50 Clever Kitchen Organization and Storage Ideas to Clear out the Clutter

Cabinets don’t only work for larger appliances and glassware. You can also customize them to accommodate large, small and oddly shaped utensils like designer Valerie Helgeson did here.

Photo by: Sarah Baker

If you have beautiful dinnerware, cutting boards or other kitchen tools, show them off on your walls and shelves. Not only will you free up cabinet space, you’ll also add stylish decor to your space.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

Similar shaped items like jars, bottles or storage containers should be placed next to each other for easier storage. Plus, your pantry will look more visually appealing this way. “Use jars and containers that stack and play nicely together,” says Cooke.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

If you don’t like to look at certain appliances all day or if your home simply doesn’t have the room to keep them out all the time, try storing them behind closed doors like designer Cheryl Clendenon did here. When you’re ready to use them, open up the “garage” door for easy access. You can also use any additional space to store snacks and other supplies in metal bins.

Photo by: Greg Riegler

SHOP METAL BINS

Instead of throwing all of your drinks into one cabinet, take inspiration from designer Katarina Ymer and create a wine and drinks section of your kitchen for added organization. Not only are drinks easier to grab from open shelving, the bottles also act as decoration.

Photo by: Haute’Xposure

Take note from Sofia Clara Interiors and organize appliances by color. Matching appliances can make all the difference if you’re going for a monochromatic look in your kitchen. Shopping for the same brand create consistency in your space, and it may even help you feel more organized.

Photo by: Haute’Xposure

Ample storage is key in the kitchen. For a minimal look like this shelving system by design-and-build firm Forge & Bow Dwellings, display similar dishware in cabinets with glass fronts, allowing space between the items.

Photo by: Arris Photography

Fill shelves with food staples to minimize shopping trips. Hint: Place the newest boxes, containers and cans behind the older stuff, so you’ll use the older food first.

Photo by: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Extra shelving will double your storage space. Jen Nash, senior design lead at Magnet, suggests: “Measure the existing shelf, find some new ones of the same size and insert them into cabinetry with mounting hooks. This hack also enables you to customize your shelving.”

See more at Magnet Kitchens »

Open shelving is making its way into kitchen islands. Here, custom shelves make it possible to stow away ingredients — while still keeping them within reach as you prep.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

When everything in your fridge is visible, it makes meal prep way more efficient — plus, you’ll waste less food when nothing is hiding in the back. Organize fresh fruits and vegetables on shelves and in the crisper drawers (leafy greens are best kept here, for instance). Place dairy products at the top of your fridge and use lower shelves or bottom drawers for meats.

Say goodbye to messy cords. In this professional organizer’s Tribeca kitchen, designed by Ellen Schott of Bakes & Kropp, devices stay concealed and charged.

Photo by: Nicole Larson