How to Plan Kitchen Storage

People should plan their kitchen storage to maximize use of space and speed of efficiency. Many items such as bowls and dishware can be displayed artfully. Innovative use of space is advised. Areas of clutter and disarray should be organized or discarded. Containers can help with organization. Kitchens can be organized, efficient, and decorative.

• Take stock of your current kitchen situation. Make some notes on how your kitchen is currently set up. A person should look and make note of what is being stored in the kitchen and where it is kept.
  


• Make a list of all items that do not have to be stored in the kitchen area. Pay attention to junk spot areas such as catch-all drawers. Take this time to begin thinking if these accumulated items are necessary.
  


• Gather up some type of storage containers. These containers do not have to be permanent. These will be used to move items temporarily not needed in a kitchen. Anything can be used. Some ideas are laundry baskets and clear shoe boxes. A person can also use different types of boxes. As a last resort, use bags to contain items.
  


• Go through the kitchen and place items that may be able to be stored elsewhere into a special container. For instance, cleaning supplies may be better stored in another area of the home. Dump all of your junk drawers and storage areas into a container. These can be gone through later. Fold up reusable boxes are great for this use. They can also be labeled.


• Determine if you have a lot of duplicate items. An example would be two sets of everyday dishes. Take stock of how many of each item you have. Determine how many you genuinely need. To do this, decide which items are most frequently used.


• Put the most frequently used items in easy to access storage areas. Keep double sets and less frequently used items in a labeled box or other container. Determine if you want to save items, or if they can be discarded.


• Put all supplies into a reasonable organizational system. Place your measuring cups and smaller baking supplies together. Organize your silverware drawer. Store the most used baking dishes in easy to access places. Pots and pans that are rarely used can be placed in different areas.


• Organize your pots and have lids nearby. If you are short on storage area, place all lids into a separate cabinet or drawer. Go through all storage containers and match lids to bottoms. Put incomplete items in a box. Keep only the complete sets that you use.


• Make use of areas where decorative storage bowls or sets of dishware can be displayed. This should be an artful arrangement. For instance, if you have space on top of cabinets, consider storing a few pieces there. The display should look planned and clutter free. Consider storing spices together in a decorative rack.


• Decide what little used or double items to keep. Consider displaying sentimental items. Otherwise, find an out of the way place to store items safely. Donate any unwanted items to a charity.


• Discard any useless clutter. Decide where to store used items in a neat orderly fashion. A bin placed on a shelf may work better than a junk drawer. Use as many organizational tools as possible to cut down clutter and enhance space.


• Remove any items that do not need to be stored in the kitchen. A small bin or container with quick spill clean-up items is useful. You can keep this on hand somewhere in your kitchen if you have the room. Otherwise, store it with other cleaning supplies towards the front for easy access. 


• Make use of creative areas for storage space. Countertops should be free of clutter and look inviting and warm. Use decorative but useful storage containers for food items like pasta, flour and sugar. Get rid of any out-dated food supplies. Organize food by a systematic theme. It is best to have an area that is used as a pantry. This can be in your kitchen or elsewhere. Kitchens can be organized, uncluttered and decorative at the same time.