If you want to transform your home, the kitchen is the absolute best place to start. The kitchen is the true heart of the home. It is the space you use every single day, from your morning cup of coffee to quiet late night snacks. When your kitchen functions well, your whole day flows better. Cooking becomes less stressful and hosting family and friends is suddenly effortless. Plus, you maximize every inch of storage space you have. Learning kitchen organization like a pro does not mean you need a giant space. It just means creating smart systems that work for your real life.
Setting Your Kitchen Up For Success
Before you start adding bins and baskets, a few simple strategies can instantly change how your space functions. Here are three essential kitchen organization tips to set you up for success:
Adjust your shelf heights
Most cabinet and pantry shelves are adjustable! Move them up or down so they fit the exact height of your boxes, bottles, and jars without wasting vertical space.
Relocate rare items
Save your prime kitchen real estate for items you use daily. Stash holiday platters, turkey roasters, or once a year party serving pieces on a top shelf, in a closet, or in the basement.
Group like with like
Keep similar items together in clear zones. Then, you always know what you have before you head to the grocery store.
Declutter Gadgets Only Used for One Thing
Pass along specialty gadgets that only perform one job, like banana slicers, avocado pitters, or egg wedgers. Standard kitchen tools like a chef knife or spoon can easily do those same tasks while freeing up prime drawer space for items you rely on every day.
Must Have Kitchen Organization Containers
Once you lay the foundation, adding the right storage tools will take your space to the next level. Here are the best containers to maximize every cabinet, drawer, and shelf in your kitchen:
Kitchen Organization for Cabinets
- Clear Turntables (aka Lazy Susan)
These are perfect for your kitchen cabinets to organize oils, vinegars, cooking sprays, and sauces. In addition, they can be used to organize spices. This way you can quickly get what you need and bring the spices from the back to the front instantly.
- Water Bottle Organizer
This stackable water bottle organizer holder is perfect for inside the kitchen cabinet. It stores large tumblers and water bottles so you can see what you have any time you need to grab one. The best part? The tiers are stackable and come apart to fit exactly what you need.
- Expandable Cookware Rack
No need to stack your pots and pans when this cabinet organizer lets you save space. Not only does it separate the pots and pans for easy access, but it keeps the kitchen organization system. My favorite brand for this type of organize is the StoreMore Expandable Cookware Rack from YouCpoia.
- Cabinet Organizer (Shelf)
These SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelves are perfect for a few reasons. First, if you have a cabinet above the fridge, then you can use these aesthetically pleasing shelves to create more space. In addition, these shelves can be stacked on top of each other or used as an L shape. You can also use them outside of the kitchen in your bathroom, home office, or laundry room.
Kitchen Organization for Drawers
- Foil and Wrap Dispensers
Ditch the boxes and condense your kitchen drawer storage with this StoraRoll Food Wrap Dispenser. It holds three standard rolls of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, parchment or wax paper. It also has a built-in cutter for a smooth cut every single time.
- Food Bag Storage Organizer
Same goes for the gallon, quart, sandwich, and snack size food storage bags. This StoraBag Drawer Food Bags Dispenser is perfect for busy families. Additionally, it lets you see when you are getting low, and takes up the same space in the drawer all the time without fighting cardboard boxes.
- Junk Drawer Organization (Interlocking Bins)
One of my favorite junk drawer organization hacks is using desk drawer organizer trays. The trick is to get containers that interlock so when you open and close the drawer they stay connected and in place. My favorite organizer for this aesthetic is the 15 Piece Interlocking Drawer Organizer Set on Amazon.
- Bamboo Storage Box Set
If you’re looking for non-plastic containers, I highly recommend the 21-Piece Bamboo Drawer Storage Set from SpaceAid. As a professional organizer, I use this set in my own home and love them!
- In-Drawer Knife Mat
Purge the wooden block and finally free up your counter space with this In Drawer Knife Organizer by madesmart. I took a risk in my own home and ditched the wooden block, made space in a drawer for our knives, and never went back. You can also purchase it in black.
- Bamboo Drawer Dividers
Before you purchase these Adjustable Bamboo Drawer Dividers, be sure to measure your drawer first including the height. They are perfect for keeping items separated and upright. For example, use them to separate cooking utensils, hand towels, oven mitts, silverware, and more.
Kitchen Organization for Pantry and Backstock
- Clear Airtight Containers
Before you start decanting everything, let me explain. A set of Food Storage Containers by OXO is perfect for decanting all of your baking ingredients. It keeps everything fresh over time and allow you to see what you have.
If you want to track expiration dates, simply write the date on the bottom with a dry erase marker or tape a sticky note underneath!
Secondly, the SpaceAid Bamboo Food Storage Container is perfect for snacks you buy regularly like pretzels, cereal, cookies, and pasta.
- Season Packet Organizer
When you have too many season packets, this ShelfBin Packet Organizer from YouCopia will save the day! It keeps them organized without falling over so you can see what you have in the middle of a busy day while trying to get dinner ready.
- Soda Can Organizer
As a professional organizer, I use the Sorbus Soda Can Organizers in my own home. While the description says it is for the fridge and freezer, I mainly use it in our basement for my backstock. This is where extra sodas and canned drinks live. They also have lids that create even more storage space.
- Stackable Open Front Bins
Speaking of backstock, if you are looking to organize bulk or extra items in your home, these Stackable Open-Front Storage Bins by iDesign are hands down my favorite. Not only do they stack, but the open front allows you to ditch the cardboard box the items came in and create a system you can easily reach into.
- Clear Stackable Bins
This set of 16 Organizer Bins from Munfix is one set I recommend to every client when organizing their kitchen or hallway closet. The same size bins in this set stack so you can easily store spices, medicines, tea bags, snacks, and more.
Kitchen Organization for Countertops
- Stackable Basket
While the description on Amazon says you can use this as a wall mount (which I highly encourage to get things off your kitchen counter), you can also use it right on your kitchen counter itself. This 2 Tier Storage Bin can be used to store fruit, veggies, eggs, onions, and more while making the space look aesthetically pleasing as well.
Creating Room To Breathe In Your Kitchen
Organizing your kitchen does not have to happen overnight, and it certainly does not require a complete overhaul all at once. By starting small, choosing systems that match how you actually live, and using smart organizers to maximize your space, you can create a kitchen that feels calm, functional, and effortless to maintain.
Remember, your clutter did not get there in a minute, and it is not going to be gone in a minute! Give yourself grace, pick one drawer or cabinet to start with today, and enjoy the process of making your space work for you.
Ready to pinpoint where to start when decluttering?
If you feel overwhelmed by clutter and are not sure which room in your home to tackle first, I have created a tool just for you.
Download my FREE Room to Breathe Home Audit! This quick 5 minute guide will help you rate the 5 highest traffic zones in your home, cut through the visual noise, and pinpoint your exact starting point so you can stop guessing and start making progress.
👉 Click here to get your FREE Room to Breathe Home Audit delivered straight to your inbox!
Learn more about Bin Your Space at www.binyourspace.com/about or contact Bonnie at https://binyourspace.com/contact to talk about the space that’s causing you the most stress.
It’s time to bin your space and keep it that way!
