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How long did it take you to find the baking soda the last time you needed it? Do you need to dig through a pile of pots every time you need a frying pan? Although it may be tempting to opt for an entire remodeling job, you can probably just use the space you already have more efficiently. This page will help you learn how to organize a kitchen.
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How long did it take you to find the baking soda the last time you needed it? Do you need to dig through a pile of pots every time you need a frying pan? Although it may be tempting to opt for an entire remodeling job, you can probably just use the space you already have more efficiently. This page will help you learn how to organize a kitchen.
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Introduction
- An organized kitchen can help save you time and money. You'll spend less time searching for things, and you'll avoid buying a duplicate of something you already own because you can't find it. Clear out your cabinets and find the best place for everything.
Step 1: Clear Out the Kitchen

- Take everything out of the cabinets and drawers. As you handle each item, determine if it's something you use daily, or whether it's used infrequently enough that it shouldn't be allocated space in your kitchen. The giant roasting pan you use at Thanksgiving, the box of Christmas cookie cutters, and any other special purpose tools you own all fall into this category. These should be moved to a storage area such as the basement or a storage closet.
- Throw out that mass of plastic bags and containers you've been saving, as well as expired food and spices older than a year old.
- Put duplicate pots and pans in a box to donate to Goodwill, and put the box in your car so you can drop it off the next time you're out.
Step 2: Clean the Kitchen
- After everything is out of the cabinets and drawers, clean them thoroughly. Vacuum corners and crevices, wash them with hot soapy water, allow them to dry, and line them with fresh cupboard and drawer liners.
Step 3: Organize the Kitchen
- Store things near where they're used. Pots should be located near the stove; dishes should be stored near the dishwasher or the dining table.
- The things you use most frequently should be located in the front of the cabinet so they are easy to retrieve and to replace.
- Store like items together. Flour, sugar and baking soda should be stored in one area, canned goods in another.
Kitchen Organization Tips
- Ceiling-mounted pot racks can free up cabinet space.
- Don't use counters for storage. Clutter attracts clutter, so a clean, clutter-free space is more likely to remain that way.
- Consider using drawer dividers.
- Investigate kitchen cabinet enhancements that allow you to use the space more efficiently, such as tiered shelf inserts for spices, lazy-susans, or pull-out shelves.
