17 Awesome Organizing Kitchen Cabinets And Drawers Tips

1. Declutter First, Organize Second

The first thing I did was clear out everything from my cabinets and drawers. I sorted through items and asked myself: "Do I use this regularly?" If the answer was no, it was either donated or tossed. You’d be surprised how much space opens up once you get rid of things you don’t use. This made organizing so much easier and gave me a clean slate to work with.

2. Group Similar Items Together

After decluttering, the next step is to group similar items together. I started grouping all my baking tools, pots and pans, and spices into categories. Keeping similar items in one place means I don’t have to search all over the kitchen for what I need. It also helps me quickly assess what’s missing or needs replenishing.

3. Use Drawer Dividers for Utensils

Drawer dividers are a game-changer, especially for utensil drawers. I used to throw all my utensils into one drawer, but that only led to chaos. Now, I use dividers to separate spoons, forks, knives, and other utensils. This not only makes it easier to find what I’m looking for, but it also keeps things neatly in place.

4. Add Pull-Out Shelves to Deep Cabinets

One of the biggest challenges in deep cabinets is reaching items at the back. I solved this by installing pull-out shelves. Now, instead of blindly digging through stacks of pots and pans, I can just slide the shelf out and easily access everything. This is especially helpful in lower cabinets where bending down and reaching in is awkward.

5. Utilize Lazy Susans for Corner Cabinets

Corner cabinets used to be the black hole of my kitchen. Things would get pushed back, never to be seen again. Then I discovered the beauty of lazy Susans. By adding a rotating lazy Susan inside the cabinet, I can now store items like spices, oils, or even canned goods and have easy access to everything with a simple spin.

6. Use Clear Storage Containers

Clear containers have completely changed the way I store items like grains, flour, sugar, and pasta in my cabinets. Instead of dealing with half-open bags and boxes, everything is neatly contained and labeled in clear containers. This not only keeps my pantry items fresh, but it also allows me to see exactly what I have and when I’m running low.

7. Install a Pull-Out Trash and Recycling Bin

I used to keep my trash can and recycling bin out in the open, taking up valuable kitchen space. Installing a pull-out trash and recycling bin inside a cabinet made a huge difference. It’s out of sight, which makes the kitchen look tidier, and it also makes it easier to separate trash from recyclables while cooking.

8. Store Pots and Pans Vertically

Instead of stacking my pots and pans horizontally, I now store them vertically using a pan rack. This has been a game-changer for me because it allows me to grab the pan I need without having to unstack and restack everything. I also installed a lid organizer inside the cabinet door, so all my pot lids are neatly stored in one place.

9. Maximize Vertical Space with Shelf Risers

If you’re dealing with tall cabinets, shelf risers can be a lifesaver. I use them to double the storage space in my cabinets. For example, I now store plates on the bottom and bowls on the riser. This makes it easier to see and reach everything without having to stack too high, which used to cause things to topple over.

10. Store Cutting Boards and Baking Sheets Vertically

Instead of stacking cutting boards and baking sheets flat, which took up so much space, I now store them vertically using a simple organizer inside my cabinet. This method keeps them upright and easy to grab, and it saves a ton of room. I use this vertical storage for everything from muffin tins to cooling racks.

11. Use Cabinet Doors for Extra Storage

Don’t forget the inside of your cabinet doors! I’ve installed small hooks and racks on the inside of my cabinet doors to store things like measuring spoons, small cutting boards, and even plastic wrap. This has freed up drawer space and makes frequently used items easy to grab.

12. Stack Plastic Containers and Lids Separately

Tupperware and plastic containers used to be one of my biggest sources of kitchen clutter. Now, I stack all the containers by size and store the lids separately in a lid organizer. This keeps everything organized and makes it so much easier to find matching lids when I need them. Plus, it saves a lot of space by preventing the containers from tumbling over in the cabinet.

13. Label Everything

Labeling isn’t just for pantries! I started labeling containers, jars, and even the fronts of my cabinet shelves to keep everything in its place. Whether it’s spices, grains, or baking supplies, having everything labeled means no more guessing or mixing up ingredients. It also helps the rest of the family know where things belong.

14. Use a Tiered Organizer for Spices

Spices were one of the trickiest things to organize in my kitchen because they’re small, and it’s easy for them to get lost at the back of a cabinet. I found that a tiered spice rack was the perfect solution. The tiered design makes it easy to see all my spices at once, and I no longer have to dig through to find what I need. You can even get lazy Susan versions for cabinets, which are especially helpful in tight spaces.

15. Create Zones in Your Kitchen

One of the most helpful things I’ve done to stay organized is to create “zones” in my kitchen. I have a baking zone where all the baking supplies are stored together, a cooking zone with pots, pans, and spices, and a prep zone near the sink and cutting boards. This makes it much easier to stay organized because everything I need for a specific task is in one area, so I’m not running back and forth across the kitchen.

16. Use Adjustable Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers aren’t just for utensils! I use adjustable dividers in my deeper drawers to keep things like kitchen gadgets, spatulas, and tongs organized. The beauty of adjustable dividers is that you can customize them to fit whatever you’re storing. By separating items into different compartments, everything stays organized, and I don’t have to dig through a jumble of tools to find what I need.

17. Rotate Items Based on Use

Finally, I’ve learned to rotate my kitchen items based on how frequently I use them. Things I use every day—like plates, glasses, and utensils—are stored in the most accessible cabinets and drawers. Seasonal or specialty items, like holiday bakeware or extra serving dishes, are stored in less accessible spots, like the top shelves or deeper cabinets. This prevents my everyday items from getting lost among things I only use occasionally.

This post is all about the best organizing kitchen cabinets and drawers tips!

You may also like:

• 17 ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE IDEAS FOR ORGANIZING KITCHEN UTENSILS
• 29 EXPERT TIPS FOR ORGANIZING KITCHEN DRAWERS LIKE A PRO
• 9 GENIUS WAYS FOR ORGANIZING KITCHEN CABINETS POTS AND PANS