The kitchen cabinets are great. Until they aren’t. It starts with one extra mug tucked into the wrong shelf, and then what you know is that you’re ramming through the chaotic mess of forgotten mismatched tupperware, mystery spices and appliances you own. Whether you are there Rentals in Portland, Oregona Home in Atlanta, Georgia Or a Condos in Chicago, Illinois Knowing how to organize your kitchen cabinets will make your space feel bigger, calm and much more functional.
This Redfin guide concludes with approved experts Organize tips for a neat homeand help you cut the confusion so that you can ultimately work for you and for you.
1. Design your cabinet zone like a professional
“For kitchen cabinets, the most important tip is to prioritize functionality over style,” says Carla Moum. Wood Harmonic Custom Cabinet in Los Angeles, California. “We’ll start by organizing the layout based on how the space is used. Group group cabinets in zones for preparation, cooking, cleaning and storage.”
She also recommends going to a full height cabinet if possible. “They maximize storage and create custom looks,” she adds. And when that’s finished, she proposes timeless materials like light wood and white accented with wood.
Photo provided by: Boxco Studio
2. Everything fits in drawers and interior storage
“If you like a clean, streamlined look with a uniform door face, we recommend an internal drawer and pull-out,” says Bell Muller. Greenfield, MA– Based European style cabinet maker, Boxco Studio. “The pull-out tray and drawers allow you to see everything in the cabinet at a glance, avoiding waste from pull-out trash and recycled cabinets.”
From Jayme Seppala Building Cabinet in Linge, New Hampshire “We recommend installing drawer organizers to organize and optimize cabinet space. Drawer shelves and stackable containers add tidying and accessibility. We donate unused items for free.”
If you want a customizable system, use Stelian Cotovici’s Craft Custom CabinetIt is located in Snohomish, WashingtonRev-a-Shelf system is recommended. “You can place a pull-out tray at any height, with the flexibility to adjust over time as storage needs evolve.”
3. Use cabinet doors for bonus storage
“If you live in a rental with a cabinet with a door instead of a drawer, you can still maximize your space,” says Shuly Anenburg, a blogger with home design. Whispers on the wall. “Use the inside of the cabinet door and hang a spoon, scissors, or a small kitchen tool that looks like a peel, using tenant-friendly solutions, such as a 3M command hook.
Professional Organizer Catie Kelly Sistamatic Organisation “I love using glue hooks to store pot holders, strainers, etc. Over the cabinet door baskets are great for keeping small appliance attachments out of reach of them.”
4. Avoid deep cabinets for pantry storage
“Do not use the cabinet next to the fridge as a food pantry,” says Christina Morton de Sougaste. Organizational Company in Denver, co. “18-22 inches is too deep for groceries. The ones behind you go there and you go there.”
She recommends using deep-down cabinets for small appliances (on drawer shelves if possible), and using the top third for cutting boards and trays stored vertically. “For your food, use a freestanding pantry that is 9-15 inches deep. It deserves an extra step to make sure you have a real view of the pantry’s contents and access them.”
5. Use lazy Susan and Riser in tricky spots
“Setting a lazy Susan turntable on corner cabinets and deep pantry shelves gives you easy access to oil, spices and cans.” Westchester, New York– Professional bass organizer, Katie’s Organized House. “They make everything visible and maximize tricky space while keeping everything within reach.”
She also suggests using a clear riser to create a two-layer display of a plate or mug. “It organizes items and prevents them from damaging the fragile parts.”
Kathi Burns, CPO Organized and energetic in San Diego, California“The big lazy Susan works well in an ultra-deep pantry, and you can spin and find what you need.
>>Read: Design the perfect kitchen for home cooks
6. Store food and staples in a clear container
“When choosing a storage container for dry goods, make sure to buy a rectangular or square, preferably tall and narrow,” says Catty Burns. “Round storage containers waste space. Tall containers hold more and reduce cabinet space.”
Lindsay Wilson, Lifestyle Blogger Lindsey Lee & Co He is also a fan of clear containers, especially pantry items. “The two-tier clear-out organizer doubles your storage space, displays essentials, and makes it easy to find what you need without any confusion.”
7. Control your Tupperware
“We don’t need a million withdrawals to keep Tupperware clean,” says Katty Burns. “I use two sterilelite bins, one for the lid and the other for the bottom. Keep the lid vertical and place it by size to quickly and easily identify what you need.”
Organizer Alice Add a hot take. “I like to store plastic tupperware with a lid on it. There’s also a pot lid. GlassTupperware doesn’t actually make nests, so separating them doesn’t save much space.”
8. Sort your kitchen into easy-to-find categories
“To effectively organize your kitchen cabinets, we first sort kitchen items by category: pots and pans, plates, dishes, etc.” Musing Inc’s moment in Virginia Beach, VA. “I use a pan protector to prevent scratches, removable handles, saving space and make the organizer tidy tools in a separate drawer.”
9. Easily grab spices and small items
“One of the best tips for keeping your kitchen cabinets and drawers neat is to use the organizer to make it easy to see your food,” he said. Bonsai kitchen and bath from Leicester, Massachusetts. “The clear riser is perfect for food. I love using drawers to house spices with simple layered inserts. It makes cooking even more comfortable.”
10. Maximize your junk drawer
“I’m not a scramble at the time of cake because I always like to hold a ziplock bag filled with lighters with birthday candles and kitchen junk drawers,” says organizer Alice. “Other useful items include scissors, pens, post-it notes, utility knifes and eyeglass wipes.”
She recommends using a drawer organizer with a mix of sizes to assign each item to the home. “Use sticky tacks or removable adhesive dots to hold them in place so that everything doesn’t slip off.”
11. Beware of heavy items
“Don’t store your grandmother’s crystal punch bowl on the best shelves,” says organizer Alice. “Heavy items, whether they are not used frequently or not, will not be stored higher than their chest height. That’s a major safety concern.”
For deep cabinets, she also recommends using a lidded bottle on small items to avoid getting lost in the back.
Photo provided by: Boxco Studio
12. Create a balance between hidden and display storage
“Press away less attractive items, including at least one or two closed cabinets,” says Bell Muller. “Then pair it with a floating shelf to display daily essentials and decorative items. Then your kitchen will remain stylish and functional.”
13. If you are remodeling, consider upgrading your cabinets
“Max your organization by choosing a cabinet with a full extension soft-cloth drawer and pull-out tray,” says Jason State. Bartow, Florida– Base Ideal cabinet. “The rollout tray and the spice pullout help keep everything visible and out of reach. You don’t dig into the messy shelves.”
He also suggests adding tray dividers or garbage rollouts to make your kitchen more functional and refined.
>>Read: 7 kitchen upgrades to make your home stand out to buyers
14. Do not skip labels
“Labeling is an important and often neglected aspect of kitchen organizations.” Melville Remodeling in Wi. “After sorting the items, create a clear label for each section. This exercise is especially useful when sharing your kitchen with your family or roommates.
15. Make it yours
Even the best organizational systems require maintenance. “Once you’ve organized your kitchen, it’s important to keep it that way,” Ward Melville says. “Set reminders to review your cabinet organization every 3-6 months. During these reviews, we will check for expired items and reassess your storage needs.”
The key is to find a rhythm that will help your home. If you prefer color-coded bins, ask for it. Do you like the atmosphere of the labels on the blackboard? That also works. Organizing and Upgrade your kitchen cabinet It’s not to follow strict formulas. It’s about making your kitchen feel like it suits you and your lifestyle.
How to organize your kitchen cabinet
Not all methods for all sizes Kitchen organization ideas. know How to organize your kitchen cabinet It doesn’t mean you’re aiming for Pinterest perfection. It means building a system that makes your daily life easier. Does it add pull-out shelves, get smarter about food storage, and know where birthday candles are.