Organizing kitchen cabinets for quick and easy cooking is a science, but it’s not that hard to master. Say “Bye-bye!” to a cluttered kitchen – today we’ll figure out how to make it an ambassador of order and spatial logic.
Let’s start with a warning: arranging your kitchen utensils for efficient work in the kitchen can take some time. But believe me, it’s worth it – it will make it much easier for you not only to cook, but also to clean. And what could be more enjoyable and useful than saving not just minutes, but whole hours?
So, let’s get started! Here’s your roadmap – follow it to create a storage system for quick access to the ingredients and utensils you need.
STEP ONE: GET EVERYTHING OUT
Optimal placement of dishes and kitchen utensils on shelves starts with… clutter. Take everything out of the cabinets and drawers and don’t be afraid of the chaos you’ll be immersed in – it will help you assess the amount of things.
STEP TWO: LOOK AROUND
Do you really need this herb and spice storage system? If so, why is it on the back shelf and you never use it? Should it be moved somewhere else or just thrown out? You don’t have to get into the Marie Kondo system and decide whether each plate makes you happy — just honestly assess how much you need each item.
Separate all items into three groups: “keep,” “donate,” and “throw away.” Without further ado, get rid of everything that falls into the last two: even if the containers for organizing spices look super cute but turn out to be unsuitable for your cooking style, give them to a friend.
STEP THREE: SORT
Divide the “keep” group into different categories: put pots, pans, baking dishes, cleaning supplies, towels, cutlery, food and everything else separately. The prep work is done – now it’s time to conveniently organize seasonings, spices and other products and distribute things in cabinets.
STEP FOUR: DISTRIBUTE
Most kitchens have space issues – fortunately, they can always be dealt with. We’ve already talked about the gadgets and tricks that help you win extra space in your cabinets – check out which hacks might come in handy. Do you already have spice storage devices, dividers and organizers? Then let’s put things back on the shelves.
HOW TO PLACE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES IN THE KITCHEN
Food processors, blenders, and mixers are best stored at or slightly above the countertop, making them easier to reach. For your peace of mind, keep all attachments for your device close to it — nothing ruins the mood during cake-making more than searching for whisks that were once placed in a random drawer in the kitchen cabinet.
Small appliances with multiple parts can be stored in stackable containers. Consider leaving frequently used gadgets on a table, windowsill, or countertop, like a coffee maker, toaster, or blender for making smoothies every morning.
HOW TO ORGANIZE POTS AND PANS IN KITCHEN CABINETS
When it comes to pots and pans, remember the main rule: what you use most often should be placed as close to the cooking area as possible – ideally next to the stove. A simple solution can be an organizer for pots placed in the cabinet under the sink. Here’s another hack: you don’t have to put everything in the cabinets. For example, a beautiful saucepan in which you cook porridge in the morning can be left on the stove – this will save you not only time, but also gain a little extra space on the shelf.
HOW TO ORGANIZE SMALL KITCHEN UTENSILS IN CABINETS
First, divide it into two categories – for cooking and for table setting. Collect the most used kitchen utensils for cooking, put them in a container or on a special stand for cutlery and place them in the cooking area. Magnetic tape is great for storing knives – this way they will always be at hand and will not take up space in the drawer.
Put away everything you rarely use in cabinets. Not enough space? Explore different types of organizers – for example, there are two-tier ones that double the space in drawers and allow you to keep it in perfect order. You will praise yourself more than once for investing in such devices – it is very nice to immediately get the item you need, rather than searching for it by touch among many others.
HOW TO ORGANIZE FOOD IN KITCHEN CABINETS
Organizing your kitchen starts with choosing the right containers for your food. Most housewives have a collection of mismatched containers, and we have bad news for them: most of them will have to go. Throw away the ones you don’t use, get rid of the damaged ones, and keep the containers that you can stack on top of each other without sacrificing precious cabinet space. You might want to invest in some new stackable containers, which are designed to be stacked.
When organizing your food, use the same rule as when organizing your dishes: everything you use every day should be on the middle shelves, not the bottom or top. Use transparent containers so you can see their contents. To organize your spices in the kitchen, buy a rotating tray or the simplest container. Here’s another hack: you can put bottles of oils, sauces, and vinegars in low containers – this way, the drops that run down them won’t stain the shelves.
HOW TO ORGANIZE PLATES AND CUPS IN KITCHEN CABINETS
A simple rule of thumb is that the closer they are to the sink or dishwasher, the faster you can get through your daily cleaning. And of course, don’t forget that rarely used dishes, like wine glasses, can be stored away.
HOW TO PLACE CLEANING PRODUCTS IN THE KITCHEN
Most often, housewives store detergents under the sink. This is a good solution, but it has a “best enemy”: add a small hanging shelf to the door and place brushes and bottles on it.
WHERE TO PUT TOWELS AND POTHOLDERS
First, assess your supplies – do they look like you’re packing a suitcase to take on holiday? If so, consider whether it’s time to get rid of something – even the most luxurious kitchen can be ruined by a single towel, grey from numerous washes. Thinning out your collection? Place potholders and kitchen towels in the cooking area, napkins and cutlery mats in the dining area.
STEP FIVE: TEST IT
Got your things in place? Now you need to check if your kitchen cabinet organization plan was done correctly. You don’t have to do anything special to do this – just use your kitchen and note which decisions worked well and which ones need to be revised.
STEP SIX: MAINTAIN ORDER
And finally, don’t forget — the system you’ve set up needs to be maintained. Put everything in its place and don’t forget to clean the kitchen regularly. If you realize that there’s not enough space again, do a second audit, following all five steps — most likely, you have some unnecessary things that need to be gotten rid of.