15 Easy Kitchen Organizing Ideas To Make Meal Prep A Breeze
Is your kitchen a jumbled mess of cluttered drawers, overflowing cabinets, and disorganized utensils? Many home cooks struggle to find anything in their chaotic kitchens. But kitchen organization doesn't have to be hard. With some simple storage solutions, you can transform your kitchen into an efficient cooking space.
Read on to discover strategies for taming messy drawers, corralling loose lids, and stashing small appliances out of the way.
Use Drawer Organizers to Group Utensils
Utensil drawers often turn into black holes where spatulas, tongs, and measuring spoons disappear in the jumble. Install drawer organizers to neatly compartmentalize these tools.
We recommend choosing organizers with deep dividers so utensils don't slip around. Arrange items by type - slot all the spatulas together, ladles together, etc. Keep everyday items up front for easy access.
Employ Vertical Racks for Pots and Pans
Finding the right pan buried deep in a crowded cabinet is irritating. The solution? Store pots and pans vertically on racks and shelves. This keeps them visible and accessible.
Group pots and pans by size and type. Place the ones you use most frequently on lower shelves near the range. Having cookware out in the open not only looks organized but also saves you from digging frustration.
Corral Pantry Items with Bins and Canisters
Does your pantry look like an episode of Supermarket Sweep? Bring order to the chaos with storage bins, canisters, or racks to sort and separate food items.
Install extra shelves or slide-out trays if your current shelving is packed tight. This vertical storage allows you to neatly stack cans, boxes, and bags. Keep everyday staples on lower shelves for convenience.
Hang Kitchen Tools for Quick Access
Having daily-use kitchen tools out on the counters makes prep work easier. But a clutter of gadgets can make your space feel messy.
The fix? Install hooks, rails, and magnetic strips to hang utensils like spatulas, ladles, whisks, and measuring cups. Attach them to the wall or inside cabinet doors near your main work area.
Organize Spices in Drawers or Racks
Spice jars clustered on a shelf or scattered in cabinets lead to headaches. Funnel them into drawer organizers or spinning racks to neatly arrange your collection.
Keep your most-used spices, like salt, pepper, and cinnamon, near the stove in an easy-access rack. For overflows, transfer jarred spices to uniform containers to create a streamlined look.
Assign a Home for Appliances
Eliminate kitchen clutter by giving small appliances like the toaster, coffee maker, and stand mixer a dedicated storage spot. Tuck them into cabinets using slide-out trays or an appliance garage.
For upright storage, use risers or brackets to elevate appliances off the counter. This frees up precious surface area while keeping items conveniently close at hand when needed.
Control Food Wrap and Bag Clutter
Plastic wrap boxes and food storage bags usually get crammed haphazardly into drawers. The result? Crinkled bags and lids that never stay shut. Solve this with simple drawer dividers to neatly file these items.
Or stash these bulky items out of the way in a nearby pantry cupboard. Use adjustable shelves, upright magazine files, or over-the-door storage to organize food wrap and bags.
Corral Seasonings into a Spice Drawer
Like spices, seasonings and dry herb packets easily get lost in jumbled drawers. Give them their own dedicated organizer drawer fitted with small compartments.
This confines sprinkle-on flavorings to one spot so you can find the cumin or taco seasoning when needed. Custom dividers keep packets and jars neatly sorted and labeled too.
Hang Hooks for Aprons, Towels, and Mitts
Prevent kitchen textiles from landing in a heap on your counters or stove handle. Install hooks on the wall, back of a cabinet door, or side of the fridge to hang these items.
Opt for sturdy hooks that can support the weight of heavier dish towels. Place them near the sink, oven, or prep space for handy access when cooking and cleaning up.
With some simple organizing solutions, you can whip your messy kitchen into shape for more efficient meal prep. Strategic drawer dividers, racks, and bins allow you to neatly arrange cooking tools, dishes, and food staples.
An organized kitchen not only looks less cluttered, but it also saves you from daily frustrations. Spend less time rummaging and more time creating delicious meals with an orderly, optimized cooking space.