Do you ever feel like your kitchen cabinets go from color-coded to chaos in about a week flat? A thorough and proper purge and organizing session helps keep clutter and messes at bay. We spoke with Ashley Hines, a professional organizer and owner of Thee Tailored Life, about some step-by-step strategies for how to organize kitchen cabinets so they stay tidy for as long as possible.
Start With a Clean Slate
If you’re wondering if you have to pull everything out of your cabinets, the answer is yes. It may sound like a lot of work, but we promise, it’s worth it in the end.Declutter
Now that you’ve removed everything from your cabinets, it’s the perfect time to take inventory. (Do you really need three rolling pins or that chipped platter you haven’t used in years?) While every cabinet and home is different, here are some things to keep in mind as you declutter.- Trash or donate. Get rid of any empty containers, garbage, or expired items. Donate anything you know you won’t use that is unopened and in good condition.
- Get rid of the items that are damaged, broken, or have missing pieces.
- Let’s talk about mugs. According to Hines, most people have way more mugs than they could ever use. Now is the time to donate the ones you never use.
Plan the Layout
Again, every kitchen layout is different. Think about your needs first and then decide where to put things.- Keep things that you use all the time close, then store less frequently used dishes and appliances out of the way.
- Stick small appliances in the corner turntable and lesser-used items like serving platters in those high, awkward cabinets above the oven or fridge.
- Don’t forget that kids and pets need an area too! Keeping things accessible for little ones empowers them to help themselves get a snack or prepare a meal.
Add Organizers
Figure out what you need to store first, then shop for containers. Here are some incredible cabinet organizers:- Turntables are ideal for bottles and condiments. Group them by category to make finding the right sauce, oil, or vinegar really easy.
- Pan and lid organizers are game changers! “They instantly bring order to your cabinets and make accessing your cooking equipment a breeze,” Hines explains.
- Small, shallow bins work wonders to corral things like sauce and rice packets and small items.
- Pull-out shelves/drawers give you instant access to items, even if they’re toward the back of the cabinet.
- Expandable spice racks and shelf risers are ideal for canned goods. “They allow you to use all your vertical space and see all your items at once, helping to eliminate overbuying and minimizing expired goods,” says Hines.
To Label or Not to Label...
It depends on the space and the client. “I traditionally label a lot in the pantry or cabinets that serve as a pantry, and whenever I’m putting items in a bin or basket in kitchens,” says Hines.Keep Kitchen Cabinets Organized
It’s all about regular maintenance. Take the time to wipe down bottles before you put them back in the cabinet. Recycle food containers when they’re empty. Make sure you wipe down the shelves as needed and go through old items when you put new items in after grocery shopping.Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com. Copyright 2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
