Since clearing out my kitchen cupboards recently, I’ve been able to move many of the items I used to keep on the countertop into that newly freed up cupboard space. What a difference it made — my kitchen looks bigger and brighter than ever now!
That got me thinking about other ways I could streamline and achieve my goal of an organized kitchen while making my kitchen both easier to use and nicer to look at. After some research and brainstorming, I came up with 9 practical kitchen organization tips to share with you today.
Check them out and see what you might be able to use in your own kitchen!
9 Practical Tips for a More Organized Kitchen
1. Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
Every good organizing effort should start with an effort to identify and get rid of any unnecessary clutter in the area. Go through your stuff and figure out what you can sell, donate, or give away, which will both reduce the amount of items you have to organize later, and make it easier to do so by freeing up some additional storage space.
(Drawing a blank? This list of kitchen items to get rid of should give you some ideas.)
2. Consider Your Countertops
In many kitchens, countertop space is extremely valuable real estate, so be mindful of how you’re using yours. Avoid cluttering them up with too much stuff — a good rule of thumb is to limit your countertop to items you use every day, and keep everything else in a cupboard, drawer, etc.
For more tips that can help you tidy up your countertops, check out my list of what should be kept on the counter.
3. Store Ingredients in Space-Saving Containers
Store bulk ingredients like flour and sugar in neat, stackable containers and label them so you can easily find what you need. These storage containers have saved me a lot of shelf space in my pantry!
Plus, you can refill your containers by shopping in the bulk section at the store. These items are often quite a bit cheaper than their packaged counterparts, so it’s a smart way to save money.
4. Keep Fruit in a Fruit Basket
Corral produce that doesn’t need to be kept in the refrigerator in a wire fruit basket. Fruit baskets not only allow you to easily see what you have on hand, but they also allow for airflow that will keep your fruit fresh longer — a win-win!
5. Hang Things up on Adhesive Hooks
Use adhesive Command hooks to hang your oven mitts or pot holders somewhere near your oven. This will free up space in your drawers and keep your oven mitts closer to the area where you use them most.
You can also use Command hooks to hang measuring spoons and other small items on the inside of a cupboard door or wherever they’d be handiest. It’s a lot easier than digging for them in a drawer!
6. Use Your Cupboard Doors
Speaking of the insides of your cupboard doors, another way to use that space is to hang the lids to your pots there. You can do this with Command hooks by using two hooks at the bottom to support the lid, along with one at the top to hold it in place.
Cookware lids can be one of those things that take up a lot of space when stored elsewhere, so this could free up some very valuable storage space in your kitchen. (And check out other ways to use Command hooks here.)
More Ideas You'll Love
7. Keep Necessities Close
Set up an area somewhere near your stove to store your most-used cooking items. For instance, I keep cooking oils, a ramekin of salt, and a pepper grinder next to my stove, since I use those all the time when I’m cooking.
You can do the same thing with your coffee-making supplies or other often used items. Arranging them on a nice platter (there are some pretty cute ones at Home Goods!) will help keep them neat and organized.
8. Find the Right Organizers
If there’s something in your kitchen that has become an organizational pain point, do a search on Amazon or Google, looking for “[item name] organizer.” You’ll be amazed at the types of organizers you can find for coffee and tea, underneath your sink, and spices and seasonings.
Finding the right organizer can be a game-changer. For instance, this adjustable rack for pots and pans can be configured in a dizzying number of different ways, making it easy to find the ideal setup for your unique collection of cookware.
9. Think Creatively
There are plenty of items that can help you get organized that aren’t considered “kitchen items,” like pegboard, mason jars, and magnets. Pegboard is highly versatile and can provide additional storage space for all sorts of things.
You can use mason jars to corral and store things, and you can use magnets to turn any metal surface (and some non-metal ones!) into more storage space.
Want Even More Kitchen Organizing Hacks?
- For even more tips and tricks that can help you keep your kitchen organized, check out these posts:
- 9 Simple Hacks That Will Help You Get Organized In The Kitchen
- 7 Clever Hacks To Organize Your Kitchen On The Cheap
How do you keep your kitchen organized?
I’ve always struggled with finding a space for my spices (I might be addicted to trying new ones) in any sort of usable way. I’ve lately sorted them into baskets by purpose — frequently used, savory, baking, etc. — and stuck them in a lower cupboard instead of the prime real estate by the stove. Now I only pull out the basket I need instead of pushing around all 50+ jars to find the right one… It’s not a perfect method yet, but it’s definitely saved me time and sanity.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just love the OXO storage containers! I have so many of them put to use in my pantry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have found the best prices on them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Homegoods.
So many great ideas. Three things I do that were not mentioned in the post. 1. Buy more shelves for kitchen cabinets and create levels to prevent stacking. (Home improvement stores will cut the boards to size for free). 2. I have 2 twin tier lazy Susans (Rubbermaid) that hold spices. They keep spices at my fingertips & make clean up super fast. 3. Under the sink I have a clear container that is deep which holds the cleaning brushes, sponges, baking soda, cleaners & detergent. It keeps under the sink super clean & organized. If something does spill the spill is contained. Best of all whenever DH needs to get under the sink to fix something, there is no mess to contend with (before, during or after).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have limited wall space in my kitchen but I put a pot rack against it which also holds my colander as well as pots and pans but backed it with clear lucite so it wouldn’t damage the wall. Under this is a good size corkboard which holds my calendar and other current events eg invitations, receipts, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I repurpose boxes by covering them with contact paper to make attractive storage boxes for my small pantry. It helps to keep like items together and when the pantry looks organized I feel more in control of my work space.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When we moved to our house, the pantry had very tall shelves. So I had my husband cut a few more shelves and now it can store a lot more! There is one really short shelf that holds all our canned vegetables. It’s great!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve always been a fan of small open containers or baskets in my pantry to hold packets of seasoning, kool aid, etc. But after reading this, I’m definitely going to try the bigger bins in my lower cupboards, for things such as tupperware and pot lids. Can’t believe I did’t think of that before! Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Perfect timing for this topic. Tomorrow the contractors come to start on a 2 month kitchen remodel – down to the studs and all new everything! All this information will be very useful when I put my new kitchen together!
A handy way I’ve found to store pot lids is to turn it upside down and nest it in the pot. That way I always have the lid I need when I pull the pot out and it is easier to stack them, keeping the cupboard tidy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This post came at the perfect time! With in the last week we bought a beautiful 1940’s home! There is little closet/storage space in these older homes and getting organized is at the top of my list! I’ve found that hanging closet shelves are perfect for helping organize the wasted closet space below where your clothes hang, keeping it all neat and tidy at the same time! Love reading everyone’s comments!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I organized my walk in pantry this summer since even though it’s large, things started piling up which made it hard to walk in! :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My favorite things about this more organized space are: labels for food zones, such as “breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, baking, etc”, a basket to corral water bottles and a plastic drawer to hold the lids so they can dry completely and open space so I can finally walk in. Thankfully, the labels have made it much easier for my boys(11,15,45) to help keep the pantry organized which helps keep mama happy!
Putting hand towels on stove handles allows my towel to hit the floor when I open the oven while baking. Putting towels on cupboard doors makes them too high/low and they are always in the way when I want to get into other drawers. So, my solution is to use a strong magnet clip and clip my hand towel to my refrigerator door. Works like a charm.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Getting rid of extras or unused items…..and using bins and tubs to contain and group together loose items on shelves!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love to use bins and containers everywhere to stay organized. Everything has a spot. Small things go in baskets large in bins to easily see what’s in it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I stay organized by keeping only what I use and not buying the latest and greatest gadget. It allows me to have more room for what I really use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Best thingI ever did for my kitchen is to use lazy susans for spices. Lots of good ideas here that I will be incorporating into my kitchen soon
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When we remodeled our kitchen, we installed lazy susans on each side of the sink cabinet, eliminating the need to crawl into a cabinet to reach what was in back, and getting rid of the dead spaces. In my drawers, I use Rubbermaid interlocking drawer organizers to keep like items corralled. In my pantry, I use small plastic bins to keep small items, like popcorn salts, and seasoning envelopes, together. I also like to keep my canned goods in alphabetical order. This helps me find what I need, as well as see at a glance what needs to be restocked. (OCD much?!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the lazy susan idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am going to use the vertical pan storage idea. My cabinet is so messy that one pan actually fell out and hurt my daughters foot while she was putting away silverware! Where did you find the vertical pan holders?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you click on the words in the post, it will take you to one on Amazon :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am trying to get into the habit of removing food from its packaging and putting it into different containers. I also try to chop up fruits and veggies and store them right away.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Getting rid of extras helps free up space! Using containers and bins to control like items.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One thing I do to organize: in my upright freezer all new meats go on the bottom as they are bought, older meats are rotated up to the top shelf. That way you don’t find a roast that’s been frostburned for two years. Frozen butter, cheese, cream, etc goes in the door shelves, and vegetables go in the bottom drawer. I plan my meals weekly, so on Sunday I move what I need out of the upright and into my super-tiny refrigerator freezer upstairs, which helps so I can actually use it without it overflowing. Plus, it makes it really easy to see what I need to buy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Terrific ideas. Thanks for sharing. We have a walkin pantry in our kitchen. It’s a wonderful little space. I keep things I don’t need in my kitchen cabinets there. And I was able to add a bit more storage to it by purchasing a sturdy rolling cart (40″ tall) that sits in the center. I can easily roll the cart out if the item I need is behind it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One of the most “duh” moments for me when I first got my own place was that the cabinet shelves were moveable! No reason to have wasted space above cans plus not be able to fit a box of cereal. Evaluate your shelf placement. =)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep my kitchen organized by being careful about what I purchase. I won’t buy any new kitchen appliance or cookware unless I have a place for it. I may have to get rid of something first, but it keeps my clutter from getting out of control.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also have a small kitchen with very little workable area and storage is a minimum, so I have been creative also. I found a metal 3 shelf standing unit meant to be used in a bathroom that I bought and have standing on that small counter next to the stove. It is 21 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 10 inches length and I use the bottom shelf for my oils and sprays, the middle shelf for some measuring items and the top for onions. I keep potatoes elsewhere as I know they do not keep as long if stored next to onions. It has freed up some cabinet space and looks much nicer than having bottles sitting not corralled. While reading this post today, I am going to purchase some small S hooks and hang my measuring spoons and possibly put some bright clothespins that I use to close snack bags on the arms of the unit. It is much easier to lift one item to clean under than 20….love your ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have a small shelf in the back of every one of our large bottom cabinets. We can not only store a lot more items in them, but it helps keep everything organized and easier to spot. We also have specialized cabinets: cookware, baking, and storage. It’s been working well in our home!
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