Master Chef Worthy Kitchen Organization Tips

The kitchen is perhaps the busiest areas in the home and one which is predisposed towards cluttering. If you have set a goal for yourself to whip your kitchen back into shape this summer, here are some master chef-worthy kitchen organization tips that will save you time—and a legit project that gives you an excuse to stay inside in the air conditioning!

Kitchen Organizing Tips For The Home Chef 

1 – Clear the excess

Do you have kitchen gadgets that are still in the box? Items that you aren’t sure how to use—and as much as you’d like to you know you’ll never honestly take time to learn? 

Clear the excess clutter into a donation box. If something has no use for you, drop it off at a thrift store or give it to a friend who loves to cook.

Ditto for non-functional small appliances that never made it in for a repair. Toss them into the trash; you’ll never miss them.

Freeing up space is the first key to kitchen organization.

2 – Store heavy items below

Some people store bulky items, a stand mixer, for instance, on the top shelf of an upper cabinet thinking that it’s the best spot for little-utilized things. However, place those heavier kitchen items in the lower cabinets to avoid injuries when you do need to grab them. 

Also, if they are easier to access, you will be more likely to remember you have them and use them you had intended.

3 – Keep cleaning items together under the sink

To keep your countertops clear of clutter, gather all your dishwashing and cleaning products and place them together under the sink instead of leaving them out next to the sink. You will have access to them whenever you need them, and you’ll always find them in one predictable spot instead of hunting for them. 

Additionally, under the sink is a fantastic place to install a pull-out kitchen trash and compost bin. 

4 – Store your plates and glassware near the dishwasher

Since your dinner plates, bowls, and glassware can be break easily, you need a dedicated place inside an upper cabinet. To maximize efficiency in your kitchen, select a cupboard that’s close to your dishwasher and sink. This choice allows you to take fewer steps when you’re putting away dishes. 

5 – Pantry makeover

Dedicate some pantry shelves to canned goods. Install a tiered rack that allows you to see every can. This system enables you to take a quick survey of what’s needed before you head to the store. Also, it reminds you to rotate the older items to the front. 

Keep boxed pantry staples on a separate shelf, with like categories placed together. Cereal boxes should stay together, for instance, because they are all similar sizes. Turn the boxes to that the top label faces out for ease of reading. 

Invest in air-tight storage bins for bagged items like flour, sugars. It will extend the life of the product and keep pests at bay. 

6 – Consider how you use items

When deciding on which items to house in what drawers or cabinets, consider how you utilize each thing. For instance, you will save time by putting pots, pans, and stovetop utensils near the stove. 

As you are completing this task, consider how frequently you use a particular item. So, if you rarely use a giant 8-quart pot but use your frying pan several times per week, relegate the less utilized piece to the back of the cabinet and the favorite pieces to the front.

7 – Create a charging station

If phones, tablets, and chargers clutter your countertops, mount a designated charging station to the wall in a less-used area of your kitchen. This station will corral the clutter into one area and keep the kiddos out from under your feet while you’re prepping meals. 

8 – Splurge on a small secondary fridge

If your refrigerator is practically bursting at the seams, consider the splurge of a small secondary fridge. You can move your canned and bottled beverages to this smaller unit, freeing up valuable space inside the main fridge but keeping your favorite drinks ready to enjoy. 

9 – Minimize the countertop accessories

If you have a lot of accessories on your countertop, consider downsizing them. Your countertops will appear fuss-free and more spacious. Plus, you’ll enjoy the clutter-free workspace, by keeping minimal countertop accessories. 

Unless you have a particular attachment to any single accessory, add them to that donation box. 

10 – Store seasonal items in boxes up high

Reserve those highest shelves in the upper cabinets for the things that you use only rarely. Think about your collection of quirky Christmas cookie cutters, seasonal kitchen towels, or Thanksgiving turkey salt and pepper shaker collection. All those off-season items can be boxed, labeled, and stored up high. 

Now, move on to implementing these kitchen organization tips like the master chef that’s there inside of you.