If you’ve ever opened a kitchen cabinet only to have a Tupperware lid (or five) come flying at your head, you are definitely in the right place.
As a professional organizer, I have spent years helping people just like you (folks who are completely overrun by the “stuff” and just don’t know where to start).
Even just thinking about how to declutter kitchen cabinets can be overwhelming in and of itself.
Whether you are a busy parent or someone trying to maximize a tiny apartment kitchen, we are going to tackle those kitchen cabinets together with a no-nonsense approach and use strategies that anyone can do.
You’re going to love these kitchen cabinet decluttering tips that work for space of all sizes, including small kitchens.
Why Is Kitchen Cabinet Organization So Hard?
The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it’s also the magnet for every random gadget, expired spice, and “I might use this one day” appliance we own.
Most of the clients I work with through my virtual organizing services aren’t messy people; they are just people living in spaces that haven’t been optimized for their actual lifestyle.
We often feel guilty about getting rid of things because they were expensive or were a gift, but holding onto things that don’t serve you is just creating mental and physical clutter.
How Do I Start Decluttering My Kitchen Cabinets?
The first step in any of my organizing coaching sessions is always the same: you have to see what you actually have.
I recommend clearing off your counters and emptying one cabinet at a time so you don’t get so overwhelmed that you want to quit halfway through.
As a recovering attorney, I like to look at the “evidence” in front of me.
If you haven’t used that bread maker since 2011 (the year I founded Streamlined Living!), it’s probably time to let it go.
Once the items are out, be honest with yourself about what stays and what goes.
If it’s broken, missing a piece, or hasn’t been touched in over a year, it’s taking up valuable real estate in your home that could probably be better used in another way.
With just the items you’ll keep let, it’s time to divide and conquer.
Group the remaining items into categories.
Then consider the best home for them based on the specifics of your kitchen cabinets, putting similar categories into the same zone.
Items frequently used should be in an easy to access space.
Lesser used items should be tucked a bit out of the way, leaving space for your more often used items to live in the prime spaces.
Read on for real world examples of how I use zones in different spaces to pull together a cohesively organized kitchen.
Kitchen Declutter Before and After Pictures
Who doesn’t love some before and after pictures (with some kitchen cabinet decluttering tips sprinkled throughout)?
I have a few makeovers to share with you, so let’s take a peek at the crowded and clutter kitchen cabinets before I waved my organizational magic wand.
Food Storage Container Kitchen Cabinet Reorganization
This kitchen cabinet was monster and deep and the clients needed it to be more functional.
The food storage containers were out of control.
And the space was an overwhelming mix of plastic containers, overflow snacks from the pantry and a mish mosh of kitchen tools and gadgets.
Not to mention all of the wasted space at the top of the cabinet!
Ready for the after, beautifully organized cabinet, using some clever and easy to implement strategies for organizing Tupperware food storage containers?
Ah, what a fabulous change!
I relocated infrequently used items like water pitchers and popsicle molds to the top shelf, which freed up loads of space in the middle and lower sections of the cabinet.
Matching up the tops and bottoms of the food storage containers also helped to minimize the clutter and make the space look much more approachable.
It’s easy to see exactly what’s where, even without labels.
This family frequently hosts friends and family from their house or worship, so they like to keep a bunch of storage containers on hand to send guests home with leftovers.
Since they don’t use plastic for everyday use, the takeaway containers were homed on the bottom shelf.
Everyday items took center stage in the middle of the cabinet so no bending is required to find exactly what’s needed.
Lower Cabinet Overhaul
Lower kitchen cabinets are prime spots for clutter to accumulate because they’re less accessible since most adults need to bend to be able to see what’s inside.
Exhibit A is this cabinet:
This client’s cabinets had pull out shelves which is a great feature to add to make the items for accessible.
But the cabinet wasn’t being used to its full potential and a mess of stuff had accumulated.
I tackled this disorganized lower kitchen cabinet by pulling out everything in the space.
The client let go of much of what you see in the picture, so the end result looks much different from the before.
The items the client kept were grouped based on use.
The dishes and serving pieces were pared down and no there’s no risk of accidental breakage when the right drawer is pulled out!
The client isn’t much of a baker, so the pans and rolling pin were perfect candidates for the bottom shelf.
And look at the open space on the left side!
The client was thrilled with this decluttered space.
The bonus was that I was able to carve out a coffee drawer, freeing up space on the counter above the cabinet.
Since the drawer slides out, it’s a super functional addition to the space.
The client was excited to make coffee in the morning now that all supplies were in one space.
The basket was the perfect storage container to make this space more functional since the bags of coffee beans are contained, but very much accessible.
Corner Cabinet Rescue
Upper corner cabinets in kitchens are perhaps the most awkward spaces and difficult to manage.
The issue is that they’re deeper than standard upper cabinets and the opening is small and obscures items that aren’t right in the center.
So you really need to be mindful about what is stored in the cabinet!
Let’s take a look at one corner cabinet I reorganized in a client’s home in Westlake.
You can see from the before picture that it was being used to coffee, store baking and other food items.
The client wanted this space completely overhauled along with the rest of the kitchen because nothing was working for her and her family.
Loads of items were hanging out on the countertops and on the kitchen table because there was no room in the cabinets (or so she thought!).
And the items in the cabinet kept migrating further back in the cabinet, making them frustrating to access.
If the client wanted to keep this cabinet as a mini pantry, using bins to act like mini pull out shelves would’ve install made the space more functional.
The food was relocated to a different cabinet.
The corner cabinet got a completely new identity as a home for paper plates and dishes, along with some overflow coffee pods and infrequently used measuring cups.
Don’t worry about using all of the space in corner cabinets.
That’s not a marker of an organized cabinet.
Having things easily accessible is.
Corner Cabinet Reorganization Part 2
Because upper corner cabinets are so tricky to get organized, let’s look at an example from a different client’s kitchen.
The space in this cabinet was used in a better way than the last example, but the client was overwhelmed by the cabinet because getting to anything required a careful balance of grabbing out multiple (and sometimes heavy) items.
Nothing was really accessible and too much had to be moved to get to the items stored on the sides and in the back of the cabinet.
The issue with this cabinet wasn’t so much what was stored in it, but how it was stored.
When you see the after picture, you’ll understand.
The fix for this cabinet was the switch the order of things in the cabinet.
Almost everything stayed in the cabinet after the reorganization.
A few items, like the shaker jar and measuring cup were relocated elsewhere in the kitchen.
Larger bowls that the client admitted were rarely used, were moved to the rear of the cabinet and smaller bowls that were used several times a week were moved up front.
Positioning the smaller, shorter bowls gives a visual sight line to the back that was impossible before the change.
The other issue was that bowls used for different purposes were nested together.
I separated out the mixing and prep bowls from the serving pieces and positioned everything on the shelves based on frequency of use.
Serving pieces were tucked on either side with the daily use items lined up in the center of the cabinet.
I also made use of the vertical space by flipping the lids upside down and stacking the casserole dishes.
Now the client can see where everything is and no longer has to go on a treasure hunt to find what she’s looking for!
What Are the Best Ways to Organize Deep Cabinets?
Deep cupboards are the “black holes” of the kitchen where canned goods go to die and storage containers go to lose their lids.
To fix this, we need to bring the back of the cabinet to the front.
I am a huge fan of using pull-out bins or “Lazy Susans” (turntables) to make sure nothing gets lost in the dark corners.
Using clear containers is another solid, time-tested tip because if you can see it, you will actually use it.
In my experience helping families everywhere, specialized zones work wonders.
For example, keep all your baking supplies in one area and your kids’ snacks in another at a height they can reach.
Finding the right tools that fit your specific space and lifestyle are key to keeping your kitchen cabinets decluttered and organized.
How Can I Keep My Kitchen Organized Long-Term?
Organizing isn’t a “one and done” event, unfortunately.
If this is the approach you’ve previously taken, then it’s one of the reasons why your space fails to stay organized.
Creating a system that is easy to maintain even when life gets hectic is what you’re aiming for.
I always tell my clients that a system is only as good as its weakest link, so if a system feels too complicated to keep up with, we need to simplify it.
Try to do a quick “reset” once a week to put things back in their designated zones and check for any new clutter that might have sneaked in.
If you’re clearing out a shelf or drawer to declutter, it’s also the perfect time to clean the space with a quick wipe down for a full space reset.
If your cabinets get a little messy after a big Sunday dinner, don’t sweat it.
That’s just life happening.
Because you now have a solid system in place, putting things back where they belong will take minutes instead of hours.
Common Kitchen Cabinet Decluttering Questions
How do I organize a kitchen with very little cabinet space?
When you’re short on cabinets, you have to think vertically and use your “prime real estate” wisely.
I suggest using tiered shelf risers to double your storage space for plates or mugs and utilizing the back of cabinet doors for spice racks or measuring spoons.
What should I do with all my plastic food storage containers?
The “container mountain” is a common struggle, but the fix is simple: match every container with its lid and recycle anything that is a “loner”.
Store them with the lids on.
I promise that you have the space and will love being able to grab what you need one handed.
Where should I store heavy appliances?
Heavy items like stand mixers or Dutch ovens should live on lower shelves or even the countertop if you use them daily.
Storing heavy items at waist height or below prevents injury and makes it much more likely that you’ll actually pull them out to cook a meal.
Over to you
Whether you’re looking for help through my virtual services or you want to tackle this on your own using my downloadable resources, the most important thing is just to start.
You deserve a kitchen that works for you, not against you.
Remember to pull out anything that you’re no longer using or doesn’t belong in the space.
Decluttering items from kitchen cabinets is one of the key steps to keeping an organized kitchen.
Keeping your kitchen organized by zones is an easy way to ensure maintenance is a light lift!
If you feel stuck, remember that I offer virtual organizing coaching to help you create those systems and reclaim your space without the judgment.
Resources for Maintaining Decluttered Kitchen Cabinets
Streamline your decluttering process by giving yourself visual cues for your piles so you never mix things up!
Our printable Decluttering and Sorting Cards are an essential tool that saves a ton of frustration and headaches.
Elevate your kitchen organization with this bundle of 144 gorgeous printable labels, featuring a mix of stylish graphics and clear text for a professional, cohesive look.
Designed for easy printing, this instant digital download is the perfect affordable solution for transforming your pantry into a functional, clutter-free sanctuary.
Transform your space and eliminate clutter with the Label All the Things Printable Home Organization Bundle.
Our comprehensive printable household label collection offers an instant, stylish solution to help everyone in your household know exactly where things belong.
