How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets

How much time do you spend searching through your cabinets or rifling through drawers to try to find your wine opener? What about your measuring spoons? Kitchen cabinets can quickly become cluttered and unorderly if you don’t have a system to help with organization.

Learning how to organize your kitchen cabinets can be intimidating, so we’ve come up with some simple solutions that will keep the chaos under control. Taking the time to arrange your kitchen cabinets in a systematic fashion will make your life easier in the long run. Once you’re done browsing our tips, try using these techniques in your home to save time, space and energy.

If you’re looking to update your kitchen cabinets, consider installing pre-assembled kitchen cabinets and personalize where you position commonly used drawers and cabinets to help keep your kitchen organized.

1. CLEAN THEM OUT

   Have a fresh start by cleaning your kitchen cabinets. Remove all the items from your cabinets and drawers and arrange them on your kitchen counter. This will allow you to reach all the tricky surfaces with a sponge or microfiber cloth to get rid of any unwanted or expired items that have been hiding in the back.
   

   Tip: You can make your own cleaner that works on metal, vinyl, plastic or wood cabinets by combining one part oil-cutting dish soap or laundry detergent with two parts water in a spray bottle.

   
   

2. PROTECT WITH LINING

   Before returning your kitchen supplies to their proper place, line the bottom of your drawers and cabinets with gripped shelf liner. Liners provide stability to the base of the cabinet or drawer, keeping the items from slipping and falling.

   Tip: In places you want to avoid slippage, use a sturdy beaded grip liner. Use a ribbed shelf liner in areas that you might not want as much grip such as the pantry shelves where you store plates or

   dishes that you frequently use.

   

3. HEAVY ITEMS ON BOTTOM SHELF

   When organizing your dishes in your cabinets, group the larger, heavier items on the bottom. By positioning the big plates and bowls on the bottom shelf, you’ll have an easier time taking them in and out of your cabinet.

   Tip: Since glasses are lighter, they can be stored on a higher shelf that’s still within reach. If you have glasses for special occasions such as wine glasses or champagne flutes, place them on a less frequented shelf since you don’t need to access them as often.

4. CONSIDER PROXIMITY

   No one likes unloading the dishwasher, so make the process easier for yourself. Store dishes that you use often such as plates and bowls in a cabinet close to the dishwasher. This will make them easier to return to their place when clean.

   Tip: Store common items such as plates, bowls and cups in the same cupboard so they can all be unloaded to one spot.

5. STACK POTS AND PANS

   Keep the large, uniquely shaped pots and pans out of the way by storing them in a bottom cabinet. Stack the pots and pans on one side of the space and the lids on the other. This will make them accessible and easy to find.

   Tip: It’s easy to accumulate pots and pans. When you clean out this cabinet, make sure you only keep the ones that you use. If you have multiples of the same size, consider donating them to a local shelter.

6. GROUP SIMILAR INGREDIENTS

   To save time, group ingredients that are commonly used together in the same cabinet. This way when you are baking a recipe, you don’t have to open every cabinet searching for similar ingredients such as flour, sugar and salt. This will make the clean up process easier as well.

   Tip: Try using baskets or bins to store these items. When the ingredients are needed, simply pull out one basket and place it on the counter so everything is at eye level.

7. LABEL EVERYTHING

   No one wants to start their day by accidentally pouring salt in their coffee. Prevent any potential mix up by labeling everything. To add a design element to your cupboard, use chalkboard stickers to label all of your containers.

   Tip: Label your containers with expiration dates so you know when the item will go bad.

8. UTILIZE A SPICE RACK

   Are you tired of sorting through your spices and knocking over bottles to try to locate the right one for your recipe? Place each container on a rack in your cabinet. This way you can find the correct spice by pulling them all out at once, then neatly returning the ones you don’t need.

   Tip: The labels on bottles often fade. Create new labels for the bottles to help you find the right spice.

9. ORGANIZE UTENSILS IN DRAWER

   Do your drawers get stuck shut from a whisk or ladle being wedged in too tightly? Avoid getting frustrated by keeping your drawers organized. The key is to use dividers. Section off the drawer so each utensil has it’s designated spot.

   Tip: Don’t overpack the drawers. Get rid of anything you aren’t using. Unless you’re a professional chef, you likely don’t need five identical spatulas.

   
   

10. KEEP CLEANING SUPPLIES CLOSE

    The kitchen becomes a messy place, no matter how careful you are. Store your cleaning supplies under the sink so they are out of the way yet easily accessible. When cleaning out this area, make sure to throw away any empty or expired bottle of cleaning solution.

    Tip: Keep any extra rags or towels under the sink so you can wipe up a spill at moments notice.