, measure the cabinet and shelves to ensure proper fit. Arrange tall items like oil bottles and stand mixers on the bottom shelf. Use the upper shelf for holding shorter items like spices, condiments, and canned goods. The shelving creates organized zones to store more items inside each cabinet.
Craft Reusable Food Storage Labels
The fridge and freezer often become a confusing tangle of food storage containers and foil-wrapped leftovers. Create reusable labels to identify foods, preventing mystery science experiments.
First, cut colorful sticky-back felt into small squares or circles. Then use a permanent marker to neatly label the pieces with categories like “leftovers,” “chicken,” “veggies,” and so on. Stick the felt tabs onto clear plastic containers and foil packets. Use a wet cloth to wipe off and change the labels as needed. The reusable tabs make it easy to identify foods and their prep dates, keeping the fridge organized.
Hang Coffee Mugs for Easy Access
Coffee mugs tucked away in cabinets easily get overlooked for office commutes and late-night sips. Install hooks along the underside of upper cabinets to store mugs within arm’s reach of the coffee maker. Opt for cup hooks with silicone sleeves to protect mugs from scratches or cracks.
Designate spaces for each family member’s go-to mug. Arrange the hooks in a line or staggered formation so mugs nestle together without clanging handles. Place frequently used mugs closest to the coffee maker for ultra-convenient access first thing in the morning. The hanging mugs help ensure you always have a clean mug ready to grab and go.
Conclusion
A cluttered, disorganized kitchen creates daily frustration and makes cooking far less enjoyable. But by implementing clever storage techniques and organization systems, you can transform the space into a highly functional area you love using.
Perform a thorough deep cleaning to create a fresh foundation. Use shelves, racks, jars, and baskets to neatly store cooking tools, dishes, and food staples. Designate specific homes for different items so everything has an assigned spot.
With these simple yet effective tips, your kitchen can become a tidy, efficient workspace that sparks cooking inspiration. Embrace organization to gain back valuable time spent searching and to infuse joy into your culinary endeavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some basic things I can do right away to start getting organized?
Some quick ways to jumpstart organization include:
- Purging expired or unused items
- Categorizing dishes and gadgets into groups
- Buying matching containers to corral food staples
- Installing shelf risers or dividers in cabinets
- Getting baskets for produce storage
- Labeling shelves and bins so everything has a “home”
How often should I purge old food and dishes?
Aim to do a purge of expired or unnecessary food items about once a month. Check dates on shelf-stable foods like canned goods, pasta, baking items, etc. For dishes, evaluate yearly whether you actually use and need items. Donate or sell anything that’s been collecting dust.
What types of containers work best for pantry organization?
Clear plastic or glass canisters in various sizes are ideal for dry goods like flour, sugar, pasta, and oats. They allow you to easily see and access contents. Look for airtight lids to maintain freshness. Uniform containers make the pantry look tidy and streamlined.
What’s the most efficient way to organize pots and pans?
The vertical storage method utilizes wall-mounted racks or freestanding racks inside cabinets. Arrange pots and pans from largest on the bottom to smallest on top. This keeps them visible, prevents tipping hazards, and maximizes space.
How do I make a small, cramped kitchen more organized?
In small kitchens, organization is critical. Make the most of vertical storage space with wall-mounted racks, shelves, and magnetic strips. For horizontal space, install pull-out drawers and shelving. Store only essential, frequently used items. And regularly purge unused gadgets and dishes to free up space.
