How to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets… and Remove the Stress from Your Life!

Does this photo look familiar? Most of us – at one time or another – have probably faced kitchen cabinets that overwhelm us! There is nothing more frustrating than getting ready to prepare a meal and have to be sifting through cabinets filled to the brim with pots and pans that have no matching covers, or fumbling in the pantry to find ingredients for a recipe only to have to deal with a hodge-podge of spices, crackers, cereals and other items you don’t need. Then there’s the search for plastic containers for leftovers when all of them come tumbling out of a cabinet minus the appropriate lids! Ugh! So, what’s a person to do?

Navigating a poorly organized kitchen can give even the best cooks chills and nightmares. In a recent survey done by a British storage company called Caboodle, two out of three surveyed said the amount of clutter in their kitchen was stressful and almost three quarters wished they had more storage space.

The good news is that with some simple “tweaks” and a few new and inexpensive additions, you CAN expand your current space, become super-organized and transform your cabinets and kitchen into a stress-free environment for prepping, cooking, and entertaining.

Before you decide what you need to buy or how best to organize, take some time to really think about how you and your family use the kitchen. Is it only for prepping and cooking or do you spend time there doing paperwork? Do your kids hang out there doing homework and projects? Does the family watch TV or play games in the kitchen? Is it the “hub” for all of your devices? And most important, is your kitchen the gathering place for everyone when you entertain?

For Upper Cabinets

  • Consider adding an extra “shelf” – such as a two-tiered shelf organizer. This could potentially double your storage space
  • Think about adding a two-tiered Lazy-Susan in a corner cabinet for things like spices, condiments and smaller pantry items.
  • Add cup holder hooks or an under-shelf rack to hang mugs or cups and give you more shelf space for plates and bowls

For Lower Cabinets and Drawers

  • Install a metal rack to hold pot lids and frying pans
  • If you store pots & pans in a drawer, add a drawer divider to separate lids from pans.
  • If your kitchen is large enough and your pots and pans are attractive, buy a corner multi-tier standalone unit and show off your cookware.

For Under Sink Cabinet

  • Add a stackable under sink organizer with slide out basket toe easily reach supplies
  • Use a two-sided portable sink caddy, which offers the convenience of taking all your products with you as you clean

Pantry

  • Hang a multi-tier organizer over a pantry door that can hold everything from canned goods to spices, vitamins to baby food, and so much more. 
  • Use woven baskets or plastic bins to corral loose items like bags of chip and snacks, protein bars and any smaller wrapped items that can be found easily in one place
  • Buy inexpensive clear containers with tight fitting lids to store flour, sugar, cookies, rice, or just about anything that you want to easily see and protect from dampness.

Trays, Cutting Boards & Plastics

  • Similar to lid holders, wire racks can keep your cutting boards and over trays need and orderly within a lower cabinet
  • If you have a large deep drawer, you can get deep storage boxes or organizers for plastics, lids and small trays.

Electronic Devices & Remotes

  • Designate one drawer where you install a device charging station. All smaller devices and their remotes are always in one place, safe from damage, leaving your kitchen counters neat and clean.

If, after undergoing this kitchen reorganization, you decide it’s time to consider replacing your kitchen cabinets, stop by our showroom and speak with one of our experienced and friendly designers. They can help guide you in making the best choice for your needs. Since we carry cabinets from ten different manufacturers, we have a selection for just about every budget. Whatever you decide, once you get more organized, we know you’ll enjoy your kitchen so much more!