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5 Tips for Organizing a Small Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most frequented rooms in any home. Unfortunately, that also means it can be one of the messiest. Well, don’t despair. We’re here to let you in on a little secret: The key to keeping your kitchen clean is a little room organization. Read on for five kitchen organization ideas that can help you keep even the tiniest of kitchens clean.

1. USE ALL YOUR SPACE

This is the cardinal rule of of kitchen organization and the answer for anyone wondering how to keep a kitchen organized. There’s so much surface area that goes wasted in the kitchen, resulting in cluttered cabinets and drawers. Here are some organization ideas to help you take back that space:
  • Free drawer and cabinet space with a rack that suspends pots and pans from the ceiling or walls
  • Install shelving above the stove or near prep counters
  • Place stackable shelves under the kitchen sink so you can double your storage space
  • Use magnetic hooks to keep potholders and kitchen towels on the dishwasher or fridge
  • Open up drawer and cabinet space by installing a pegboard to hold pots, colanders and kitchen utensils
  • Invest in a magnetic strip to hang knives over prep areas

2. USE DIVIDERS TO DIVVY UP SPACE IN YOUR KITCHEN DRAWERS

Use dividers for working kitchen organization wonders on:
  • Boxes of foil
  • Plastic wrap
  • Sandwich bags

A divider works kitchen organization wonders for the drawer that houses boxes of foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags. You can also use dividers to compartmentalize kitchen utensils like spatulas, whisks and serving spoons. Filing racks are another great means of freeing up space. You can easily use them to separate different-sized baking sheets or cutting boards.

3. USE CONTAINERS AND BINS TO DECLUTTER YOUR KITCHEN COUNTER

Use containers and bins to declutter your kitchen counter. Fruit bowls are a given, but you can also use decorative containers to keep counter space clear. Use a colorful coffee canister or a unique jar to hold wooden spoons or spatulas. Place items like napkins or teabags in rustic-looking baskets. If your mail tends to get dumped on the counter, hang a small wall-mounted organizer nearby. You can also use bins to group items in your cabinets and fridge, or to keep cleaning products contained under the sink.

4. KEEP EVERYTHING WITHIN REACH

Naturally, many kitchen messes occur while meals are being prepared. Decrease spills and clutter, and up your kitchen organization game by storing items in or near the areas they’ll be used. For example, keep the food processer in the cabinet nearest the electrical outlet where you’ll plug it in, and hang pots and pans near the stove if possible. You might try keeping plastic containers for leftovers in the drawer under the cabinet, too. The object is to decrease the amount of space food and ingredients have to travel. Doing so cuts down on the opportunity to spill. In addition, it saves you time.

5. GET LAZY WITH A LAZY SUSAN

A Lazy Susan, that is. These magic discs can take your kitchen organization to a new level with their ability to maximize the usable surface area in the smallest of nooks. They also make awkward spaces functional. You can get a Lazy Susan in a variety of sizes. Use smaller models to hold your spices or baking necessities. A larger Lazy Susan is great for organizing the cabinets where you store mixing bowls and measuring cups.

Adding kitchen organization to your to-do list is well worth the time. An orderly kitchen tends to be cleaner, and you’ll find that having everything in a sensible place makes your meal prep more efficient, too.

Looking to declutter more than just the kitchen? We’ve got the home organization tips you need, whether you’re getting a late start on spring cleaning or looking to clear out some closet space.

Sources:
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/organizing-kitchen/smart-ideas-kitchen/drawer-organizers
http://www.marthastewart.com/275482/kitchen-organizing-tips#220459
http://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/tips/g2380/cabinet-organization-tips/?slide=6
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-didnt-we-think-of-that-18-ingenious-kitchen-organizing-tips-from-our-readers-200622
http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/10-steps-to-an-orderly-kitchen