How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers 101

Organizing your kitchen cabinets and drawers can feel like a daunting task to undertake. With some motivation and expert guidance, you can have an organized kitchen that functions better for you and your family. Continue reading to learn why organization is important, along with tips on how to organize kitchen cabinets and drawers. 

4 Reasons Why You Should Organize Your Kitchen

Before we dive into the process of organizing your kitchen, let’s learn a few reasons why it’s important.

1. Improved Efficiency

One of the main benefits of organizing your kitchen cabinets and drawers is improved efficiency. When every tool has a place, and you know where they are, you won’t have to spend time searching for them while your food potentially burns. An organized kitchen will save you time every time you’re in it. 

2. Increased Family Involvement

When everyone in the household knows where things are located in the kitchen, it’s easier for them to get involved. Being able to cook and bake together is a joyful experience for a family. When everyone knows where the measuring cups, baking dishes, and spatulas are, it makes for a more fun and stress-free experience. 

3. Safer Environment

Another significant benefit of having an organized kitchen is a safer cooking environment. When you know where everything is, you don’t need to move around your kitchen as much. The more movement in a kitchen, the greater chance of bumping into someone, touching a hot pan, or accidentally cutting yourself. Cutting down on extra movement in the kitchen by keeping it organized will help you create a safer cooking environment. 

4. Saves You Money in the Long Run

When you know where all your utensils are in your kitchen, you can easily see what you have and what you’re missing. If you can’t find something and conclude that you don’t already own it, you could end up buying a duplicate of something you already own and just can’t find. Organizing your kitchen saves you from potentially buying more of the same item, saving you money in the long run.  

Step-by-Step Instructions for How To Organize Kitchen Drawers and Cabinets

Here is each step for learning how to organize kitchen drawers and cabinets:

  1. Take everything out of your drawers and cabinets. 
  2. Sort your items.
  3. Clean your cabinets and drawers. 
  4. Incorporate organization solutions. 
  5. Put everything back. 

Let’s dive deeper into each step. 

1. Take Everything Out of Your Cabinets and Drawers

You can do this section by section, or if you have the time, we recommend emptying all of your cabinets and drawers simultaneously. Removing everything gives you a clean slate to work with. It also ensures that you don’t have duplicate items across different areas of your kitchen, and related tools and items will be easier to group together. 

2. Sort Your Items

Now it’s time to sort your items based on what you will keep, donate, and throw away. Take a thorough look at what you have, and be honest with yourself about what you use regularly or even somewhat regularly. If you haven’t used something in more than one year, it most likely doesn’t need to take up space in your kitchen. 

This step is crucial in setting your entire organization project up for success. If you’re holding onto items that you’re not using, this will negatively impact the efficiency of your cabinets and drawers. 

3. Clean Your Cabinets and Drawers

After your kitchen cabinets and drawers are empty, it’s time to clean them. You might be surprised (and a little disgusted!) at the crumbs, dirt, and grease piled up in your kitchen without you realizing it. 

Having empty drawers and cabinets is the perfect time to clean them out, and it also means you’ll start with a clean slate once you put everything back in for your newly organized kitchen. 

Image Caption: Rev-a-Shelf Kitchen Solutions

4. Incorporate Organization Solutions

Organization solutions, such as inserts, are a great way to maximize your cabinet space and help your kitchen run more efficiently. Let’s explore some organization solutions available from Elevations Design Studio by Zeeland Standard

How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers with Inserts

There are so many helpful ways you can organize your kitchen cabinets with inserts. Our Rev-A-Shelf kitchen solutions are designed to help you have a more organized kitchen that functions more efficiently. 

You don’t have to store your utensils loosely in each drawer and cabinet. Inserts for kitchen cabinets can help keep pans organized and upright in your cupboard, while kitchen drawer inserts can provide organized storage for spatulas, knives, and other small utensils. With inserts, each item can have its own designated space. 

5. Put Everything Back

We’re almost done organizing your kitchen! Putting everything in its place is one of the most important and satisfying steps, and it requires careful planning and intention. 

When you’re putting all your utensils, pots, pans, and more back into your cabinets and drawers, you’ll want to prioritize the items you use most often. For example, you don’t need your ice cream maker or cheese grater in the front of your cabinet if you don’t use them on a daily basis. 

On the other hand, utensils that you use every day and every week should be easily accessible. This also means they should be located near the places you use them the most. You don’t want your cooking utensils on the other side of your kitchen far away from the stove. They should be within arm’s reach when you’re standing at the stove. 

When putting your items back, remember that what works for someone else might not be the most efficient for you. Ultimately, it’s about what works best for you and your family in your kitchen. 

Kitchen Organization with Elevations Design Studio by Zeeland Standard

Our experienced designers at Elevations Design Studio by Zeeland Standard are here to help you create your dream kitchen that is expertly organized to benefit how you use it. We’re committed to understanding your needs for your kitchen. With our attention to detail and exceptional customer service, we look forward to helping you with your kitchen project. Request your consultation today to get started!