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A cluttered kitchen is the enemy of a good meal. We’ve all been there—searching frantically for the paprika while the onions start to burn, or accidentally toppling a stack of Tupperware while reaching for a mixing bowl. It’s frustrating, inefficient, and frankly, unnecessary.
Whether your home features sleek, modern minimalism or warm, traditional charm, the inside of your cabinets should work as hard as the outside looks good. True organization isn’t just about hiding the mess; it’s about creating a system that improves your cooking flow.
By implementing a few strategic storage solutions, you can transform your kitchen into a functional sanctuary. Here are seven effective ways to organize your cabinets for both modern and traditional styles.
1. Install Pull-Out Drawers
Deep cabinets are often black holes where kitchen tools go to disappear. Pull-out drawers (or roll-out trays) bring the back of the cabinet to you, making them ideal for heavy pots or small appliances. This feature is a staple in modern design but adds immense functionality to traditional wood cabinetry as well.
How To Get The Look:
- Measure your cabinet width precisely to ensure a smooth glide.
- Group heavy items like Dutch ovens or stand mixers on the bottom rollout.
- Use lower-profile rollouts for pantry goods like canned food.
Shopping List
- Pull out cabinet organizer
- Sliding cabinet shelf
- Heavy duty drawer slides
- Chrome pull out basket
- Roll out pantry shelves
- Cabinet drawer organizer
- Sliding storage drawers
- Kitchen cabinet rollout
- Under cabinet drawer
- Metal sliding shelf
2. Decant into Clear Canisters
Visual clutter creates mental clutter. Removing dry goods from colorful, mismatched cardboard boxes and placing them into clear, uniform containers instantly elevates the look of your pantry. This works beautifully for a modern aesthetic but also suits farmhouse styles when using glass jars with wooden lids.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose square or rectangular containers to maximize shelf space (round jars waste corners).
- Use a grease pencil or printed label to mark the contents and expiration dates.
- Group ingredients by category, such as baking supplies or pasta.
Shopping List
- Clear food storage containers
- Airtight pantry containers
- Glass jars with bamboo lids
- Chalkboard labels
- Pantry organization labels
- Cereal dispensers
- Spaghetti storage container
- Stackable food containers
- Large flour container
- Oxo pop containers
3. Utilize the Lazy Susan
Corner cabinets are notoriously difficult to organize. The Lazy Susan is a classic solution that has stood the test of time for good reason. It allows you to access items hidden in the back with a simple spin, preventing bottles of vinegar or oil from expiring forgotten in the dark.
How To Get The Look:
- Use a two-tier turntable for spices or small jars.
- Place taller bottles (oils, sauces) on a single-tier turntable.
- Ensure the turntable has a non-slip grip so items don’t fly off when spinning.
Shopping List
- Lazy susan turntable
- Rotating spice rack
- Corner cabinet organizer
- Two tier lazy susan
- Clear rotating organizer
- Wood lazy susan
- Cabinet turntable
- Non skid lazy susan
- Pantry turntable
- Stainless steel lazy susan
4. Go Vertical with Dividers
Storing baking sheets, cutting boards, and serving platters flat creates a noisy avalanche every time you need the item at the bottom. Vertical storage is the answer. By filing these items sideways, you can grab exactly what you need without unstacking everything else.
How To Get The Look:
- Install permanent vertical dividers in a narrow lower cabinet.
- Use an expandable rack for a renter-friendly solution.
- Sort items by height to keep the visual lines clean.
Shopping List
- Baking sheet organizer
- Cutting board rack
- Pot lid organizer
- Vertical cabinet dividers
- Cookie sheet holder
- Kitchen tray divider
- Adjustable bakeware rack
- Pan organizer rack
- Cabinet tray organizer
- Platter storage rack
5. Leverage Door Storage
The inside of your cabinet door is prime real estate that often goes ignored. In smaller kitchens, utilizing this space can free up significant shelf room. It’s perfect for frequently used items like dish brushes, spices, or rolls of aluminum foil.
How To Get The Look:
- Attach a wire rack for holding chopping boards or cleaning supplies.
- Use adhesive hooks for measuring spoons or oven mitts.
- Ensure the rack doesn’t hit the items on the shelves when the door closes.
Shopping List
- Over the cabinet door organizer
- Cabinet door spice rack
- Adhesive cabinet bins
- Door mount cutting board holder
- Foil and wrap organizer
- Cabinet door basket
- Under sink door organizer
- Command hooks for cabinets
- Grocery bag dispenser
- Lid holder for cabinet door
6. Double Up with Shelf Risers
Most traditional cabinets have fixed shelves with a lot of wasted air space above the plates or mugs. Shelf risers effectively split one shelf into two, doubling your surface area without any renovation work. This is essential for keeping different sized dishes separate and safe.
How To Get The Look:
- Match the material (wire, wood, acrylic) to your kitchen style.
- Place dinner plates on the bottom and salad plates on the riser.
- Use them for mugs and tea cups to avoid precarious stacking.
Shopping List
- Cabinet shelf risers
- Stackable kitchen shelves
- Wire shelf organizer
- Expandable shelf organizer
- Wood shelf riser
- Acrylic shelf risers
- Dish organizer rack
- Cupboard shelf insert
- Corner shelf organizer
- Metal cabinet shelves
7. Slide-In Under Shelf Baskets
Just like risers, under-shelf baskets take advantage of vertical gaps. These wire baskets slide onto an existing shelf and hang below it, creating a perfect nook for lightweight items that usually get crushed or lost.
How To Get The Look:
- Use them for linens, napkins, or sandwich bags.
- Store flat boxes of foil or parchment paper.
- Avoid putting heavy items in them to prevent the basket from bending.
Shopping List
- Under shelf basket
- Slide under shelf storage
- Hanging wire basket
- Under cabinet storage wire basket
- White under shelf basket
- Black under shelf basket
- Under shelf wrap organizer
- Hanging fruit basket for cabinet
- Under shelf mug holder
- Under cupboard storage
Organize for your Lifestyle
Achieving a polished kitchen look is about more than just buying bins; it’s about creating a system that matches how you cook. Whether you prefer the sleek lines of modern acrylics or the classic utility of wire racks, these seven ideas provide a roadmap to a cleaner, calmer kitchen. Start with one cabinet at a time, and soon you’ll find that cooking becomes less of a chore and more of a joy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best way to organize deep cabinets?
The most effective solution for deep cabinets is installing pull-out drawers or rolling trays. This prevents items from getting lost in the back and saves you from having to crawl on the floor to find a specific pot.
2. How do I organize a small kitchen with limited cabinet space?
Maximize vertical space using shelf risers and under-shelf baskets. Also, utilize the backs of cabinet doors for flat items like cutting boards or lids to free up internal shelf space.
3. Should I choose clear plastic or glass containers?
Clear plastic is lightweight and safer if you have children, making it great for modern styles. Glass is heavier and more traditional but offers a more premium, sustainable feel and doesn’t absorb odors.
4. How do I keep my Tupperware and lids organized?
Use a dedicated drawer divider or a pegboard system for the containers. For lids, a vertical mail sorter or a specific lid organizer placed inside the cabinet keeps them upright and easy to match.
5. Is it expensive to reorganize kitchen cabinets?
It doesn’t have to be. While custom pull-outs can be pricey, simple solutions like wire risers, turntables, and tension rods for vertical storage are very affordable and effective.
