Kitchen Guides
KonMari Effect: How to Organise Your Kitchen Storage
Find out which storage tools are essential and which are nice to have to keep things looking neat
Once you’ve decluttered the kitchen cupboards and drawers, perhaps inspired by organiser and author Marie Kondo’s KonMari method of tidying, it’s time to get organised. Neatly organised cookware and tools make the task of cooking easier and more efficient – but with so many organising products to choose from, it can be hard to know which are worth buying and which will end up gathering dust (or worse: making your kitchen more cluttered). To help you bring order to this hardworking room, we’ll look at the storage and organising tools that are really crucial in maintaining a tidy space, plus a few optional nice-to-have extras.
Flexible drawer organisers
Snap a photo of the contents of each drawer before shopping for organisers, and then buy just what you need to keep your tools neat and tidy. Modular units like the ones shown here, or adjustable drawer organisers, offer the most flexibility.
Learn how to organise your messy kitchen cupboards and drawers
Snap a photo of the contents of each drawer before shopping for organisers, and then buy just what you need to keep your tools neat and tidy. Modular units like the ones shown here, or adjustable drawer organisers, offer the most flexibility.
Learn how to organise your messy kitchen cupboards and drawers
Knife rack
Storing kitchen knives properly will help keep them sharp longer and prolong their lives. When choosing a knife holder, consider where you have the most (or least) space: In-drawer knife racks save counter space, countertop knife holders save drawer space, and wall-mounted magnetic versions like the one shown are good bets for tiny kitchens.
Fruit bowl or hanging baskets
Choose a pretty bowl, ceramic colander or set of wire baskets to display fresh produce. Hanging baskets save counter space.
Storing kitchen knives properly will help keep them sharp longer and prolong their lives. When choosing a knife holder, consider where you have the most (or least) space: In-drawer knife racks save counter space, countertop knife holders save drawer space, and wall-mounted magnetic versions like the one shown are good bets for tiny kitchens.
Fruit bowl or hanging baskets
Choose a pretty bowl, ceramic colander or set of wire baskets to display fresh produce. Hanging baskets save counter space.
Wall hooks or pegs
A row of sturdy wall hooks or pegs makes a handy spot to dry damp dish towels or hang an apron.
Here’s why wall hooks are the answer to everything
A row of sturdy wall hooks or pegs makes a handy spot to dry damp dish towels or hang an apron.
Here’s why wall hooks are the answer to everything
Vertical storage for sheet pans and trays
If you’ve ever had to sort through a stack of sheet pans, cutting boards and serving platters to get to something at the very bottom, you can appreciate how helpful an organiser that keeps things vertical can be! Use one inside a cabinet to keep trays and sheet pans neat and easy to grab.
If you’ve ever had to sort through a stack of sheet pans, cutting boards and serving platters to get to something at the very bottom, you can appreciate how helpful an organiser that keeps things vertical can be! Use one inside a cabinet to keep trays and sheet pans neat and easy to grab.
Nice additions
Small tray for dish soap
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Corral dish soap, hand soap and other washing-up essentials on a small tray just big enough to hold them. It keeps your counter looking neater, and makes them easy to lift and clean.
Small tray for dish soap
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Corral dish soap, hand soap and other washing-up essentials on a small tray just big enough to hold them. It keeps your counter looking neater, and makes them easy to lift and clean.
Open shelves
Having just a few open shelves in the kitchen can be quite handy for storing your prettiest and most-used everyday items, like favourite coffee mugs. Open shelves do attract dust, so this is not the best place for items that won’t see regular use (and washing).
See these useful ways to deal with shelves
Having just a few open shelves in the kitchen can be quite handy for storing your prettiest and most-used everyday items, like favourite coffee mugs. Open shelves do attract dust, so this is not the best place for items that won’t see regular use (and washing).
See these useful ways to deal with shelves
Pullout shelves
Deep cabinets can be tricky to get things in and out of. Do less reaching by installing a set of sturdy sliding shelves. This is a time it pays to measure carefully – the goal should be to avoid wasted cabinet space.
Deep cabinets can be tricky to get things in and out of. Do less reaching by installing a set of sturdy sliding shelves. This is a time it pays to measure carefully – the goal should be to avoid wasted cabinet space.
Shelf risers
If your kitchen is short on cabinet space, make the most of what’s available with a riser or two. These handy organisers allow you to stack up the plates, cups and bowls without compromising accessibility.
If your kitchen is short on cabinet space, make the most of what’s available with a riser or two. These handy organisers allow you to stack up the plates, cups and bowls without compromising accessibility.
Hamper
Why trek to the washing machine with those dirty dish towels and table linens when you can have a hamper right in the kitchen? Pick an attractive basket in a size that fits in your space. No room for a hamper? Skip it. This is an item that’s nice to have but certainly not necessary.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Tell us:
How have you organised storage in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Why trek to the washing machine with those dirty dish towels and table linens when you can have a hamper right in the kitchen? Pick an attractive basket in a size that fits in your space. No room for a hamper? Skip it. This is an item that’s nice to have but certainly not necessary.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Tell us:
How have you organised storage in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Utensil holder
A heavy crock or canister that won’t tip over is essential for keeping wooden spoons and spatulas within arm’s reach of the stovetop. Use this to hold true everyday essentials like wooden spoons and tongs. Tools that are used less often can live in a drawer, where they are easy to reach when needed but not in the way of everyday cooking.