Kitchen organization makes a big difference in your daily efficiency and helps you prepare meals without frustration. On the other hand, cluttered counters, hard-to-reach items, and wasted space are common annoyances that can put a damper on your dining experience.
That’s where smart organization and custom cabinetry come in. With the right solutions, you can maximize your space, allowing you to cook meals, host friends and family, and live your everyday life more seamlessly.
If you’re dealing with a cluttered kitchen, keep reading to learn nine smart organization tips that will help you maximize space and efficiency.
Tip #1. Start With a Kitchen Declutter
When it comes to organization, less is more. Often, the problem isn’t that you need more storage; it’s that you need less stuff. If your kitchen has accumulated a lot of clutter, the first step in your organization journey should be to go through and sort all of it. Get rid of anything you don’t need anymore and sort the rest into everyday essentials vs. rarely used items. Once you’ve pared down the clutter, you can identify storage challenges that custom cabinets or remodeling can solve.
Tip #2. Organize Cabinets by Function and Workflow
Next, figure out where things should go based on how you use your kitchen. For example, you could create a cooking zone near the stove where you store your pots, pans, and utensils. Put knives, cutting boards, and mixing bowls wherever you prep your food. Keep cleaning products under the sink or near the dishwasher. If this organization isn’t possible with your current kitchen layout, it may be worth it to invest in custom cabinets tailor made for your needs.
Tip #3. Maximize Cabinet Space With Smart Storage Solutions
Standard, out-of-the-box cabinets leave wasted space and may have awkward layouts. Custom cabinets, on the other hand, have built-in solutions that help you improve organization, including:
- Pull-out shelves and roll-out trays
- Vertical dividers for baking sheets and cutting boards
- Deep drawers for pots and pans
- Lazy susans for better accessibility
- Built-in spice organizers
- Pull-out drawers for garbage and recycling cans
When your cabinets are designed around your specific storage needs, it’s much easier to stick to an organization system and avoid clutter.
Tip #4. Make the Most of Drawers
Drawers are often more efficient than standard cabinets because they allow you to use more of the available storage space. Plus, they make it easier to reach everything. Consider adding adjustable utensil dividers; inserts for spices, knives, and dishware; or deep drawers for small appliances like toasters and waffle irons.
Tip #5. Improve Pantry Organization
It’s easy to let your pantry get disorganized. Most pantries are overcrowded, have poor visibility, and waste vertical space. If you’re getting custom cabinets, don’t forget to upgrade your pantry, as well! Adding adjustable shelving, pull-out drawers, and built-in bins and baskets can maximize storage in both small and large kitchens and help you stay organized.
Tip #6. Keep Countertops Clear With Hidden Storage
Cluttered countertops make kitchens feel smaller. To reduce countertop mess, opt for built-in trash and recycling pull-outs, dedicated storage space for small appliances, and hidden charging stations and drawer outlets.
If you tend to collect paperwork and mail on the counter, create a dedicated drawer space for it. If you don’t know what to do with random odds and ends, there’s no shame in having a junk drawer! Just be sure to go through it every once in a while and get rid of things you don’t need anymore.
Tip #7. Use Vertical Space and Awkward Areas
Professional cabinet design can turn vertical space and awkward areas into usable storage. For instance, you can extend your cabinets to the ceiling, add lazy susans or swing-out shelving to corner cabinets, or opt for toe-kick drawers for flat items like baking sheets.
Tip #8. Customize Storage for Your Lifestyle
When it comes to kitchen organization, one size does not fit all. Families with kids, home chefs and bakers, and frequent entertainers will need different storage solutions that fit their lifestyles. A remodeling professional can design your cabinets around how you actually use your kitchen, ensuring your storage meets your unique needs.
Optimize Your Kitchen Organization with Lloyd’s Remodeling & Cabinetry
Proper kitchen organization means less stress, greater efficiency, and less clutter. At Lloyd’s Remodeling and Cabinetry, we’re experts in helping you optimize your space and providing storage solutions that work for you. If your kitchen could use an upgrade, contact us today to learn more about our custom cabinetry and remodeling services or schedule a consultation.
CONTACT US: 801.797.0345