Do you struggle keeping one of the most used rooms in your home organized? By reading this post you will learn kitchen organization ideas and be on your way to having an organized kitchen that will allow you to instantly fall heads over heels in love with your kitchen again!
Lets face it. The kitchen is one of the most used and vital room in our homes. Many of our days start in the kitchen upon waking as we prefer to start our day with our favorite morning beverage or breakfast food.
The kitchen is also an important space as it serves as a communication hub. After a long day at the dinner table we discuss our day, detailing positive and negative experiences that have occurred throughout the day.
These conversations have allowed us to create bonds and connect as a family.
The kitchen also serves as a multifunction space. When my three kids were younger, they completed their homework in the kitchen while I prepared dinner.
On crazy days when I run behind on time, my multi-tasking skills are definitely in action and I can be seen combing my daughter’s hair while she eats her breakfast in the kitchen.
In addition, with such a large amount of time spent in the kitchen and the many uses of our kitchen, our kitchen may be the home to many items that probably deserve a “better home” which may prompt you to consider organizing your kitchen.
Let’s discover how to complete this goal and organize your kitchen space!
Related: How To Decorate Your Kitchen Counters Without Clutter
Decant Food
Buying and using clear containers to decant and organize my pantry was the BEST organization decision for my kitchen!
By using clear containers to decant food items in my panty, I have a clear visual which allows me to quickly analyze what current staple food items that I have in my pantry.
This lets me know if I am running low on items and include the item on my weekly list.
This is a huge benefit for me as a mom. For example, if you keep your cereal in the original container, you may forget that you are running low on the item.
With small kids this may cause meltdowns and we definitely don’t want those!
The boxes and containers that many of our staple items come in are also bulky and take up unnecessary space. By creating a system that consists of clear containers you are freeing up additional space for your pantry.
You also are prolonging the life of your foods. Boxes that contain and cereal and other staple foods, when opened, will decrease the freshness of your food which can be costly if you are having to replace these foods constantly due to the freshness being lost.
With your staple foods being in a container with a tight lid you will increase the time that your food stays fresh.
If you decide to follow the clear container trend, take measurements of your pantry, thinking about what you will store in the containers and what you will not store in the containers.
This will determine the amount of containers that you need to purchase.
Also compare prices and the quality of the containers as these containers can last for years.
Account for items in your panty that will not go in clear containers and create a system for those items as well.
I currently place my liquid items on a Lazy Susan and miscellaneous items such as popcorn, raisins, chips in bins.
If you want to boost your kitchen organization journey, label your clear containers.
Create Assigned Zones
In your kitchen creating assigned zones means that items in your kitchen should have a specific area to be housed.
This task is not as complicated as home builders help us in this area with cabinetry and pantries.
If you notice often next to your stove and oven are smallercabinets. These are usually designed for spices which are needed while cooking over the stove.
This area would be assigned solely for spices and other items such as cooking sprays and oils.
In your cabinets above the sink create assigned zones for your plates, cups, and Tupperware.
In your lower cabinets create assigned zones for pots, pans, casserole dishes, muffin trays, woks, etc.
I also utilize a cabinet above the sink for our medicine cabinet. This ensures that our medicines are kept out of reach from our younger children.
If you are a beverage lover and enjoy your daily dose of coffee and tea, create an assigned area that houses the necessary items to make your favorite beverage. This could be on a cart or an assigned area on your counter space.
Many call this area a coffee or tea bar. Jen at Organizenvy has a great post on organizing a coffee and tea bar.
If you do create a coffee or tea bar on your counters utilize a small space as we don’t want the area to become cluttered.
Don’t stop at just creating a zone for coffee bar, spices, and dishware!
In your refrigerator create zones. Organize and assign a zone specifically for your drinks, vegetables, fruits, dairy, leftovers, meats, and condiments.
TIP: When organizing zones in your pantry create a “snack zone for your children.” If they are reaching the stage of independence, teach them to go to that assigned zone to grab their daily snack.
Clear Surface=Clear Mind
As you create zones, assign most of your food items and kitchen items including your silverware, tools, pots, pans, dinnerware, cups to your cabinets, pantries, and refrigerator.
This will help you create clear surfaces with ease.
If you are low on cabinet space or don’t have a pantry, carts, hanging shelves, racks, and over the door organizers work wonders!
During prep time and mealtimes, I utilize my counter space quite frequently. However, when I clean up as part of my routine, I return the items to their assigned zones.
If you currently have items other than kitchen items and necessities (i.e. mail, magazines) in your kitchen consider finding another home for these items.
With a clear counter space, you will have a clear mind.
Declutter Your Kitchen
As you create assigned zones for your kitchen items, you will move items around to their new assigned areas.
When you do this, don’t forget one of the basic organization steps!
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter.
For example, when creating your spice zone, place all your spices on the counters. Check the expiration date and throw away any expired spices. Donate spices that are still within the expiration date that you no longer use.
Strive to create equal sets of silverware, plates, and containers. If you only have 5 bowls of Tupperware but 10 lids, chances are you can part ways with the extra lids.
I am guilty of having sooooo many cups and mugs even though I navigate solely to two every day. When decluttering I still have kept some cups for guests but also donate a good amount.
Complete A Weekly Inventory
With clear containers, this process should go much smoother!
Before going to buy your weekly groceries, take an inventory of the items that you currently have. This will allow you to not purchase items that you do not need.
By buying items that you do not need, you reduce clutter which helps your kitchen stay organized.
Create a Cleaning Routine
In order to keep your organized kitchen organized you have to maintain the systems that you create.
Each night when cleaning, remember to return your kitchen items to their assigned zones.
Cleaning the dishes, wiping down your counters, sinks, and appliances, emptying the trash, running the garbage disposal, and sweeping the floor are basic everyday tasks that will keep your kitchen tidy.
One day out of the week or bi-weekly, complete a deep cleaning of your kitchen.
Tasks such as wiping down the refrigerators, mopping the floor, cleaning out your refrigerator, cleaning out your pantry, and cleaning your microwave will leave your kitchen sparkling!
You will need to clean your oven as well but this step may only need to be completed bi-weekly not weekly.
Final Thoughts
These top tips are guaranteed to allow you to create a kitchen that is organized. What kitchen organization hacks do you currently use that allows your kitchen to be organized?
Feel free to list about your organization tips for the kitchen in the comments and check out this Organization 101 Cleaning vs. Organization for additional tips!
