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Organize Kitchen Cabinets


Organize Kitchen Cabinets? I'll be upfront...it gets a bit challenging here. However, remember all those questions you answered on the Kitchen Page? You practically have your blueprint right there in your answers!

Take a look at your cabinetry and think about what's inside. Do the locations of kitchen items make sense where they are? In other words, is it working for you? Don't worry, you can do this! Here are some ideas to get you ready to organize kitchen cabinets. Everyone uses their kitchen differently so pick and choose according to your preferences.

Think about the different activities that take place in your kitchen. Write them down as column heading across the top of a sheet of paper. For example:

  • Food Preparation
  • Cooking
  • Baking
  • Washing Dishes
  • Eating
  • Doing Paperwork
  • Playing Games

Then underneath each column, jot down what you use to perform these activities. For example, for Food Preparation you might have:

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Utensils
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons
  • Casserole Dishes
  • Pots and Pans

This will be different for everyone! Just think about what YOU use for each of your activities.


Next, think about where you do each activity. Again, using Food Preparation as our example:

  • On the counter by the sink


Now look at what storage is available nearby. Continuing with the same example:

  • Cabinet above and below counter in this location


Plan to store as many of the Food Preparation items in the cabinets above and below this counter space. Note: there will be some crossing over of items that are used for multiple purposes. Sometimes this can't be helped but it's okay to store duplicates of certain things. Here are some more examples to help you think more about storing near the most frequent place of use as you organize kitchen cabinets.

Coffee/Tea Center

  • Coffee Maker
  • Coffee Mugs/Cups
  • Coffee/Tea
  • Filters
  • Creamer
  • Sugar



Stove/Oven/Microwave

  • Pots
  • Pans

Kitchen Table

  • Dishes
  • Tableware
  • Napkins
  • Salt and Pepper

Sink

  • Dish Soap
  • Scrubbers/Sponges/Washcloths
  • Towels

Baking Center

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Decorative Sprinkles
  • Candles
  • Muffin Cups

You might also consider using some of your wall or ceiling space for hanging items such as nice pots and pans and oversized utensils...but only if you like this look and don't mind rinsing these before use.

If you wish, you can even start to think about what appliances could possibly mount under cabinets. For Example:

  • Coffemaker
  • Microwave
  • Can Opener
  • Small TV

Whew! That's a lot to think about! Take a break...I'll wait right here :-)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz... oh, you're ready to organize kitchen cabinets? Let's go!

Do you have a plan in mind or on paper? At this point, you may need to make the most of your cabinet and countertop space by adding cabinet organizers.

Kitchen Essentials at Organize.com has the solutions to your cabinet organizing woes. Upper, lower, drawer or countertop - Kitchen Essentials at Organize.com has it.

Okay, take everything out of all of the cabinets. Just kidding! Of course you CAN if you have the time but if not, just empty one for now.


"Pre-Sort" into:

  • Frequent Use
  • Moderate Use
  • Seasonal Use
  • Never Use/Have Too Many


You may need to empty a few cabinets in order to change things around a bit but please don't get overwhelmed. Just stay with me and I will guide you through.

The reason for the "Pre-Sort" is now that you have your Kitchen Blueprint (from the answers above), you will want to organize everything back into the cabinets near where they are most frequently used.

Seasonal Items can actually be stored way up high, down low, or even in a storage area in another part of your home.


Moderately Used Items can be stored behind Frequently used items which will be put in the areas easiest to retrieve from. Still with me? Great.

Never Used Items can...be given away! Yeah! More room in those cabinets for what you really need and use.


If you are ready to reload, go ahead. Try this new arrangement out for several days. Note: It will take some time to get used to new locations and you may find yourself going to the same cabinet for something out of habit but that doesn't mean it won't work better there once you are used to it.

After a week or so, if you really dislike where something is, it's perfectly fine to rethink it and relocate it. Try it till you like it! Move on to the other cabinets until you have organized them all.

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