With many things to store, your kitchen cabinets can quickly get cluttered, making it difficult to assess things. A messy cabinet will also take up so much space, make cooking tedious, and get you into buying duplicate items.
To help you deal with cluttered cabinets, we share some of the best tips on how to organize kitchen cabinets:
1. Set Up Kitchen Stations
A great way to maximize kitchen space is to set up stations, each with a purpose. You can have a cleaning, food preparation, storage, appliances, and cooking station.
The logic behind kitchen stations is to organize items at their corresponding station. For example, the food preparation station will have the whisk, the mixing bowls, and other tools needed to prepare meals. On the other hand, the cleaning station will have cleaning materials like the dishwasher and dishwashing liquid.
2. Declutter Your Kitchen Cabinets
Decluttering is the most important step to properly organizing kitchen cabinets. How many items are in your drawers that you haven’t used in years? Do you need the old potato peeler since you have another one?
Start by unloading everything in your kitchen, cabinet by cabinet. Next, go through the items one after the other and dispose of things you don’t need. You can decide to sell some via online marketplaces or physical stores. Alternatively, you can donate stuff that can be useful to someone else, and if they are too old, trash them.
3. Place Frequently Used Items in Close Reach
The most efficient way to organize kitchen cabinets is by putting used items in close reach. Every kitchen has items used more than others, and it’s best to keep them where you can easily reach them. For instance, your favorite pans, whisk, and chopper should be in the storage place close outside. Stuff you hardly use, such as the wine glass, can be in the overhead cabinets or the back of the storage. Remember that function is more important than appearance with your kitchen cabinets.
4. Assign Items to Kitchen Cabinets
One of the best ways to organize kitchen cabinets is by assigning space to each item. Figure out how to position the items in each cabinet so they all have designated spots. For instance, you can keep all the cutleries in one drawer and dedicate one cabinet to all your glassware.
While doing that, you should consider the best place to store your items. For example, some kitchen wares are best placed inside the cabinets, while others should be on the counter. Also, food should be in the upper cabinets, while pots and pans should be in the lower cabinets. Use this approach for every item in your kitchen so that each cabinet has designated positions. You can even label the cabinets and drawers to help everyone in the household knows the spot where everything belongs.
5. Use Racks/Dividers in Your Cabinets and Drawers
Cabinets can get cluttered easily when you stack different items, like spices, knives, spoons, and napkins, in one place. An excellent way to organize a kitchen efficiently is by getting racks or dividers to organize your items. These racks have compartments that make it easy to place items in a way that maximizes space. Dividers also make it easy to retrieve things you need from the drawer instead of rummaging through them. With a divider, you can easily spot the wine opener, the towels, and the utensils in their designated compartments.
Tip: Remember to measure your cabinets before getting racks, dividers, or organizers.
6. Consider Containers and Spice Racks
A great way to store your spices is by using spice racks. You can then place the spice racks on the countertops, in the wall cabinets, or fit them into a drawer. This organization tip will keep you from missing the paprika jar behind the kitchen cabinet.
Also, consider storing your food in containers instead of the original packaging material. Containers will make your kitchen look more organized and can improve the shelf life of your food items.
7. Use Vertical and Open Space
One of the best tips on how to organize kitchen cabinets is by taking advantage of your kitchen’s vertical space. Take advantage of hooks, hanging baskets, and pegboards to arrange items off the counter and cabinets.
Open space will save your cabinet storage space and allow you to reach your cooking tools easily. Vertical space is also a great option if you’re looking for how to organize cabinets in small kitchens.
8. Keep Counters Clutter Free
Your kitchen counter should be free of items except for a few things like vases, spices, and a knife block. One of the major reasons to keep your counter clutter-free is to improve your kitchen workflow. Also, a clutter-free countertop can prevent cooking accidents, help you maintain a clean workspace, and improve your kitchen aesthetics.
9. Remove Cabinet Doors
A great tip to maximize kitchen space and improve your cabinetry aesthetics is to remove some of your cabinet doors. You can remove one or more cabinet doors to display decorative items, wine glasses, and memorabilia.
10. Maintain your Cabinet Organization
Now that you have taken time to organize your kitchen cabinets efficiently, you should stay consistent. Ensure that you maintain your cabinet organization and keep everyone at home involved in the process. One of the best ways to maintain cabinet organization is using labels where needed. Tags make it easy to help you and others remember where to put away your kitchen items.
Bottom Line
Cabinet organization is challenging for many kitchens because there is just so much to store. However, the tips above should give your ideas on how to organize your kitchen cabinets. A well-organized kitchen will save you time when cooking, cleaning, and making grocery lists. It will also help you easily locate the jar of oregano and find the Tupperware you use on Thanksgiving.
Ready to Give Your Kitchen Cabinets a Great Look?
An excellent kitchen cabinet design can help you organize your kitchen better and more efficiently. At HRC, we help homeowners make their kitchens look beautiful and chic at an amazing value. Contact us for a free consultation if you are rethinking your kitchen design or layout.