How to Organize a Kitchen

Before we start with how to organize a kitchen, always, always, always declutter first.

Most people try to arrange what they've already got, and then wonder why they get frustrated!

It's so much easier to clear out and get rid of what isn't really adding value to your life, and then organize what's left.

For most people, 75% of their stuff is clutter, and that includes items in the kitchen.

Just imagine if you let go of even 50% of what's in your kitchen right now.

Half of those mis-matched coffee mugs.

Half of the tupperware that no longer has matching lids (or that melted in the dishwasher).

Half of the spices that you haven't used for sixteen years anyway (spices DO lose their spicy-ness).

And then go take a good look at all those appliances that you just HAD to have...you know, so you could create cozy family Sunday brunches at home with your special juicer and waffle iron and 'Sunday best' dishes.

If you DO use those things, by all means keep and cherish them...and use them often.

If not, let them go.

They're simply making you feel guilty for not being Martha Stewart in the kitchen (not to mention taking up a huge amount of cupboard space counter space).

After you have cleared the excess from your kitchen, it's time to set it up to be functional, effecient, and wonderful to cook in.

To organize your kitchen into the five kitchen zones:

Zone 1: Food Preparation Zone
Zone 2: Cooking Zone
Zone 3: Cleanup Zone
Zone 4: Food Serving Zone
Zone 5: Food Storage Zone


Once you have clearing out all of your kitchen clutter and set up your kitchen zones, NOW you can focus on the specifics of how to organize a kitchen.

For more information on how to organize kitchen cabinets and drawers:

Organizing Dishes, Glasses, and Serving Pieces
Organizing Pots, Pans, and Bakeware
Organizing Small Appliances and Cookbooks
Organizing Silverware and Flatware
Organizing Mixing, Cooking, and Serving Utensils


I do love the little racks that you can put in your cupboard to hold plates and cups, so you don't have to stack the little plates in a big pile on top of the big plates. Anything that makes it super easy to get things out and put them away in a cupboard is a good thing.

If you're considering expanding, remodeling or adding to your kitchen, check out A Kitchen Design Ideas Checklist. This is a free checklist giving you tips and ideas on organizing and how to save time and money on your kitchen remodel project!

When it gets right down to it, how to organize a kitchen well is mainly about paring down to what really matters to you in your kitchen and arranging it in a way that pleases you.

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