Kitchen Organization: The Basics

As you organize your home, use these basic tips to simplify your kitchen organization.

Organization

It’s important to take a few minutes before you organize your kitchen and think about how you use it so you can have items within reach when you need them. Putting pots and pans by the the oven and cooktop, spices where you’ll use them, etc. Also, think about the space you’ll need to complete certain tasks. Baking for example – having all the baking items together (bowls, mixers, rolling pins) and near a countertop will help you organize your kitchen more efficiently too.

Organization Basics

Counters

If you have lots of counter space, then by all means place small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, etc.) on your countertops and keep occasionally used appliances (waffle or panini maker) in cabinets and drawers. If you have very little counter space, you’ll need to be selective on what you leave out and store the rest.

Under the Sink

In the space underneath your sink, use space maximizing items like a pullout trash can (this is a must in our house – there was no other place for it 🙂 ) and door hangers for sponges and brushes. It’s a good idea to place cleaning supplies in a little caddy so that you can pull them out when needed without searching for what you need.

Organization Idea –

Stackable Under Sink Cabinet Sliding Basket Organizer Drawer

Silverware Drawer

Dividers are a must! Having some sort of organizer for flatware that fits the drawer comfortably is what you should look for. You can choose wood, plastic or metal. Whatever suits your style and is functional for your family. Utilize utensil trays that fit the drawers for larger items.

Keeping a utensil jar by the stove makes cooking so much easier. When you need a spoon for stirring or a spatula for flipping, it’s right there!

Organization Idea –

Expandable, Utensil – Cutlery and Utility Drawer Organizer

Storage Drawers

Grouping is key. Group your pots with your other pots and pans with pans. Nest your pots in each other to save room. If you can keep the lid on top of the pot all the better. To keep our non-stick pans from getting scratched, we use nonadhesive shelf liner cut to fit. If you decide to keep your pot lids separate, arrange them from largest to smallest.

Take a drawer for different categories. We use one for plastic baggies in varying sizes. One for dish towels. Another for cutting boards. You get the gist. Use the top drawers for more frequently used items and your lower ones for the things you don’t.

Organization Ideas –

Pan Organizer Rack

Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner

Cabinets and Shelves

Again, combining like items is key for kitchen organization. For instance, group all your food storage items in one place and near where you’ll use them most. We stack similar size plastic containers inside each other with the lids below them. We store lesser used items, like glass vases together in a cabinet over the stove.

Move breakable or valuable items to higher shelves and out of reach of your child’s curious hands.

A good place to start is by taking everything out of your cabinets or drawers and and grouping like pieces and deciding how often they are used. Then decide what you want to keep and what you want to donate.

Do you do more organizing around your home {especially kitchen organization} at the beginning of the year or whenever it comes to mind?

Happy organizing!