REal Simple Kitchen Organization

Is there such a thing as real simple kitchen organization? I like to think so. If not, then most of us are doomed if you feel a bit nervous that organizing this busy space will be hard, no worries.

I hope by the end of this article you have a few simple tips that will give you huge results as you make your way towards full Kitchen Organization.

A few years back, I couldn’t stand my kitchen. No matter how many times I tried to organize it, I just couldn’t get it right. The space was big, and figuring out how to set it up efficiently felt overwhelming.

I turned to Pinterest and tried all those pretty hacks with labeled boxes and neatly arranged shelves. They looked amazing in photos, but for someone like me—who likes things simple—they were a total flop.

I needed quick.

I needed simple.

I needed a system where grabbing what I needed didn’t feel like a chore.

If this hits close to home, then we might just be clutter soul mates. And if that’s the case, you probably have the same love-hate relationship with your kitchen as I do.

Most days, I absolutely adore my kitchen. It’s easily one of my favorite spots in the house.

But then there are those other days—the ones where I can’t stand it.

It used to be pure chaos- the epicenter of all the clutter in my home.

I have no idea how my kids survived as well as they did when I look back at how things were. Lucky for them and for me, I finally got it all figured out. 

Today, I see things differently, and I now know that if you have a neat and organized kitchen, it will automatically spill over to the rest of the home. Like a magical side effect. If you can keep that one room clean, the rest will just fall into place.

Unfortunately, if your kitchen is a bit of a, ahem, mess you will want to declutter things before you start organizing.

When was the last time you cleaned out your spice rack or junk drawer? Learn How to Declutter Your Kitchen today.

Once your kitchen is (mostly) decluttered then you are ready for the next step. And if so, then you are in the right place. 

Organizing Tools for a streamlined kitchen

Before we dive into the “how” let’s first talk quickly about the “why”.

When you are organizing a room you are creating a systemized space that you can use to efficiently complete specific tasks. Okay, maybe a bit formal so let’s simplify that a bit. 

You want your space set up so everything’s easy to find and just as easy to put back when you’re done.

Here’s a question for you: If you needed scissors right now, would you know exactly where to look?

Chances are, you’ve got a few spots in mind. But imagine your kitchen so dialed in that you always know where things are—and everything’s in its place, ready to grab and go. No more wasting time hunting for stuff. For me, that’s the dream because, honestly, nothing bugs me more than searching for things I know I own.

Organize the Layout

Sometimes it helps to look at your home as a business. A business you are the manager of. And each room of your home is like a different department of your business. Silly, maybe, but truly eye-opening if you really embrace it. 

Keep with me for a second longer.

If you have ever been to a restaurant you can see there are specific areas that help to run the entire business efficiently.

• The kitchen
• The hostess station
• The dining room
• The food prep area
• Checkout, the bussing, and the administration.

Each area is a zone, and it is there for a specific purpose and is organized in a specific way.

Let’s take this concept and run with it.

What is a Zone?

A zone is a designated area in a room where a specific task is completed.

Believe it or not, you are already using zones in your kitchen now. Think about it. When you go into your kitchen to cook dinner for yourself and your family, do you tend to go to the same spot to prep the meal?

If so, then that right there is your meal prep zone. 

To set up an efficient kitchen you will want to locate your zones in areas where it makes sense to complete the work. The cooking zone near the stove, the dishwashing zone near the sink, and so on.

Once you know where each zone is, you can stock that area with the tools needed to do that task. This will keep things from spilling into other areas, giving the room a cluttered look.

As long as you keep that in the back of your mind, then you should be able to set up every single room in your home without getting stuck.

Real Simple Kitchen Organization

When it comes to organizing a kitchen, it is best to approach each area separately. Drawers and cabinets are there to hold different types of items and that means how you organize is going to be different.

Organize fully stocked

I like to organize after I have all of my things put away. This way, I can work on one area at a time while it is fully stocked, giving me a better idea of what I can bring in to help keep it neat.

This will also tell you if you have more things than you have space. Pairing down supplies is an important part of organizing a space.

#1. Kitchen Drawers

Drawers can easily become dumping grounds if we are not careful, and even though I firmly believe that every kitchen must contain at least one junk drawer, you do not want every drawer to be a chaotic mess.

Organizing Tips:

• Use Drawer Dividers: Keep your kitchen drawers neat by using adjustable dividers to create separate sections for different items. This ensures utensils, tools, or gadgets stay in their designated space and are easy to find.
• Add Utensil Trays: For cutlery and smaller tools, use utensil trays to maintain order. These allow you to categorize forks, knives, spoons, and smaller gadgets while maximizing the available drawer space.
• Install Non-Slip Liners: Prevent items from sliding around every time you open or close a drawer by adding non-slip liners. These keep everything in place and also make cleaning your drawers a breeze.

Large drawers can feel overwhelming, but dividing them into categories helps you quickly spot the right utensil instead of battling a jumbled mess of tangled tools.

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#2. Pull Out Shelves

A common feature in kitchens today is pull-out shelves. This is a great way to see all the way and utilize every inch of your space.

You can use shelves to hold dishes, pots and pans, even measuring cups and spoons.

Organizing Tips:

• Add Tiered Organizers: Maximize the vertical space on your shelves by using tiered organizers for items like spices or canned goods. This makes everything easy to see and grab without having to shuffle through stacks.
• Label Everything: Assign specific zones for items and label them clearly. Labels help everyone know where to place things back and ensure your pull-out shelves stay tidy and efficient over time.
• All in one organizers: These are a great way to keep things in their spots without spilling over making a chaotic mess.

#3. Kitchen CAbinets

Cabinets are one of those things you can never have enough of, so it’s important to use the ones you have wisely.

Organizing Tips:

• Use Shelf Risers: Maximize vertical space in your cabinets by adding shelf risers. These create an extra layer for stacking plates, bowls, or pantry goods, allowing you to double the storage capacity without the risk of creating a messy pile.
• Add Lazy Susans: For hard-to-reach spaces, like corner cabinets, Lazy Susans are a game-changer. They make it easy to access items like spices, condiments, or jars by simply spinning the tray instead of rummaging through everything.
• Opt for Clear Containers: Store dry goods or smaller items in clear containers with labels. This not only keeps contents fresh but also helps you see what you have at a glance, eliminating the need to dig or search for missing ingredients.

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#4. Kitchen Pantry

Organizing your kitchen pantry starts with grouping similar items together just like using zones in a kitchen—think canned goods, snacks, baking supplies, and spices.

Organizing Tips:

• Use Clear Containers: Store dry goods like pasta, cereal, or snacks in clear containers. This not only keeps everything fresh but also lets you quickly see what’s inside, saving time and reducing clutter.
• Add Shelf Risers: Maximize vertical space by using shelf risers for items like canned goods or jars. These create extra levels, making it easy to see and grab what you need without wasting space.
• Label Everything: Add labels to bins, containers, or shelves to designate specific spots for your pantry items. Labels make it simple to maintain order and quickly find what you’re looking for.
• Rotate Your Stock: Place newer items behind older ones to prevent anything from expiring.

I love to use bins as organizers, especially for food. It is much easier to keep misshaped cans and jars from toppling over when contained in a sturdy basket.

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#5. Pots and Pans

This might be the most important area of a kitchen, but many of us store them in the worst areas. Choose a location that is easy to get to, so cooking is a joy instead of a frustration.

Organizing Tips:

• Install a Pot Rack: Utilize vertical space by hanging pots and pans on a wall-mounted or ceiling pot rack. This not only saves cabinet space but also makes frequently used cookware easily accessible.
• Use Lid Organizers: Store lids separately with a lid organizer. These can fit inside cabinets or drawers and help keep lids neatly upright, preventing a cluttered mess and making matching lids to pots a breeze.
• Stack Strategically: If you’re storing pots and pans in cabinets, stack them by size and use pan protectors between them to avoid scratches. Keep the most-used items on top or at the front for quick access.

Every kitchen works better with a little organization. Use Kitchen Zones to help you create a more efficient cooking area.

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Extra Organizing Tips for the Kitchen

Remember, when it comes to organizing easy and simple are sometimes the best way to go.

#1. Crocks

A pretty pitcher or crock can also be used to hold spoons and spatulas right next to your stove.

Having things you use often out where you can get to them is the definition of efficiency.

#2. Knife Block or Magnetic Strip:

A knife block is a great way to keep cooking knives out where you can easily get to them.

Another option is a magnetized knife holder, our preferred way to store knives. This will help to keep your knives in better shape and keep them up where you can easily get to them, yet small children cannot.

#3. Bread Box

A bread box can help you store bread or baked goods in an organized way while keeping your counters tidy and crumbs contained.

#4. Spice Rack

Place a compact spice rack on your counter to keep your most-used spices within arm’s reach. Choose a tiered or rotating design to maximize space and make finding the right seasoning quick and simple.

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Use tiered organizers or small bins to keep items like coffee supplies, condiments, or baking essentials neatly grouped and easy to reach. These also help free up counter space while maintaining order.

No more messy countertops. These easy tips for Organizing Small Kitchen Counters will help you free up space and keep things tidy.

Organizing Awkward Areas

These next areas tend to get overlooked when we are organizing but if you want to set up a space that is completely efficient we will leave no stone, or in this case sponge, unturned.

#1. The Sink Area

To organize your kitchen sink area, try adding a caddy to hold sponges, brushes, and dish soap neatly in one spot.

Replace bulky soap bottles with a sleek soap dispenser to save space and reduce clutter. Use a drying mat or a foldable dish rack next to the sink for drying dishes efficiently while keeping the area tidy.

Keep frequently used items within reach, and make it a habit to wipe down the sink area daily for a clean and organized look.

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#2. Below the Sink

To organize the space under your kitchen sink, start by installing adjustable shelves to create multiple levels for storing items like cleaning sprays and sponges.

Use pull-out baskets to keep frequently used supplies accessible and prevent items from getting lost in the back. Add adhesive hooks or tension rods inside the cabinet doors to hang gloves, spray bottles, or small tools.

Group similar items together in clear bins to maintain order and make finding what you need a breeze.

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#3. The Front of the Fridge

Turn the front of your fridge into an organized hub by using magnetic organizers to hold pens, notepads, or shopping lists neatly. Attach a dry-erase board for quick notes, meal plans, or schedules that can be updated daily.

Use magnetic clips to hang important reminders, coupons, or your kids’ artwork without creating clutter. Keep everything grouped and orderly to make the fridge a functional yet tidy central spot in your kitchen.

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Finding ways to streamline your kitchen will ehlp you to make the most of the space you have. Start with the layout and create. asetup that is efficient. Bring in organizers that work best for the area you are streamlining. Don’t gorget to utilize awkward areas and declutter as needed.

Before you know it, you’ll have your own real simple kitchen organization plan set up, in place, and working like a charm.

More Kitchen Resources:

• 5 Steps to Clutter Free Counters
• How to Organize Medicine in the Kitchen
• Streamline your Kitchen Counters