Housekeeping Storage & Organization Kitchen Organization 38 Kitchen Organization Ideas to Declutter Your Space Stay organized, cut down on clutter, and create more kitchen storage with these easy solutions. By Savanna Bous Savanna Bous Savanna Bous is a digital editorial assistant at Better Homes and Gardens. She graduated from Drake University in the spring of 2022 with degrees in magazine media, advertising, and digital media production. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 27, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Adam Albright As the heart of the home, where you cook, bake, and help with homework, it's no surprise kitchens are prone to mess and clutter. Make life easier by including some of these helpful kitchen organization ideas in your home, including solutions for cluttered cabinets, pantries, drawers, and more. Kitchen storage is a must-have on any home wishlist to keep your home functioning smoothly. The Top 5 Storage and Organization Trends 01 of 38 Bring in a Kitchen Island Kritsada Panichgul Add some extra counter space to your kitchen by including a portable island. It's a flexible kitchen organization idea that can be used wherever needed. Plus, it's perfect for smaller kitchens that can't accommodate the size of a built-in island. To maximize island function, apply storage add-ons, like a wine rack, hooks, or a towel rod. The 12 Best Kitchen Carts of 2024 for Every Style and Budget 02 of 38 Hang Pots and Pans Bryan E. McCay Pots and pans are bulky and often hard to store efficienty. Hang them above a kitchen island or on a wall for easy access that won't mess up the flow of your kitchen. This kitchen organization idea will help streamline your space and free up cabinet space. 03 of 38 Save Counter Space Robert Brinson Get rid of a clunky knife block and install a magnetic knife holder. Line up your cutlery from biggest to smallest, including everything from a butcher knife to a paring knife. Choose a wall with substantial open space, such as the area below cabinets, so you can easily access your cutlery when it's time to cook. 04 of 38 Organize Your Refrigerator Cameron Sadeghpour Keep the space inside your refrigerator in order with a few easy kitchen organization ideas. Start by grouping foods by type, such as beverages, dairy products, leftovers, and produce. Consider add-ons, including clear bins, baskets, trays, and turntables, to organize items and allow easy access. Remember that you can adjust refrigerator shelves to accommodate different-sized items better. Tips for Thoroughly Cleaning a Refrigerator Both Inside and Out 05 of 38 Take Advantage of Corner Storage Jay Wilde A lazy Susan is a great way to make the most of a snug corner cabinet. Here, homeowners removed the corner door to make it easy to see what's in the cabinet. Nestled next to the oven, it's a perfect spot for pots and pans. Or use a lazy Susan to store staple ingredients like sugar and flour for easy access when baking. 06 of 38 Look for Bonus Storage Jean Allsopp Turn unused space—like the roomy spot over your sink—into extra storage. These spots can be a great place to store items you don't need every day, like wine glasses and champagne flutes. A nearby beverage fridge completes this wet bar area. 07 of 38 Add Open Shelves Greg Scheidemann Open shelving is a pretty and practical kitchen organization idea to utilize wall space. Line the shelves with cookbooks, displays of attractive serving bowls and dishes, or stemware. Here, grouping and stacking pieces by function and color on the open shelves keep items neat and easy to find. 8 Organizing Tips to Optimize Open Kitchen Shelf Storage 08 of 38 Fake a Pantry John Granen When kitchen space is limited, unconventional storage solutions can ensure you don't have to sacrifice function. Outfitting cabinets with pullout shelves is a smart alternative to a full-size pantry. The raised edges on these shelves keep boxes and bags upright, organized, and accessible. 09 of 38 Upgrade an Island Anthony Masterson Boost kitchen storage by adding shelves or niches. The side of an island or cabinet is a prime spot for displaying kitchen collectibles or storing cookbooks. Adding onto an existing island will also extend your available prep space. 10 of 38 Create Order Under the Sink Adam Albright Freshen up the cabinet beneath your sink with some quick and easy kitchen organization ideas. Line the bottom of the cabinet with pretty contact paper, then use clear containers to hold cleaning supplies like sponges, brushes, and dishwasher tablets. Tension rods are a great way to hang bottles and sprays. 22 Under-Sink Storage Ideas to Bring Order to Your Cabinets 11 of 38 Boost Storage with Freestanding Pieces John Bessler If your kitchen is short on cabinetry, consider a stand-alone piece as a kitchen organization idea to increase the room's storage capacity. This freestanding armoire houses delicate dishware in a transitional kitchen while lending warmth and charm. The piece fits into a corner niche, so it doesn't impede traffic flow. How to Get the Look of a Transitional Kitchen for Timeless Style 12 of 38 Store China in Drawers John Bessler Here, a drawer has been outfitted with pegboard inserts. The boards can be sized to fit existing drawers, and the pegs can be adjusted to secure stacks of bowls and plates. Store dishes in low drawers—near the sink or dishwasher—to minimize overhead lifting and to make putting them away a snap. 13 of 38 Don't Forget Inside Cabinet Doors Michael Partenio Attach racks to the inside of cabinet doors to boost kitchen storage. Be sure to allow enough clearance to enable the doors to close completely. A narrow rack like this one is ideal for keeping small jars in order. 14 of 38 Put Walls to Work Adam Albright Turn a bare section of wall into a storage center. Pegboard provides an easy way to keep kitchen tools handy. Use a combination of hooks and pegs to hang cookware, cutting boards, utensils, and more. 15 of 38 Use the Toe-Kick Greg Scheidemann This narrow strip between the cabinets and the floor is called a toe-kick. Typically, this spot amounts to wasted space. Put this area to work by installing a shallow drawer. Use this kitchen organization idea to house kids' craft supplies or serving dishes and baking pans. 16 of 38 Build Storage into Seating Laura Moss Turn unused space below a built-in banquette into storage. Deep drawers are a convenient spot to store extra table linens, placemats, and napkins. For an open storage option, build cubbies or shelves into the area below the seat. 14 Clever Design Ideas for Banquette Seating with Storage 17 of 38 Sort Your Freezer Jay Wilde Sort your freezer with ideas that make use of every inch of shelf space. Use plastic baskets (an affordable organization tool) to store foods by type and put a labeled tag on each. Keep small adhesive labels and a permanent marker on hand to label individual containers. How to Organize a Chest Freezer in 5 Easy Steps 18 of 38 Add a Kitchen Command Center Laura Moss Organize your family's paperwork, mail, reminders, and more in one convenient kitchen organization idea. Built-in bins, a bulletin board, and a clock turn one side of a refrigerator cabinet into a household command center. This simple DIY project creates instant organization and utilizes small, otherwise wasted spaces. 19 of 38 Streamline a Coffee Station Julie Soefer Make mornings easier with an all-in-one coffee station. Dedicate a drawer next to your coffee maker to hold filters, coffee beans, and travel mugs, so brewing a fresh pot is a one-step task. If you don't have a drawer to spare, consider outfitting a cabinet with pullout shelves that function similarly. We Tested the 27 Best Travel Coffee Mugs, These Are Our 6 Favorites 20 of 38 Add Function to an Island Ed Gohlich Would a smidge of extra work space be helpful? Here, a roll-out cart—tucked into the island to stay out of sight yet remain easily accessible—maximizes this kitchen's prep space. Its base was painted the same color as the island, and the top was outfitted with matching marble to allow the cart to blend perfectly with the island, 21 of 38 Divide Drawer Space Helen Norman Dividers are great kitchen organization ideas that make flatware and other items inside your drawers orderly and user-friendly. Choose adjustable inserts for added flexibility, or create custom organizers that fit your drawer's exact dimensions. Consider a two-tiered system to double the storage capacity. 22 of 38 Put Staple Ingredients in Clear Jars Helen Norman Store regularly used items like flour and sugar in coordinating clear glass containers, then put the containers on open shelves near the cooking area for easy access. Keep small baking supplies like cookie cutters, cupcake liners, and sprinkles in baskets or nearby drawers. The 12 Best Food Storage Containers of 2024 for Keeping Your Lunches and Leftovers Fresh 23 of 38 Make Storage for Baking Sheets Werner Straube If you do a lot of baking, keep all your supplies in one spot with this kitchen organization idea. Here, cookie sheets, muffin tins, and serving trays are stored in a cabinet over a wall oven. Retrofit an existing cabinet with inexpensive dividers to keep everything organized. How to Choose the Best Cookie Sheets for Baking Cookies 24 of 38 Organize with Baskets Adam Albright Lower cabinets can be dark and hard to access, but with baskets, it's easy to sort small items and bring them into view. Organize a collection of nesting mixing bowls or small appliances with a system of cubbies. Add baskets or bins to hold items and create a streamlined look. Tuck in the necessary attachments and manuals for each appliance so everything is on hand. 25 of 38 Use Labels Adam Albright For at-a-glance organizations, rely on clear containers and easy-to-read labels. Store dry goods in clear containers so it's easy to see what you have. Put similar items, like packaged snacks and bread, together and keep them in baskets with labels. 26 of 38 Divide a Drawer Just for Pots John Granen Fill the space under a cooktop with rollout trays for pots and pans. A two-tier system works well for storing lids near their corresponding pots. Alternatively, slide in a movable cart with shelves to accommodate cooking equipment. 27 of 38 Design Built-In Storage for Serveware Paul Dyer A built-in hutch is a convenient spot to store extra dishes, large platters, and linens. Shallow drawers keep tablecloths, placemats, and napkins organized. Keep these items out of the way until your next big gathering or family holiday. 20 Best Table Runners for Kitchens, Dining Rooms, and More 28 of 38 Round Up Your Recycling Tria Giovan A two-bin unit lets you sort recyclables and trash, then conceal them behind doors. The most convenient location for this unit is next to the sink, so cans and bottles can go straight from a rinse into the appropriate bin. Or, choose an area near the door you use to exit the house to limit how far you have to carry the bins. 29 of 38 Panel Kitchen Appliances Kim Cornelison Paneled kitchen appliances are making a comeback, and this trend is all about camouflaged storage. Blending cabinetry with a surrounding fridge or dishwasher allows you to hide your appliances in plain sight. Utilize open shelves to display your favorite dishware or kitchen decor. Paneling Is Back in Kitchens Everywhere—Here's How to Get the Built-In Look 30 of 38 Maximize Shallow Pantry Shelves JANET MESIC-MACKIE Store all your pantry staples in one convenient location for a cook-friendly kitchen organization idea. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet is divided into shelves so nothing gets lost in the back of the cupboard. Consider attaching a tack board to the door or side of the pantry for posting notes, a calendar, and shopping lists. 31 of 38 Set Up an Appliance Garage Philip Harvey Move an outlet inside a cabinet to create the perfect appliance garage for small gadgets. Consider venting and heat when placing a microwave or toaster oven inside a cabinet, or add extra counter space or a pull-out shelf. 32 of 38 Keep Dish Towels Nearby Beth Singer Keep dish towels in a cabinet close to the cleanup zone. Use a pullout rack with multiple bars to air-dry and store towels. Add another removable bar to load and reload with paper towel rolls. 33 of 38 Try a Pull-Out Pantry Anthony Masterson Make the most of the snug space between studs with a pull-out storage unit. At just over 6 inches wide, this slim pantry is perfect for storing dry goods, canned items, and other things you need to have within reach. How to Organize Canned Goods in Cabinets, Pantries, and More 34 of 38 Keep Your Pantry Within Reach Michael Partenio Use a cabinet next to the cooktop to store frequently used cooking spices and oils, so they're always handy during prep. To keep counter space free from clutter, hang spoons, spatulas, and strainers on a bar under the cabinet. Add undercabinet lighting to help with cooking and cleanup. 35 of 38 Label Drawers Michael Partenio Never rummage through your kitchen drawers again. Save time looking for cooking utensils with this kitchen organization idea. Start by finding a storage insert that fits the space, then label each compartment to make it easy for anyone on dish duty to put things where they belong. 36 of 38 Consider a Prep Station Tineke Triggs With a dedicated cutting board, chopping fruits, vegetables, and bread is easier than ever. This custom pullout cutting board features built-in knife storage below. Locate one near your prep area for easy cleanup. 37 of 38 Create a Spice Drawer Michael Partenio Bottles of spices can often lead to chaos and clutter. Avoid wasting time searching for spices by organizing them in a drawer. Lay them with their labels facing upward. You can even arrange the containers alphabetically, so it's easy to find what you want. How to Make a DIY Spice Drawer Organizer 38 of 38 Install Magnetic Storage Scott Little Stick a metal shelf to the side and use it to store frequently used items like spices, measuring spoons, and conversion charts. Otherwise, take advantage of a metal island or refrigerator door by turning the outside into instant storage. Organize Your Home with These Guides 6 Key Tips to Help You Organize Your Dresser Drawers Efficiently How to Organize a Small Closet with Smart Storage 24 Laundry Room Storage Solutions to Freshen Up Your Space 19 Clever Ways to Organize Bathroom Cabinets 5 Tool Storage Ideas to Organize Your Workspace Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit