7 Quick Hacks for Organizing Your Kitchen

Pots, pans, and spice racks: Does this sound like the trifecta of an organized kitchen? You may feel that you have the storage space for everything, but you can never find what you’re looking for between your cabinets, pantries, or kitchen islands. Maybe your other storage systems have broken down over the years, or perhaps you have never found the magic bullet that solves your kitchen organization issues. If your kitchen accessories are spilling out of drawers, look no further than this list of seven hacks for keeping your kitchen space organized.

Dish Drainers

You may have toddlers who go through 10 sippy cups a day, or maybe you’re a virtuoso in the kitchen who makes casseroles and cakes on a daily basis. Whatever your reason for having more dishes than you can fit in your dishwasher, consider this dish drainer that can easily fit in a standard-sized sink for a tidy and mess-free storage and drying process.

If you prefer to wash and dry most or all of your dishes by hand, or if you live in a house that doesn't have a dishwasher, a drainer is a must-have as it will allow you to separate breakable dishes safely while they dry. Additionally, if you have a few delicate specimens that you don’t feel comfortable putting in a dishwasher, this rack will help keep them apart from your plastic and ceramic kitchenware.

Refrigerator Storage Bins

If your pantry is tidy, that’s awesome! But what about food that doesn’t come in boxes? Store food hygienically and save space in your fridge by investing in a set of food storage bins. These containers come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re transparent, so there’s no guessing as to whether that mystery container is meatloaf or spaghetti sauce!

Pantry Storage Bins

If you’re that person who likes to bake with several types of flour, or if you cook with dry grains on a regular basis, be sure to grab a couple of these 16-cup storage containers. Stir-fry dinners and Sunday morning pancakes will be a lot easier when you can see clearly labeled white rice and baking flour in these handy see-through bins. Storing your grains and flours in containers instead of their original bags can add days and even weeks to their shelf life, and tightly-sealed lids can prevent bugs and rodents from investigating your pantry. These bins, like their smaller counterparts, can be stacked to save space.

Towel Bars

Are you tired of being unable to find your dishtowel, having it fall off your oven door every time you open it, or relying on paper towels every time you need to dry your hands? Towel bars aren’t just for bathrooms. Hanging one next to your kitchen sink — where you undoubtedly wash your hands as much as any other sink in the house — is a worthwhile investment. This model is quite affordable, can hold multiple dish towels, and will blend in with any kitchen décor. Hanging your towel will also allow the cloth to dry before you use it again!

Shelf Organizers

This handy tiered shelf organizer might just be your new favorite thing. If you need a place to store small containers and you’re frequently frustrated by not being able to find the one you’re looking for, consider adding one of these to your kitchen lineup. This stadium-style shelving unit is compact enough to fit on most shelves or even on your countertop, and it’s made from durable white plastic, so it can be wiped clean. It can be used as a spice rack or simply for storage.

Under-the-Sink Organizers

When was the last time you took a peek under your kitchen sink? Was it to grab a trash bag out of a box, or maybe to find that elusive counter cleaner? If you’ve got a ton of bottles, boxes, and scrubber pads floating freely underneath your kitchen sink, it may be time to separate them. This double-decker organizer gives you space to store bottles of kitchen cleaner, paper towels, and other odds and ends that you don’t currently have a place for in your kitchen. The best part is that this organizer can actually expand underneath your sink to avoid any pipes in the way.

Wine Racks

Sticking your wine in the pantry feels less than fancy, but displaying very breakable glass bottles on the counter may make you nervous if you have young children running around. Opt for a wine rack instead: This simple yet elegant rustic farmhouse rack can hold up to four standard wine bottles. It’s made from real wood and metal, so it’ll go with any kitchen theme, and it will fit right in with the current “modern farmhouse” décor. If you’ve got a 24-inch space of wall in your kitchen that is currently not being used, you can fit this little rack in without a problem!

If you're surrounded by accessories for pouring, dicing, and sauteeing, it can be difficult to know what to do with it all and this confusion and frustration can cause you to avoid your kitchen even when you want to cook. Now that you have some ideas for making your space more enjoyable, it’s time to get to work!