10 Clever Ideas to Organize The Kitchen
Many of the organization systems I have been implementing in my kitchen for quite a while seem to be working really well for me, so I thought I would share these ideas with you! Here are ten clever ideas to help you maximize your kitchen space while minimizing clutter. Say goodbye to cluttered counters and cabinets, and say hello to a neat and functional space.
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1. Use Over the Cabinet Baskets
Over-the-cabinet door baskets are great for containing items that you constantly use and don’t want to be buried in a drawer or in the back of a cabinet. I have two in my kitchen, and I am contemplating getting two more at the least.
My basket #1 holds three cleaners that I use daily (counter/glass cleaner, disinfecting wipes) and a microfiber cloth. This basket is hanging over one of the doors under my kitchen sink.
Basket #2 holds food storage container lids. If you do not have a system in place to keep these organized, an over-the-cabinet basket is definitely a great and inexpensive solution. It makes storing and finding the lids so easy!
2. Gain Cabinet Space with Wire Shelves
A wire shelf in your cabinet adds an extra layer of storage. Haven’t I placed this shelf in my dinnerware cabinet, I would probably still have the lunch box containers piled up one on top of the other, or they would probably be buried in another cabinet, less accessible. They are available in different sizes (and shapes) to fit your needs.
3. Place a Lazy Susan inside a Cabinet By the Stove
Last year, when I organized my spices and canned food cabinet, I finally realized that I a lazy Susan was very much needed by my stove. Even though I have a separate cabinet for dozens of spices (that I will never use in a lifetime), I needed a space to contain my most used spices. I use spices like garlic salt, pepper, oregano, basil, chili pepper, and cumin on a rather weekly basis.
Placing this lazy Susan in the cabinet right above the side of the stove that I use the most (right), made a whole difference in my daily meal prep. Not only I have my most used spices easily accessible, but I also have them contained in a very functional way.
4. Place a Lazy Susan on the Top Shelf of the Fridge
Almost a year later of having a lazy Susan inside the cabinet, I decided it was time to place one in the fridge (as per many Pinterest suggestions). I placed it on the very top shelf of the fridge.
I really struggled finding (or using) whatever I stored on this shelf, because the access was poor and everything was hidden out of my sight. I am tall, but not that tall! I suggest you store here food that you don’t use on a daily basis, but that you want to be able to find quickly when you need to. A lazy Susan inside the fridge is also great to store jar food and leftovers.
Shop: 14 inch – Bamboo Lazy Susan
5. Organize the Cabinet with a Pan Lid Holder
This roll-out pan lid holder was the first organization system I implemented in this kitchen, 9 years ago. This blog wasn’t even a thought! What a great investment this was, I can organize 6 pan lids easily, in a corner of the cabinet.
The organizer rolls out like a drawer for easy access.
Rubbermaid Pot and Lids Organizer
An alternative to this system is a wall mount, pot lid organizer rack, which is also a more budget-friendly option.
Wall Mount Pot Lid Organizer Rack
6. Place an Over the Door Towel Rack Near the Sink
Do you know why paper towel holders are placed right next to the kitchen sink? Because kitchens don’t have towel racks! How’s that? If you think about it, the only place where you can hang a towel in most kitchen is the oven handle. And my oven is across from the sink.
I have saved so much paper towel, and a lot of water drips on my kitchen floor with this little but mighty accessory.
One day I realized that I was running out of paper towels too often, so I decided to make it a habit to leave a kitchen towel folded over the sink’s edge. But that system was uncomfortable, and I kept pushing the towel inside the sink. What took me so long? Kudos for the inventor of over the door towel racks!
7. Use a Desk File Organizer for Cutting Boards
I saw this hack on Pinterest, so I spray painted an old desk file organizer and voila’: instant cutting board holder. The easy access to my cutting boards (meat, fruits, vegetables, etc.) makes a big difference when I am preparing meals. This is one little detail that will change the way you feel when it’s time to cook dinner.
Bakeware Organizer / Desk File Organizer
Finding and accessing your most used cooking tools quickly is a time saver. You can also use an actual bakeware organizer but a desk file organizer with wide openings, serves the same purpose
8.Use Clear Bins to Organize Your Fridge
The secret to having any space neat and organized in a home is creating zones and setting limits. Clear bins inside the fridge, have helped me delimit areas for things such as eggs, juice boxes, fruits, etc. Your fridge most likely has a drawer for meats, a drawer for vegetables, a drawer for deli items. And you probably use the door to hold bottles, milk cartons, and dressings. When you need any of these items, you know where to find them.
Eggs Holder – Juice Box Holder – Fruits Holder – 4 Pieces Set
Along the same lines, create zones and group other items. As an example, I use two bins to contain juice boxes, yogurt pouches, and other snacks. Next to it, I keep a bin with washed and ready-to- eat fruit. I set these bins accessible for my son on the bottom shelf of the fridge, and at the same time I have easy and quick access to the things I need when making his lunchbox each morning.
9. Use a Counter or Vanity Tray for Everyday Cooking
There’s no such thing as a decluttered counter. If you cook and prep meals, you will always have a little corner that looks like this. The key is to make it look less cluttered by containing your most used items on a tray or something similar. I use a vanity tray since it’s the perfect size to fit my small counter space next to the stove.
10. Keep Your Sink Clean with a Soap Tray
There is nothing simpler than this. But, believe it or not, it took me a while to get this one right. I tried everything to keep the area clean, from caddies, to soap dispensers, and sponge holders. But, some caddies didn’t fit in the small space I have, some others left rust stains, and every soap dispenser pump I purchased broke.
So, I opted for the easiest route: a single, small, ceramic tray that holds both bottles (dish and hands soaps) and the sponge. All other cleaning pads and brushes I keep under the kitchen sink. The ceramic is easy to keep clean and I can throw it in the dishwasher.
10 inch Ceramic Tray / Set of 3 Small Ceramic Trays
Hope these 10 clever ideas to organize the kitchen inspire you! For more organizing ideas around the house, you can check my Home Organization archives.
