I find that the kitchen always tends to be the focal point in any home. Lots of important moments and conversations happen in my kitchen daily, and it is definitely the busiest place in my house. People are always coming and going – especially when you have children.
To say I like my kitchen to be organized is a bit of an understatement! I have learned to appreciate the fact that it won’t always be perfectly clean — There will be new messes and activities happening there on a daily basis, and that is okay! However, I do try my best to keep a certain amount organization amongst the chaos. As busy moms know, we have a lot on our plate each day (no pun intended), and being proactive about home organization has made a big difference for me!
Here are my top 18 kitchen organization ideas:
Invest In A Label Maker
This may sound over-the-top, but it has been a lifesaver in my house! Labeling where things should go has made cleaning and organizing so much easier.
I’m talking about:
- Sippy cups
- Thermoses
- Storage bins
- Lunch containers
- Utensil drawers
- Freezer items
- Spice jars
- Drawers & cabinets
- Your children (just kidding!)
You must have a proper place for each item when you have tons of sippy cups, thermoses, storage bins, and lunch containers.
Knowing where everything is makes packing lunches in the morning much faster and more efficient! Your future self will thank you for labeling things when you need them. As an added bonus, you’ll feel like you’re “on top of it,” even if it’s the opposite most days.
The Best Affordable Option: DYMO Embossing Label Maker
This little handy thing can create durable and professional labels. It does everything you need for less than $20. Can’t beat that!
Store/Hide Large Items
Large items are a pain because they take up so much space, and they’re heavy. On the other hand, once you use a food processor, it’s hard to imagine life without one. As a general rule of thumb, store large items at the countertop level or below. If you use it often and have the counter space, store it there.
If you don’t, you can install a pot rack for hangable items like oversized pots and pans that way, they’re within arm’s reach but not taking up valuable countertop/cabinet space.
The pantry is another valuable place for large items. You can store light and large items like paper towels up high and place large and heavy items like pressure cookers at the bottom.
Use Food Canisters
When you keep regular snacks and food items in your pantry, these BPA-free plastic canisters are fantastic because they eliminate all the packaging that food comes in. They are especially useful if you are shopping in bulk because they can hold quite a lot of food. I also love that if one of my children grabs a canister and it drops, nothing spills out, and we don’t have a huge mess on the floor.
PRAKI Airtight Food Storage Containers
Here is your practical and versatile solution for your kitchen storage needs. When I look for storage containers, they need to be BPA-free, airtight, and diverse enough to fit various food items.
Create An Electronics Drawer
If you ever have the pleasure of remodeling your kitchen, an electronics drawer is a must-have. Being able to not only store electronics in one place but charge them is a game changer. This will save countertop space and reduce clutter. The organization will help you differentiate between camera battery chargers, obsolete chargers like USB 3, HDMI cables, travel adapters, phone chargers, and more.
You can also keep electronics adjacent items like screen cleaners and cases. We like to use a small drawer near the end, which is accessible on the go.
Divide Your Plastic Containers
You’re in a rush packing lunches for kids and preparing your lunch. Everyone’s ready, the foods ready to go in lunchboxes, if you could just find some matching Tupperware. We’ve all been there. It’s so frustrating! This cabinet makes my list of the least favorite places in the kitchen. First, take the time to go through all your Tupperware and throw out the ones that are damaged or unusable.
Then, to end the tupperware madness, invest in some specialty tupperware dividers.
Put Kid-Friendly Items On The Bottom
Kids will be kids, and they will try and just grab whatever they are going for in the cupboard. I always keep the child-friendly items on the lower shelves so that they don’t try and climb up to a higher shelf to get whatever they are after.
Hang Items
When dealing with limited counter space or cabinets, maximizing kitchen storage becomes crucial. One smart solution is to utilize your walls by hanging cooking utensils or coffee mugs. You can opt for an all-in-one shelving unit, hooks, or under-the-shelf organizers. This ensures that your favorite spatula, whisk, or cup is always within arm’s reach, enhancing both convenience and aesthetics.
If you have overhead space above an island, you can install a few hooks and hangers along a wall or cabinet, any and all extra space you can muster up in a kitchen is key. If your pantry is nice and tidy, you should have plenty of room on the doors for hanging storage racks – the ideal spot for little odds and ends like extra spices and non-refrigerator items. You can also save coffee tins and hang them on the inside doors if you lack counter space for utensils but don’t want to throw them all in a drawer.
Pot racks are another game-changer in kitchen organization. While traditionally functional for hanging pots and utensils, they’ve evolved into stylish design elements. They can showcase vintage items like charming copper pots, adding a touch of elegance to your space.
Additionally, consider adding a rod above your island or near a window to display pots and pans, creating both practicality and an industrial-chic vibe. However, be mindful of your kitchen’s size, as hanging pots may reduce available space. Lastly, for spice storage, explore options like sliding boxes, magnetic containers on the refrigerator, wall-mounted racks, or hanging herbs for a well-organized kitchen.
Get A Magnetic Knife Holder
Magnetic knife strips are a great addition to any kitchen with limited countertop space. A knife block is standard in most kitchens, but it doesn’t have to be if your kitchen is tiny or lacks cabinet space. Nothing says, “I can throw down in MY kitchen.” like a display of chefs’ knives. Make sure they’re well out of reach of children.
For installation, you can drill holes to install one. That’s not an option for most people, so use a sticky commercial-grade adhesive like Velcro tape.
Invest In A Modular Utensil Drawer Organizer
Are you fed up with cluttered utensil drawers? Say goodbye to the chaos and welcome the convenience of a modular drawer organizer. Find a set that allows you to craft the right solution for your kitchen.
Remove Non-Kitchen Items
It is really easy for the kitchen to become ground zero for everyone’s stuff. I added some hooks and storage bins to my entryway to try and encourage everyone (myself included) to put their things there when they get home and not just dump stuff in the kitchen. It has made a big difference in eliminating the backpack and purse clutter that used to gather on the kitchen counter.
Add A Functional Backsplash
Right now, there’s probably not much going on with your backsplash. You can squeeze out some extra functionality with your kitchen while keeping it aesthetic.
Here are a few cool ideas:
- Wall Mounted Drying Rack: Drying racks take up a ton of counter space, and they just get in the way of doing dishes. When you think about it, am I the only one who thinks they stick out like a sore thumb? This solution lets you keep the much-needed drying rack, but put it out of the way.
- Mount A Spice Rack: If you cook with various spices, you’ll love this idea. Instead of stuffing your spices in a cabinet, keep them out in the open with a mounted spice rack.
Keep Counter-Top Storage Minimal
Since there is so much action always happening in the kitchen, having clear countertops is key to organizing! I keep a few essential items on my counter, and everything else is put in a cupboard. Some of the ideas in this post, like adding function to your backsplash, decluttering, and hanging items, will help with this.
Add Clear Bins To Your Fridge
Keeping your fresh organized and full of fresh essentials is a job in itself. Make it easier on yourself with clear storage bins. You can group similar items together, reduce spills, and instantly spot items you need. How often does food go to waste because you just… Forgot about its existence?
You can take it a step further by labeling containers with stickers or a dry-erase marker. Label items by expiration date or name with your brand-new label maker (OK, this is the last time I mention label makers… Maybe!)
Add Corner Shelves
Corner shelves can not only enhance aesthetics but also maximize space utilization. Aesthetically, these shelves can be a stylish focal point, displaying decorative items, cookbooks, or even unique kitchenware. Functionally, they efficiently utilize previously unused corner areas, making the most of every inch in your kitchen.
By installing corner shelves, you create additional storage for dishes, spices, or small appliances, reducing clutter on countertops and in cabinets. This clever solution keeps frequently used items within easy reach and transforms awkward corners into functional and visually appealing storage hubs, effectively optimizing your kitchen’s form and function.
Keep Disinfecting Wipes On Hand
I keep several containers of these wipes around at all times because there is always some little mess that needs to be cleaned up! Especially inside the cupboards, where things can spill and build up over time. Using green, non-toxic wipes is ideal because I don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals in the kitchen.
Use Crates and Tubs
Using tubs to keep awkward or bulky items together in a cupboard is an easy way to ensure you can find what you are looking for! For example, I love using these tubs under my kitchen sink to store cleaning products and in the cupboard to keep all my spices and seasonings in one place.
Decide What Should Be Front And Center
Your counter space could be major or minimal, but either way, you’re most likely to make full use of it when whipping up a meal for the fam. That means you must play favorites when it comes to choosing what gets to take up this precious space. Keeping things clean and efficient is a must for me, so a few of my most used kitchen tools, like knives, the coffee pot, napkins, fruit stands, etc., are “allowed” on the counter. I also keep Aden’s trusty kids’ cookbook on display because when he’s hungry and refusing to eat most things, there is no time to waste!
Maximize Cabinet Space
You probably have a ton of wasted space in your cabinets. Start by decluttering and only keeping items you truly need. From there, follow this advice:
- Use adjustable shelves to customize storage heights, making room for taller items.
- Install pull-out or pull-down racks for pots, pans, and lids to utilize vertical space.
- Consider adding door-mounted shelves or baskets for spices and small items.
- Utilize drawer dividers for utensils and cutlery.
- Stackable containers and bins help keep items organized and accessible.
- Use hooks or magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for hanging kitchen tools.
- Lastly, group similar items together and label containers for easy identification.
Extra shelving can double your storage space vertically and horizontally.
18 Great Kitchen Organization Ideas
Life is not getting any less busy. Between my busy work schedule and being a mom, keeping my kitchen organized is important to me. I like to spend as much quality time in the kitchen actually cooking and enjoying time with my people.
Do you feel like sometimes you’re the only person putting things away in your kitchen? Organizing and labeling can go a long way to helping the rest of your family.
