We spend copious amounts of time in our kitchens, whether it’s cooking, prepping, cleaning, or just simply living. So it’s no wonder that things can get a little messy and disorganised there. But if you have a system in place, and everything has a home, you can strive to keep your kitchen organised for maximum efficiency.
An organised kitchen doesn’t just look aesthetically pleasing but also ensures that you’re efficient with your time in there. By arranging your kitchen strategically, you can reduce stress, save time and make cooking and cleaning a more enjoyable experience.
Here are our tips on how to organise a kitchen for maximum efficiency and take a little bit of daily stress away when it comes to searching for a spice jar or a single pan.
Assess the kitchen space
First things first, step away from the kitchen and take a good look at it. What’s working and what isn’t? Maybe your pans aren’t located near your hob, or the utensils aren’t all gathered in the same drawer. Identify any problem areas and work on those parts first to create a more functional space.
Declutter and Purge
Next up, declutter. Go through each drawer and cupboard one at a time and be ruthless. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s safe to assume you’re not going to miss it. Bin, donate or recycle what you no longer need. Once you’ve pared back on your kitchen essentials you can begin to categorise what you have left. Grouping similar items together helps you to know exactly where everything is.
Create a zone system
By creating specific zones you can start an efficient process in how to organise a kitchen, transforming how you cook and spend time there.
- Cooking zone: Make cooking a little easier by storing pans, pots and utensils near the hob.
- Prep zone: Store knives, chopping boards, and mixing bowls close to where you prep your foot.
- Cleaning zone: Ensure that your sink has easy access to dish soap, sponges and drying racks.
- Storage zone: Allocate a specific space for dry food storage, keep these items together in specific kitchen cupboards.
Maximise cupboard space
Kitchen cupboards are often underutilised, with a lot of open space that can be used for storage. Use vertical space by adding in additional shelving. Pull-out shelves and organisers can make a big difference, as they allow you to see and reach everything easily.
Optimise drawer space
Drawers can quickly become black holes if they’re not organised properly. Use dividers to keep small items in check. Use the top drawers for this that are used most often, allowing you to grab them easily.
Make the most of your worktop
Counter space is a big part of your kitchen, you’ll want to keep it as clear and clutter-free as possible so that there’s ample prep space for cooking, and it’ll help to keep it looking mess-free too. Store appliances that aren’t used daily in cupboards, where possible. Consider wall-mounted storage solutions like magnetic knife strips or hanging racks to help clean up your worktop spaces, too.
How to organise a kitchen cupboard
Whether you store your dry foods in a kitchen cupboard, or you have a dedicated pantry, keeping them organised is vital for your kitchen organisation overall. Group similar items together, like tinned food, snacks, baking supplies, etc. Where you can use clear containers and label them so you can find what you need. This can also help with keeping track of what you have in your cupboards and help you to reduce food waste.
Don’t forget your fridge freezer
Your fridge freezer is not something you want to forget about when it comes to kitchen organisation. Instead, take time to organise it by food type. Also, consider using clear bins inside to keep everything visible and accessible. Regularly clean your fridge and check for expired foods to stop any unpleasant smells or mouldy surprises.
Utilise under-sink space
The area under your sink can quickly turn into a labyrinth of cleaning supplies, but with the installation of some baskets, shelves or racks you can create order for your cleaning supplies and help to keep things neat and tidy. Organise them simply into products, tools and supplies so everything has a space and you know where to look for them.
Smart storage solutions
Knowing how to organise a kitchen includes buying additional smart storage solutions like Lazy Susans, stackable bins and baskets, clear containers, pull out shelving and other clever designs, as they can really help you to maximise the storage space within your kitchen. The investment in these items can drastically improve how your kitchen is organised and ensure that every item has a home to go to.
Maintaining an organised kitchen
You’ve spent the time reading how to organise your kitchen, you’ve implemented the steps and created a clutter-free space, now it’s time to regularly maintain it. Establish a cleaning routine and schedule time to declutter the space and ensure that your system is still in space. Having a clean and organised kitchen will make it a more enjoyable space to be in.
Organising your kitchen space takes a little bit of effort, and you’ll need to regularly maintain it. But with systems in place, you’ll create a functional and clutter-free space that you’ll be happy to be in. Start small, maintain regularly, and you’ll have an efficient kitchen all-year round.
