How to Organize Your Kitchen

You've got three half-full bottles of vinegar in your cupboard and your utensil drawer is a minefield of knife tips and mangled wire whisks. Time to get organized!

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Appliance Barns
• Drawer Liners
• Drawer Organizers
• Airtight Containers
• Kitchen Organizers
• Knife Racks
• Plastic Storage Containers
• Silverware Holders
• Spice Racks

1. Go through your kitchen and discard anything you don't use, along with any food, spices or medicines that are beyond their expiration dates.

2. Take everything out of your cupboards and drawers, and wash the insides with warm soapy water. Rinse, let dry and replace cupboard and drawer liners.

3. Store pots, pans and cooking utensils near the stove, nesting the pots and pans together to conserve space.

4. Store dishes and silverware near your eating area and/or dishwasher. Use racks and silverware holders to maximize use of space.

5. Be sure that children are able to reach items they use. Put things they should not use - such as sharp tools, alcohol and cleaning chemicals - well out of reach.

6. Alphabetize your spices and keep them near the stove on a spice rack or in a nearby cupboard on a revolving rack.

7. Remove large and seldom-used items from countertops and store them in a cupboard. For appliances that you use often, consider adding an 'appliance barn,' which can store toasters, blenders, juicers and other appliances on the countertop without clutter.

8. Store food items that you use on a daily basis in accessible spots, and store all like food items together - for example, tea and sugar.

9. Put food that may become infested with insects into sturdy plastic containers and seal them.

10. Use drawer dividers to organize utensils.

Tips & Warnings

• Hiring a professional kitchen organizer may be helpful. Contact one through the National Association of Professional Organizers.

• If children are part of your family, be sure they are able to reach items they use.

• Do not store sharp knives, household cleaning products or medicines within the reach of children.