As you organize your home, use these essential tips and tricks to simplify your Kitchen Organization. Practical solutions for how to use your kitchen efficiently and with less clutter.
You'll also want to know How to Organize Your Pantry and the best Kitchen Storage Ideas.
Kitchen Organization Basics
If organizing doesn't come naturally to you, we have some simple solutions for Kitchen Organization you're going to love!
It's taken us years to learn the basics and put processes in place to have a more organized home, especially in the kitchen.
Here's a piece of advice that we think will be valuable to you. The best setup for your kitchen is to place frequently used pieces within reach.
Where to Start with Kitchen Organization
It's important to take a few minutes before you organize your kitchen and think about how you use the space, so you can have items within reach when you need them.
For example, putting pots and pans by the oven and cooktop, spices where you'll use them, etc., is the best thing ever for efficient use of your kitchen.
Also, think about the space you'll need to complete specific tasks. Take baking, for starters. Placing all the baking items together (bowls, mixers, rolling pins) and near a countertop will help you organize your kitchen more efficiently too.
Related: Simple Solutions for Kitchen Organization
How to Organization Each Area of Your Kitchen
Let's talk about the different areas in your kitchen and get them organized one by one.
Counters
One of the areas that can be a challenge for most people is your kitchen countertops.
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, air fryer) in cabinets and drawers.
If you have very little counter space, you'll need to select what you leave out and store the rest.
Tip: Use a lazy susan for frequently used condiments (think honey, butter, etc.) or a cookie jar on your countertop for items like phone chargers or extra batteries.
Under the Sink
The area under the sink can be valuable for cleaning supplies and other essentials. Here are some tips you wish you know sooner.
Use space maximizing items like a pullout trash can and door hangers for sponges, brushes, or plastic grocery bags in the space underneath your sink.
It's a good idea to place cleaning supplies in a bucket or 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 an organizer for flatware that perfectly fits the kitchen drawer 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 more oversized 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
More Home Organizing Tips
How to Organize Your Home in 2 Minutes
How Organizing Saves Time and Money
Tips for a Clean House
Storage Drawers
Grouping is key.
Group your pots with your other pots and pans with your cookware and pan lids. 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 a non-adhesive shelf liner cut to fit. If you decide to keep your pot lids separate, arrange them from largest to smallest.
Use longer cabinet space without dividers for baking sheets or cutting boards.
Take a drawer for different categories. We use one for plastic baggies in varying sizes. One for dish towels. Another for cutting boards and one for aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper.
You get the gist.
Use the top drawers for more frequently used items and your lower ones for the things you don't use that much.
Tip: Set up a drawer that has non-breakable kitchen items your child can play with while you're in the kitchen. This way, they keep busy while you are busy!
Organization Ideas -
Pan Organizer Rack
Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner
Cabinets and Shelves
Again, combining like items is vital for kitchen organization.
For instance, group all your food storage items in one place and near where you'll use them the 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 harder-to-reach cabinet over the stove.
Move breakable or valuable items to higher shelves and out of reach of your child's curious hands.
An excellent place to start is by taking everything out of your cabinets or drawers, grouping the like pieces, and deciding how often you use them. 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?
More Kitchen Storage Ideas
Happy organizing!
This post was initially published On January 8, 2016, and updated with enhanced information and images on March 10, 2020
If you're looking for more tips on organizing your home, here's some great information:
Home Office Organization: What to Keep and for How Long
How To Organize Your Home In Two Minutes
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Erin says
Great advice! Especially storing things close to where they are used, and keeping cleaning supplies in a caddy! Love it.
Erin says
Thanks, Erin (love the name 🙂 I find these tips helpful and keep me more efficient in the kitchen. Erin
Nancy Andres says
Hi Erin, Thanks for your tips for kitchen organization. I spend many hours in the kitchen, as almost all my food is made from scratch. I like an uncluttered look on countertops, and notice it gives the room better feng shui energy. What do you think? I am now a Pinterest follower.
Erin says
Yes, much better feng shui! We have a smaller kitchen so cleaner counters are a must. Thanks for coming by!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
I clean and organize and then I start to hoard, because you know "I might need that for a future progect". So this has been the story of my life for the past year. I think I will just have to sink into acceptance. Your ideas are fantastic though. I hadn't thought to use the inside fo the cabinet doors.
Erin says
Hi Mary - I can be like that too. I think I might need it someday... I'm getting better at letting "stuff" go and things are definitely more organized around here.
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
This is a great post! I wish my kitchen was set up differently, the cupboard for the pots and pans is across the kitchen from the stove, it would be so much more efficient to have them close, but they're not. Toying with the idea of an island, but also with a little breakfast bar, either of these would help with the storage solution. Your post has pushed me to put this on the "to do" list!
Charlotte says
I'm an ongoing organiser ! I love finding new places and spaces to put things and organise! but these are some great kitchen tips, thanks for sharing!
Erin says
Of course, thanks for stopping by, Charlotte! When I have time, I like to organize!
Elizabeth (Plant Based Bride) says
Thanks for the tips, Erin! My fiance and I just moved into our first apartment together and the kitchen has very little counter and cabinet space. It's been 6 months and I've yet to put an efficient system in place! This post has reminded me to pop it back to the top of my to do list.
Erin says
Congrats on the new apartment! It takes some time to get organized when you first move into a place, but these tips should help!
Katrin says
Hi Erin! I've enjoyed reading this, because one of my many "addictions" is to organize. I love it neat and tidy! Thanks for sharing important tips and tricks to keep the kitchen clutter free! I find that especially in the kitchen, and mine is a small one, it's tricky to keep it clear and not too cluttered. I agree on having what you use daily on your counters, great way of narrowing down what you have out and what to store away!
Have a great day!
Erin says
Thanks for popping by, Katrin. What a productive addiction 🙂 I like to organize and put things away, but find having what I need daily out helps me be more efficient.
Keri says
I've been cleaning out and organizing my kitchen this month. I'm trying to really get rid of things we don't use so that I can find the things I do use. Great ideas here!
Erin says
Thanks, Keri! Getting rid of things that you don't use any more is always a good feeling.
Haidee says
We're just about to start renovating our kitchen so I'll have to come back to these tips once I get to the organisation side of things!
Erin says
Good luck with the renovation, Haidee. I find some of these organizing strategies are the best when you're unpacking.
Charlene says
Great tips! Thanks!
Erin says
Thanks, Charlene! Happy organizing!
Sarah says
This looks great! I'm pinning for future reference. Thanks!
Erin says
Thanks for coming by and thanks for the pin!