Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

by | Home, Organization, Simple Decor Series

Do you feel overwhelmed at how to organize a kitchen? Or want a kitchen that feels more functional? Check out these easy tips anyone can do!  I’m sharing the simple steps I took to take my kitchen organization to the next level…and you can too!

Do you ever scroll social media or flip through a magazine and see those kitchen organization tips that look, well, like no one actually lives there?!  I won’t even try to pretend that our kitchen is perfectly organized.  Actually, our kitchen isn’t perfect at all.  Then again, yours probably isn’t either or you wouldn’t be reading this post!  Haha!  However, with some easy, yet clever tips, you can make your kitchen functional incredibly well.  Let’s check out how to organize a kitchen together!

I like to think of myself as a pretty organized person.  The rule “a place for everything and everything in its place” is true for our household.

Note: I didn’t say everyone single person follows the rule all the time.

However, I really strive toward keeping a home that is organized.

There are a few reasons I think home organization is really important:

  1. Home organization saves time. (Example: Spending time looking for things you need.)
  2. It saves money in the long run. (Example: Buying stuff because you can’t find what you already have.)
  3. An organized home reduces stress.  (Example: My kids aren’t stressed waiting for me.  They know where to find things or I can easily tell them where to find things.)
  4. Keeping a clean and organized home creates a peaceful environment for you and your family.

This definitely applies to the kitchen and maybe even more so than some other areas of the home.  To put it simply, a kitchen is a very busy place in the home!  However, there are some easy tips to follow to make it highly functional.

Let’s get started!

How should I best organize kitchen cabinets and drawers?

I don’t think there is just one right way to organize a kitchen.  In fact, how you organize your kitchen depends on a few things:

  • How you use your kitchen
  • Who is using your kitchen
  • Size of your kitchen
  • Layout of your kitchen

However, most of us have probably experienced some unruly drawers and cabinets.  I feel like that for the first time in my adult life, my kitchen drawers and cabinets are actually set up in a way that makes the most sense for our family.

At the same time, they feel fresh and aesthetically pleasing when I pull open the drawers or open a cabinet door.  There is certainly a great feeling about that!

As I type this, I realize that there are likely so many of you who have accomplished this way ahead of me.  That’s amazing!  However, for me, it has taken a long time for me to just get it altogether as well as budget for some tools that are making a world of difference.

Pro Tip:  Whatever step you are in the process, just keep going.  Having a truly organized home doesn’t happen overnight for most of us.  In fact, it can really take years of tweaking, experimenting, and trying varied styles before figuring out what works for you.

 

What is the best way to organize a kitchen?

We will look at these steps in more detail throughout the post.

  1. Take everything out of the section you’re organizing.
  2. Deep clean the drawer and cabinetry.
  3. Group like items together.
  4. Discard broken or worn out items.
  5. Bag up items that you have multiples of.  Donate them or save for a yard sale.
  6. Lay out the items you’re keeping in the space where you want to keep them.
  7. Measure and research the best kind of organizing tool for the space and storage needs.
  8. After collecting organizing tools, install them into your kitchen drawers and cabinets.
  9. Teach your family where things belong and how to put them away each time they are used.
  10. Set a goal to consistently do a quick reorganization to keep things fresh and tidy.  Once a month would be ideal for me.

 

What can I use to organize my kitchen?

There are SO many great tools, organizers, and gadgets out there to help you organize your kitchen.  However, you don’t need every single bell and whistle available.  If your budget allows, purchase practical organizers that provide long-term function for your space.

However, if you are doing a more budget-friendly reorganization project, shop around your home for tools.  You probably have many items that will work great to help you get organized.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of gadgets.  Instead, I prefer basic elements that are high quality and fit my space just right.  Below, you can find my 7 favorites that I used to organize my own kitchen!

As you can see, they aren’t super fancy or expensive!

Seven favorite types of kitchen organizers:

 

Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

Tip #1 to Organize a Kitchen: Clear the Clutter

You already know this.  However, it is certainly a mystery how the clutter comes back so quickly?!  Is it just me?  For example, how on earth do we collect 17 different plastic cups by the time I go to reorganize and freshen up the kitchen?  It’s such a mystery.

The first step to organizing a kitchen is to take everything out.  Some organizing posts will tell you to completely empty the space.  If you have a few days where no one needs in the kitchen and you’ve got it all to yourself, go for it.

Around here, a couple drawers or one cabinet at a time is much more realistic speed.

What is the fastest way to clean and declutter?

First, I empty the contents of that drawer or cabinet.  Secondly, I toss or set aside anything that doesn’t get used, is worn out, broken, or just unneeded.  (For example, we had a ridiculous number of whisks.  We set aside the ones we actually use and got rid of the rest!)

This step is so freeing and feels soooo good!  It can feel hard to get started.  However, I promise that once you get started, you’re going to be so glad you did it!

Tip #2 to Organize a Kitchen: Deep Clean

This is the time to deep clean that drawer or cabinet!  I also like to go ahead and wash the items that are going back in the drawer or cabinet, especially if they are items I don’t use often.  There is no doubt some things have collected a little dust time, right?!

You can find all of my tips and ideas for deep cleaning your home over on THIS post!

Pro Tip: If tackling the whole kitchen feels overwhelming (it does to me), take it one section or even one drawer at a time!  You can do it!  

It’s like eating an elephant.  How do you eat an elephant?  One bit at a time!  Haha!

Tip #3 to Organize a Kitchen: Measure and Research

How do you organize what goes where in a kitchen?

I’ll admit, I brought in a friend to help me with this step.  This is definitely the most time consuming part.  At the same time, two brains are better than one sometimes!

You’ll want to take your time on this step in order to get the best possible organization and function.

First, measure the drawer or cabinet.  Secondly, measure or evaluate about how much space the items you want to put in that drawer or cabinet are going to take.  

Thirdly, think about what kind of organizational tool will provide the best function for your needs.  Lastly, research organization options, checking the measurements carefully.

I have linked all of the organizational items that I used, along with other favorites that I liked but didn’t end up needing, all on my storefront.  You can check them out HERE!

Favorite types of kitchen organizers:

Tip #4 to Organize a Kitchen: Install and Organize Kitchen Items

This is the step that I enjoy the most!  It is finally time to install your organizers and put everything away.  It feels so fresh and clean and wonderful!

However, this is also the step where you may discover something doesn’t fit or work like you thought it would.  That is OKAY!  Go back to step 3 and try again.  It’s much better to take a little longer and complete the job with the optimal functional and organization.

Where should I put things in my small kitchen?

No matter the size of your kitchen, choosing the right storage and organization tools will help you maximize the space.

Even though every kitchen needs to suit the needs and style of the owner, here are some general guidelines that I find helpful when putting everything away:

  • Everyday dishes, cups, and flatware near the dish washer
  • Utensils, potholders, and cookware near the stove/oven
  • Dish towels near the kitchen sink
  • Anything for the kids on a lower level, easily accessible to them (water bottles, kid-proof dishes, etc.)
  • Dinner dishes and serving dishes that is not used often on the top shelves of cabinets
  • Items for entertaining, such as pitchers, vases, and special dishes on the top shelves of cabinets

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Tip #5 to Organize a Kitchen: Educate the Household and Set Up a Schedule for Consistent Decluttering

In my opinion, these last two tips are 98% of the reason why some of my organizing systems for various places in our home have NOT worked in the past.

Firstly, organization is great.  However, unless you are going to be the only one putting things away in your home, the organizing won’t last if your household isn’t educated on the system!

Even young children can be taught to put things away where they belong.  Trust me…I teach preschoolers and clean up time truthfully is a breeze.  They are completely capable of learning.

Pro Tip:  It just requires consistency, repetition, and patience.  At the same time, insistence on being helpful by putting things where they are supposed to go!

If my preschoolers can do it, surely my big kids can do so in our kitchen too.  Right?!  I hope so!

How can I keep my kitchen decluttered and organized?

The second most important tip that I think is really necessary to maintain all the hard work you’ve done organizing your kitchen is to consistently declutter.  You can best evaluate how this can work the best for your home.

I try to go through all of my cabinets and drawers twice a year.  This does not mean I am emptying them completely.  However, I do a quick scan and set aside anything that we do not use.  These items go into a yard sale pile or thrift store donation bag.

When my children were younger, I feel like I did this more often, as they were not as great about putting things away.  Also, the “extras” seemed to accumulate extra fast!

Pro Tip:  Depending on your season of life and general lifestyle, set up consistent times to do a quick decluttering of your kitchen.  At the same time, tidy up and reorganize as needed.

 

How do you organize a kitchen like a professional?

Be your own professional!  No one knows or understands your space as well as you.  Following the simple tips and steps in this post will help you get the optimal use and function from your kitchen.  At the same time, you’ll be able to maintain the fresh, organized look over time too.

I know I am really enjoying my reorganized kitchen and I’m so glad I took time to “do it right” this time!  I hope this post helps you get the same great organization and function for your own kitchen!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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