Systems

Kitchen Cabinet Organization: Tips for a Functional Kitchen

09/10/2024

Not being able to find a bowl or utensil in the middle of cooking can set off a firestorm. It’s frustrating and makes you lose your patience and concentration,  before you know it, something’s burning.  Having things in order minimizes that frustration. We’re going to show you functional kitchen cabinet organization solutions to optimize space […]

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Not being able to find a bowl or utensil in the middle of cooking can set off a firestorm. It’s frustrating and makes you lose your patience and concentration,  before you know it, something’s burning.  Having things in order minimizes that frustration.

We’re going to show you functional kitchen cabinet organization solutions to optimize space and make cooking enjoyable again.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF KITCHEN CABINET ORGANIZATION

A well-organized kitchen is not just aesthetically pleasing but also plays a crucial role in enhancing your cooking experience. When your cabinets and drawers are clutter-free, you can easily find the items you need, saving time and frustration.

Additionally, an organized kitchen makes meal prep and cooking more efficient, allowing you to focus on the task at hand rather than searching through a messy cabinet.

A clutter-free kitchen promotes a sense of calm and order, making it a more inviting space for family and friends to gather.

There are three main areas in your kitchen to keep organized. The pantry, refrigerator, and cabinets and drawers.

The most important thing to keep in mind is function. You don’t want plates and bowls to be mixed with cooking items because it creates confusion and messes up the flow.

kitchen cabinet storage solutions

ASSESSING YOUR KITCHEN STORAGE NEEDS 

Before diving into the kitchen cabinet organization process, it’s important to assess your kitchen storage needs.

Take a look at your current cabinets and drawers and evaluate their functionality. Are there any items that you struggle to find or access? Are there unused or wasted spaces?

Understanding your kitchen’s limitations and identifying areas that need improvement will help you create an effective organizational plan.

Consider the size of your kitchen, the number of cabinets and drawers, and the types of items you need to store.

It should be functional. The spices should be located close to where you prep food, the oven mitts should be close to the oven, and your daily dishes should be close to the dishwasher so they’re easy to unload.

kitchen cabinet organization

KITCHEN CABINET ORGANIZATION STEPS:

1. Empty out all of the cabinets and drawers

Take it all out, every single thing.  You want to start with a clean slate.  This clears the clutter both mentally and psychically.  Ideally, if you have a large kitchen table put all of the contents there.

2. Clean

Wipe down all of the drawers and cabinets.  Leave the drawers and cabinets open when you’re done so you can visualize.

3. Sort & Purge

Create categories for similar items.  Keep all of the large cooking utensils together, pots & pans, bakeware, dining ware, etc.  Get rid of items you have used in the past year.

4. Organize

This step has two parts.  First, you’ll need some Post-it notes.  From there, write out each category.  Then place that category in the drawer or cabinet of where it will go.  This is why you want all of your cabinets and drawers open so you can see how it will flow before putting everything back in there.

The second step is to use organizers to keep all of the items neatly contained.

You’ll want to use a utensil drawer to keep all of the knives, forks, and spoons organized.

For larger cooking utensils, use drawer organizers or a utensil holder. Pots and pans can be stacked and this lid organizer will keep them neatly displayed.

pots and pans organization

If you plan to keep baking items and spices in your cabinets, use organizers that will make them easy to access and easy to see.

When deciding on drawer organizers, you’ll need to measure the space of the drawer, especially the height.  There are a variety of heights for drawer organizers and you want to make sure it will close.

The shallower the drawer the better because you’ll be less likely to fill it up, helping you maintain your space. Use organizers that have stoppers on the bottom to prevent them from moving or use drawer liner to help keep them in place.

pots and pans organization

If you plan to use individual drawers stick with the same color and brand for cohesiveness.  Organizing is about making things look neat and orderly, and matching bins achieve that goal.

baking organization

Clear bins are appealing because it’s easy to see everything.  Keep the clear bins at the top of the shelf and solid colored bins toward the bottom where you are able to peek in and see what you need.  Having a solid colored bin at the top with a label looks neat and orderly, however, you’re not able to see the contents in there.

kitchen cabinet organization

Store the most frequently used items towards the bottom of the shelf and less frequently used at the top.  Allow for spacing between items, this makes it look less cluttered.

5. Label

The last step to organizing your kitchen cabinets and drawers is to label them.  There are a few ways to label.  First, you can put a label directly on the shelf.

The labels from the P-Touch Brother label maker fit perfectly on most shelves.  They can also fit on the inside lip of the drawer.

The other way to label is to use label tape and write on there with a Sharpie oil-based paint marker.  If you like your handwriting and prefer larger font labels, this would be your easiest option.

When deciding what words to use for the labels, keep it simple.  Try to limit it to one word, two words max.  This creates clarity and eliminates confusion.

Labels are important.  They guide you and keep things in their place.   As much as you might think you’ll remember where things go, you’ll forget.  Enough is going on in our daily lives that we have to remember.  Make your life easier by labeling where you can.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

By implementing strategic techniques on how kitchen cabinet organization is organized, you can transform your kitchen into a well-ordered and functioning space.

From decluttering to maximizing storage capacity, these practical tips not only enhance functionality but also contribute to a visually pleasing and stress-free cooking environment.

You’ll able to meal plan better, cook better, and live better.

Take charge of your kitchen’s organization and experience the joy of a seamlessly organized culinary space that complements your lifestyle.

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