How to Organise Your Kitchen
The heart of the home is, without a doubt, the kitchen. It's where delicious meals are prepared with love, where families gather to share stories and laughter over a simmering pot, and where friends toast together to good health and happiness. But to make these moments a reality and a lasting memory, having an organised kitchen is key. An orderly kitchen not only radiates warmth and welcoming vibes but also makes the act of cooking and entertaining fun and easy. So how do you organise your kitchen and turn it into a haven for cooking, gatherings, and entertaining?
Why Organise Your Kitchen?
An organised kitchen is the cornerstone of a home filled with delightful cooking experiences. It keeps the space clean and tidy, making sure that your kitchen is always ready for fun times of cooking and gatherings. It also helps you easily find what you need, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on the joy of cooking.
General Steps to Organising
1. Deep Clean First
Begin with a clean slate. Empty your cabinets and shelves, and give your kitchen a thorough deep clean. This step not only refreshes the space but also gives you a chance to take inventory of what you have.
2. Identify Zones
This step includes assessing your entire kitchen space and categorising cabinets and drawers into designated areas for specific types of items. To start, grab a notepad and pen to jot down your zones and what items belong in each.
Zone 1: Everyday
This zone should be the most accessible to you, ideally near the dishwasher. It’s reserved for items you use daily, such as plates, bowls, cups, basic glassware, serveware, and cutlery.
Zone 2: Cooking
Positioned close to the oven or stove, this area is for all your cooking essentials. It includes pots, pans, dishes, cutting boards, spatulas, wooden spoons, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and any other baking items you might need.
Zone 3: Pantry
This is a space for your dry goods, spices, and larger kitchen appliances that take up too much space on the bench. Organising your pantry items makes it easier to find what you need when cooking or baking.
Zone 4: Accessories & Storage
Ideally located near the fridge, this zone is for food storage solutions like your containers, food wrap, resealable bags, tin foil, and to-go items.
Zone 5: Coffee and Bar
Dedicate an area for your coffee and bar needs, including coffee cups, pods, coffee accessories like a coffee pot or coffee pods, and barware such as wine glasses, and other glassware, along with bar accessories.
Zone 6: Under the Sink
This zone is for storing your cleaning supplies, extra hand soap, garbage bags, and recycling materials. Keeping these items under the sink makes them easily accessible to you yet out of sight.
The 7th zone is optional and can be tailored for special items that you don’t use regularly, like special occasion serveware or keepsakes. If these items aren’t regularly used, store them in another area of your house, such as the dining room or displayed in a cabinet, to optimise your kitchen space.
3. Consider What You Use Most
After defining your zones, it’s time to organise these items. Start placing the items in their designated zones. Make sure to keep the items you usually use within easy reach. This simple step can save you time and reduce frustration during cooking.
How to Organise Areas
1. Cupboard
To maximise this space, use specific pantry storage solutions. Group items by use or type, such as baking supplies together or all your sauces in one spot. You can also use clear storage containers for dry goods like pasta, rice, and flour to easily identify contents and keep them fresh.
For corners and hard-to-reach areas, using lazy Susans will make these items more accessible. For items you use less frequently, place them on higher shelves, keeping everyday items at eye level. Consider also installing under-shelf baskets to utilise vertical space for smaller items like tea bags or snack packs.
2. Drawers
Organise your cutlery and other drawers using drawer organisers. They can help keep your utensils, gadgets, and even spices neatly sorted and easy to find. Categorise your items by frequency of use and assign them to specific drawers.
For instance, everyday utensils like spoons, forks, and knives can be placed in a drawer closest to the dishwasher for easy unloading, while baking tools and gadgets might find a home in a drawer near the oven. Utilise deeper drawers for bulkier items such as pots, pans, and containers, using adjustable dividers to keep them in order.
3. Benchtop/Counter
To keep your counter clutter-free, store only the essential items you use daily. A utensil holder, knife block, and a few frequently used spices can stay but try to keep your space open for prep work. Install a hanging rack for pots and pans or a magnetic strip for knives to free up your counter space.
You can also invest in stackable storage containers for dry goods and a compact spice rack that can either be wall-mounted or tucked neatly into a cabinet. Keeping appliances that are not used on a daily basis stored in cabinets or in your pantry can also help you make things tidy.
How to Organise Specific Items
1. Glassware
Store your glassware on higher shelves, grouped by type. Keep your everyday glasses within easy reach and your special occasion pieces a bit higher up. Make sure that each set of your glassware is neatly aligned and spaced out to prevent overcrowding and potential damage. Consider using shelf liners or dividers, especially for your delicate items such as wine glasses or crystal stemware.
2. Plates and Bowls
Stack your plates and bowls by size to save space. To make them easily accessible, use a rack for plates to keep them upright. For bowls, nesting them within each other according to their size can also help you maximise your cupboard space. You can keep your smaller bowls in a drawer with dividers to also prevent them from sliding around. This makes it easier to grab what you need without having to unstack multiple items.
3. Mugs
Dedicate a shelf or section of your cupboard to mugs. You can organise by colour, size, or even sentimentality—whatever brings you joy when you reach for your morning coffee. Consider using mug hooks or a hanging rack under your cabinets to save space and add a decorative touch. If you have a collection of similar mugs, stack them carefully, but avoid stacking if they are unique or could easily chip.
4. Cutlery
Use drawer organisers to separate forks, spoons, and knives. This keeps your drawer tidy and makes setting the table a snap. Consider labelling each section of the drawer organiser for an extra layer of organisation so that everyone knows exactly where each item belongs. For larger utensils such as serving spoons or spatulas, use a separate container or divider to keep them organised and easily accessible.
5. Pots and Pans
Install hooks or a pot rack to hang pots and pans, or stack them neatly in a cabinet with their lids stored separately for easy grabbing. Consider using dividers or organisers within your cabinets or drawers to keep pots and pans in place, ensuring they don't scratch or damage each other. You can utilise vertical space by using a pan organiser rack, which allows you to store your pans sideways, making it easier to select the one you need without having to unstack them.
6. Knives
To keep your knives organised and sharp, use a magnetic strip or a knife block. Ensure they're easily accessible but safely out of the reach of children. Consider arranging your knives by size or frequency of use, with those you use most often within easy reach. Always place knives with the blade facing downwards or securely in a slot to prevent accidental cuts when reaching for them.
7. Utensils
Divide your utensils by cooking and serving, keeping the most-used items in a container on the counter for easy access. For utensils that are less frequently used, organise them in drawers near the cooking area, using dividers to keep them sorted by type and purpose. Consider hanging pots, pans, and larger utensils on a wall-mounted rack or a ceiling pot rack to save space and add a decorative touch to your kitchen.
8. Under the Sink
Use bins or baskets to organise cleaning supplies, keeping them out of sight but easily reachable. A tension rod can hold spray bottles, maximising space. Label the bins or baskets by category, such as "Dishwashing" or "Surface Cleaners," to quickly find what you need. Consider also using stackable storage solutions to make the most of vertical space.
Organising your kitchen means creating a space that invites joy, creativity, and togetherness. With these tips, your kitchen will be a hub of happy memories with family and friends. So, roll up your sleeves and let the transformation begin. Here's to many wonderful times in your newly organised kitchen!
