10 tips for a clear kitchen

The kitchen is a busy place in most homes. Even if you don’t cook every day of the week, you still need a clear space where the pizza boxes and takeout containers can land.

So how do you keep the kitchen organized if multiple people use this high-traffic room? Start with these 10 basics:

1. Store items near where you use them: cleaning supplies under the sink, cooking utensils near the stove, glasses near the refrigerator etc.
   

2. Keep the counters clear so there is room for preparing meals. Designate a separate spot for mail, papers, keys, bags, books, and packages to land away from the kitchen counter.
   

3. Place only the items you use every day on the counter (coffee maker, toaster, crock of cooking utensils, bowl for fruit, herbs etc.). Small appliances you use infrequently should be kept elsewhere such as a lower cabinet or in the pantry.
   

4. Use the small cabinet above the refrigerator or microwave to store tall items such as oils, pitchers, or cookbooks.
   

5. In the pantry or food cabinet, store similar items together in a bin or on the same shelf. Categories can include baking goods, canned food, snacks, condiments, pasta, bread, beverages, breakfast goods, and more.
   

6. If you like to decant, store cereal and dry goods in clear containers.
   

7. If you have deep or corner cabinets, the back can feel like unused dead space. Try placing a turntable in the empty space for spices, condiments, oils, and more.
   

8. Use drawer organizers to keep items from moving around and getting lost in the back.
   

9. Utilize your vertical space to make more room in your cabinets. Try an over-the-door organizer for pantry goods, a wall-mounted spice rack, or an overhead pot rack.
   

10. Remove excess magnets, clips, coupons, and artwork from the refrigerator.