12 Things All of the Most Organized Kitchens Have in Common

Hint: They all contain these two types of storage.

While a good deep clean and an organizing session won't change the design of your kitchen, it will make this space work better for you. When everything is easy to find and meal prep comes together quickly, you'll love being in your kitchen just a little bit more. After scouting some of the tidiest kitchens around, here are the common storage secrets they all share. Go ahead and borrow these brilliant kitchen organization ideas for your own home.

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Make Use of Vertical Space

Hooks, floating shelves, and hanging baskets get items off your counters and look lovely. While you don't want the walls to look cluttered, the right kitchens balance open space and opportunities for storage. To add a wow factor, you can splurge on a pot ceiling rack and utilize your pots and pans drawer for other items.

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Store Items Where You Need Them

Think about how you use your kitchen. The tools and appliances you reach for most often when cooking should be placed within arm's length of the stove. Keep less-used items further away. You should never have to cross the kitchen to get something in the middle of cooking.

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Keep Counters Clear

Not only are they easier to keep clean, but clear counters also make any space look more organized. Keep junk mail, recycling, and other common culprits off your valuable cooking space. The same goes for bulky appliances that look nice but don't get plugged in more than once a week.

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Ditch Unnecessary Tools and Appliances

That peeler you use all the time? Keep it! But do you really need a banana slicer? If you're balking at the idea of getting rid of some of your tools, try removing them from the kitchen and see how often you go to grab them. If it has been more than six months, donate it.

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Have an Organized Spice Cabinet

No, that doesn't mean that they all need to be in labeled matching bottles, but it does mean checking frequently that they're not expired, that you haven't acquired duplicates, and that there aren't any empties hanging around. Also, however you choose to store them, make sure it's easy to see what you have. A turntable can help if you keep them in a cabinet.

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Designate a Place for Everything

Designated drawers for tools, dishes, dishtowels, pots, and pans will help ensure that things go back where they belong. Sounds simple, right? But when your partner or kids are helping clean, they can get a little creative with where things go. A clear spot makes it easier to find your whisk the next time you're looking for it.

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Keep It Clean

It doesn't matter how organized a space is, if it's not clean, you're going to feel it. Kitchen messes can sneak up on you, so once a week, do a deeper clean where you check appliances, shelves, walls, and cabinets for drips, crumbs, and gunk.

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Utilize Fridge and Counter Organizers

Want to change the look and feel of your fridge? Add clear plastic storage bins to group loose items together. They can be used to make snacks more accessible or to corral condiments. Other items like turntables, drawer dividers, bins, and baskets will prevent messes and clutter in drawers and cabinets. Make use of our favorite kitchen cabinet organizers while you clean.

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Recognize the Need for Open and Closed Storage

Open storage helps add personality to your kitchen and keeps some of your most-used items close at hand. Closed storage allows you to tuck things away, reducing visual clutter. Plus, it keeps dishes and glasses from getting dusty. Use a variety of both open and closed storage to get the benefits of each, and create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen.

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Make Use of Labels Where Needed

Don't be afraid to pull out the label maker when needed. Labels allow others to put things away without reminders or prompting. They work well on fridge storage bins, too.

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Have an Organized Space for Kids

You don't want to rifle through your entire pantry or go to the basement just to find something for the kids to eat. Having a separate drawer or cabinet for kids' snacks and drinks will not only keep their treats organized, but they can help themselves without you having to stop what you're doing.

Have a fur baby in the family? Keep all of their food and treats in a designated area that is out of reach for them, but easy for you to keep in one spot. Rolling storage bins are great for food and ceramic canisters can work as treat jars.

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Use Functional Items as Decor

Displaying items such as cutting boards, hanging tea cups on hooks, and using vases and jars to hold potted herbs, are some of the ways you can decorate your kitchen with useful items without taking up room. This is an especially helpful idea for smaller kitchens where space is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the most efficient way to organize a kitchen?

    The best way to organize a kitchen is to start from scratch. First, empty everything from your drawers and cabinets. Next, do a deep clean, making sure to wipe away any spills and crumbs. Then, group like items and assess where you need them to go. Finally, put everything back in a manner that is accessible, with the most-used items within reach, and lesser-used appliances, serveware, and dining-ware towards the back or in another area completely.

  • How do you organize a small kitchen?

    Organizing a small space means making use of every square inch. While counters and cabinets are obvious storage choices, consider the backs of doors, rolling carts, and exposed shelving. It's also a good idea to move seasonal and holiday items to another area of your house.

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