Decluttering and organizing your kitchen not only makes it easier to find things, but it can also make it a more enjoyable place to cook and spend time. Plus, a well-organized kitchen can even save you time and money by helping you keep track of what you have and avoiding unnecessary purchases.
But where do you start? It can be overwhelming to tackle a cluttered kitchen, but with a little planning and some helpful tips, you’ll be on your way to a tidy and organized space.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you start decluttering, it’s helpful to have some supplies on hand to make the process go smoothly. Some items you may want to gather include:
- Trash bags for tossing out any items you no longer need
- Recycling bins for items that can be recycled
- Boxes or bins for items you want to keep, but don’t have a designated spot for
- Labels and markers for labeling storage containers
- Clear storage containers to help you easily see what’s inside
Step 2: Sort and Purge
The first step in decluttering your kitchen is to sort through everything and get rid of anything you no longer need or use. This includes expired or spoiled food, broken or damaged items, and anything that doesn’t have a designated spot or purpose in your kitchen.
To make the process easier, try sorting items into piles or categories. For example, you could have a pile for utensils, another for pots and pans, and another for baking supplies. This will help you see what you have and make it easier to decide what to keep and what to toss.
Step 3: Assign a Home for Everything
Once you’ve sorted through everything and gotten rid of what you don’t need, it’s time to assign a home for everything that’s left. This means finding a designated spot for each item, whether it’s in a cabinet, drawer, or on the counter.
To help keep things organized, try to group similar items together. For example, keep all your baking supplies in one spot, utensils in another, and pots and pans in another. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for and keep things organized.
Step 4: Invest in Storage Solutions
In order to keep your kitchen organized, you may need to invest in some storage solutions. This could include things like stackable bins for canned goods, spice racks, and drawer organizers.
When choosing storage solutions, consider the size and layout of your kitchen. Look for items that will fit your space and help make the most of it. And don’t be afraid to get creative – there are many unexpected items that can be repurposed as storage solutions. For example, you could use a hanging shoe organizer for bags of chips or a wine rack for canned goods.
Step 5: Regularly Maintain Your Kitchen
Decluttering and organizing your kitchen is only the first step. To keep it organized, you’ll need to put in a little bit of effort on a regular basis. This means putting things back in their designated spot after use, regularly purging expired or spoiled food, and taking the time to tidy up and put things away.
One tip to help maintain your kitchen is to create a cleaning schedule. This could include tasks like wiping down counters and appliances, sweeping and mopping the floor, and doing a weekly deep clean of your fridge and pantry. By breaking these tasks down into
Some of our favorite kitchen organizing products
Under-shelf baskets – These baskets can be placed under shelves in your pantry or cabinet to utilize space and keep items organized and easily accessible.
Stackable storage bins – These bins can be used in the pantry or in the refrigerator to keep items organized and easily visible. They can also be stacked to save space.
Utensil holder – A utensil holder can keep all of your cooking utensils in one place and easily accessible.
Spice rack – A spice rack can keep all of your spices organized and within easy reach while cooking.
Pot and pan organizer – This organizer can be placed in a cabinet or on a counter to keep pots and pans organized and easily accessible.
Lid organizer – A lid organizer can keep all of your pot and pan lids organized and easily accessible.
Cutting board organizer – A cutting board organizer can keep all of your cutting boards in one place and easily accessible.
Kitchen wrap organizer – A kitchen wrap organizer can keep all of your aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper organized and easily accessible.
Trash can with a lid – A trash can with a lid can help keep your kitchen clean and organized by keeping trash out of sight.
Dish drying rack – A dish drying rack can keep dishes organized and easily accessible while they are drying.
Chris Gannon lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife and 2 young daughters and is the Editor-in-Chief at Clean Finds. He enjoys helping readers learn more about living responsibly by writing primarily about conscious consumerism, green business trends, and environmental conservation.
