Living with a small kitchen, I know that organization is key. We don’t have a ton of storage, which means that we have to make the absolute most of what we have to keep everything in order. Part of my strategy is to only keep the things we use the most in the easiest to reach areas, but also to cull out to remove things we don’t need at all. I mean, who needs 312 plastic cups? A few, sure, but they seem to multiply rather quickly – so I’m constantly reevaluating our needs. Even when I do get our kitchen down to just the essentials, it’s still a struggle to make sure that everything has a place. So I decided to go on a quest to find some of the best ideas for kitchen organizing to make my life (and yours) a little easier.
1. Create stations for what you use the most. During the holidays I’m a baking fool – so for a few weeks out of the year I set up a “baking station.” It doesn’t stay out year round, but I do have it there for the holiday season so I can whip up something yummy as often as I want to. The theory works for other ideas, too – like a coffee station, a cocktail bar, or even a lunch prep station. Grouping like things together to make your life easier is always a good idea.
2. Use every inch of space. Don’t have enough cabinet space? Then use the underside of cabinets to create hanging space like this idea from BHG. Of course you could also do it with smaller jars for spices or if you want to be super colorful for sprinkles. Any small items would be great to store this way.
3. Rethink the way you use what you have. With just a little bit of thinking, you can take those hard to reach areas and maximize their usefulness, like with this corner recycle bin from Diamond Cabinets. (PS – this would also be a great idea for a laundry room to sort clothes!)
4. Find simple solutions. It isn’t rocket science – and you can change your mind. Keep trying different ideas until you find one that works for your needs. Those packets always drive me crazy – and I love this simple idea from Make Bake Celebrate.
5. Put what you need where you need it. I don’t mean like stations – I mean like simple placement of objects. If you eat oatmeal (like Jen at A Thousand Words) every day and know you need the 1/3 cup measuring cup, then buy an extra set and put the size you need for it right on the box.
6. Think outside the box. Just because it doesn’t typically get used doesn’t mean you can’t add storage there – and use it to your advantage. Got a ton of manuals that you need to keep up with for the kitchen appliances, etc.? It’s also a great place to keep track of notes/invitations/shopping lists. This idea from MasterBrand is perfect for that!
7. Make it easy for others to help. All of the decluttering and organizing in the world isn’t going to help much if no one knows where anything goes. Use labels (or chalk drawers like Jacks and Kate did) so your family knows where to put things – especially helpful for kids.
8. Do your own thing. Don’t worry about what other people do in their kitchens – you do what works best in yours. I personally love my big drawers in my kitchen and use them for all of my pots and pans and lids and bowls. Although I have open shelving for my plates, I do love this idea from Kitchen Craft for drawer pegs that hold all the plates and bowls in place. Such a smart idea to keep the shelves open for taller items like pitchers, etc.
9. Hang it up. When I have no idea where to put something, I always think, “Can I hang this up?” Pot holders, knifes, measuring spoons, etc. I love this idea from The Hyper House – she used simple Command Hooks to hang up her mixer attachments inside a cabinet. See – hang in there, baby!
10. Utilize open shelves. I know, you probably think you’re too messy for them – and I did, too. But making 1/2 of my kitchen storage open shelving sort of forced me to be more organized and neater. If I saw it out in the open every single day, then I wanted it to be neat.
This post is in partnership with MasterBrand – all words and opinions are 100% my own.
Love all the ideas. I am a super obsessed organizer and I saw a couple of the ideas that I had not tried yet. I have a few open shelves and I love jars so the open shelves became storage for jars fill with things like flour, sugar, pastas, dry peas and beans. Makes it much easier to see what I need. Love your blog and ideas. Keep up the good work!
Love the idea of the open cabinets helping to keep me accountable for being neater in the kitchen! Not sure it would work but you never know!
I started following MasterBrand Cabinets on Pinterest (Melissa North Thomas).
All brilliant ideas Gina, I’m an organized person so I always love finding something new. I already use several of the ideas you posted. Pinning girl!!
I love the tip to hang the mixer attachments or other loose items. I’m going to do it when I get home tonight!
I love the station idea!! I have a coffee/cocoa station, never thought to make other stations such as baking!! Thanks for all the other ideas as well!
Just followed Masterbrand Cabinets on pinterest!! Can’t wait to go check out all the goodness there!!
I am now following you on insta!! Did a quick fly by and found somethings I already had to <3!!
This post has now been pinned to my pinterest board!! Thanks
Making it easy for others to help is a great tip. I am always having to get things down for my kids and am thinking of moving the things they use the most to a spot that is more accessible to them. Think of all the time it will save me!
I am following MasterBrand Cabinets on Pinterest.
I pinned this post http://www.pinterest.com/pin/178455203960517326/
I follow you on Instagram!
#9 hang it up
I follow you. On instagram
Following master brand cabinets on pinterest
Pinned this post
#5,6 &8 were my faves!
following on instagram~
I love the hang it up tip, I have a drawer filled with odds and ends that could be hung up.
I follow Masterbrand cabinets on Pinterest
I follow you on Instagram
Done done and done! Great tips. Thanks!
I love the idea of seasonal stations. Perfect. And love change…so that is an easy tip for me to implement. Thanks. Going to follow MB on pinterest. I follow you on instagram. Grateful for all your wimsy and beauty ♡♡♡
I loved all the ideas. I think the one I can use the most right now is hanging up the mixer attachments. I have them crammed in a drawer right now, so hanging them will be much better!
I love the command hooks inside the cabinet! I also am hesitant about open shelving but am going to give it a try!!
Thanks for the opportunity!! Fingers are crossed!! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
My favorite tip is #4 – Find Simple Solutions. I am using precious cabinet space for drink mixes and spice mixes. I like the idea of putting up clear containers in the pantry and storing them there.
I follow Master Cabinets on Pinterest. My username is jbrunk
I follow you on Instagram. My name is jesbrunk
I tried to pin your 10 organizing tips picture on Pinterest using the button on your blog but it would not allow me to because it didn’t have a picture attached. I tried using the pin it button on my toolbar but it also did not allow me too. I have pinned many other things from your blog, though. Everything you do is so creative and you have great ideas!!!
So many great ideas and I want to do open shelving too but on this post I love #4! There are so mane cupboards that will be perfect for!
Great tips!
I love the plastic pockets hung on the wall inside the pantry. Makes me wonder…why didn’t I think of that?
Great post! Love the idea of hanging things inside the cabinets. Off to hang now!
I love open shelving. We’re moving this weekend and I’m hoping to work them into my new kitchen!!! Love all these tips though and will be using them all in my new space.
i need ALL of these tips, but I am DEFINITELY checking out that corner recycling bin!! Thanks!
My favorite tip was number 5. I already do several of these things, but I like the idea of attaching the correct size measuring cup with a command hook. Genius! Thanks for the sweet giveaway…:)
I am following Master Brand cabinets on Pinterest! 🙂
I pinned this post here….http://www.pinterest.com/jovic/organization/
Thanks for hosting!
I’m now following you on Instagram….Jovic4. Congrats on the Yankee Candle thing…wow! Awesomer…:)
My favorite tip was hang it up. Great idea to ask yourself “can I hang it up?” when there’s no other space for it.
I love the idea of open shelving!!
Checking to see if my comment went thru …. ^^^^^hope im entered..im hopeful and am so enjoying your instagram beauty…from one turquoise lover to another ♡♡
I’m in desperate need of kitchen organization!! This post totally caught my eye and I’m definitely going to do the under cabinet storage! I love that idea! How clever 🙂
I love tip #9 about hanging up things inside cabinets. You never think about that space above something on a shelf that is available to hang things.
I like the idea of hanging your kitchenaid attachments but my favorite is the under cabinet shelving. Pretty easy to do yourself from the looks of it.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the counter tops in the #10. Open Shelves picture (with the tiered basket of pears), any idea what it is? Where to get it?
I especially loved the recycling center and the chalkboard drawers. With a tiny kitchen, I need all the help I can get!
I love the drawers with posts to fit the dishes. Love them and the lovely baking center!!,
Gina,
Could you tell me about the fabric used for the curtains in this post.
thanks, Linda
I made them with P Kaufman Silsila Poolside fabric – you can find the tutorial here: http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/12/make-grommet-top-curtains.html
Love the baking station idea.
I love your idea for creating a baking station! Sometimes I don’t bake because it’s such a pain to dig out the stuffi need!
WOW!!!! Great tips and info so needed … Thank you