50 Clever Kitchen Organization and Storage Ideas to Clear out the Clutter
Spice racks, storage containers and shelving galore.
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As one of the most frequently used spaces for many families – whether it’s eating dinner, gathering around the island with friends or hosting a party – the kitchen truly is the heart of the home. However, that also means it’s most likely to accumulate clutter. Whether you have a small kitchen layout or an entire butler’s pantry to work with, these kitchen organization ideas will help you declutter efficiently.
When it comes to organizing, one of the best ways to get started is to decide what you use everyday and what you rarely use. “We all have small appliances, such as a stand mixer or food processor, that we need infrequently but take up a lot of space. If you are designing a new space, be thoughtful about appliance storage and make sure there is space for evolving appliances,” says Barrett Cooke, co-founder of Arterberry Cooke.
From spice rack ideas to food storage container recommendations to general organizing tips, we’ve rounded up kitchen storage ideas to keep your kitchen tidy all year round.
Divide Kitchen Tools
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
Use Kitchen Tools as Decor
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.
Add a Bar to the Kitchen Island
Don't have the extra room for a separate bar space? No problem. Take inspiration from designer Cassia Wyner and build in a few slots for wine or other drinks within your kitchen island so it serves as a countertop, tabletop and bar space for the family.
Photo by: Lara Kimmerer
Group Similar Items in the Pantry
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.
Add Deep Cabinets to the Island
If you have a large family that needs a spacious island, you may struggle to find room for appliances elsewhere. Try incorporating deep cabinets underneath the island for maximum storage space like Arterberry Cooke and Captex Construction did in this setup.
Photo by: Madeline Harper
Create an Appliance or Pantry Garage
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.
Design a Wine and Drinks Section
Instead of throwing all of your drinks into one cabinet, take inspiration from designers at Kavina Studio 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
Match Kitchen Appliances
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
Group Dishware
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
Install Pull-Down Shelves
For most, upper shelves can be hard to access. Pull-down shelves, like this setup from Malka Helft of Think Chic Interiors, is a great fix.
Photo by: Hulya Kolabas
Cut Down on Duplicate Items
Spatulas, utensils and kitchen tools quickly accumulate in the kitchen. "While it’s tempting to buy the latest kitchen gadgets, such as bagel cutters or egg slicers, it’s more efficient to get into the habit of investing in kitchen items that have more than one use," says Jen Nash, senior design lead at Magnet Kitchens.
Stock Shelves With Essentials
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
Label Food Storage Canisters
Transferring dry ingredients into air-tight canisters is a genius idea, until you forget what's inside. To avoid any confusion, label each jar with a paint marker.
Add Shelves in the Cupboard
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."
Build in Kitchen Island Storage
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.
Give Everything a Place in the Fridge
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.
Hide Pantry Items in Baskets
Anastasia Casey of The Identité Collective likes corralling essentials in baskets, even in the kitchen: "You need to be able to see what is inside the organizational pieces if you’re ever going to use them," she says.
Photo by: Madeline Harper
Create an Electronics Drawer
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
Suspend Open Shelving
Take note from interior designer Kate Marker and mount a storage shelf from the ceiling. Full of a mix of glassware, kitchen essentials and decor, this tiered shelving system clears up counter space.
Photo by: Stoffer Photography
Use a Pegboard Drawer Organizer
Customize a pegboard organizer to fit your dishes, bowls and plates — a great way to ensure everything stays in place and doesn't break.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
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