Skip to content

Top Navigation

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Food
  • Home
  • Life
  • Health
  • Money
  • Style and Beauty
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • News
  • Shopping
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Real Simple

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Explore

    Explore

    • How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      Try one of these three easy methods to make sure your ring fits perfectly, every time. Read More
    • Here's the Right Temperature for Your Refrigerator and Freezer (Because a Few Degrees Makes a Difference)

      Here's the Right Temperature for Your Refrigerator and Freezer (Because a Few Degrees Makes a Difference)

      Keeping foods chilled properly helps them last longer and stay fresher. Sticking to the ideal refrigerator temps can help you avoid potential foodborne illnesses, too. Read More
    • 34 Great Books to Suit Any Mood or Interest

      34 Great Books to Suit Any Mood or Interest

      This list has you covered, no matter how you're feeling. Read More
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    Not all dairy is created equal. 
    • Recipes
    • Real Simple Cooking School
    • Cooking Tips & Techniques
    • Shopping and Storing
    • Kitchen Tools and Products
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    • Cleaning
    • Organizing
    • Decorating
    • Gardening
    • Home Improvement
    • Green Living
    • New Uses for Old Things at Home
    • Quick Fix
    • Real Simple Home
  • Life

    Life

    See All Life
    • Family
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Wedding Planning
    • Travel Ideas
    • Career
    • Get It Done
  • Health

    Health

    See All Health
    Feel Like You Don't Enjoy Anything Anymore? There's a Name for That—Here Are 8 Ways You Can Break Through It

    Feel Like You Don't Enjoy Anything Anymore? There's a Name for That—Here Are 8 Ways You Can Break Through It

    Mental health experts explain anhedonia and how you can bounce back from this joyless state of mind.
    • Preventive Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health Coach
    • Crisis Coping
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Healthy Eating
    • Well Fed
  • Money

    Money

    See All Money
    Are You Keeping Too Much Money in the Bank? Here's How to Tell

    Are You Keeping Too Much Money in the Bank? Here's How to Tell

    Putting money in the bank is smart, but too much cash savings can actually be a poor use of that money.
    • Money Confidential Podcast
    • Saving Money
    • Money Planning
    • Money Confidential
    • Spending
    • Money Etiquette
    • Invest Better
  • Style and Beauty

    Style and Beauty

    See All Style and Beauty
    How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

    How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

    All you need is a tape measure and a little free time.
    • Clothing
    • Skincare
    • Shoes
    • Hair
    • Clothing Care
    • Makeup
    • Hair Body Face
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining
    PowerPoint Parties Are the Party Trend You Have to Try: Here's How to Host One

    PowerPoint Parties Are the Party Trend You Have to Try: Here's How to Host One

    PowerPoint nights are the new fun way to party together—even when you're far apart.
    • All Holidays
    • Gifts
    • Father's Day
    • Passover
    • Entertaining
    • Home for the Holidays
    • Come Together
    • Hanukkah
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • News
  • Shopping
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Real Simple
  2. Home
  3. Organizing
  4. Kitchen Organizing
  5. 24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen

24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen

By Real Simple Editors Updated April 24, 2018
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet
Lazy Susan
Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond
As these photos show, what makes a kitchen great is how you organize it.
Start Slideshow

1 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Turn to a Lazy Susan

Lazy Susan
Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond

Contain messes by housing sticky or spillable food items on an easy-to-clean lazy Susan.

1 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Give Cookbooks Space

Cookbook and Utensils
Credit: twomeows/Getty Images

Cookbooks are fine on open shelves, so long as they're not exposed to humidity and grease from the fridge or stove.

2 of 24

3 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Start Hanging

Pots and Pans
Credit: Brian Bumby/Getty Images

Hang aprons, pot holders, and dish towels on pegs (mount them at least two feet away from the stove).

3 of 24

Advertisement

4 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Store Items by Use

Kitchen Cabinets
Credit: Hero Images/Getty Images

Arrange your kitchenware by frequency of use, with everyday dishes on an easy-to-reach lower shelf and special-occasion pieces up above.

4 of 24

5 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Group Similar Objects

Kitchen Plates
Credit: Getty Images/ ka2shka

Group objects by purpose and assign them to specific cabinets, as with the bakeware centralized here.

5 of 24

6 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Designate a Cooking Zone

Kitchen Utensils
Credit: Felix Oberhage/Getty Images

Create a cooking zone around the stove, storing pots and pans as close to the range as possible.

6 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Stash Like Items Together

Kitchen Drawer
Credit: Image Source/Getty Images

Keep plastic bags, wrapping together, and kitchen utensils in a drawer near the refrigerator to make quick work of storing away leftovers.

7 of 24

8 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Stow Tools Efficiently

Kitchen Utensils
Credit: Pexels

Stow essential tools together within easy reach of your cooking area for efficient food prep.

8 of 24

9 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

File Plastic Containers

Tupperware Lids
Credit: anand purohit/Getty Images

“File” plastic containers and their tops in orderly zones within the same drawer to keep them readily locatable.

9 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Contain Lids

Cookware Lid
Credit: PhotoAlto/Laurence Mouton/Getty Images

Lid racks neatly collect the tops to various pots and pans.

10 of 24

11 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Install Shelf Organizers

Kitchen Shelf
Credit: The Container Store

Sliding shelf organizers make frequently used gear easy to access.

11 of 24

12 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Divide Drawers

Drawer Divider
Credit: Fancy/Veer/Corbis/Getty Images

Drawer organizers keep cutlery neatly separated, so you never have to rummage around for what you need.

12 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Think Double-Duty

Utensil Cups
Credit: jin chu ferrer/Getty Images

For no-fuss buffet service, present cutlery to guests in mugs or small pitchers.

13 of 24

14 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Light it Right

Kitchen Lighting
Credit: Jacek Kadaj/Getty Images

Even under-the-cabinets space can be well utilized, whether for lighting, an appliance, or, in this case, a dish-towl rod.

14 of 24

15 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Color-Code Kitchenware

Colorful Cookware
Credit: Chatuporn Sornlampoo / EyeEm/Getty Images

Pots and pans double as artwork when like-colored kitchenware is put on display.

15 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Put China on Display

kitchen-cabinets
Credit: Andersen Ross/Getty Images

Use glass-front cabinets to showcase your good china, antique bowls, or even canisters filled with pasta.

16 of 24

17 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Introduce Baskets

kitchen-baskets
Credit: Johner Images/Getty Images

Keep open shelves uncluttered by stashing items in airy rattan baskets.

17 of 24

18 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Categorize Food

Kitchen Spices
Credit: Stewart Waller/Getty Images

Organize your pantry shelves as you would a library, with food items grouped by category.

18 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Consider See-Through Storage

Wire Basket
Credit: The Container Store

Make it a snap for kids to grab snacks on the go with see-through wire baskets.

19 of 24

20 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Stash Items Over-the-Door

Pantry Organizer
Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond

Stash pantry items in the see-through pockets of an over-the-door organizer to virtually eliminate search time.

20 of 24

21 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Roll in a Cart

Rolling Cart
Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

Invest in a cart that can transport heavy dishes from kitchen to dining and act as extra counter space for cooking and entertaining.

21 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hang Pots and Pans

Hanging Pots
Credit: Spaces Images/Getty Images

Another way to conserve precious storage space: Hang pots and pans, if your kitchen allows.

22 of 24

23 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Try a Retractable Book Stand

Book Stand
Credit: Williams Sonoma

A retractable book stand keeps a recipe at eye level while you're working, then folds back under a cabinet when you're done.

23 of 24

24 of 24

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Declutter Counters

bulletin-board
Credit: everydayplus/Getty Images

Declutter kitchen counters by mounting basics–calendar, phone, to-do lists–on the wall.

24 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Real Simple Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 24 Turn to a Lazy Susan
    2 of 24 Give Cookbooks Space
    3 of 24 Start Hanging
    4 of 24 Store Items by Use
    5 of 24 Group Similar Objects
    6 of 24 Designate a Cooking Zone
    7 of 24 Stash Like Items Together
    8 of 24 Stow Tools Efficiently
    9 of 24 File Plastic Containers
    10 of 24 Contain Lids
    11 of 24 Install Shelf Organizers
    12 of 24 Divide Drawers
    13 of 24 Think Double-Duty
    14 of 24 Light it Right
    15 of 24 Color-Code Kitchenware
    16 of 24 Put China on Display
    17 of 24 Introduce Baskets
    18 of 24 Categorize Food
    19 of 24 Consider See-Through Storage
    20 of 24 Stash Items Over-the-Door
    21 of 24 Roll in a Cart
    22 of 24 Hang Pots and Pans
    23 of 24 Try a Retractable Book Stand
    24 of 24 Declutter Counters

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Real Simple Logo

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithAll products and services featured are selected by our editors. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Real Simple is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Real Simple. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.realsimple.com

    Sign in

    View image

    24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.