Kitchen Organization Tips
When it comes to my kitchen I am a real stickler as far as keeping it organized. For many people this isn't the case, but because I spend so much time there, I like to be able to utilize all the space and have what I need readily available.
Making My Morning Easier
First thing in the morning I go to the kitchen to make coffee. I have my coffee pot beside the kitchen sink so that I can easily fill it with water. My taps happen to have a pull out hose, which makes my life simpler by pulling the hose out to fill the coffee machine. In the cupboard above the coffee pot I have cups. On the counter beside the coffee pot in a canister is the coffee.
Keeping Spices and Utensils Handy
Beside my stove I have a cabinet with an area that is designated for spices. Hence when cooking the spices that I need are all there, unless I am using fresh, which would be in the fridge or out in the garden. Hanging on the wall I keep on hooks utensils that I frequently use for preparing food along with measuring cups. Knife blocks and cutting boards are close by and easily accessible.
If you are short on space, this spice rack may just be what you need.
Using Space For Those Extra Pots and Pans
Over the wall behind my stove, I have a hanging holder for some of my pots and pans. I utilize my oven drawer for roasting pans as well as a bottom cabinet for pots and bake wear.
For your pot lids this holder can be attached easily to the inside of a cabinet door
Having a Large Kitchen Is Awesome
I am fortunate in my kitchen as there’s a lot of cupboards, counter space and drawers. It was one of the big sellers when we bought our home. But does one ever have enough space in a kitchen? It didn't take long at all to fill all of these spaces. There is also a pantry that I use for mops, brooms, and garbage cans that I would like to change into a pantry with shelving so that I can get a bit more use out of it.
Drawers
Luckily I have 3 banks of drawers, each having 3 drawers in each bank, as well as a smaller drawer on my island that holds my cutlery. When we first moved in I wondered why so many drawers. Who could possibly need so many in a kitchen. As like the cabinets, it took me no time at all to fill them. They are wonderful for holding everything from tea towels and tablecloths, Tupperware, extra utensils, to potatoes. Oh and let's not forget a junk drawer.
Ease of Putting Away Dishes
I keep most of my dishes and glassware above the dishwasher. This makes emptying the dishwasher easier as there is not too far to go when putting the dishes away.
Cookbooks
I had my husband remove the doors from a cabinet that sits above my refrigerator so that I could display and easily see all of my cookbooks. On dusting day I regret doing this, but oh well live and learn.
Other Wonderful Hubs On Kitchen Organization
- Kitchen Storage and Organizers
Create harmony in your kitchen with great kitchen and cabinet organizing tools and storage ideas. A few changes can make any kitchen more user-friendly. See some great organizers for your kitchen... - How To Organize A Kitchen
Learn how to organize a kitchen with pantry shelving, storage containers, drawer organizers and more. See how to set up your kitchen for the greatest efficiency.
I do hope that you enjoyed reading my hub, and hope that you may have gotten some idea's on how to make your life easier with organizing your kitchen.
Comments
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Lucille, I live in a house that is over 130 years old. We haven't remodeled the kitchen yet so I do what I can.
The modern kitchen is usually custom designed to make full use of every available space.
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sgbrown, Thanks so much.
Rajan, Thank you.
Very useful tips Susan. Thanks for sharing. Up & useful.
Great hub! We are going to be remodeling our kitchen soon and I will definately keep some of this information handy! You have some really "makes good sense" ideas here! Voted up and useful!
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Audrey, Thank you, glad you liked it.
Nice article Susan! I have a peapod of a kitchen! And am always looking for ways to deal with my stuff!
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barbergirl, When the boys were younger it was much harder to keep the cupboards organized as someone was always going through them looking for something to eat.
Great tips... sadly you reminded me that I have to go through my cupboards and organize them. While the ones that contain my kitchen gear aren't bad... the ones with the food... well, I will admit to getting lazy and eventually just shoving things in. Well - I guess it is spring time so spring cleaning it is! :)
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Wesman, We went away one weekend and forgot to turn off our water. It was a very cold winter that year. When we returned all the pipes were frozen. Not fun at all. It's always good to keep extra jugs of water handy. Thanks for stopping by to read this.
Ditto on the coffee, the sink, and the first thing in the morning!
Oh gosh, of course I'm in a itty bitty travel trailer, and so my water supply comes from a hose connected to the parent's house....one morning I only had one pot of coffee as the rest of the supply was....frozen.
It's about the time of the year for me to keep big jugs of water under my table for instances such as that!
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barbergirl, My food cabinets are in need of being tidied up. I like them one way but if all 3 boys are around they become a mess. Lately the boys have been here a lot and what a mess :)
I have a nice big kitchen... and frankly it is like it went together so nicely when we moved in. Everything has it's spot. Although you did remind me that I need to clean out my food cabinets as they are getting a bit messy.
I love the idea you have for your cookbooks. I wish I could do that!
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Ruchi, Nice to meet you and thank you.
Great tips for good kitchen management.
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Eddy, Thank you, glad you like it.
A great hub and thank you for sharing.
Here's to many more to share on here.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
Thank you JA Susan. I need it.
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snakeslane, Thanks and good luck with the kitchen :)
You are so organized Just Ask Susan, I am not, but there is always hope, and I can use any help I can get, so thank you for the kitchen inspiration! Up and awesome. Regards, snakeslane
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Sorry didn't realize that was a sliding glass door.
I have a window with a great view of a poorly kept fence on one side. On the other side is the sliding glass door. I'm kinda stuck with what I got.
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Daffy, I see what you mean. Have you thought about putting up some shelving behind your kitchen table? This might free up some space for you.
Designing Apartments; Are Architects Braindead or Sadistic
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Dafffy, I will go and try to find that hub, but since you have quite a few how about a hint or perhaps a link.
I would do that, but my camera can't take pictures of things that small.
Actually I'm going to do some updating. I'm going to put some things in storage in a closet...things I haven't used in a while.
I do have a couple of pics of my kitchen in another hub about apartments. There are only two, but they do show most of my kitchen space.
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Daffy, Smaller kitchens can be quite a challenge. Send me a picture of your kitchen and maybe I could help somehow if you like. I love a good challenge :)
I just bought a spice rack on line. :)
It just seems difficult to place everything somewhere in a small kitchen. I'd love to have a big kitchen with plenty of space. This is what I get for renting I guess.
It's just so much easier to cook and clean when you have space to move around and place evrything.
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nightbear, You're welcome. Yes lots of history in this old house :)
wow! 130 years. that is very cool indeed. I'd trade a range hood for all that history. LOL. thanks for the tip of hanging them higher.
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nightbear, I don't seem to have a problem with the grease getting on the pots. Maybe because of them being hung fairly high above the stove. Mind you I don't have a range hood as this house was built over 130 years ago and we have not as of yet renovated the kitchen.
Useful tips on organizing Susan, I've always wanted to hang a few pots but was afraid the grease splatter from the stove would make it impossible to clean. I'm glad to have this encouragement. Also I constantly struggle with those million little spice bottles. I wish I had a spice cabinet next to the stove. very resourceful.
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Ruby, Sunshine and Seth, Thank you all for your comments.
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Bill, Glad to hear it :)
Lori, I find it saves a bit of time having the dishes in the cabinets that are closest to the dishwasher.
Thanks Steph.
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Kathleen, Once a year I go through my kitchen and if I haven't used something in year, it goes in the garage sale box or I give it to one of my sons for his place.
COOL
Terrific tips!! Next time I need advice about organizing I'll Just Ask Susan!!
You sound like you are well organized..I like that too. Great tips Susan..Thank you..
I love getting organized and since I spend so much time in the kitchen, that's where I get the most bang for my buck. Great hub, Susan!
Great tips. I need to redo some of my cabinets and I love the ideas of putting things you use most often above the dishwasher. Going to try that. Voted up.
Hmm. There are several ideas there I can use. Thank you!
Just Ask Susan: Great ideas. I took a temporary job and had a house sitter for two years. When I came home I looked at my kitchen and said, if I didn't need most of this stuff for two years, what makes me think I need it now? I got rid of five boxes of stuff. Now I can find what I actually use.
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Frank & htodd, Thank you both.
This is really helpful ..Thanks for the nice tips
You just put useful in the word useful.. hey wait that didn't make any sense.. but what does make sense are your useful tips.. huh.. see how I turned that stupid comment around... no serious very helpful tips Susan..
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sabraini, Thank you.
mljdgulley, I love that type of a tap. Have had to replace it mind you a few times over the years as it gets used so much.
Tammy, Toddler days ahh how well I remember those. I had those locks on every bottom cabinet. My twins used to empty out my oven drawer and climb in :) Thank You.
Very helpful tips for someone who is also a stickler! My kitchen was always organized.. but I have had to move everything from my toddler. One day I will use this information and get things reorganized again. Well done!
I have a small kitchen but will look at how I can use some of your tips. My coffee pot is by my sink also. I have a pull out hose to fill it with. I love that little addition, it is more useful than the beside the faucet sprayer.
Great tips, they will definitely be useful!
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barry, Glad you found these tips helpful. The books have been there on the shelves for ten years now and they are fine. I think it's because they are far enough away from the stove area. But thank you :)
RH, The magnetic one that holds six spices is great. If you look closely at my picture you can see I have one on the back of the cabinet wall.
I have my coffee pot right next to the sink hose too! Lol. I'd love to have some of those spice storage racks!! I do not have enough space in my kitchen...I guess I have tons of accessories! Lol.
Now I think I have to have that spice rack! Lol
Great tips! I confess I live in a (large?) Studio. Need to put some of your tips to work to make my life less frustrating!
Further the smells, fats proteins etc will eat away at your Cook Books better put the doors back on !
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