Kitchen Organization Buying Guide

One of the most important rooms in any house is the kitchen. It’s the spot where food is prepared and where daily meals are made. Nowadays, with everyone’s busy lifestyle, it is also a multitasking space where people are catching up with their family and work. That’s why kitchen organization is crucial. By keeping the space functional, tidy, and well-organized, you’ll enjoy more pleasant cooking and dining experiences. In this guide, we take a look at some of the essential organizational items any kitchen should have for optimum functionality.

1. Drawer organizers

Let’s start with the most frequently used item in any kitchen- the drawers. These drawers are home to everything from utensils to napkins to dish towels. Due to the frequency of their use, drawers can quickly become disorganized, cluttered, and difficult to navigate. However, with the addition of drawer organizers, you can clear the clutter, making it easy to find what you need, when you need it. Drawer organizers are available in various sizes, styles, and materials. A good organizer should be easy to clean, durable and feature a non-slip base.

2. Spice racks

The use of herbs and spices in cooking is a must. But with so many jars and packets to store, you can easily run out of cabinet space quickly. That’s why having a spice rack is a game-changer. Not only does it keep your spices organized and easy to spot, but it also frees up cabinet and counter space. The rack can be mounted to a wall or cabinet and is available in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Consider a magnetic rack for easy attachment to your refrigerator or a carousel-style rack for easy selecting of your desired spice blend without knocking over other jars.

3. Kitchen pantry

If you’re someone who shops in bulk or loves to cook large batches, having a well-stocked pantry is an essential element of a well-organized kitchen. A pantry is where you store all of your dry ingredients, such as grains, canned goods, and dried foods. However, without proper organization, your pantry can quickly become a jumbled mess. There are two popular types of pantry organization systems: Walk-in pantry and pull-out pantry. A walk-in pantry is a room where all your pantry items are stored, often with shelves, space for a refrigerator or freezer, and additional space for storing cookware. This type of pantry is best for large families or people who buy in bulk. Alternatively, pull-out pantries are great for small spaces or those who prefer an out-the way pantry. They are designed to fit between existing cabinets and pullout when needed. With pull-out pantries come narrow wire baskets and shelves to allow you to see what’s at the back without having to remove everything else.

4. Cabinet organizers

If your cabinets are anything like the average kitchen, they’re often overfilled and cluttered, making it challenging to use them efficiently. Overfilled cabinets can also be dangerous as contents fall out when you open them. Cabinet organizers can help with this problem by providing more space, freeing up clutter, and providing easy access. Consider installing pull-out shelves for easy reach to items at the back of the cabinet or false cabinet fronts that drop down to store sponges or cleaning products. Additionally, install vertical racks for storing cutting boards, baking trays, and cooking sheets. The cup organizer that fits over the bottom of the shelf is also an excellent way to add extra storage space to your cabinets.

5. Over-the-door organizers

Over-the-door organizers are not just for bedrooms and bathrooms; they’re also handy for organizing your kitchen. These organizers come in handy, especially for people who have limited storage space in the kitchen. Over-the-door organizers are installed on your pantry, cabinet or closet doors to hold various small items that you will typically find scattered in your kitchen such as foil wraps, paper towels, plastic wrap, and other essentials like cleaning supplies. These organizers can be made with metal, wire, or plastic, depending on what you prefer. A good over-the-door organizer will feature adjustable hooks, pockets, and shelves that can be customized to your needs.

6. Magnetic knife strips

Nothing disrupts the flow of a kitchen like searching for a knife. Some people keep them in storage blocks or in drawers, but both methods create issues with organization and safety. Storing knives in a drawer makes them hard to find, can dull their blades, and be dangerous when rummaging through the drawer. Storage blocks occupy valuable counter space, which is often limited. Magnetic knife strips are a great alternative that provides a space-saving solution and keeps knives organized and within easy reach. These strips can hold any magnetic metal, from stainless steel knives, scissors to any small metal tools. They can be installed anywhere around your kitchen walls or backsplash using screws or adhesive strips for easy installation.

7. Drawer dividers

Drawers are easily cluttered, and you’d be surprised at the number of items that get stuffed into them. Drawer dividers are an effective way of keeping items compartmentalized and easy to reach. These organizers are available in various sizes, shapes, and materials, depending on what you prefer. Dividers work best for storing forks, spoons, and knives, as well as other utensils such as scoopers, bottle openers, and measuring spoons. They can also come in handy for separating various baking items, such as cookie cutters, cupcake linings and decorating tools, from one another. A good drawer divider will feature non-slip bases and be durable enough to withstand daily use.

8. Canning racks

Canning is another regular activity in most kitchens. A vast array of tools and equipment is needed for canning, including jars, canning pots, and seasoning packets, just to mention a few. Canning racks help organize and align these items to provide a seamless canning experience. If you have problems with jars tumbling over, or want to avoid the sound of glass breaking from your canning equipment, canning racks are an excellent solution. They come in various styles and can be made from wire, metal, or plastic. Canning racks lift the jars approximately 2.5 inches above the bottom of the pot, and they can hold several jars at once, depending on the model you choose.

9. Kitchen pot racks

If you’re tired of digging through a pile of pots and pans every time you need to cook, kitchen pot racks are an excellent solution. By hanging pots and pans, you free up counter and cabinet space, optimize cooking efficiency, and enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. Pot racks come in different styles and materials to fit any kitchen decor, and they can be hung from the ceiling, wall mounted or be sloped. Some pot racks like the ones from Enclume, can store a variety of pot and pan sizes and can be expanded with additional rack hooks for utensils like ladles and whisks. When buying pot racks, consider the weight capacity for your appliances and the amount of space they occupy.

Conclusion

Having an organized kitchen not only makes it easy for you to prepare meals, but it also enhances the overall culinary experience. It doesn’t require much effort or investment to give your kitchen an organized makeover. With a little preparation, you can ensure that space is well utilized and used efficiently. The various storage and organization options described above will help keep your kitchen clutter-free, streamline your cooking routine, and create a space where you will always look forward to spending time.