Store glasses and dishes near the sink and dishwasher.
An organized kitchen is an efficient kitchen. While multipurpose appliances, the right floor plan and keeping things clean helps with organization, don't neglect what you can't see on the counter. Neat and tidy cabinets help a kitchen feel open, uncluttered and welcoming. If you're looking for motivation, try to see it as the chance to decorate and design rather than clean up. Does this Spark an idea?
Expand Your Space
Purchase cabinet organizing racks designed specifically for stacking plates, bowls and cookware neatly in your cabinets. Some of the racks attach to the bottom of the shelf above, creating a cubby to put measuring cups, hand beaters and small items that don't fit neatly on the open shelf. This works well if you have little cabinet space or you don't want to remove a stack of saucers each time you reach for a dinner plate. Installing hooks in the inside of cabinet doors also gives a home to cooking utensils or clean dish towels.
Turn Shelves Into Drawers
Your cabinets may seem tall and deep, but items may be hard to reach in such cavernous storage, and things may begin to pile up, especially if the cabinets are low and less reachable. Install simple gliding drawers inside the cabinets for a convenient pullout cubby drawer. To save money and time installing a roller drawer, try out this method with metal, wooden or plastic bins for small items and cookware. You still get the benefit of sliding the items in and out quickly, and they're kept together in one space.
Tackle the Pantry
A well organized kitchen has accessible and organized kitchenware and food as well. Clean out your pantry, throwing away anything you know you won't eat or that has expired, or give it away if it's still good. Wipe down the shelves, boxes, cans and jars to make sure they're goo free. Loose food and sugar attracts pests. Place foods together by type -- rice and grains in one area, baking supplies and spices in another. Put sugar, flour and beans or rice in plastic bins or containers to prevent spills when opening and so you can see them. Organize cans by food type as well, veggies in one area, sauces and soups in another. Keep your frequently used foods at waist or chest level for quick access.
Free Up Cabinet Space
Give everything in your kitchen cabinets some breathing room. Install a pot rack along one wall or above the stove. Install wall shelves to display your best dinnerware or stoneware. If you have the floor space, bring in a rolling kitchen island and use the bottom shelving for prep essentials. If all else fails, reassess how much of your kitchen supply you actually use. You need only one high-quality pot or pan of each size, unless you cook for large groups. Also keep only the dinnerware you absolutely need. Store extras from large sets elsewhere to reduce clutter.
Tags: organized kitchen, plastic bins, small items, your kitchen
