Post-KonMari: How to Organize 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 organizer and author Marie Kondo’s KonMari method of tidying, it’s time to get organized. Neatly organized cookware and tools make the task of cooking easier and more efficient — but with so many organizing 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 organizing tools that are really crucial in maintaining a tidy space, plus a few optional nice-to-have extras.
Flexible drawer organizers. Snap a photo of the contents of each drawer before shopping for organizers, and then buy just what you need to keep your tools neat and tidy. Modular units like the ones shown here, or adjustable drawer organizers, offer the most flexibility.
Find professional organizers in your area
Find professional organizers in your area
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.
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. Inside a broom cupboard, they can also keep long-handled cleaning tools from toppling over.
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 organizer that keeps things vertical can be! Use one inside a cabinet to keep trays and sheet pans neat and easy to grab.
Find cookware and bakeware organizers
Find cookware and bakeware organizers
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 favorite coffee mugs. Open shelves do attract dust, so this is not the best place for items that won’t see regular use (and washing).
The Pros and Cons of Upper Kitchen Cabinets and Open Shelves
The Pros and Cons of Upper Kitchen Cabinets and Open 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.
Shelf risers. If your kitchen is short on cabinet space, make the most of what’s available with a riser or two. These handy organizers allow you to stack up the plates, cups and bowls without compromising accessibility.
Hamper. Why trek to the laundry 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.
More
Jump-Start Your Kitchen With These Minimalist Essentials
Stash It All: Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage
Find kitchen storage and organization products
More
Jump-Start Your Kitchen With These Minimalist Essentials
Stash It All: Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage
Find kitchen storage and organization products
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.