Kitchens are one of the most used rooms in the home, which means it’s also the most likely to spiral into a mess.
After 15 years of organizing homes in Cleveland, I’ve seen it all and most homes are in great need of better kitchen organization.
Family photos stored along with knives and under the sink areas crowded by heaps of plastic grocery bags.
The bottom line is that there are some basic steps to follow if you want to rework your kitchen into an organized space.
And a word about one system you don’t need to have before we begin with the tried and true kitchen organization tips.
A pantry organized in rainbow order may look nice, but it’s not going to be a practical system that works to keep your space organized for any length of time.
You need real systems to organize your kitchen.
Here is my professional roadmap for turning kitchen chaos into a streamlined and organized space and all of the foundational kitchen organizing guidance you’ll need to follow!
Step 1: The Essential Declutter
Before you buy a single bin or basket to organize your kitchen, you have to assess what you actually own.
Empty your drawers and cabinets one at a time.
This is the “getting honest” phase of the project.
Discard expired food, toss the Tupperware with missing lids, and donate the gadgets you haven’t touched in years.
This step creates the blank canvas you need to build a functional system.
Manage Your Seasonal Inventory
Items you only use once or twice a year (think holiday platters or that giant turkey roaster) don’t deserve prime real estate.
Move these to a high shelf or a storage area outside the kitchen.
This leaves the “reach zone” open for the items you use every single day.
Step 2: Categorize and Prioritize
Professional organizers live by this basic rule: group like with like.
Gather all your baking supplies, all your spices, and all your Tupperware food storage containers, etc.
Once they are grouped, prioritize them by frequency of use.
Items you use daily should be between your waist and eye level.
Anything used weekly or monthly can go higher or lower.
Step 3: Invest in Proper Storage Solutions
Investing in the right storage solutions can make a significant difference in how well your kitchen stays organized over time.
Consider using clear containers, shelf dividers, drawer organizers, and cabinet inserts to add functionality to your kitchen.
These tools will help maximize your space and keep everything in order.
Double the available space in your cabinets by using a simple wire shelf to take advantage of the vertical space in cabinets.
This will help to use and not waste the otherwise unused space in the cabinet.
Specialty organizing products can really boost the efficiency factor in the kitchen space.
Taking items out of their packaging is another way to fit everything into your organized kitchen.
This YouCopia tea organizer holds a ton of tea bags, probably more than the advertised 120 bags when the bags are alternated in the removable cups.
Corral spices together with a pull out stainless steel spice racks.
Installation is easy and many spices can be stored in a compact space.
The above 15″ cabinet accommodates both a 4.5″ and 6.25″ spice organizers.
By positioning both spice organizers side by side in the cabinet, all of the available space is used, so no space goes to waste.
Step 4: Structure Your Drawers
Drawers often become “junk collectors” because they lack boundaries.
Use drawer dividers or clear organizers to give everything a home.
When items have a specific “parking spot,” they don’t slide around and create a mess every time you open the drawer.
Utilize drawer dividers to keep utensils and cutlery neatly separated.
This large utensil organizer from Joseph and Joseph has generous compartments to keep things organized.
If you have the room, add in an additional utensil organizer to accommodate all flatware.
Step 5: Organize Your Pantry
A well-organized pantry can save you time and money.
Install adjustable shelves to accommodate different-sized items.
If you have ventilated wire shelving, learn how to make the most of it with these tips.
Use clear containers or labeled bins to store grains, cereals, and baking supplies.
Arrange items by category and expiration date to ensure nothing goes to waste.
Step 6: Create Task Based Zones for Cooking and Prepping
How do you move in your kitchen?
If you are constantly walking back and forth to get what you need, your zones are off.
Designate a Prep Zone with knives and cutting boards, and a Cooking Zone with pots and pans right next to the stove.
Keep utensils, cutting boards, and knives within arm’s reach of the prep area.
This Joseph and Joseph knife organizer keeps everything nice and tidy in the drawer.
Clear drawer organizers are great for not adding visual weight to the drawer, all while providing some structure so items don’t get messy as the drawer is opened and closed.
Store pots, pans, and cooking utensils near the stove for easy access.
Even small tweaks, like putting a Command Hook for potholders right next to the oven, can save you time and frustration during a busy dinner rush.
A simple command hook on the back of the cabinet next to the stove provides the perfect home for potholders.
Step 7: Label Everything
Labels are the secret weapon for maintaining order.
They aren’t just for looks; they’re actually a communication tool.
When your pantry bins and spice racks are labeled, everyone in the house knows exactly where things belong.
This takes the pressure off of you to be the “keeper of the kitchen.”
It makes it easy for others to help put groceries and things that might otherwise end up on the kitchen counter away.
Printable Kitchen Labels You’ll Love
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.
Step 8: Regular Maintenance
An organized kitchen is an ongoing effort, not a one-time event.
Spend a few minutes each week re-evaluating your systems.
If a drawer is getting messy again, it might just need a simple swap of locations to make it more intuitive.
Anyone can have an organized kitchen—it just takes a bit of structure and a solid plan.
Real Life Organized Kitchen
Want to see these steps in action?
You can tour my own kitchen to see exactly how I use these zones and products in my daily life:
Over to you!
An organized kitchen boosts the functionality of your home.
If you’re like so many of my clients, this is a trouble spot and spending some time to sort it out is a good investment of your time and energy.
By following these 8 steps, you can create a well-structured and efficient kitchen space that will make cooking and baking in your kitchen an enjoyable breeze.
More Resources for an Organized Kitchen
Stop struggling with the clutter that’s blocking you from enjoying your home. Get the guidance you need to transform your space without overwhelm.
Get your copy of Organize and Declutter Your Life today.
Master your household management with the ultimate organizational tool: the Organized Life Binder.
Featuring expert-designed trackers and checklists across 815 pages, this system helps you eliminate paper clutter and streamline your daily routines so you can focus on what truly matters.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates, the Container Store and Etsy Affiliate Programs, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, ContainerStore.com, and Etsy.com. This means that when you click and make a purchase at a site via a link I have provided, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Regardless of whether or not I receive a commission, I only recommend products that I personally use and genuinely recommend.
