Having an organized kitchen not only makes cooking easier and more efficient, but it also makes the space look cleaner and tidier. From clever storage solutions to smart layouts, there are many creative ways to organize your kitchen that go beyond just decluttering. Here are 40 awesome kitchen organization ideas to maximize your storage, streamline meal prep, and keep your cook space looking its best.
Utilizing Wall Space
The walls provide prime real estate for getting things off the counters and maximizing vertical storage in your kitchen. Here are some creative ways to use the walls to organize your space:
Mount Shelving Near The Ceiling
Installing shelving high up on the walls is a great way to display and store items that you don’t use frequently. Use for storing extra serving platters, roasting pans, baking sheets, or small appliances like a blender or food processor that you only use occasionally. The high shelves keep these items out of the way but still easily accessible by using a step stool.
Add A Spice Rack
Mount a spice rack on the wall to free up prime cabinet space. Install it near the stove for easy access while cooking. Opt for a rack with space for jar labels facing outward so you can identify spices at a glance. For a more decorative look, mount wooden crates in a grid pattern to hold jars.
Utilize Magnetic Strips
Magnetic strips provide handy, out-of-the-way storage for knives and other metal kitchen tools. Mount them on the wall near your prep area to keep essential cooking utensils within arm’s reach but off the counters.
Hang Pots And Pans
Install a hanging pot rack or pan organizer over your stove or island. You can hang pans of different sizes from the rack using hooks. This clears cabinet and drawer space while putting your most-used pans in an easy access spot.
Add A Message Board
Mount a large chalkboard or corkboard on the wall to keep shopping lists, recipes, notes, and photos handy in your kitchen. Place it in a high-traffic spot for the whole family to view.
Getting Creative With Cabinets
From roll-outs to dividers, there are many smart ways to organize the contents of kitchen cabinets and drawers so things are easy to find and access.
Install Pull-Out Shelves
Swap out standard cabinet shelves with pull-out shelves to significantly increase your storage capacity. The shelves extend out from the cabinet, making items that were previously buried in the back now accessible.
Use Magazine Holders
Store baking sheets upright in a sturdy magazine holder or file holder rack. This saves space and makes the sheets easy to grab with no more rummaging.
Add Tiered Shelving
Stacking cabinet shelves or installing pull-out cabinets with built-in vertical dividers allows you to create tiered storage for pans. The vertical divisions neatly separate and contain pans while using all the available cabinet height.
Utilize Cabinet Doors
Hang commonly used utensils like spatulas, whisks, and ladles using hooks on the inside of cabinet doors to get them up and out of the way. Attach a paper towel holder inside a lower cabinet close to the stove for convenient access while cooking.
Use Drawer Dividers
Add dividers to kitchen drawers to neatly separate and organize contents like silverware, cooking utensils, towels, and more. Segment your drawers based on how you use them. Custom dividers keep items from getting jumbled.
Install A Pantry Pull-Out
Maximize vertical space in your pantry with pull-out shelving on full extension glide rails. The shelves smoothly roll out, giving you easy access to items at the back. Install a combination of wide and narrow pull-outs to accommodate all your pantry goods.
Use Lazy Susans
Swivel organizers or lazy susans in corner cabinets and other tight spaces make items accessible with just a spin. Great for organizing spices, cans, or condiments.
Rethinking Drawers
Drawers present lots of possibilities for keeping kitchen items neatly organized and at your fingertips.
Divide Utensil Drawers
Cutlery drawers tend to become a jumbled mess over time. Divide your utensil drawers using compartments, dividers, or trays to give knives, forks, and spoons their own dedicated spaces.
Corral Plastic Bags
Install a paper towel holder in a cabinet to neatly roll up and store plastic shopping bags, preventing them from spilling out all over.
Use Interlocking Trays
Line your drawers with interlocking rubberized trays to divide them into compartments tailored to the contents. Great for organizing anything from silverware to cleaning supplies. The modular trays can be reconfigured as needed.
Insert Knife Blocks
Keep knives organized in shallow drawers by installing an in-drawer bamboo knife block to securely hold each knife. Position near prep areas for easy access while cooking.
Add Drawer Doublers
Double your drawer space by adding a second level. Inserting a shelf-style drawer doubler lets you stack items on two levels while keeping them neatly separated.
Repurposing Household Items
Don’t overlook everyday household items as organizational tools. A little creativity can repurpose many common items into kitchen storage and organization solutions.
Use Jars And Canisters
Clear glass jars are great for storing all kinds of dry goods like flour, sugar, coffee, pasta, and snacks. Uniform jars create visual harmony. Attach chalkboard labels to identify contents.
Employ Plates For Lid Storage
Mount decorative plates on the wall to hold and display pot and pan lids. The plates free up cabinet space while creating quick access to lids near the stove.
Repurpose Carriers And Crates
Vintage-style wooden crates or wire carriers typically used to transport beverages make handy organizers for countertop items, utensils, and produce when flipped upside down.
Use Mugs For Utensils
Store cooking spoons, spatulas, whisks, and other utensils in mugs or tall sturdy glasses on the countertop to keep them nearby while freeing up drawer space.
Repurpose Jars For Spices
Recycle glass jars from pasta sauce, pickles, olives, or jams to store spices. Apply chalkboard labels to identify each spice at a glance. The transparent jars make spices easily visible.
Turn Dishes Into Drawer Dividers
Use the large compartmented sections of divided dish racks to separate contents in kitchen drawers. The removable plastic dividers can be customized to your needs.
Use Wine Racks
Wine storage racks mounted to the wall provide hanging space for pots and pans when mounted horizontally. Install near cooking areas for quick access.
Maximizing Countertops And Islands
Your counters and islands offer convenience if kept organized and free of clutter. These tips help optimize usable surface space.
Use Shelf Risers
Elevate appliances like a stand mixer or knife block by placing them on shelf risers. This protects your counters from permanent splatters or stains. The risers add airflow to prevent cabinet moisture.
Employ Counter-Height Storage
Take advantage of vertical space above kitchen islands and other counters by installing storage in the empty area between the counter and ceiling. Open shelving, cabinets, and racks provide a place to store and display kitchen items while keeping counters clear.
Add An Over-The-Sink Shelf
Installing a shelf over the sink provides a handy landing spot for sponges, scrub brushes, soaps, and spray bottles, keeping them off the counter but within reach as you work at the sink.
Use A Sink Caddy
A wire or mesh caddy that sits inside the sink holds sponges, brushes, and scrubbers while allowing them to drain and dry between uses. Remove to easily wipe down the sink.
Stash Trash Bins In Cabinets
Keep unsightly garbage cans out of sight but within reach by installing them inside cabinet doors located near prep and cleanup areas. Cabinet-mounted bins also discourage garbage odors from lingering.
Install Paper Towel Holders
Having paper towels at the ready makes cleanup easy when cooking. Install paper towel holders on nearby walls or underside of cabinets within easy reach of prep and cleanup zones.
Organizing Appliances And Gadgets
Creatively corralling appliances, electric cooking gadgets, and their cords clears clutter from counters while making items easily accessible.
Mount Appliances On Walls
Wall mounted racks and specialized mounting brackets allow you to install small appliances like stand mixers, toasters, and coffee makers on walls or below cabinets to free up counter space.
Store Appliances In Cabinets
Keep countertop appliances tucked out of sight but within reach by storing inside a cabinet outfitted with electrical outlets. Close appliance garage-style doors to conceal.
Coil And Hang Cords
Minimize messy electrical cords by tightly coiling and hanging them on hooks mounted under cabinets near outlets. Get cords up and out of the way.
Use Vertical Tool Storage
Free up counters by storing hand mixers, blenders and other small appliances vertically in wall-mounted racks. This keeps them easily accessible and ready to pull out for use.
Add Sliding Spice Racks
Install slim pull-out sliding racks under wall cabinets to hold spice bottles and still keep them within quick reach while cooking. The streamlined racks take up minimal space when closed.
Clever Food Storage Strategies
Proper food storage helps maintain freshness and reduces waste. These creative solutions make refrigerator, freezer, and pantry organization more effective.
Use Clear Containers
Store leftovers and other ready-to-eat items in clear glass or plastic containers to make the contents visible at a glance. You’ll be able to quickly identify foods and minimize forgetting older items.
Label Storage Containers
Use chalkboard markers or vinyl stickers to label storage containers with their contents and the date. This keeps you informed of how long items have been stored.
Organize Your Fridge
Group similar items together in your fridge—produce in the crisper drawers, condiments on a shelf, drinks along the door. This makes items easier to find and reduces time standing with the door open.
Use Lidded Baskets
Store produce in lidded wicker baskets on fridge shelves. The ventilation allows air to circulate while containing spills and drips. The uniform baskets create a tidy appearance.
Install Fridge Shelving
Maximize vertical storage space in your refrigerator by installing extra adjustable shelving. This allows you to better customize spaces to accommodate tall items.
Make A Condiment Caddy
Designate a storage caddy or organizer inside your fridge door just for condiments and sauces. The contained space keeps bottles neatly together and easy to access.
Use Freezer Dividers
Slide in metal or plastic dividers to segment your freezer into compartments for different types of items. Sections make items easier to locate.
Organize Spices In The Pantry
Make locating the right spice easier by storing them alphabetically or grouping by type like baking spices vs. savory. Uniform clear jars or canisters give your spice rack a tidy appearance.
Smart Layout And Zone Planning
Thinking about how you use your kitchen and creating efficient work zones tailored to meal prep makes your time in the kitchen more streamlined.
Establish Work Triangles
Position the three main work zones of sink, stove, and refrigerator in a convenient triangular layout so no zone is too far away from the others. This makes moving between tasks more efficient.
Create A Landing Zone
Designate a landing zone like a bar or island near the kitchen entryway for unloading groceries, mail, and other items coming into the kitchen. This clears surfaces in your workspace.
Store Items Near Where You Use Them
Keep items like pans and utensils near where you cook, soaps and towels near the sink, and food storage containers near the fridge and pantry. Having what you need within arm’s reach saves steps.
Establish Multipurpose Islands
Make kitchen islands pull double or triple duty as food prep areas, casual dining spots, and organizational stations for items like cookbooks. Islands maximize work and storage space in compact kitchens.
Incorporate A Message Center
Create a family communication hub on the fridge, chalkboard, or a bulletin board. Post calendars, to-do lists, reminders, and notices to keep everyone in the loop.
Smart Storage Solutions
Specialized storage products offer clever ways to neatly corral kitchen items that typically get scattered and disorganized.
Use Pan Organizers
Specially designed pan organizers neatly hold stacking pans, lids, and baking sheets vertically in a small footprint. Slide-out designs make accessing pans effortless.
Employ Pull-Out Towel Racks
Install convenient pull-out metal racks under sinks or counters to hang kitchen towels right where you need them most. Towels stay tidy and out of the way when not in use.
Use Tiered Storage Carts
Rolling carts with multiple tiers of shelving provide mobile extra storage for appliances, cookbooks, pantry overflow, or anything else. Carts can be easily moved as needed.
Store Lids In Drawer Inserts
Plastic lid organizers that fit inside drawers neatly store all sizes of container lids while maximizing drawer space. Lids slide smoothly making retrieval easy.
Add A Tablet Stand
Having your tablet on a wall-mounted stand near cooking areas allows convenient hands-free viewing of recipes and video tutorials as you work.
Organizing Outdoor Cooking Areas
Don’t forget about keeping your outdoor cooking spaces organized. These tips help you grill and dine outdoors with efficiency.
Use Outdoor Storage Chests
Weatherproof deck boxes and storage chests allow you to neatly stow grilling equipment, patio dining items, and other outdoor cooking and entertaining supplies when not in use.
Install Pot Racks
Hang racks with hooks for suspending pots and pans from your covered patio or gazebo. This gets pans off the ground and within reach as you cook outdoors.
Add A Butcher Block Cart
A sturdy rolling cart topped with a butcher block provides mobile extra prep and serving space that can easily be moved outdoors to grill side. Carts offer storage below their counters.
Employ Wall-Mounted Tool Holders
Keep essential grilling tools right where you grill by mounting magnetic knife strips, hooks, and holders to the wall. Everything stays organized but accessible as you cook.
Maintaining An Organized Kitchen
Establishing good organizational habits and routines helps any kitchen stay decluttered and efficiently run over the long term.
Declutter Regularly
Make it a habit to declutter your kitchen weekly or monthly, donating unused items, recycling, and putting things back in their designated storage spots. Staying on top of clutter prevents it from accumulating.
Establish A Return System
Create a designated spot where items like keys or reusable grocery bags live when not in use so everyone returns them there. Assign homes for items that migrate around your home.
Do Daily Quick Cleans
Spend 5-10 minutes per day on small organizational tasks like unloading the dishwasher, wiping counters, tidying shelves, sweeping floors, and taking out trash. Daily quick cleans prevent big messes.
Schedule Deep Cleans
Do more extensive organizational cleaning like clearing fridge leftovers, reorganizing cabinets, wipe downs, etc on a weekly or monthly basis as needed. Deep cleans restore order.
Label Storage Areas
Place labels reminding family members where items belong on shelves, drawers, and storage containers. This helps reinforce return habits.
Conduct Weekly Family Cleans
Get the whole family involved in spending time on Sundays or other designated day helping tackle kitchen cleaning and organizational tasks together. Many hands make light work.
Assign Chores
Give family members regular kitchen organizational chores like unloading the dishwasher, tidying pantries, wiping counters, etc. Sharing duties prevents one person from getting overwhelmed.
Meal Plan And Prep
Planning weekly meals in advance and doing prep like chopping produce when you have time saves last-minute scrambling during busy evenings. You won’t burn dinner while searching for ingredients.
Conclusion
Your kitchen’s organization style impacts how pleasant and functional a space it is. Clutter easily accumulates in this heavily-used room, but a systematic approach allows you to keep your cook space running smoothly. These creative tips ranging from storage solutions to smart layout ideas help you maximize every inch of real estate in your kitchen while establishing handy systems that make efficiency a habit. An organized kitchen benefits your cooking, cleanup, and even the look of the space. Apply any of these 40 kitchen organization ideas to create a tidier, more productive kitchen optimized for you.
40 Creative Kitchen Organization Ideas
Having an organized kitchen not only makes cooking easier and more efficient, but it also makes the space look cleaner and tidier. From clever storage solutions to smart layouts, there are many creative ways to organize your kitchen that go beyond just decluttering. Here are 40 awesome kitchen organization ideas to maximize your storage, streamline meal prep, and keep your cook space looking its best.
Utilizing Wall Space
The walls provide prime real estate for getting things off the counters and maximizing vertical storage in your kitchen. Here are some creative ways to use the walls to organize your space:
Mount Shelving Near The Ceiling
Installing shelving high up on the walls is a great way to display and store items that you don’t use frequently. Use for storing extra serving platters, roasting pans, baking sheets, or small appliances like a blender or food processor that you only use occasionally. The high shelves keep these items out of the way but still easily accessible by using a step stool.
Add A Spice Rack
Mount a spice rack on the wall to free up prime cabinet space. Install it near the stove for easy access while cooking. Opt for a rack with space for jar labels facing outward so you can identify spices at a glance. For a more decorative look, mount wooden crates in a grid pattern to hold jars.
Utilize Magnetic Strips
Magnetic strips provide handy, out-of-the-way