How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets

How to organize kitchen cabinets. Just follow these easy steps: assess your space, declutter, maximize cabinet space, label, and maintain. It might seem daunting at first, but breaking it down into smaller goals makes it much easier to gain some space in your cabinets.

Assess your space

The first step to organizing your kitchen cabinets is to assess your space. Here are some tips to get you started:

Take Everything Out of Your Cabinets

The best way to start organizing your kitchen cabinets is to take everything out of them. Yes, everything! It can be overwhelming, but it’s necessary to assess your space and organize it effectively.

Identify What You Have and What You Need

When you have everything out of your cabinets, start identifying what you have and what you need. Go through your items and see if you use them daily, weekly, or almost never. 

Sort Items into Categories

Sorting items into categories is an essential step in organizing your kitchen cabinets. These are just some examples:

Utensils: spatulas, spoons, tongs, etc.

Cookware: pots, pans, baking sheets, etc.

Glassware: cups, mugs, wine glasses, etc.

Dishes: plates, bowls, serving dishes, etc.

Food storage: containers, plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc.

Declutter

Organizing your cabinets can help create more space and make it easier to find whatever you need.

Discard expired, broken, or unused items

The first step in decluttering your cabinets is to take everything out and discard any expired, broken, or unused items. This includes old spices, expired food items, and broken utensils. Get rid of everything that should not be there without putting emotion into the decision.

Donate or give away duplicate or unused items

Another way to declutter your cabinets is to donate or give away duplicate or unused items. If you have multiple can openers, for example, consider keeping only one and donating the rest. 

Evaluate the frequency of use for each item

As you start to put items back into your cabinets, evaluate the frequency of use for each item. Keep the items you use most frequently out front, and place the items you use less frequently in the back. 

Maximize cabinet space

Maximizing cabinet space in your kitchen is an essential step to keeping it organized and functional. With limited cabinet space, it can be challenging to store all your kitchen essentials efficiently, so you want to consider the next tips.

Use risers, shelf organizers, and cabinet door organizers

Risers are a fantastic way to increase storage space in your cabinets. Shelf organizers are also an excellent option for maximizing your cabinet space. They can be used to create more shelves within your cabinets, making it easier to organize items by category. Finally, cabinet door organizers are a great way to store small items like spices and cooking utensils. They can be mounted on the inside of your cabinet doors, freeing up valuable shelf space.

Utilize vertical space by stacking items

Stacking items is another excellent way to maximize your cabinet space. This technique works best for plates, bowls, and other dishes. Be careful when stacking items, as you don’t want them to tip over and break. Be sure to place heavier items on the bottom of the stack and lighter items on top.

Arrange items by frequency of use

Arranging items by frequency of use is a simple yet effective way to maximize your cabinet space. By placing items you use frequently at the front of your cabinets and less frequently used items towards the back, you can make the most of your space. Additionally, you can organize items by categories, such as baking supplies or snacks

Label and Maintain

One way to maintain an organized space is by labeling and maintaining it. Here are some tips to help you keep your cabinets in top shape:

Label containers and shelves to keep things organized

Labeling your containers and shelves can make it easier for you to find what you need quickly. You can use labels or a marker to label each container with its contents. This is especially helpful for dry goods like flour, sugar, and spices. For shelves, you can use adhesive labels or small chalkboards to label each shelf with its category, such as “baking supplies” or “canned goods.”

Regularly clean and maintain cabinets and their contents 

Regularly cleaning your cabinets and their contents can help prevent clutter and keep your space organized. Wipe down your cabinets with a damp cloth and a mild cleaning solution to remove any dirt or dust. Take everything out of your cabinets and wipe down each item before putting it back in.

Re-evaluate and adjust the organization as needed

Your kitchen needs and habits may change over time, so it’s important to re-evaluate and adjust your cabinet organization as needed. This could include changing the frequency of use of certain items or adding new organizers to maximize space. Take some time to assess your cabinets every few months and make any necessary changes.

To Reiterate

Organizing your kitchen cabinets can seem daunting, but it’s achievable by breaking it down into smaller goals.

The first step is assessing your space, followed by decluttering, maximizing cabinet space, and labeling and maintaining it. By taking everything out of your cabinets, identifying what you have and what you need, and sorting items into categories, you can create more space and make it easier to find whatever you need. Donating or giving away duplicate or unused items, utilizing vertical space by stacking items, and arranging items by frequency of use can also help maximize your cabinet space. Finally, labeling containers and shelves, regularly cleaning and maintaining cabinets, and re-evaluating and adjusting the organization as needed, is crucial for maintaining an organized space.

What Now?

Having your kitchen cabinets organized will come in handy when it’s time for a remodel, but how much does it cost? Find out in our new article how much should a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost.