When it comes to things to do around the house, usually organizing kitchen cabinets is never at the top of anyone’s to-do list.
But, it definitely should be, as organized kitchen cabinets can help you in many ways.
Having organized cabinets will save you time, as you won’t have to waste minutes searching for that jar of paprika that you swear you saw the day before. It will also make shopping easier, as you will know what you have on hand. It will make cooking easier, as you won’t have to go running around the kitchen searching for the right measuring cups.
And, the list goes on.
But, how do you go from dreaming about having organized kitchen cabinets to actually having them? Keep reading to learn the top 5 tips for organizing your kitchen cabinets.
1. Declutter First
Any good kitchen cabinet organizer knows that the process always begins with a good decluttering session.
You will be amazed at the amount of stuff you have sitting in the back of your cabinets that you have never used and that can be donated or sold.
Decluttering will make the task or organizing your cabinets much more manageable, as afterwards you will have a smaller amount of items to work with.
If you realize you still don’t have enough space after decluttering, you may want to consider new cabinets from a kitchen cabinet warehouse like Cabinet City.
2. Sort and Categorize as Much as Possible
Now that you have all of your unnecessary items out of the way, it’s time to sort what you do need in a way that makes sense.
You can start with sorting into simple categories first, and then going from there. For example, pots and pans in one area, appliances in another, and then food items in a third.
From these broader categories, you can sort even further. For example, let’s say you put all of your edible items into two cabinets. You can categorize these even further by putting your canned items in one area and your boxed items in another.
The specifics of how you want to categorize are entirely up to you. But the goal is to be able to think “granola bars” and to know exactly where to reach.
3. Put Items Where You Use Them
This one may sound obvious, but it’s an organization step that so many neglect to do!
You want to keep your items where you use them, so you’re not unnecessarily running around the kitchen to prepare a simple meal.
For example, if you always stand in front of the stove when cooking, your spices should be kept in a cabinet that is arm’s reach from the stove. If you like your kids to grab their own snacks, make sure they’re kept in a cabinet where they can reach them.
4. Be Neat
Now, you don’t have to try and be Martha Stewart, but it is important to attempt to be as neat as possible when organizing your kitchen cabinets.
This way, you’ll get into the habit of doing it each time you out stuff back where it belongs. Try to keep bowls arranged in a neat pile, food labels all facing the same way, and boxes lined up nicely.
5. Realize That Not Everything Belongs in the Cabinets
News flash: your kitchen cabinets are not one giant junk drawer, and treating them as such is exactly how you end up with a chaotic kitchen.
Therefore, make sure you are only putting items in your cabinets that really need to be there.