Effective Tips for Organizing your Messy Kitchen Cabinets

Guest Blogger #430, Entry #1046, March 27, 2012

When you think about the sheer number of items stored within your kitchen cabinets, the task of organizing it all can be a daunting one. But, a clean organized kitchen saves time, energy—and even money!—in the long run, so taking on the challenge will pay big benefits in the long run.

So, where to start? Well, before the real work begins, take the time to evaluate a few things.

Clever solution for kitchen cabinetry

Image via: Observando

• Do you really use all of those pots, pans, small appliances, plastic storage containers, utensils, etc.?

If you haven’t used an item within the last year, it’s likely you never will. If you must keep it, find a home for it elsewhere in the house. Otherwise, donate the items to your favorite charity or put it in a ‘sell’ pile for your next garage sale.

• Does everything in your kitchen cupboards really belong there?

Many times it’s simply easier to open a cabinet door and stash item there when they really belong somewhere else. Take an inventory of all of those items—medicine, sunglasses, receipts, small tools, whatever—that have taken up residence in the kitchen and put them away.

• Can you rearrange the cabinets to ensure those often-used items end up in the most convenient spaces?

Some professional organizers prefer to separate the kitchen’s content into zones for efficiency’s sake. Only you can decide what might be right for you, but some general zones include food storage, food preparation, cleaning, cooking and serving. Separating these items and putting them away in their own areas will save time when you’re carrying out each of these tasks. In addition, you will always know exactly where to go for an item, i.e. small appliances will be grouped together, etc.

• Do you have the tools you need to be as efficient as possible?

Before you get started, make a trip to your local home improvement store. You will be amazed at the huge selection of kitchen organization helpers currently on the market. Slide-out or stackable shelving, pot racks and lid holders, sliding recycling bins and/or garbage receptacles, lazy susans, and other storage solutions can help you maximize the space you have. There are a number of appliances designed to be mounted under cabinets as well.

Organize your kitchen cabinets for beauty and function

Image via: Bhg

Starting the organizing

Once you’ve dedicated some thought to the above, it’s time to simply roll up your sleeves and get to work. If possible remove everything from the cabinets and wipe them out with soap and water.

Group your items by the zones you have determined and place them near the cabinets where they will be housed. In general, you’ll want to try to place heavy or bulky items in lower cabinets and lighter, smaller items in your wall cabinets. Cookware, for example, should be stored down below in the cooking zone while spices and utensils can be stored up top. If you have items used only occasionally, you’ll want to put those in your harder-to-reach cabinets or toward the back.
Don’t forget about the empty or “dead” space many of us have between the top cabinets and the ceiling. Surely you may be able to find a new home for decorative serving ware, appliances and other seldom-used items that can be held in decorative baskets.
You’ll be surprised by the satisfaction you’ll get living in your well-organized kitchen. Now your challenge is to keep it that way!

Alexandra Kelly is a school teacher and devoted mother with a passion for writing. She is also a grammar fanatic and refuses to let her children submit any homework without using a grammar checker to proof it first. She often says there are only two things in life she really needs – her children and her makeup.

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