The Art of Kitchen Cabinet Organization
When it comes to basic home organization, most of us know how annoying a cluttered kitchen cabinet space can be. It makes things hard to find and hard to reach, which adds stress to cooking or lunch prep time. When food items are lost and forgotten, it results in unnecessary food waste. Or, when your cabinet is so messy that you can't find your plastic wrap and then buy more, it costs you money.
If you're fed up with such headaches, take a look at our kitchen cabinet organization ideas below!
Getting Started
- The first step is to declutter your cabinetry. Take everything out and group like items together. Decide which cookware or food storage items you'd like to keep or donate. If some items are best suited for the countertop or pantry, store them there instead. Rarely used items can be stashed on a top shelf. Check the expiration dates of any food items and purge the outdated ones.
- Next, take measurements of your cabinet storage spaces—width, depth, and height, as well as door opening dimensions—and take note of any obstructions (pipes, vents, built-in shelves, etc.).
- Cover your cabinet shelves with heavy-duty shelf liners for easy cleanup spill protection.
Upper Cabinets
- If possible, store smaller and lighter kitchen items in your upper cabinets. Think glassware, canned goods, spices, food storage containers, sponges, etc.
- Multi-tier risers are a great way to organize spices, canned goods, and condiments.
- Undershelf baskets and cabinet hooks reclaim wasted space for linens, mugs, and more. Every inch counts!
Lower Cabinets
- Designate your lower cabinets based on convenience and proximity. For instance, it makes sense for pots and pans to be near the stove or dishwasher, and knives and utensils should be close to your prep area. Cleaning supplies should be near the kitchen sink.
- Utilize pull-out cabinet organizers and pull-out drawers for heavy or bulky items like pots, pans, mixing bowls, and small appliances.
- Use upright racks and dividers to keep items such as lids, baking sheets, and cutting boards from falling over.
Open Shelving
- If your kitchen has open shelving, use it to store items you use regularly, but that also look nice (as the items will be on display). Some possible examples include dishes, wine glasses, and barware.
Drawers
- Kitchen drawers are typically a small space best suited for silverware, utensils, and spices, so add drawer organizers to keep everything tidy.
Don't Waste Your Space
- Maximize any vertical cabinet space with stacking shelves or stackable bins.
- Corner cabinets can be tricky, so use a lazy susan allow easy access to its contents.
- Don't neglect the valuable real estate behind your cabinet doors. Add over-the-door organizers or hooks for items such as spices, towels, or small kitchen cleaning supplies.
Remember: Organizing kitchen cabinets isn't just about aesthetics; it's about efficiency, time saved, and sanity preserved. By incorporating these storage ideas and organization tips, you'll be well on your way to kitchen cabinet bliss.
Shop all of The Container Store's kitchen storage solutions here!