Tips To Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
April 30, 2020You won’t know just how much things and clutter you have in your kitchen until you look in your cabinets. It’s actually kind of shocking how many things we cram into those spaces. And the sheer number just makes your kitchen cabinets one of the hardest places to organize in the house. Organizing it would take serious dedication and motivation. But the challenge is one really worth going through.
Imagine knowing where everything is. You save time. You save effort. You make cooking and cleaning a lot easier. And you also save money from buying duplicates. The key to this is having a simple organization strategy. Here are some tips to help you create your own strategy to keep your kitchen cabinets organized all year round.
Declutter First
Whatever part of your home you’re organizing, the first step is always decluttering. Before you can even start putting things in their proper places, you need to get rid of the things that shouldn’t be hogging the space in the first place. So, set up a trash container and a box for things to be donated or sold. Then, go through each cabinet one by one.
Sort and Categorize
This is the stage where everyone will differ. That’s because you have to sort and arrange your kitchen cabinets in a way that makes sense to you and your family. Not one arrangement is suitable for everybody since we all have different needs and processes in our very own kitchens. Here are some little tips to go by though.
Categorize Your Items
To maximize the organization and storage space, separate your items into categories. The specifics are up to you. For instance, you can place canned goods all in one cabinet. Then, you can place snacks into another. It all depends on what you think is best. The goal is simply to know exactly where to find what you need when you want it.
Place Items Where You Use Them
For more efficiency in the kitchen, you can try sorting your items by what you use in each spot. For instance, put all your spices near the stove. You don’t want to be racing back and forth in the kitchen while you’re cooking right?
Separate Food From Utensils and Cookware
This is an unspoken commonality in any home. But, sometimes, things just inevitably end where they’re not supposed to. So, when you’re putting back your items, make sure to separate these. Create smaller separate sections in one cabinet if needed.
Make the Most Used Items a Priority
If you drink coffee every morning, it doesn’t make sense to push all your mugs to the back of your kitchen cabinet. The same goes for food or spices that you often use. So, make sure to keep your frequently used items in front or near the front for easy access.
What To Put In Your Upper Cabinets
Your upper cabinets are made for easy access. That’s why the best things to place here are things you often use. Most items, of course, are food. If you don’t have a pantry, try grouping your food from snacks, spices, condiments, and such. Then, store them in the cabinets nearest your workstation. Aside from food, it’s also convenient to store your glasses and dishes on your upper cabinets. Place them near your dishwasher to make cleaning up a lot easier. This goes the same for food storage containers which you can easily reach for leftovers.
What To Put In Your Lower Cabinets
Your lower cabinets are the best spots for non-food items and items you don’t frequently reach for. This includes heavier stuff like less frequently used appliances. If you use an appliance daily though, move it to your countertop. The same goes for pots, pans, lids, and baking sheets. Make sure to store them sideways to maximize your space. You can also include chopping boards and mixing bowls. Lastly, you can store your cleaning supplies in the lower cabinets preferably near the sink.
What Not To Put In Your Cabinets
To avoid crowding your cabinets and disrupting your organized tools, avoid placing items that have a better place elsewhere. This includes serving trays and outdoor serving pieces. These tend to be bulky and are much better stored offsite if you’re not hosting a party every night. Another item that shouldn’t be in your kitchen cabinets is linens. They should be with the placemats and tablecloths elsewhere. Appliances you never use shouldn’t also be stored here. Box them up and place them in a storage room instead. Lastly, don’t toss your decor in your kitchen cabinets. They can be better stored in offsite rooms like the attic or basement.
