If you've ever opened a drawer in your kitchen, took one look inside, and thought, "No, thank you. I need a nap now, please," you've come to the right place. Scroll on for our top solutions for keeping your kitchen organized and meal prep pain-free.
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Tip #1: Mix and Match Your Drawer Inserts
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution for silverware and cooking utensils. That’s why it’s best to use individual inserts in various sizes, which can be arranged with more flexibility, rather than one giant insert. Always buy more inserts—or multiple sets of them—than you think you need so you can play around with the configuration. Chances are you won’t get it right the first time, and that’s okay! Just think of it as a puzzle — a really fun one!
*If you find yourself suffering from ‘Not A Perfect Fit, But Close’Syndrome, add a dot ofmuseum gelto the bottom of each insert to keep them from sliding around. Museum gel is removable, reusable, and non-toxic, so no need to worry about it ruining your surfaces.
As for the larger tools that refuse to be contained? (We’re looking at you, potato masher.) Secure a few expandable dividers inside the drawer, and separate your categories accordingly.
Tip #2: Use Risers to Create More Shelf Space
Oftentimes, it’s not that you are short on cabinet space—you just need more shelves. That’s where risers (or as we like to call them, bunk beds for inanimate objects) come in handy to create more space and keep dishes or servingware stored as sets when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
If you prefer a more utilitarian look, these coatedwire riserswill achieve the same result and are available in just as many size options as the acrylic.
Tip #3: File Your Pots and Pans
Nesting pots and pans on top of each other might seem like a space-saving dream but can make accessing them a nightmare. Instead, file them upright in this expandable cookware organizer, with the handle facing out so you can easily grab what you need and only what you need.
Tip #4: Stack Your Water Bottles
Water bottles are one of those items you seem to acquire over time, but also tend to be notoriously hard to store since they are so, well, bulbous. (Ed note: Sorry to Joanna, who notoriously hates this word.) But with this stackable storage solution here, you’ll be able to keep the bottles and lids together, while maximizing cabinet space.
Tip #5: Store Your Tupperware Together
On a similar note, we once saw a tweet that said, “Did you know, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn’t fit any of your containers?” Not going to lie, they are really onto something there. Thankfully, with the help of this pull out organizer, you can corral your lids and containers together so nothing gets lost in the back of a cabinet.
Tip #6: Transform Tight Spaces with Turntables
Most kitchens have that random awkward cabinet. You know the one. Bins don’t quite fit right, it’s hard to reach… yeah, that one. It’s challenging for most organization products to thrive in that environment, but turntables? They were born for it. (Yes, we still refer to products as people with personalities. Old habits die hard.) Turntables work particularly well for storing and creating more convenient access to spices and cooking oils, which are two categories that tend to get buried behind things if you’re not careful.
Tip #7: Do More With Your Cabinet Doors
Did you know we launched a Cabinet Door Organizer in our new cleaning collection at Walmart? It’s a game changer, especially when used under the kitchen sink for dish and cleaning supplies. It can be customized to fit your needs, with three panels, two hooks, two clips, a sponge holder, and even a paper towel holder. Pair it with our new Dishwasher Pod Holder for some serious grab-and-go magic.
Tip #8: Clear Off Your Countertops
We get it, sometimes appliances need to live on the counter because that’s the only available space. But if you have the choice, we strongly encourage you to keep whatever you don’t use regularly out of sight in a cabinet, storing the smaller items and pieces in clear bins to avoid anything from getting lost in the mix.
Tip #9: Move Seasonal Items to Storage
Unless carving a turkey is just a typical Tuesday night for you, your roasting pan shouldn’t hog cabinet space when you only use it once or twice a year. Move it elsewhere. The same goes for that fine china set that you only bring out when your Aunt Dorothy visits over the holidays. If you don’t have space to display, store it away in these canvas storage boxes, designed to keep tableware organized and dust-free until the occasion calls for it.
Tip #10: Create a Coffee Station
Stations give purpose to a space and increase efficiency in a daily routine. So does caffeine. That’s why setting up a designated coffee station in your kitchen just makes sense. Ideally, it should be as close to a water source as possible, with enough cabinet space nearby for mugs, coffee, sweeteners, etc. to live together as one happy family. We suggest using our Coffee Pod Organizer on the countertop and reserving the cabinet for backstock. If you’re more of a ground or whole bean coffee person, empty your favorite brews into clear canisters to cut down on bulky packaging, and store on a tray near your machine.
Tip #11: Use Specialty Storage For Zip-top Bags and Food Wraps
Here’s the thing about original packaging: It tends to be poorly designed. There, we said it. This is especially true when it comes to Zip-top bags, aluminum foil, and plastic wraps. Even if you get everything to fit in one drawer, you’ll likely find yourself having to remove it all just to access the box wedged in the back. Who has time for that? Instead, do yourself a favor and implement this special food wrap organizer into your life, which will allow you to grab a bag or rip off a sheet without the extra steps.
