Be a Master at Kitchen Storage
Now that you've got a well-laid kitchen, keep things looking neat with the right organisation tools
Once you’ve decluttered the kitchen cupboards and drawers, perhaps inspired by organiser and author Marie Kondo’s KonMari method of tidying, it’s time to get organised. Neatly organised cookware and tools make the task of cooking easier and more efficient – but with so many organising products to choose from, it can be hard to know which are worth buying and which will end up gathering dust (or worse: making your kitchen more cluttered). To help you bring order to this hardworking room, we’ll look at the storage and organising tools that are really crucial in maintaining a tidy space, plus a few optional nice-to-have extras.
Flexible drawer organiser
Snap a photo of the contents of each drawer before shopping for organisers, and then buy just what you need to keep your tools neat and tidy. Modular units like the ones shown here, or adjustable drawer organisers, offer the most flexibility.
Browse more kitchen storage and organisation products
Snap a photo of the contents of each drawer before shopping for organisers, and then buy just what you need to keep your tools neat and tidy. Modular units like the ones shown here, or adjustable drawer organisers, offer the most flexibility.
Browse more kitchen storage and organisation products
Knife rack
Storing kitchen knives properly will help keep them sharp longer and prolong their lives. When choosing a knife holder, consider where you have the most (or least) space: In-drawer knife racks save counter space, countertop knife holders save drawer space, and wall-mounted magnetic versions like the one shown are good bets for tiny kitchens.
Fruit bowl or hanging basket
Choose a pretty bowl, ceramic colander or set of wire baskets to display fresh produce. Hanging baskets save counter space.
Storing kitchen knives properly will help keep them sharp longer and prolong their lives. When choosing a knife holder, consider where you have the most (or least) space: In-drawer knife racks save counter space, countertop knife holders save drawer space, and wall-mounted magnetic versions like the one shown are good bets for tiny kitchens.
Fruit bowl or hanging basket
Choose a pretty bowl, ceramic colander or set of wire baskets to display fresh produce. Hanging baskets save counter space.
Wall hooks or pegs
A row of sturdy wall hooks or pegs makes a handy spot to dry damp dish towels or hang an apron. Inside a cleaning cupboard, they can also keep long-handled cleaning tools from toppling over.
A row of sturdy wall hooks or pegs makes a handy spot to dry damp dish towels or hang an apron. Inside a cleaning cupboard, they can also keep long-handled cleaning tools from toppling over.
Vertical storage for pans and trays
If you’ve ever had to sort through a stack of cutting boards, serving platters and cookie sheets to get to something at the very bottom, you can appreciate how helpful an organiser that keeps things vertical can be! Use one inside a cabinet to keep trays and sheet pans neat and easy to grab.
If you’ve ever had to sort through a stack of cutting boards, serving platters and cookie sheets to get to something at the very bottom, you can appreciate how helpful an organiser that keeps things vertical can be! Use one inside a cabinet to keep trays and sheet pans neat and easy to grab.
Nice Additions
Small tray for dish soap
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Corral dish soap, hand soap and other washing-up essentials on a small tray just big enough to hold them. It keeps your counter looking neater, and makes them easy to lift and clean.
Dish-drying racks that don’t mar countertop space
Small tray for dish soap
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Corral dish soap, hand soap and other washing-up essentials on a small tray just big enough to hold them. It keeps your counter looking neater, and makes them easy to lift and clean.
Dish-drying racks that don’t mar countertop space
Open shelves
Having just a few open shelves in the kitchen can be quite handy for storing your prettiest and most-used everyday items, like favourite coffee mugs. Open shelves do attract dust, so this is not the best place for items that won’t see regular use (and washing).
The pros and cons of upper kitchen cabinets and open shelves
Having just a few open shelves in the kitchen can be quite handy for storing your prettiest and most-used everyday items, like favourite coffee mugs. Open shelves do attract dust, so this is not the best place for items that won’t see regular use (and washing).
The pros and cons of upper kitchen cabinets and open shelves
Pullout shelves
Deep cabinets can be tricky to get things in and out of. Do less reaching by installing a set of sturdy sliding shelves. This is a time it pays to measure carefully – the goal should be to avoid wasted cabinet space.
Deep cabinets can be tricky to get things in and out of. Do less reaching by installing a set of sturdy sliding shelves. This is a time it pays to measure carefully – the goal should be to avoid wasted cabinet space.
Shelf risers
If your kitchen is short on cabinet space, make the most of what’s available with a riser or two. These handy organisers allow you to stack up the plates, cups and bowls without compromising accessibility.
If your kitchen is short on cabinet space, make the most of what’s available with a riser or two. These handy organisers allow you to stack up the plates, cups and bowls without compromising accessibility.
Hamper
Why trek to the laundry with those dirty dish towels and table linens when you can have a hamper right in the kitchen? Pick an attractive basket in a size that fits in your space. No room for a hamper? Skip it. This is an item that’s nice to have but certainly not necessary.
Smart solutions to store your laundry basket
TELL US
Tell us your kitchen storage ideas in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, share it, bookmark it, and join the conversation.
Why trek to the laundry with those dirty dish towels and table linens when you can have a hamper right in the kitchen? Pick an attractive basket in a size that fits in your space. No room for a hamper? Skip it. This is an item that’s nice to have but certainly not necessary.
Smart solutions to store your laundry basket
TELL US
Tell us your kitchen storage ideas in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, share it, bookmark it, and join the conversation.
Utensil holder
A heavy crock or canister that won’t tip over is essential for keeping wooden spoons and spatulas within arm’s reach of the stovetop. Use this to hold true everyday essentials like wooden spoons and tongs. Tools that are used less often can live in a drawer, where they are easy to reach when needed but not in the way of everyday cooking.