Discover 10 simple hacks to organize your kitchen cabinets, save time, reduce stress, and create a clean, organized space where you’ll love to cook.
Transform Messy Cabinets into an Organized Kitchen Haven
Is your kitchen one of serenity or chaos? Does it make you feel that you can do better?
You may feel great when you get cooking, only to find yourself looking for the pot, the spice, etc.
You might also have bought duplicate kitchen items, which can cause stress, extra mess, and potentially wasted money.
Not only that, but your cabinets can become cluttered over time, and the need to stay organized becomes increasingly challenging.
But here’s the good news: A little effort can transform your kitchen cabinets into a pleasingly neat space!
When your kitchen cabinets are organized, making meals, storing groceries, and cleaning up after dinner will be much easier.
You’ll have your kitchen set up just right and have extra time to play, whether making new recipes or catching up with family at the dinner table.
So, let’s find out why neat cabinets are essential for keeping organized, answers to common questions about what to do with kitchen cabinets, and 10 easy hacks to make your kitchen shine.
SEE ALSO: 15 Vintage Cleaning Tips (and Why Grandma Loved Them)
Why bother organizing your kitchen cabinets?
With your cabinets organized, you waste less time searching for what you need.
You may also save money because you won’t purchase doubles of things you’ve already got.
When all is said and done, an orderly kitchen lowers stress.
There is no better feeling than opening a cabinet and having everything in its place, it’s refreshing and reassuring and you’ll feel in control.
SEE ALSO: 8 House Cleaning Rules To Maintain A Tidy Home
What if you have limited space?
Even small kitchens can feel more prominent in size with the right tricks.
But only if you consider stackable bins, adding hooks to doors, and using tension rods to create additional storage, ect.
Any small area SHOULD be used wisely. You don’t have to have a giant kitchen to be organized. And don’t worry, you’ll soon see when you get to the tips!
How do you stay organized once you get going?
Give each item a proper home. Labels can help remind you (and anyone else in your home) what goes where.
Then, do brief check-ins every week. Return things to their rightful places and throw out or donate what you no longer need.
SEE ALSO: 12 Easy Kitchen Organizing Ideas That’ll Save Space
Can you do this on a budget?
Yes! You can find a ton of inexpensive options, from dollar-store bins, to stick-on hooks, to basic shelf risers.
You can make significant upgrades without breaking the bank.
Even minor fixes can transform your cabinets into brand-new cabinetry; you just need the creative juices to make it happen.
10 Simple Hacks to Finally Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
Now, take a look at these genius ways to organize your kitchen cabinets in no time at all.
You’ll be so glad you know about these the next time you cook!
1. Start With a Clean Slate
Start by removing everything from your cabinets.
That can seem like a lot of work, but it gives you a good overall view of what you have in your kitchen.
If your shelves are removable, take them out to empty each one, then wipe it down with a cloth or gentle cleaner.
This makes it easier to wipe off any grease or spills that may have formed over time.
As your items are out, look for anything that’s broken, expired, or useless.
Throw out what’s gone bad, and if anything can still be used, put it aside to keep or donate.
Clearing out your cabinets entirely gives you a clean slate to work with and a clear idea of how much space you have.
SEE ALSO: 8 Reasons Why You Hold On To Too Much Stuff
2. Categorize Your Items
After seeing everything you have, organize your items into categories that reflect how you cook and eat.
You could do a baking group (flour, sugar, and mixing tools), a canned goods group (beans, soups, and sauces), and a snack group (chips, crackers, and granola bars).
Consider what you use together and group them.
If certain items are things you barely use or have multiple copies of, try donating or giving them away.
This is a crucial step to prevent future clutter.
Grouping your items into well-organized, visible categories means you will spend less time hunting for what you need and more time enjoying your kitchen.
3 Store with Stackable Bins and Containers
Stackable bins are a no-brainer for utilizing all of the space above your items.
This is because stackable bins make the most of the vertical space within your cabinets.
If you pick clear containers, you’ll be able to see what’s inside without having to peek inside, saving you time when you’re in a hurry.
Bins are also great for smaller kitchen supplies like tea bags, sauce packets, and spice mixes.
These small items usually slide around without bins or hide behind larger stuff. Once you are ready to cook, you will be grateful that everything is nicely grouped and easy to locate.
SEE ALSO: 26 Things Organized People Do & Don’t Do Before Noon
4. Install a Lazy Susan
If you have a corner cabinet or one of those places on your shelf where items tend to be shoved toward the back corner, a Lazy Susan can be a game-changer.
It’s a small spinning tray that allows you to reach jars, bottles, and cans with a quick turn.
This can be especially useful if you have a lot of sauces or condiments that tend to fall over or hide behind each other.
Spinning the Lazy Susan can bring what you need to you without toppling other items.
It also helps you keep tabs on what’s in there so you won’t accidentally buy another jar of something you already have.
5. Make Use of Tension Rods
Tension rods aren’t simply for hanging curtains. You can slip them in your cabinets to hold baking sheets, cutting boards, or pans vertically.
Doing so simply stops them from stacking on top of each other and makes it easy for you to pull out the one you want.
Sliding a rod across two shelves makes a barrier where everything stays put and isn’t damaged.
Tension rods are also super adjustable, so you can get them set to just the right height for your kitchen tools.
6 Use Hooks or Over-the-Door Storage
In the same way, the inside of your cabinet doors can become bonus storage space with a few hooks.
Use stick-on hooks for hanging measuring spoons, dish towels or small kitchen tools. If you need extra space, try an over-the-door organizer that goes on your cabinet door.
They’re ideal for organizing plastic wrap or foil or other lightweight supplies.
Once this often-neglected space is taken advantage of, it frees up your main cabinet shelves for larger items such as pots, pans or dishes.
7 Use Drawer Organizers for Small Items
Are your kitchen drawers a mystery each time you pull them open?
Drawer organizers can help with that. Dividing your drawer into sections keeps like items together in one place.
That means your measuring spoons, spatulas, and other small gadgets won’t vanish under a mound of random tools.
With drawer organizers, you’ll be able to quickly see and grab what you need, whether that thing is a whisk for baking or a can opener for dinner prep.
The added bonus is that it’s easier to clean up and keep everything in order when each item has its own space.
8. Install Pull-Out Shelves or Drawers
Pull-out shelves are drawers that slide directly into your cabinets. Instead of stooping down or reaching in the back of the cabinet, you slide out the shelf to see everything all at once.
This is particularly beneficial for putting away heavier items, such as pots and pans, since they tend to be tricky to lift in a narrow space.
Pull-out shelves may be a little more expensive than plain bins or baskets but are a good investment for easy access and long-term organization.
With these shelves, you can bid farewell to the clutter in the back of your cupboards and hello to a more functional kitchen.
9. Label Everything
When you want to organize, labels can be your best friend!
Labeling your bins and containers with names or simple descriptions of their contents gives everyone in your home a clear idea of where things belong.
You don’t need fancy labels; you can write on masking tape or make small stickers. The focus is on the visibility and understanding of an individual category.
Once the labels are in place, you will spend less time looking for items and more time enjoying your tidy, clutter-free cabinets.
10. Put Everyday Items Within Reach
Store items you use frequently in the top drawers or on low and readily accessible shelves.
These are usually plates and cups or common pantry items like cereal or coffee.
Having these nearby means you won’t have to dig through things you rarely use.
Plus, it’ll leave those high shelves or difficult-to-reach corners for the stuff you only use for special occasions or occasionally.
This tiny adjustment can keep your day-to-day cooking and cleaning functioning far more smoothly.
Not only will it put everyday items within reach, but it will also provide extra storage and prevent clutter from piling up on your kitchen counters.
Hacks to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
Tackling your kitchen cabinet organization can sound like a huge project, but if you break it down into simple steps, it will be much easier!
Clear them out, group like with like, and use clever little tools such as Lazy Susans, tension rods, and labels.
Soon, you’ll be enjoying a kitchen that works for you rather than against you.
A clean kitchen protects your time, money, and brain power.
Try these tips, and watch how quickly your space transforms.
You might even discover that cooking, cleaning, and entertaining are more fun when everything is in its place.
WANT MORE? TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ORGANIZING TIPS NEXT…
8 KonMari Tips That’ll Help Streamline Your Life
Five Things You Should Be Doing Daily (According to Marie Kondo)
100+ Helpful Ways That’ll Get You Seriously Organized
Author: Everything Abode
Welcome to Everything Abode, your daily inspiration for every activity at home!
Our goal is to inspire you to live an elegant and chic lifestyle from the comfort of your home.
We’ll help you express yourself through authentic style, aesthetic beauty, and stylish home decor.
Subscribe to Get the Tools That Make My Blog Successful!

When you join my newsletter, I'm going to send you insider advice and tools that I use to grow my blog! I only save the BEST for my email list so don't wait!