How do you organize kitchen cabinets?
To organize kitchen cabinets, empty one cabinet at a time, get rid of duplicates and anything you no longer use, group what is left by task, and store each group in the cabinet closest to where you use it. Keep everyday items between shoulder and hip height, heavy cookware in lower cabinets, and rarely used items up high. Then add turntables, shelf risers, dividers, and pull-outs to use the full height and depth of each shelf.
The order matters. Buying organizers first usually means organizing clutter. Sorting first tells you exactly what you need to store and which tools will actually help.
The 7-step kitchen cabinet organization system
- Empty one cabinet completely. Work on a single cabinet or one bank of cabinets so the kitchen stays usable.
- Clean the shelves. Wipe crumbs, check for leaks or moisture, and consider shelf liner for easier cleaning later.
- Sort and declutter. Remove duplicates, broken items, mismatched lids, and expired food. Move rarely used items (holiday platters, specialty appliances) out of prime space.
- Group by task. Make piles such as cooking, baking, food storage, coffee and tea, serving, and cleaning.
- Assign zones by point of use. Put each group in the cabinet nearest the place you use it (see the zone map below).
- Add organizers to fit the space. Measure height, width, and depth, then choose turntables, risers, vertical dividers, or pull-out shelves for that specific cabinet.
- Label and maintain. Label bins and shelves if several people use the kitchen, and do a quick reset once a month.
Where should things go in kitchen cabinets?
| Zone | Best cabinet location | What to store there |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking | Lower cabinets and drawers beside the stove | Pots, pans, lids, cooking oils, spices, utensils |
| Prep | Cabinets near the main counter workspace | Mixing bowls, cutting boards, measuring cups, knives |
| Dishes | Upper cabinets near the dishwasher or sink | Everyday plates, bowls, glasses, mugs |
| Food storage | Near the fridge or prep counter | Containers with matching lids, wraps, bags |
| Pantry | Tall cabinets or a pantry cabinet | Dry goods, cans, snacks, baking supplies |
| Cleaning | Under the sink | Dish soap, sponges, cleaners, trash bags |
| Occasional use | Top shelves and above the fridge | Serving platters, seasonal items, backup supplies |
How do you organize upper kitchen cabinets?
Upper cabinets usually have the most wasted vertical space. Use shelf risers to create a second level for plates or mugs, and keep the items you reach for daily on the lowest shelf. Store glasses by type in rows from front to back so you can see every one. Put lighter, rarely used items on the top shelf, and use a stable step stool to reach them instead of stretching over the counter.
How do you organize lower kitchen cabinets?
Lower cabinets are best for heavy items because you do not have to lift them overhead. Stand baking sheets, cutting boards, and trays upright with vertical dividers so you can pull one out without unstacking. Nest pots by size and store lids separately in a lid rack or on their edges. If items get lost at the back, a pull-out shelf or basket brings the whole depth of the cabinet to you.
How do you organize a corner kitchen cabinet?
Corner and blind-corner cabinets are the hardest to reach. You have three practical options:
- Turntables (lazy Susans) for jars, oils, and small containers, so items spin to the front.
- A blind-corner pull-out, such as the Blind Corner Pull-Out, Chrome 4-Shelf Organizer, which slides shelves out of the hidden part of the cabinet. Measure the cabinet opening, interior depth, and hinge side before buying.
- Storing rarely used items in the deepest part and everyday items near the door.
How do you organize spices and small jars?
Spices disappear in deep cabinets. A rotating turntable keeps every jar in reach: the Rotating Spice Rack Turntable Set (2-Pack) and the Double Layer Lazy Susan Spice Organizer both work in a cabinet beside the stove. Sort spices alphabetically or by cuisine, keep the most used on the front edge, and check dates once or twice a year.
How do you organize under the kitchen sink?
Map the pipes first, then choose storage that works around them. An adjustable two-tier rack like the Under Sink Storage Rack: Adjustable 2-Tier doubles usable space without blocking the drain trap. Keep a tray under bottles to catch drips, leave shutoff valves easy to reach, and store chemicals out of reach of children and pets. A Kitchen Sink Sponge & Brush Organizer With Drainage Tray keeps wet sponges out of the cabinet entirely.
What if you do not have enough cabinet space?
- Add a pantry cabinet for dry goods, freeing upper cabinets for dishes. See the 66.5 Inch Kitchen Pantry Cabinet With Adjustable Shelves.
- Use a rolling cart for small appliances or produce in a gap beside the counter.
- Move bulky, rarely used items to another room, a closet, or a garage shelf.
- Use the inside of cabinet doors for lightweight items such as lids or wraps, if the door closes freely.
What kitchen cabinet organization mistakes should you avoid?
- Buying organizers before measuring the cabinet interior and door clearance.
- Storing heavy cast iron or appliances on high shelves.
- Stacking pans so high that you have to unload the pile to reach one.
- Keeping food storage containers without matching lids.
- Blocking plumbing access under the sink.
- Filling every shelf to 100%, leaving no room to put things back easily.
Shop kitchen cabinet organizers at Arbasa
- Rotating Spice Rack Turntable Set (2-Pack)
- Double Layer Lazy Susan Spice Organizer
- Blind Corner Pull-Out, Chrome 4-Shelf Organizer
- Under Sink Storage Rack: Adjustable 2-Tier
- 66.5 Inch Kitchen Pantry Cabinet With Adjustable Shelves
- Browse all kitchen storage and organization.
Frequently asked questions
What should go in upper vs lower kitchen cabinets?
Upper cabinets suit lightweight everyday items such as plates, glasses, mugs, and spices. Lower cabinets suit heavy or bulky items such as pots, pans, mixing bowls, and small appliances.
How do you organize kitchen cabinets on a budget?
Start by decluttering, which costs nothing. Then reuse sturdy boxes as drawer dividers, stand baking sheets upright between existing items, and add one or two organizers only where the biggest problem is, usually the corner cabinet or spices.
Should you line kitchen cabinets?
Shelf liner is optional. It can protect shelves from spills and scratches and make wiping easier. Choose a liner that is easy to clean, and keep lower cabinets under the sink dry.
How often should you reorganize kitchen cabinets?
Do a quick five-minute reset monthly and a full declutter once or twice a year, or whenever your cooking habits change.
