If you’re looking for the ultimate kitchen organisation hacks, youve landed in the right place. My 10 easy kitchen organisation hacks are perfect for creating a more functional and stress-free space. The kitchen is one area of the home that can become messy and cluttered extremely quickly. This usually happens when the kitchen hasn’t been organised in the first place. One new recipe and things are all over the place!
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Even if your kitchen is bursting with utensils, pots, pans, and spices, there are organising and decluttering strategies that’ll make your life much simpler.
If you’re looking for practical advice to simplify and streamline your kitchen, my kitchen organisation hacks will help you create a more functional and stress-free kitchen space. From rethinking your storage to cutting down on clutter, here are my top tips:
1. Location, Location, Location
Reposition the contents of your kitchen to make it as practical as possible. This means thinking about the items you use most often and considering how easy they are to access. For instance, if you always use salt and pepper when cooking these should be close to hand. A prime location, such as the countertop, should be reserved for products and equipment you use daily.
Less frequently used items can go in harder-to-reach cupboards. Although you can also organise the location of items relative to their uses. For example, keeping the oven gloves close to the oven. The end result is your kitchen space is easier to use overall.
2. Move Shelves
Many people forget that kitchen shelves are adjustable. Use this to your advantage by moving shelves to better suit your needs. For example, raise a shelf next to your cooker to accommodate tall bottles of oil and vinegar, or lower shelves to maximise the space for smaller items. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it’s an easy tweak that can make a big difference over time.
3. Occasional Items
These are items you only break out for special occasions, like dinner party crockery, excess glasses, bread makers, or even that chocolate fountain you only pull out for birthdays.
The key is to label occasion items neatly and store them somewhere outside of the kitchen – perhaps in the garage, under the stairs, or in a utility cupboard. This will help free up your kitchen storage for the things you actually use on a regular basis.
4. Tea and Coffee Station
Save time in the mornings by setting up a dedicated tea and coffee station. Keep your mugs in a cupboard above the kettle, store your tea and coffee nearby, and consider adding a small jar of teaspoons if your cutlery drawer isn’t conveniently located. This little kitchen hack makes those early mornings far less chaotic.
5. Look With Fresh Eyes
Take a step back and look at your kitchen with fresh eyes, or get a friend to come and be an impartial evaluator. This approach should help you identify which things or layouts which aren’t working, allowing you to target specific areas when organising the kitchen.
Ask yourself, are my work surfaces covered in clutter? Are there items in my cupboards that I haven’t used for months? Where are the cleaning products? This can be a beneficial strategy for when going about home organising services, not just kitchen decluttering.
6. How Many Utensils Do You Need?
Many of us have far too many duplicates of utensils that end up cluttering our drawers and cupboards. Common offenders are wooden spoons, spatulas, and mixing bowls. Be realistic about what you truly need and pare back on those unnecessary extras. When you have lots of utensils and cutlery, it can be easier for washing to pile up.
7. Your Home Is Not a Shop
Unless you live in the middle of absolutely nowhere, you’ll have access to nearby shops to restock on essentials. As such, there’s no need to stockpile vast amounts of food and household items.
While it might seem sensible to stock up on certain non-perishables, this will take up lots of space in the kitchen which could be used for other items. Always check the cupboards before creating your shopping list to avoid accidentally doubling up.
8. A Gadget Should Be Useful
Sometimes kitchen gadgets simply aren’t as useful as they appear. Stop and ask yourself, how often will you actually use an avocado slicer, apple corer, or egg slicer? In many cases, a good knife can do the job just as well. Streamlining your kitchen tools can free up valuable space and make your kitchen more efficient.
9. Jars or No Jars?
The trend of decanting food into jars might look lovely, but it’s not always practical. It adds extra work – transferring, labelling, and managing use-by dates – and jars can be awkward to store, especially if they’re round. If you do go down this route, opt for square jars to maximise space and only decant certain items, not everything. Be sure to plan how many jars you’ll need before buying them.
10. The Biggest Tip of All
The simplest hack of all is often the most effective: don’t be afraid to downsize.
If your kitchen feels overwhelming, it’s probably because you just have too much stuff. Prioritise what you really need. Do you have doubles of items? Things you never use but keep “just in case”? Assess how many people you’re catering for and adjust your kitchen’s contents accordingly. Decluttering is the key to achieving a stress-free and organised kitchen.
You Need a Vicky is an expert organising and decluttering service for all areas within the home. Oftentimes, people aren’t aware of the reasons why key spaces inside their home are feeling cluttered.
By following these tips, you can create a more organised, stress-free, and happier kitchen environment. You will be able to use your kitchen with ease, feeling content that you know where everything is and that it won’t be a chore to clean.
If you feel you could do with our help to declutter and reduce your stress levels, get in touch with Vickys’ team below.
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FAQs on Kitchen Organisation Hacks
What are the most effective kitchen organisation hacks for small spaces?
Maximise vertical storage by adding shelf risers or adjustable shelving. Use hooks or magnetic strips for utensils and knives, and declutter frequently to keep your small kitchen functional.
How can I organise my kitchen on a budget?
Start by decluttering to create space. Reuse old jars or containers for storage, use drawer dividers made from cardboard, and shop second-hand for baskets or organisers.
What’s the best way to organise kitchen cupboards?
Group similar items together—store plates, bowls, and glasses near the sink or dishwasher, and keep food items close to preparation areas. Use the most accessible spots for frequently used items.
How do I keep my kitchen organised long-term?
Adopt a “one-in, one-out” rule for new items, declutter regularly, and avoid overbuying. Labelling storage can also help you stay consistent with where things go.
Are there any tools or gadgets that can help with kitchen organisation?
Drawer dividers, shelf risers, under-shelf baskets, and lazy Susans are excellent tools for maximising kitchen space and keeping things tidy.
How do I organize my kitchen with too much stuff?
To organise a kitchen with too much stuff, start by decluttering.
Remove items you don’t use or need and donate or discard them.
Next, categorise what’s left into groups like cookware, utensils, and pantry items.
Use organisers such as baskets, shelf risers, and drawer dividers to maximise space.
Store frequently used items in easily accessible spots and keep less-used items higher or deeper in cabinets.
Finally, consider vertical storage solutions like hooks or magnetic strips for extra space. A functional layout and regular maintenance are key to keeping your kitchen organised.
How do you decide where to put things in kitchen cabinets?
To decide where to put things in kitchen cabinets, think about functionality and convenience.
Start by grouping similar items together, such as plates, glasses, or spices.
Place frequently used items, like everyday dishes and utensils, in easily accessible cabinets near the sink or stove.
Store pots, pans, and cooking tools close to your cooking area.
Designate a cabinet for pantry items near your prep space.
Reserve higher or harder-to-reach cabinets for rarely used items.
Maximise space with organisers, stackable shelves, or hooks.
Always prioritise a layout that aligns with your cooking habits and workflow.
How can I organize my kitchen smartly?
To organise your kitchen smartly, focus on efficiency and practicality.
Start by decluttering and keeping only what you use regularly.
Group similar items together, such as baking supplies, spices, or utensils, to streamline access.
Use smart storage solutions like pull-out shelves, drawer organisers, and wall-mounted racks to maximise space.
Arrange items based on how often you use them—keep essentials within easy reach and store less-used items higher up or in deep storage.
Label containers and use clear jars to keep track of pantry items.
A well-thought-out layout tailored to your cooking habits will make your kitchen more functional and stress-free.
What are the 4 steps to organizing a kitchen?
The four steps to organising a kitchen are:
Step 1 - Declutter: Start by removing everything from your cabinets, drawers, and countertops. Sort through your items, discarding or donating anything you no longer use or need.
Step 2 - Categorise: Group similar items together, such as utensils, cookware, pantry staples, and small appliances. This helps you see what you have and plan storage accordingly.
Step 3 - Optimise Storage: Use organisers like drawer dividers, shelf risers, baskets, and lazy Susans to maximise space. Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach spots and reserve higher shelves for occasional-use items.
Step 4 - Create a Functional Layout: Arrange items based on how you use them. Keep cooking tools near the stove, dishes near the sink, and pantry items near your prep area. Maintain the system by regularly tidying up and returning items to their designated spots.
