While knowing how to cook and what flavors to pair are the foundation of delicious meals, they’re only a single part of a truly remarkable kitchen. Organization—from the placement of your appliances to the arrangement of your pantry—is what perfects a well-functioning kitchen.
So, let’s tackle each of your trouble spots with the smartest (and most affordable) kitchen organization hacks!
Start by Decluttering the Kitchen
When it comes to organizing, the best way to start is to declutter the space to see what you have and to decide what you need. Start by emptying out every corner of the kitchen—be it the piles of accumulated mess in the drawers, cabinets, fridge, and pantry or the stacks of papers like bills, neighborhood notices, and take-out menus. Don’t forget to declutter kitchen countertops, too. Once you have everything in front of you, it’s time to determine what will stay and what should go.
Bring in the trash can close by and grab four containers (perhaps a cardboard box or even a laundry basket). Label them as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Recycle,” and “Return to Proper Spot” (why is a board game in the pantry?).
Though seemingly an insignificant step, kitchen decluttering ideas make organization a breeze. It’s an opportunity to get rid of all unnecessary items and figure out which kitchen organization products you already have—and which items you need to buy.
Think About Placement
After you get rid of the waste and decide on the items to keep, the next step is to organize your kitchen—better than before.
Note: Make sure to wipe down every surface before putting things back.
Categorize items. Create zones based on your daily routines. This may mean keeping filters, coffee beans, and mugs near your coffee maker, dish towels and dishrack right next to the sink, and pans and pots close to the stove.
Look for storage elsewhere. There might be items, like a huge roasting pan or a holiday-themed cookie cutter, that are only used on holidays, probably once a year. Put them away in, for example, the garage, attic, or basement to free up space in the kitchen.
These are only the basics—there’s still a lot more about organizing all the essentials and miscellaneous items!
Make the Most of Vertical Space
Vertical space often tends to be underutilized in a kitchen. Instead of letting the walls stand bare, use creative ideas to make room for extra storage space—but be sure to keep it aesthetic.
For example, you can extend cabinets to the ceiling to maximize storage for dishes and lesser-used appliances. Install floating shelves for spices and cookbooks or to display your favorite mugs. Utilize wall space with pot racks, utensil hooks, or even a hanging herb garden. Don’t forget the blank canvas above the cabinets. A hanging pot rack or decorative baskets suspended from the ceiling can become functional storage for bulkier items.
Such solutions not only free up valuable space in the drawers but will also turn your utensils into beautiful kitchen wall decor!
Maximize Efficient Kitchen Storage
An organized kitchen is all about maximizing kitchen space with space-saving kitchen hacks. And it doesn’t have to be fancy—even the simplest ideas, like organizing kitchen cabinets with smart placement of the contents, can make a big difference.
- Embrace clever kitchen storage ideas: such as lazy susans, under-shelf baskets, drawer dividers, and stackable containers.
- Think outside the box (or cabinet): There are tons of ideas on kitchen organization DIY! A vintage ladder, for example, can become a towel rack, pretty canisters can store loose items like tea bags or coffee grounds, and hanging baskets (or beautiful wicker planters) can hold fruits and vegetables.
- Utilize odd spaces: Install over-the-door hooks (to store pot lids and mittens), cabinet door risers for an extra shelf (to hold spices and mugs), and pull-out shelves (to utilize blind corners).
Invest in Drawer Dividers
A simple yet affordable kitchen organization hack for busy cooks: drawer dividers. These handy inserts create compartments for everything, from spoons, spatulas, and whisks to bottle openers and garlic pressers. Now you don’t have to worry about digging into a mess of utensils to find your strainer ladle while the fish sticks have finished frying!
Not to forget, drawer dividers are available in different materials (bamboo, plastic, or metal) and adjustable layouts to perfectly fit the size of your drawer and utensils!
Make it Fun
Creative kitchen storage solutions—like using a hanging shoe organizer—can make the process a lot more fun and effective. And no, we don’t mean you hang your shoes right next to the pantry items. Rather, double up this space-saving item to be used as storage for bottles, snacks, or even spices.
We love this solution because it helps utilize the space on the inside of your pantry/cabinet doors that would otherwise be wasted.
Opt for Clear Containers & Labels for Each
Clear containers cut down on a lot of hassle. You can see what you have at a glance. No more mystery bags of unknown spices or surprise half-empty boxes of cereal. Meal prep becomes a breeze, and you’ll rarely ever end up with duplicate purchases!
Bonus points if you label each container to eliminate guesswork (is it brown rice or quinoa?). This will also help track the expiry dates of the contents.
Tip: You can make the labels at home or purchase a Label Maker to go all fancy with identical fonts and borders on every jar.
Embrace Open Storage
Open storage not only provides an extra surface to house essentials but also injects a modern touch into your kitchen. The best part? There are tons of floating storage ideas for kitchens. Could be reclaimed wood planks, glass shelves, or tiered shelves at different heights—basically anything that suits the design style of your kitchen.
When adding open storage, here are a few things to keep in mind for aesthetic final results.
- Display only the prettiest dishes and cookware.
- Present essentials like pasta or flour in clear containers.
- Showcase cookbooks with beautiful cover photos.
- Add greenery, artwork, and decorative jars.
Hang a Chalkboard
Whether you’re someone always trying to catch up with grocery lists or a busy chef looking for a way to make meal prep organization seamless, one tool that can help enhance your kitchen organization is a chalkboard or whiteboard that you hang in the pantry.
It’s also a great solution for big families, as every member can contribute to making lists whenever the essentials are dwindling. You can even use it to write welcome notes, messages, or inspiring culinary quotes to spark your creativity.
Look into Smart Pantry Organization Tips
Between grabbing treats for a quick snack and restocking after grocery runs, pantries are often the first spot to become a total wrack—especially if it’s cluttered with everything and anything. The key is to look into smart pantry organization tips that keep the chaos at bay.
- Streamline your collection. Ask yourself: do you need three different types of oregano or five different types of peppercorns? Why is your pantry loaded with different types of olive oils? Is it important to own multiple types of flour and sugar? The truth is, you don’t always need a long list of super-specific ingredients to make a delicious dish (unless you’re preparing Michelin-starred meals multiple times a week). Narrowing down the collection to things you actually use can make a huge difference.
- Organize kitchen appliances. Take a close look at the appliances in your pantry to decide what you really need and what you don’t use more than once every 6 months. An egg cooker, ice cream maker, bread machine, and burger press are a few common examples of things that take up space but serve once in a blue moon.
Once you’ve tossed out all unused items, organizing the pantry will become much easier. Be sure to incorporate tips like using clear jars and labels, grouping similar items, and utilizing vertical space.
Final Words
As busy as one may be… dirty kitchens are a no no! And with these kitchen organization hacks, even the busiest cooks can stay on top of their kitchen organization. The trick is to keep the kitchen maintained once you declutter it the first time. This will make sure quick cleanups everyday keep the space looking as good as new 🤍
