Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 5 tips for better kitchen cabinet organization

Sometimes when I am searching in my kitchen cabinets for something, I’m thinking: didn’t I just organize these like a few weeks ago? The mess always seems to return! Then, I find something like a can of beans that expired 2 months ago and sigh. If you’re like me you want to know how to get those cabinets under control, so here are some helpful tips I found:

Stop over shopping. It can be hard to resist those “buy one get one free” sales, or going to Costco and buying way more than you’ll ever use. Just remember: you’re not saving money when you just end up throwing food away! Only purchase enough for your needs. Even shelf stable foods like pasta and canned goods expire. 

Create a system. Cluttered cabinets often result from inefficient use of space or lack of designated zones. For example, if you have kids, maybe store snacks in an over the door rack on the pantry door, or use lower shelves. This way they can be reached easily (but the kids won’t have to root around looking for what they want). Personally, I keep all canned goods together and rotate every time I add a new product. You can also keep frequently used items like cereal and chips in clear airtight containers to keep them fresh and make it easier to make your grocery list. 

Have a weekly organization routine. Weekly organization prevents items from backlogging and keeps the project from becoming more daunting. Waiting for your pasta water to boil? Do a quick organization of your shelves instead of scrolling on your phone. It only takes a few minutes for a quick tidy up and date check!

Use the grocery store aisle strategy. Sometimes we clutter up prime areas in our kitchen with items we rarely use. An item’s proximity to the heart of your kitchen should correspond with how often you use it. Small appliances that you seldom use should not be next to the stove. They can be stored away on a higher or lower shelf, then you have room for your blender you make smoothies with every day. Keep all your counter space and easily reached cabinet space for those things you use the most. 

Do a purge. We hold onto way too many things that are simply not functional anymore. I can’t tell you how many old non-stick scratched up pans I’ve collected! Dispose of anything you haven’t used in six months. Same thing for broken appliances or duplicates of things (let’s be honest, you don’t actually need 10 water bottles). And if you use single serving coffee pods, why is that coffee grinder taking up space? 

Try a few of these ideas and see if they make your life in the kitchen easier and more organized!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago