Spring Cleaning: Organize Your Kitchen Step-by-Step
It’s no secret that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Life just happens in the kitchen, a common ground where meals are prepared and both families and friends gather. From playing board games and finishing school projects with my kids; to enjoying a glass of wine while “spilling the tea” with my girlfriends…it feels like kitchens hold so many memories.
With spring in the air (well, at least it is today as I’m writing this), it's the perfect time to tackle spring cleaning and get your kitchen organized in a step-by-step process. I promise these steps aren't the same old advice you’ll find in every other magazine article out there. Use the steps below as a guide to help you transform your kitchen into a functional, clutter-free space.
1. Declutter Your Kitchen
Start by decluttering. I prefer to go through each cabinet and drawer one at a time to see what I can remove. I purge things I hardly use as well as things that can only be used for one purpose. Do you really need a strawberry huller? Just use a paring knife. Or how about a potato masher that takes up so much space in your kitchen drawer (or maybe it doesn’t even fit)?
This step helps you see everything you have, making it easier to decide what stays and what goes.
2. Consolidate and Purge
Next, consolidate all like items. Group your utensils, dishes, pots, pans, and any other kitchen gadgets together. This is the time to purge items you don't use, have multiples of, or that no longer serve a purpose in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb is if you haven't used it in the past year, it's probably time to let it go. Let it go… let it go! Can't hold it back anymore… (I guess the epic Frozen song by Idina Menzel is stuck in my head!)
3. Gather Items from Other Areas
Look in your basement, garage, or closet for any kitchen items you've stored away. This step ensures that all kitchen-related items are considered in the organization process.
Similarly, take a moment to review the remaining items that have historically been kept in the kitchen. Evaluate if maybe a few too many office supplies, tools, or even kid toys have infiltrated your cooking space. Purging and rehoming all of the odds-and-ends that don’t belong in the kitchen will help open up more space.
4. Planning with Post-It Notes
My biggest hack of all is to use post-it notes to plan where each category of items should go. For instance, everyday flatware and eating utensils should be near the dishwasher or eating area for convenience. Identify the best spot for your coffeemaker, ideally placing it where you can easily access mugs, coffee, and tea in the cabinet above. By using Post-it notes to plan each of these areas out in advance, you have more flexibility to move those Post-its around to other cabinets as you go.
5. Organize Pots, Pans, and Lids
All pots, pans, and lids should be stored near the cooktop for easy access while cooking. This will save you time and prevent clutter on your countertops. If you’re able to store these in a drawer, use organizers to store your lids and pans upright for easy access without the hassle. If your pots and pans are confined to a cabinet, consider creative solutions for keeping your lids tidy, like this mounted cabinet door organizer. There are also so many great solutions for pan storage in cabinets, like these commercial pull-out options that make grabbing the heavier pans in the back of those deep cabinets a breeze!
6. Drawer Organization for Water Bottles and Food Storage
Water bottles are best stored in a drawer to prevent them from toppling over as you reach for the right one each day. Never store water bottles sitting upright. Use a drawer divider to keep lids and bottles separate. Similarly, stash food storage containers in a drawer, using bins with dividers for the lids.
7. Turntables are Your New Best Friends
Turntables are excellent for storing liquids such as cooking oils, vinegars, and soy sauce, as well as for organizing spices. This storage solution allows you to easily see all your items without having to move things around. Or heaven forbid, knock a million things over while pulling out items from the very back!
8. Maximize Vertical Space
Don't forget to use your vertical spaces. Shelf risers and undershelf storage can add another layer of storage in your cabinets for items like place settings, napkin rings, or vitamins you take on a daily basis. These vertical spaces can nearly double your cabinet space when used properly and go a long way in helping with organization.
9. Create a Drop Zone
Finally, create a drop zone in your kitchen with a shallow basket. This space is for items like mail and things you carry-in right when you get home. Go through these items daily, helping to keep your countertops clear and maintaining organization.
Imagine Your Kitchen, Decluttered and Functional in 3, 2, 1… DONE!
Organizing your kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but by following these step-by-step instructions, you can create a space that is both functional and beautiful. Remember, the key to a well-organized kitchen is to keep only what you use and love, and to assign a home for every item.
As a professional organizer in Glenview, I've seen firsthand the positive impact a decluttered kitchen can have on one's daily life. Start your spring cleaning today and enjoy the benefits of an organized kitchen all year round.
