Kitchen organization solutions for pantry, cabinets, refrigerators, drawers and more to maximize space and function!
Kitchen organization is essential to a functional kitchen that is easy to work in. When we designed our new kitchen, we did so with kitchen organization in mind to maximize space.
Find kitchen storage ideas for cabinets, drawers and more along with tips on how to organize kitchen cabinets. Staying organized is easy when you implement thoughtful solutions that take into consideration how you use the space.
Kitchen organization doesn’t have to happen overnight. You can tweak it over time as your needs change. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or an organization overhaul, these easy ideas will inspire you!
When you organize, you find space! Our cabinets were overflowing and now we even have a few empty shelves! I have been using these tried and true methods for years!
5 Secrets to Kitchen Organization
- Declutter – This is the first step to organizing your kitchen (or any space). Eliminate any excess, damaged or infrequently used items.
- Accessibility – For example I store my step stool just beneath the kitchen sink since it’s primarily used to reach the cabinets just to the left of it. Small kitchen appliances are stored at eye level making them easy to reach. Keep items as close as possible to the space you utilize them. For example frequently used cooking utensils in a crock next to your range, pots and pans next your range.
- Grouping – Group like items together – cooking utensils, bakeware, cookware, beverage packets and pods, etc in individual groups contained in the same cabinet or drawer. for example, all bakeware in the same cabinet. When possible, select similar items or a set to easily stack and store, reducing the amount of space required to store them.
- Clear Storage – Integrate easy to clean, clear storage containers to make items easy to identify.
- Drawer Organizers & Pullouts –
Kitchen Counter Organization
Clearing the clutter gives you instant gratification. It may even inspire you to continue to the next kitchen organization project.
Stow away infrequently used items and small appliances. Use vessels for utensils and trays to group cleaning supplies, tools and frequently used seasonings like salt and pepper.
Organization
Kitchen Counter Organization
Create a clutter free kitchen with these simple kitchen counter organization tips and creative kitchen sink organization ideas! There’s no need to hide the tools you use daily – learn how to style them instead. Read More
Kitchen Sink Organization
The kitchen sink can be a catch all. Take inventory of your sink and pare down to the bare essentials. A few well-selected items will serve you well. For example, stow a dish scrubber and soap next to, rather than under the sink, if you use it throughout the day.
A tray with dish soap (that doubles as hand soap), a dish scrubber and countertop spray make cleanup quick and easy. Beautiful dispensers make them fit into the aesthetic.
Organization
Kitchen Sink Organization Ideas
Whether you’re organizing an existing under sink cabinet or a new one, it’s one of the greatest home improvement projects you can do to add utility to your kitchen, without a DIY! Read More
What lies beneath doesn’t have to look like a horror movie! The cabinet under the kitchen sink has always been awkward. Though it’s often dark and filled with pipes and a garbage disposal there are kitchen storage ideas that will help you make the most of the space.
Whether you add baskets and crocks or opt for a pullout drawer this is a space to keep only the essentials like dish accessories and cleaners. You can also use 3M hooks on the doors or towel racks to add the illusion of even more space! Keep them together using a basket or caddy so that they don’t fall over or leak.
Pots and Pans
Organization
Pots and Pans Storage
Get the easiest pots and pans storage ideas in two different real life kitchens! Learn about pull out pots and pans storage options, as well as the most efficient pot lid organizers. Read More
Pullouts also offer a great solution to maximize small cabinets and accommodate pots and pans. You lose a little space when using pullouts, but gain a lot of function. A quick pull and the pots and pans are easily accessible. Having a few well selected pots and pans makes them stackable as well.
We had another cabinet made to the max width required to host my collection of cast iron pots, pans and dutch ovens.
Tip
Select pieces that fit into your decor and add function to your kitchen. It will make them blend in seamlessly.
Kitchen Pantry Organization
A Kitchen Pantry should be designed for easy access. In fact, we have ours at eye level for the girls. Everything is within easy reach which helps them make their own breakfast and pack lunches without turning it upside down.
Organization
How to Organize Your Kitchen Pantry
Maximize space and function in your kitchen pantry. You’ll love these tips on how to organize your pantry cabinet, utilizing… Read More
Sturdy, washable baskets and storage containers keep it accessible, organized and easy on the eyes.
Baking and Spice Cabinets
Yes, we have a baking cabinet! I do a lot of baking so I wanted to create a center just for that.
In our baking cabinet you’ll find easy to access jars filled with flour, sugar, brown sugar and confectioner’s sugar. They’re at waist height making them easy to pull out. If you have plenty of countertop space you can stow them there as well.
Home
Baking and Spice Cabinet
Get tips to maximize space and organize your baking and spice cabinet with free printable labels. Read More
Glass jars with wood lids keep baking essentials including salt, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tarter and more accessible.
Incorporating a lazy Susan can often add space and function in addition to keeping items from falling over. They’re great for extracts.
I also made the most of an awkward space and created a sprinkle cabinet! They’re used less frequently than most things in our kitchen and still near the space all of our baking takes place. They previously were in an array of containers.
Keeping it uniform makes it easy to see what you have available, stack (if needed) and store.
The same goes for spices – a lazy susan is a great choice for most spice cabinets so you can easily see and grab what you need.
Adding several smaller can allow you to see all of your spices without wasting space. Should you need to have any spices inside the circle, choose those that you don’t use often.
Towel Drawer
If you have the space (and more importantly the need), it’s nice to have a dedicated drawer for your kitchen towels.
To keep it tidy and organized I recommend using the same kitchen towels or up to three styles so they fold and stow nicely. This is also a great space to keep an apron if you have one and don’t have a space to hang it.
Drawer Organizers
One of my biggest regrets when we renovated our kitchen is taking our carpenter’s advice and eliminating built in drawer organizers. Fortunately, I have found an abundance of drawer organization solutions and tricks to keep them from shifting to customize each drawer and maximize them. I have detailed how to achieve the best fit, create additional storage, and my favorite dividers and organizers in the guide below!
Organization
Drawer Dividers and Organizers
It’s one of the easiest home improvement organization projects ever: drawer dividers! Adding drawer organizers is the perfect way to give your home a much-needed clean start. Read More
Storing Baking Sheets and Pans
The most ideal way to store baking sheets, muffin tins, and pizza sheets is stored upright in a narrow cabinet with dividers. However, a drawer is a suitable solution, but requires stacking.
I keep jelly roll pans, baking sheets, cooling rack, muffin tin, cake and loaf pans and a rolling pin in a standard size drawer! If you are restricted to a drawer, I recommend using similar bakeware and or a bakeware set so they stack easily, making it easier to remove a stack to pull out the bakeware needed. They stack easily and you can store a lot of them in a small space!
Baking Dish Storage
My favorite way to store baking dishes is in pullout drawers that help keep them within reach. Choose similar bakeware to stack easily and maximize space.
Create space by storing frequently used baking dishes in less accessible spaces like a high shelf or over the refrigerator cabinet. I store seasonal and specialty on the top shelf of a cabinet that requires a step stool to access.
Small Appliances
I group small appliances into categories based on frequency of use. Small appliances that are used at least 3-5 times a week are kept within reach on the countertop. Appliances that are used less often including a waffle iron, food processor and blender are stowed in a cabinet between waist and eye level for easy access.
Serveware and Platter Storage
If you don’t use them often, place them in the top of your cabinets and if you need space, another room such as the basement. I tend to use platters weekly, so I have a cabinet dedicated to them.
When not in use, they make a beautiful display. When in use, the hutch doubles as “pie storage” holding baked goods until they’re ready to be served.
Stack like items when possible to make the most of the space and group together to make it visually appealing.
Refrigerator Organization
Organizing your refrigerator can be one of the quickest, easiest and most gratifying kitchen organization projects. It’s simple, remove, eliminate excess and expireds, wipe down, adjust shelves and replace – in storage containers, if needed. I like to remove excess packaging because it makes it easier to see what you have and what you need.
Organization
Refrigerator Organization
Refrigerator Organization tips and tricks to maximize space and function. Get unique refrigerator storage ideas and the best fridge organization containers to keep food fresh while maintaining a clean refrigerator. Read More
We have ours designed for the girls to pack their lunches without assistance. Consider your needs when organizing your refrigerator.
Kitchen Trash and Recycling
If you cook often, then you know how important it is to have a well-designed kitchen trash and recycling bin. Ours were initially standard size kitchen trash cans, but Chris had a welder custom make bins that fit the max height and width of the cabinet to maximize space. It’s one of my favorite features in our kitchen are our oversized trash and recycling bins.
When we come in with the mail, we immediately go through and toss and junk mail into the recycling bin. The trash can is just below the cutting board so that anything that needs to be discarded can be done without effort or mess.
Microwave Drawer
One of the biggest ways to eliminate kitchen clutter is to install a drawer microwave in your kitchen island! You’ll love the function and design – come on over and see ours!
Kitchen & Dining
Microwave Drawer
Microwave drawers are taking the kitchen design world by storm, and it’s easy to see why. They are the ultimate in form and function. If you’re considering a drawer microwave, keep reading to learn all about how it works, its pros and cons, and more. Read More
I love your kitchen and how organised and big it is! I have much smaller space to work with in our rented central London apartment, but it could definitely do with some decluttering and organisation too. Two areas I really need to focus on are under the sink and fridge.
Thanks for the tips!
xx A.
I am interested in why you decided on inset cabinetry rather than overlay?
I just love the clean look, totally personal preference.
Hi Julie,
Thank you so much for sharing your organization ideas for the home. You are such an inspiration! I just love the jars with the wooden lids. Where did you purchase those as well as the wooden lazy susanโs.
Thanks,
Mary Lou
I’m glad you enjoyed them! The round glass jars with wood lids are intermittently available on Amazon (follow my link), but appear to be discontinued in stores. You can find square there currently. You can also shop some of the products by scrolling through at the bottom of the post.
I looked at your you tube on kitchen organization a d see that the glass jars were from I,ea, but they did not show the wooden tops, which I really like. Does I,ea have wooden tops for each size jar; and if so, how do you order those? Thank you. I loved your kitchen organization.
Thank you, Nancy! The round glass jars with wood lids are intermittently available on Amazon (follow my link), but appear to be discontinued in stores. You can find square there currently.
Where did you find the storage baskets,containers with wooden tops, and the spice jars?
Sorry about that! You can find them all here. https://julieblanner.com/storage-containers-and-supplies/
The glass jars with wood lids are available on Amazon (follow my link), but appear to be discontinued in stores. Enjoy!