STEPS TO ORGANIZE KITCHEN CABINETS
CLEAN THEM OUT
Clean your kitchen cabinets. Take all your items out of your drawers and cabinets and place them on your kitchen counter. You can then use a microfiber cloth or sponge to reach the back of the cabinets and drawers to remove expired or unwanted items.
Tip Mix one part oil-cutting detergent dish soap or laundry shampoo with two parts water in an aerosol bottle to make your cleaner.
PROTECT WITH LINING
Line your cabinets and drawers with gripped shelf liners before returning your kitchen supplies. Liners add stability to the bottom of the drawer or cabinet, keeping items from sliding and falling.
Tip Use a strong beaded grip liner to prevent slippage in areas you don’t want. Ribbed shelf liners are a good choice in areas where you don’t need as much grip, such as on the shelves that hold plates and dishes you use often.
HEAVY ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM SHELF
Group the heavier, larger dishes on the bottom shelf when organizing your dishes. It will make it easier to take large plates and bowls out and back into your cabinet by placing them on the bottom shelf.
Tip Because glasses are lighter than other items; you can store them on a higher shelf while still being reachable. You don’t have to reach them as often if you have glasses for special occasions, such as champagne flutes or wine glasses.
CONSIDER PROXIMITY
It is not fun to unload the dishwasher. Keep dishes you frequently use, such as bowls and plates, in a cabinet near the dishwasher. It will be easier for them to be returned to their original place after cleaning.
Tip Keep common items like plates, cups and bowls in one cupboard. This will make it easier to load them all into the same spot.
STACK POTS & PANS
You can keep large and unusually shaped pots and saucepans out of sight by placing them in a bottom cabinet. Place the pans and lids on one side and the pots and saucepans opposite. It will make it easy to locate them.
Tip It is easy to accumulate pots or pans. Make sure to keep the items you use when you empty your cabinet. Consider donating multiples of the same dimensions to a local shelter.
GROUP SIMILAR INTERNATIONAL INGREDIENTS
You can save time by grouping ingredients you often use together in one cabinet. When you bake a recipe, this will save you the time of opening every cabinet to search for similar ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt. This will also make it easier to clean up afterward.
Tip Use baskets or bins for these items. Grab one basket and place it on a counter to store the ingredients.
Label EVERYTHING
Nobody wants to add salt to their morning coffee accidentally. Label everything to prevent any mix-ups. Use chalkboard stickers to add design to your cabinets.
Tip Label containers with an expiration date to know when an item will go bad.
UTILIZE A SPICE RACKET
Do you find yourself tired of looking through all your spices and rummaging through bottles to find the right one? Each container should be placed on a rack inside your cabinet. You can then quickly find the right spice by taking them all out and returning those you don’t use.
Tip Bottle labels often fade. To help you choose the right spice, create new labels for your bottles.
ORGANIZE UTENSILS IN DRAWS
Are your drawers stuck from a spoon or whisk being pushed in too tight? Keep your drawers organized to avoid frustration. Use dividers to organize your drawers. You can section off the drawer to ensure that each utensil is in its designated place.
Tip Don’t overload the drawers. Don’t keep anything that you don’t use. You don’t likely need five spatulas unless you are a professional chef.
Keep your cleaning supplies close at hand.
The kitchen can quickly become a mess no matter how meticulous you are. Your cleaning supplies should be stored under the sink so that they are not in the way but still easily accessible. Ensure you throw out any expired or empty bottles of cleaning solution when cleaning this area.
Tip Store extra towels or rags under the sink to wipe up spills quickly.