February 10, 2014
Simple Ways to Organize Kitchen Cupboards
This week’s focus is on kitchen cupboards. (The weekly focus is always listed on the left hand side of the calendar in gray.) If you haven’t grabbed February’s Cleaning + Organizing Calendar, go get it! It’s free here.
We’ve been undergoing a little kitchen renovation the past couple weeks and it’s nearly completed (yay!) I’ve posted a couple pics on Instagram (cleanmama#) if you want to take a peek. I’ve been working on rearranging and re-working the cupboards for optimal efficiency and ease of use. Take a couple minutes this week to work on one kitchen cupboard, all your cupboards, or somewhere in between. Here are a couple steps that I find helpful when organizing my cupboards.
- Empty the cupboard.
- Donate or toss anything you don’t need or use anymore.
- Wipe down the cupboard.
- Add a drawer liner (optional).
- Return items to the cupboard – stack items that can be stacked, group like items together, make sure your arrangement makes sense.
- Label (optional).
Want to take a peek at some organized cupboards?
Keep your dishes near your sink and dishwasher to make emptying the dishwasher a little easier.
I use my label maker with clear tape to label the pull-out drawers in my kitchen cupboards. This may seem a little overboard but it helps anyone that’s putting dishes away know where they go and it keeps the drawers and cupboards neat and orderly.
Always, always group like items together. Bowls, measuring cups, colanders, strainers, etc. Anything that you have multiple items of can be stacked and placed near each other to keep items easy to find and put away.
Have any kitchen cupboard tips to share?
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Danica Gargus Says
My kitchen re-organize/cleaning started last week when my “15 minute project” of going through the spices turned into a 3 day job! Much needed. Thanks for the push : )
Ellen D. Stone Says
The cupboard looks great, especially the spice. The only problem I have is using the spices. Every time that I need one not on the front row, it looks like I would need to move all the rest just to see what the spices are. Organizing my spices is a huge challenge for me. Right now they are in the bottom drawer of a plastic organizer on wheels that has come in very handy for organizing overflow from the pantry.
Otherwise, all the rest looks fantastic!
Tracy Says
I put mine in alphabetical order, then I know exactly where to find them even if they’re behind I don’t have to move them all – just one row
Christy Says
We just moved, and I am hoping to finish the kitchen today. This is helpful. Another thing I keep in mind is putting kids things at a level they can reach, and putting things I use at a comfortable level to reach. Things I use less often go up high, and I need a stool to get them.
tarryn Says
I love this. I got halfway through my cabinets last week and am inspired to finish the job this week. These are my only good ideas: I put my spices in a shallow drawer, jars standing up, and using a sharpie label the tops of the lids. Most regular-sized spices fit this way. My bigger containers (I don’t have very many of them) just go in a cabinet close by. I also put all of my measuring cups (wet and dry) and spoons, as well as a bench scraper, in a basket that I can pull out whenever I bake. Everything is right there in one place that is easy to access. I like the cute soup bowls in your pic!
Ashley Says
Becky,
I love the spice list! Is there an offering for an editable or blank version?
I’m a big fan of the laminate and dry-erase method. If you don’t want to worry with laminating, you can get a cheap frame from Wal-mart (or similar store) and just frame the PDF and use the dry erase on the glass!
Becky Says
Post authorHi Ashley!
Just the freebie right now 🙂
Kelly Says
I’m just loving your Penzeys collection! I love Penzeys for many reasons but one is that you can re-use the original bottles and just refill when you order via the bags larger quantities come in. Less clutter for sure, and uniform jar sizes/shapes are great.