Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen
The beginning of a new year often has people ready to turn over a new leaf in their lives - and in their homes. Kitchens are one of the busiest spots in the home, and therefore one of the easiest places for clutter to accumulate. Between dishes, gadgets, food items, household and cleaning supplies, paperwork, and random items that find their way to the countertops, it can feel like the battle to organize the kitchen is never-ending. But it might not be you - it might be your organization system! Here are 5 tips to organize your kitchen this year.
Purge Items That Aren’t “Earning Their Keep”
Over the years, we tend to accumulate a lot of extra kitchen “stuff” that just ends up taking up space without serving much purpose. In the words of author Erin Boyle, items in our homes should earn their keep - either by serving a specific useful purpose or bringing us joy through their beauty. Ditch any dishware that never sees the light of the dining room table. Pare back on anything redundant (maybe 2 wooden spoons instead of 5). Donate or pass along that random small appliance that you thought you’d definitely need but is actually just occupying precious cabinet space. Having less to organize is a great starting point.
Designate a Home for Every Item
Take a moment to intentionally find a place for every single item that survived the purge, even if you think it already has a spot. Even if there’s an item you really love, you’re not going to use it if it’s up too high or requires pulling 5 other items out to access it. Find more convenient places to stash items that get frequent use and you’ll avoid a lot of future frustration. If there are non-kitchen items that tend to find their way to the countertops, like paperwork or the kid’s backpacks, find a specific place for those too. Perhaps a pretty basket or a file drawer is in order?
Label - But Make it Beautiful
Ever get everything organized, only to find yourself searching for something you need the next day? Labels are the solution, especially if you have family or guests around. Sticky labels run the risk of looking cheap or cheesy, but these beautiful customizable cabinet and drawer pulls are the perfect way to keep things in order without sacrificing aesthetics. Label cabinets and drawers with what’s inside and you (and your family) will never again have to ask “Where does this go?” Tip: They’re perfect for vacation homes and entertaining!
Find it fast with hardware from the Kitchen ID Collection – engraved with handy phrases like “coffee”, “tea”, “pieces of string too short to keep”. Pewter pulls measure 4” x 7/8”. There are 28 standard offerings as well as a custom-engraving option.
4. Compartmentalize
When it comes to shelves and cabinets, open space is often underutilized space. You don’t have to buy out the Container Store (though we wouldn’t blame you if you do!), but dividers, bins, and organizers can be your best friend for spaces that constantly feel disorganized. Rather than stacking pots and pans, get a few divider racks to keep them stashed safely. Make the most of an extra tall shelf space by getting a risers to utilize the vertical space. Fridges and pantries also benefit from adding extra bins and drawers to keep items visible, accessible, and in order.
5. Utilize Pantry Space
There are tons of great tips out there for organizing your food in the pantry, but don’t forget your pantry doesn’t just have to be for food. They’re also a great place for small appliances you don’t use every day, like crockpots or air fryers, as well as random kitchen-adjacent items like lunch boxes, reusable grocery bags, pet supplies, and lesser-used cleaning supplies.
Want more tips for organizing your home using the Kitchen ID Collection? Check out these tips for preparing for guests and organizing your at-home school area!