SPECIAL OFFER: - Limited Time Only!
(The ad below will not display on your printed page)


Midwest Living
Published on Midwest Living (http://www.midwestliving.com)

Home > 30 Quick and Easy Ideas for Kitchen Organization

30 Quick and Easy Ideas for Kitchen Organization

You don't need a major overhaul to banish clutter and boost storage in your kitchen—these tips get you on the right track today.

Structured snacking [1]

Keep snacks organized and reachable by corralling them in cute baskets.

  • Log in [2] or register [3] to post comments

Maximize space [4]

Look at odd-shaped empty spaces, such as above the fridge or in corners, as opportunities for added storage.

 

  • Log in [5] or register [6] to post comments

Think outside the kitchen [7]

First things first: Get everything that doesn't belong in the kitchen out of there. If your countertops are constantly cluttered because they are the drop zone, take a look at organizing your entryway.

  • Log in [8] or register [9] to post comments

Good to go [10]

Keep those keys from hitting the counter by making sure you have plenty of hooks by the door, as well as a couple of slots for mail — you could sort by type of mail (incoming, outgoing, bills) or who it's addressed to.

  • Log in [11] or register [12] to post comments

Plenty of pockets [13]

A hanging shoe holder organizes a variety of tools in your kitchen.

  • Log in [14] or register [15] to post comments

Pantry perfection [16]

Make better use of space in your pantry and cupboards by getting rid of bulky packaging. Clear canisters let you see when you're running low on staples; just make sure to keep the cooking instructions with the food.

  • Log in [17] or register [18] to post comments

Bleachers for food [19]

See how those foods in the back peek over the ones up front? A set of shelf risers means you quickly find what you're looking for.

  • Log in [20] or register [21] to post comments

Extra space [22]

Bringing a small armoire from another room into the kitchen makes a huge difference in homes lacking enough cabinets.

  • Log in [23] or register [24] to post comments

Divine dining [25]

Fancy dishes and platters you don't use every day don't need to be stored in the kitchen. Consider installing a shallow shelving unit in the dining room to display them, along with some pretty collectibles.

  • Log in [26] or register [27] to post comments

Make the most of shelves [28]

If you can adjust your shelves, make sure they're not too much taller than their contents. If you find you have room to add another, a hardware store can easily cut a new board to fit.

  • Log in [29] or register [30] to post comments

Just hanging out [31]

Free up counter space by keeping produce in a hanging basket. This also keeps healthy food in plain sight — instead of the bottom drawer of the fridge or a pantry shelf.

  • Log in [32] or register [33] to post comments

Cookbook central [34]

Keep the cookbooks you use often — and more recent editions of magazines — in easy reach. Store seldom-used ones (think holiday cookbooks) outside the kitchen.

  • Log in [35] or register [36] to post comments

Beneficial backsplash [37]

The wall space behind the stove is valuable acreage. Installing a shelf there keeps items you use most (olive oil, wooden spoons, salt and pepper) close at hand.

  • Log in [38] or register [39] to post comments

Within arm's reach [40]

Pots and pans find a convenient home above the stove — no more digging around in cabinets to find them. Just make sure the hooks are sturdy enough to hold the weight.

  • Log in [41] or register [42] to post comments

Curtains to cabinets [43]

A couple of inexpensive tension curtain rods inside a base cabinet add upright storage for cookie sheets and cutting boards, keeping everything in sight and easy to grab.

  • Log in [44] or register [45] to post comments

Better bottle storage [46]

Serious wine lover? Easily keep track of your collection by adding a strip of chalkboard paint to the bottom of your wine cabinet. You could sort your bottles by type or by region.

  • Log in [47] or register [48] to post comments

Classified crates [49]

Keep the freezer in order by storing everything in bags (no big boxes) and sorting items by type in labeled crates. Lay liquid items flat until they freeze into stackable, sortable packages — like the soups pictured.

  • Log in [50] or register [51] to post comments

Tidy trash [52]

Replacing one big, smelly trash bin with multiple smaller ones makes things easier come recycling day: Presort your junk into trash, recyclables and redeemables.

  • Log in [53] or register [54] to post comments

In the bag [55]

If you reuse plastic grocery bags as trash can liners, a compact bag dispenser like the one at top right keeps them corralled. Recycle the ones that don't fit.

  • Log in [56] or register [57] to post comments

Quick clean up [58]

Hanging a rack (like the ones made for in showers) on the inside of the cupboard under the sink keeps dish soap and sponges handy.

  • Log in [59] or register [60] to post comments

Dish rack double duty [61]

Dish racks aren't just for drying. Add one to a drawer to keep lids organized.

  • Log in [62] or register [63] to post comments

Speedy spices [64]

Find the spice you're looking for in a flash by storing them with the labels all facing the same direction. If you don't have space to lay them flat, label the top of each jar with a marker before standing them up.

  • Log in [65] or register [66] to post comments

Message central [67]

Add chalkboard paint to the faces of a few cabinets to create a centralized place for messages and notes, like that ever-evolving grocery list.

  • Log in [68] or register [69] to post comments

Hang it up [70]

There's no need for a sharps drawer if you add a few magnetic strips to your kitchen walls. Place them near the cutting area for easy access or near the dishwasher so they're quick to put away.

  • Log in [71] or register [72] to post comments

Collected cookie cutters [73]

A paper towel holder doubles as an organizer for cookie cutters.

  • Log in [74] or register [75] to post comments

All-purpose pegboard [76]

The same material that keeps garages and workshops in order works in kitchens, too. Hang a sheet of pegboard, add a few hooks, and you've got plenty of versatile hanging storage.

  • Log in [77] or register [78] to post comments

Keep a junk drawer [79]

Yes — it's OK! Every household has odds and ends no one knows quite where to put. Designating one drawer for "junk" can keep it from ending up elsewhere. A divider maintains some organization.

  • Log in [80] or register [81] to post comments

Stylish crates [82]

Add drawer pulls to inexpensive wooden crates to make them easier to pull out from shelves. 

  • Log in [83] or register [84] to post comments

Basket solutions [85]

Baskets add not only style but convenient storage in just about every room of your house. In the kitchen, try a shallow basket for storing cooking oils and spices. Put a cookie sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom for easy cleanup. 

See more ideas for basket storage  [86]

  • Log in [87] or register [88] to post comments

Island organization [89]

Add a hanging shelf to your kitchen island for easy-to-reach storage of spices, utensils and measuring spoons. 

  • Log in [90] or register [91] to post comments
Tags: 
Kitchens [92]
Storage [93]
Organizing [94]
Home [95]
Copyright © 2013, Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Source URL (retrieved on April 26, 2018): http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/decorating-ideas/kitchen-organization/

Links:
[1] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/structured-snacking
[2] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46369%23comment-form
[3] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46369%23comment-form
[4] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/maximize-space
[5] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46364%23comment-form
[6] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46364%23comment-form
[7] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/think-outside-the-kitchen
[8] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46365%23comment-form
[9] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46365%23comment-form
[10] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/good-to-go
[11] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46366%23comment-form
[12] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46366%23comment-form
[13] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/plenty-of-pockets
[14] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46367%23comment-form
[15] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46367%23comment-form
[16] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/pantry-perfection
[17] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46368%23comment-form
[18] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46368%23comment-form
[19] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/bleachers-for-food
[20] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46370%23comment-form
[21] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46370%23comment-form
[22] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/extra-space
[23] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46371%23comment-form
[24] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46371%23comment-form
[25] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/divine-dining
[26] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46372%23comment-form
[27] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46372%23comment-form
[28] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/make-the-most-of-shelves
[29] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46373%23comment-form
[30] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46373%23comment-form
[31] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/just-hanging-out
[32] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46374%23comment-form
[33] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46374%23comment-form
[34] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/cookbook-central
[35] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46375%23comment-form
[36] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46375%23comment-form
[37] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/beneficial-backsplash
[38] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46376%23comment-form
[39] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46376%23comment-form
[40] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/within-arms-reach
[41] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46377%23comment-form
[42] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46377%23comment-form
[43] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/curtains-to-cabinets
[44] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46378%23comment-form
[45] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46378%23comment-form
[46] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/better-bottle-storage
[47] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46379%23comment-form
[48] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46379%23comment-form
[49] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/classified-crates
[50] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46380%23comment-form
[51] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46380%23comment-form
[52] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/tidy-trash
[53] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46381%23comment-form
[54] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46381%23comment-form
[55] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/in-the-bag
[56] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46382%23comment-form
[57] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46382%23comment-form
[58] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/quick-clean-up
[59] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46383%23comment-form
[60] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46383%23comment-form
[61] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/dish-rack-double-duty
[62] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46384%23comment-form
[63] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46384%23comment-form
[64] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/speedy-spices
[65] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46385%23comment-form
[66] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46385%23comment-form
[67] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/message-central
[68] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46386%23comment-form
[69] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46386%23comment-form
[70] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/hang-it-up-2
[71] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46387%23comment-form
[72] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46387%23comment-form
[73] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/collected-cookie-cutters
[74] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46388%23comment-form
[75] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46388%23comment-form
[76] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/all-purpose-pegboard
[77] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46389%23comment-form
[78] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46389%23comment-form
[79] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/keep-a-junk-drawer
[80] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/46390%23comment-form
[81] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/46390%23comment-form
[82] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/stylish-crates
[83] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/60652%23comment-form
[84] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/60652%23comment-form
[85] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/basket-solutions
[86] http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/organizing-storage/20-ideas-for-storage-with-baskets-and-bins/
[87] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/60650%23comment-form
[88] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/60650%23comment-form
[89] http://www.midwestliving.com/slide/island-organization
[90] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/login/?destination=node/60649%23comment-form
[91] http://www.midwestliving.com/user/register/?destination=node/60649%23comment-form
[92] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/kitchens
[93] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/storage
[94] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/organizing
[95] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/home