SIMPLE TIPS FOR KITCHEN ORGANIZATION

We love beautiful kitchens — but we know that what really makes homeowners fall in love is a kitchen that’s not only eye-catching but also well-organized. Great kitchens are as much about function as they are about style.

To achieve organization in the kitchen, start with a blank slate (we have tips on how to clean out your kitchen here). Once you’ve cleaned and culled through piles of kitchen items, it’s time to put them back in a thoughtful, organized way.

Here are our top ideas for kitchen organization:

How to organize pantry items

• If you have multiples of an item, store them in labeled baskets or boxes.

• Store grains, flour and lose seeds in jars.

• Put everyday items at eye level.

• Label shelves.

• Store like items together (for example, put the pasta on the same shelf as the sauce; store condiments and sauces next to each other).

How to organize kitchen cabinets and drawers

• Remember that the layout is important. We suggest starting by picking cabinets for dishes and glasses since they are items that you use every day. Store these in the spot that is most accessible from and closest to the dishwasher. Once you organize these items, it’s easier to pick a place for everything else.

• If space is a challenge, considering storing dishes and glassware that you use infrequently elsewhere in the house.

• Store pots, pans and similar items as close to the stove as possible.

• Splurge on custom cabinetry organizers for tricky spaces, such as custom corner cabinets, drawers with pegs to separate storage, or an overhead pot rack for easy access.

• Add durable, pull-out cabinet organizers for bulky items like pots, pans, cooking sheets, and cutting boards.

How to organize kitchen drawers

• Store items based on usage. If you don’t use it every day, store it in the least convenient spot, leaving the convenient storage spaces for the items you use most.

• Decide what really needs to be stored in the kitchen. You can free up storage space by moving items you only use once a year (like holiday-themed cookie cutters or certain serveware) to another storage area in your home.

How to organize kitchen utensils and small appliances

• You probably already use drawer organizers for silverware, but our favorite solution for how to organize kitchen drawers is simply to use drawer organizers for larger items like spatulas, whisks and measuring cups. The easier they are to see, the easier they’ll be to grab as you cook.

• Your island or peninsula is your food prep station, so use them to store the cooking necessities. Any small appliances like a food processor or blender will most likely be used at the prep station. Storing silverware here is convenient, too– as meals are put on plates, forks are easy to grab and knives are ready to be used.

How to organize decorative elements

• Beautiful hand-painted vases, seasonal candles, glass art, or fresh flowers are what make your kitchen unique– but they can also make it cluttered. Incorporate only the items you love most, and donate or store the rest. When you include only a few pieces, you give each the opportunity to stand out, and you create a lighter, roomier feel in the kitchen.

• Instead of filling your kitchen with assorted decor, consider switching items out seasonally to keep things minimal and fresh.

No one likes a crowded utensil drawer. If you’re tired of digging through spoons and forks, invest in a modular drawer organizer like this. You can purchase each compartment separately and create the perfect solution for your space.

Knife blocks can take up a lot of room and make your countertops look crowded. Luckily, there’s an easy fix: Relocate your knives to the wall or utensil drawer. A magnetic knife bar will lift your blades out of the way, while an in-drawer knife block will lay them horizontally.

Water bottles fall over way too easily. Skip the messy cabinets, and store your bottles on their sides, so you can grab one without knocking others over. You could also use this clever YouCopia bottle stand to corral sippy cups — just put it on a lower shelf where your little one can reach it.

If you’re trying to cut down on plastic, simply opt for wire baskets. The grid-like design is perfect for containing snacks, canned goods or even root vegetables (like onions and potatoes). And wire baskets often have integrated handles, which make it easy to take those products off the shelves and into the kitchen.

A dry-erase board mounted on the pantry door can help you keep track of grocery needs and chores. (Like whose turn it is to take out the trash or empty the dishwasher.) The board below includes hanging strips, one marker and one magnet.

Free up room in the cupboards and add a little French country charm to your kitchen with a hanging pot rack. Something with an integrated shelf can give you an extra spot for Dutch ovens, cookbooks or plants.

If you’re short on counter space or cabinets, put the walls to work and hang your cooking utensils or coffee mugs. You could choose an all-in-one shelving unit, identical hooks or an under-the-shelf solution. Now, your favorite spatula, whisk or cup is always within arm’s reach.

Take 30 minutes and take a long, hard look at your pantry. Start by purging any expired foods. Then sweep through your canned goods for extras you can donate to a local food pantry. Depending on the space, you may want to use a lazy Susan for spices and sauces or an over-the-door organizer to increase storage. Group remaining food by category, and, if desired, alphabetically.