15 Simple Tips To Make Your Kitchen Organized And Efficient

If your mornings feel like a chaotic dance between finding the coffee filters and avoiding last night's leftover pizza box, then fear not – I'm here to help you transform your kitchen into a well-oiled machine. 

As a self-proclaimed “organizing freak” and avid home chef, I've perfected the art of kitchen organization to save time, reduce stress, and make cooking a breeze. Use a few of these practical tips to streamline your cooking routines.

Inventory and Declutter Your Space

Every organizing effort, whether it's the garage, basement, or kitchen, starts with taking inventory and decluttering. While this may be the least fun part, it ultimately has the greatest return on your time and effort.

Declutter your kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. Start with the pantry, toss out expired items, and invest in clear storage containers for bulk items such as pasta and cereals.

Strategic Shelf Placement

Organize your kitchen by grouping similar items together. Prioritize frequently used items at eye level and create zones for baking, cooking, and snacking. This will save you time and make your cooking and entertaining experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Efficient Drawer Organization

Ask yourself, do you really need five different stirring spoons or thirty forks? Get rid of extras and you'll have a much easier time finding what you need. Use drawer dividers to keep everything in its place and arrange drawers based on functionality. No more rummaging through a sea of ladles – just grab what you need and go.

Clever Cabinet Solutions

Install pull-out shelves for easy access to pots and pans, and utilize vertical storage for baking sheets and cutting boards. Your cabinets will become much quicker to find things in with well-organized kitchenware.

Labeling System

Mistaking cinnamon for cumin mid-recipe? Implement a labeling system for spices and pantry items. Clear containers are your allies here – easily identify ingredients without any kitchen mix-ups.

Streamlined Refrigerator

Tired of playing Fridge Jenga? Arrange items by categories like vegetables, dairy, and condiments. Regularly clean and purge expired items to maintain freshness. You might tie this task to the day you go grocery shopping.

Arrange items in the refrigerator to let the light shine. Put clear drinks on the top shelf to allow light to reach lower tiers easily.

Time-Saving Meal Prep

Transform your mornings with batch cooking. Spend a little extra time on Sunday preparing meals for the week, and invest in quality storage containers for organized meal prepping. Your future self will thank you.

Tip: When learning how to meal prep, make meals for the next three days; don't worry about the whole week. This will let you figure out the process without wasting food. 

Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances

Declutter your countertop by keeping only the essential gadgets. Prioritize versatile appliances and move the less frequently used ones out of the way in a designated spot.

I use my coffee machine, blender, and toaster daily, but I only use my slow cooker, air fryer, and food processor once a week. I store the less frequently used items in my dining room hutch.

Efficient Workstations

Create dedicated workstations in your kitchen for chopping, prepping, and cooking. Optimize counter space by keeping only essential tools within reach.

I store extra cutting boards in the cabinet and only keep olive oil and salt within reach. We like to prep food at the sink or garbage space for easy disposal of unwanted pieces and less mess.

Smart Storage Solutions

Free up cabinet space by utilizing under-cabinet storage for pots and pans. Install hooks for hanging utensils, saving precious drawer space.

Menu Planning and Grocery Organization

Make your grocery run a breeze by planning weekly menus. Organize your shopping list based on your store's layout – you'll be in and out in more quickly without the stress of last-minute decisions.

One way to easily build out your weekly menu is to go with cooking catchphrases like ‘Taco Tuesday' or ‘Fish Friday'. We eat pasta on Sunday and make a big slow-cooked soup or stew on Wednesday, effectively eliminating the need to ask, “what's for dinner?”

Time-Optimized Kitchen Cleaning Routine

Maintain a tidy kitchen with a quick and effective daily cleaning routine. Schedule deeper cleaning tasks on a weekly or monthly basis to keep your kitchen in top-notch shape.

Tip: Wait to unload the dishwasher until cooking. You are already in the kitchen, and while waiting for your water to boil, you should have enough time to put away the clean dishes, making for a true rinse and repeat process.

Tech Integration

Make your kitchen smarter with tech integration. From meal planning to inventory tracking, these digital apps can turn your smartphone into a personal kitchen assistant. 

I have a stand for my iPad so I can easily access recipes and cooking videos. We like to use the KitchenPal app to make our grocery lists and plan our meals. Paprika is another highly recommended recipe and grocery app you can try.

Prepare the Night Before

There is nothing like waking up to coffee utensils already being cleaned, set up, and ready for use. It is five minutes of effort in the evening that I swear will save you fifteen in the morning and might just give you a few extra “brownie points” if your partner is an early riser. 

Prepping ingredients the night before and optimizing breakfast preparation will set a positive tone for the rest of your day.

Wrangle in the Containers

Start by getting rid of any containers that are stained, cracked, or don't seal properly. Then, use one of the many specialty dividers available to help you sort and separate your lids and containers by size, making your storage space more manageable and less chaotic.