Does opening your kitchen cupboards have you screaming “A v a l a n c h e!”? It is time to develop a game plan and conquer the organization battle. The first step is to make a list and categorize all the different things you store in your cupboards such as appliances, pots and pans, plastic containers, baking goods, dishes, cans, and utensils. The next step is to divide your shelf space into sections. Use the most accessible shelves for everyday items such as tea or coffee, the sugar bowl, salt and pepper shakers, and dishes.
These useful tips will help you organize everything in your kitchen cupboards neatly and effectively:
- Keep your basic ingredients together like sugar, flour, salt, pepper, baking supplies. Make sure they’re stored in airtight containers to avoid attracting pests.
- Keep all your snacks, cookies, cereal in the same cupboard with the side of the box facing out.
- Lazy susans come in many sizes and are great for organizing canned goods, boxes or even dishes.
- Most cans and jars now come with an expiry date. If you have more than one of the same item, place the older one within reach so it gets used first.
- Buy a spice rack or create your own by sectioning off part of your cupboard. This will prevent a build-up of little jars and bags of spices from getting lost in the cupboards. Alphabetize to make things easy to find.
- Try to stack your pots, pans, and lids inside each other to conserve space. Keep them in a cupboard near the stove. Make use of the bottom drawer some stoves come equipped with.
- Store larger appliances that aren’t used as often neatly in a cupboard that is harder to reach, leaving the most accessible cupboards free for your everyday needs.
- Use a small, upright basket on the counter to store utensils such as spatulas, whisks, and flippers so they don’t get all tangled up in a drawer.
- Make sure sharp knives and other utensils as well as medicines and household cleaners, are also on top shelves and out of reach of young children.
- Remove items that aren’t associated with or used in a kitchen. They’ll just take up a room and should be kept somewhere else.
- Lower shelf space is great for heavier items such as cases or bottles of soda, plastic storage containers or supplies such as paper towels and napkins, dish detergent, foil, and plastic wrap.
Invest in some new airtight containers to store rice, pasta, and other dry goods.