How to organise your kitchen: practical tips and ideas

Is your kitchen in a state of chaos? Let us help you reinstate some order! Creating a well-organised kitchen will take the stress out of your days - from finding utensils, crockery and ingredients quicker to having enough space on your worktops to prepare your Michelin-style meals.

With the help of a few organising systems, including designated shelves and useful labels, and simple rules, including which foods to store where, you’ll be onto a clutter-free, tidy and well-ordered kitchen space in no time.

We’ve put together some practical tips and tricks to start you off, so you can quickly rearrange and tidy up your drawers, countertops, and fridge, ready for action.

Why should you organise your kitchen?

First things first - why does your kitchen need to be organised? Well, a disorganised, messy, topsy-turvy kitchen can quickly become a problem. When everything is in disarray, it can be challenging to find anything. Loose lids cluttering the cupboards, spices haphazardly scattered in drawers, knives, forks, and spoons all jumbled up? It’s time to organise your kitchen!

With a good organisational system in place, everything will have its rightful place and will be easily accessible. Find the perfect lid for its pot, locate the paprika or coriander in seconds, and prevent food from rotting away and being forgotten in a corner. With better visibility, you'll buy less, saving money and reducing food waste.

Six top tips for a more organised kitchen

Follow these six simple tips to clear your space, bring order into your kitchen, and keep it that way.

1. Declutter and sort

Start by clearing everything out. This includes emptying your cupboards, drawers, and even the fridge and clearing your countertops and surfaces. This allows you to have a clear canvas to work with and also gives you the opportunity to deep clean every corner of your kitchen before putting things back.

Take your time to declutter, sorting through your items and eliminating things you no longer need. Consider each item, from your pots, pans to dishes and appliances, and decide whether it’s necessary in your kitchen. For more on decluttering, check out our step-by-step guide on how to declutter your home. Items you no longer need or want can be donated to charity or given to friends. When it comes to food, discard any expired or inedible items.

2. Find the best storage solutions

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right storage solutions for your kitchen, from drawer dividers to kitchen trolleys. Explore the different ones and select the types that best suit your needs and kitchen setup. We’ve suggested several options below:

• Dividers: A highly practical option, use dividers to bring order to cluttered kitchen drawers and create designated areas for different items, whether crockery, tea towels or food items. Dividers are available in various sizes, colours, and shapes, so there’s something for every style and taste. B&Q offer a simple storage solution with their GoodHome Anthracite Metal & Plastic Drawer divider, designed to organise your kitchen space and fully adjustable to fit your drawer units. We’re also a fan of this set of two Expandable Drawer Organisers, made from sustainably sourced wood, stain and moisture-resistant, and ideal for separating utensils.
• Rotating shelves: Consider incorporating rotating shelves into your kitchen - they save space and provide hidden storage compartments. If it doesn’t fit into your kitchen units already, you can also try rotating organisers to put inside your cupboards. For example, Joseph Joseph’s CupboardStore 2-tier model which rotates to allow access to items at the back, and is finished with a textured surface and raised edges so items won’t slide off.
• Kitchen trolley: Limited countertop space? A kitchen trolley will provide extra surface area. Check out Argos’ 3-Tier Metal Kitchen Trolley, which has three shelves and three baskets to bring additional storage and is on wheels for easy manoeuvring. For a wooden option, Argos also has a Pine Tile Top Kitchen Trolley featuring three shelves, two drawers, two baskets and, best of all, a wine rack. Its tile top is also ideal for chopping up your ingredients.
• Knife block: Prolong the life of your knives with a knife block. This storage device will keep knives protected and stored safely and keep them out of reach of children. Brabantia’s Tasty+ Knife Block Set will provide convenient and compact storage for the five knives included, from a bread knife to a carving knife, and will look super slick and smart on your countertop.
• Cutlery drawer: Divide your cutlery into categories, such as knives, forks, and spoons, with a neat cutlery drawer. Lakeland’s Extending Wooden Cutlery Tray is a great option for sorting your cutlery and utensils into sections and expands from five to seven compartments. Joseph Joseph’s 10 Piece Drawer Organiser Set will also bring efficient organisation to your drawer, with its modular design allowing you to arrange the 10 individual trays in any way you like to fit your space.

3. Organise work areas

Kitchen surfaces and countertops can often become cluttered and overcrowded with various items, from toasters and blenders to knives, cutting boards, and even wine bottles.

Your prep area should be tidy and organised to keep your kitchen in order and make the most efficient use of space. Here’s a simple rule: try and only keep items you use on a daily basis on the countertop, for example, the kettle and chopping board. Store other, less frequently used items away to maximise countertops for cutting, cooking and washing up.

Appliances used only a couple of times a year should be stored away, preferably in their original packaging or suitable boxes to protect them from dust and dirt. This could include items such as fondue sets and waffle makers.

4. Organise supplies and spices

Maintain order amongst your food supplies and spices by using the frequency principle here too. Place your most frequently used spices and foods at the front of cupboards, as well as soon-to-expire items, to avoid food waste. Items with later expiry dates can head to the back (just don’t forget about them!)

Spices can be stored on kitchen shelves or in drawers - label them on the front for horizontal storage and on the lid for vertical storage. Dry goods such as pasta, rice, or nuts should be stored in airtight containers or mason jars to maintain freshness.

5. Effective organisation of your pantry

If you have a pantry, ensure it's protected from sunlight and maintained at a cool temperature. This way, food can be stored safely for extended periods. A pantry is especially beneficial for families, ensuring you always have essentials on hand. It can also serve as a storage space for kitchen utensils, simplifying your overall kitchen organisation. However, establish an organisational system within the pantry and remember to tidy up periodically.

6. Organise your fridge correctly

Keeping your fridge tidy and maintaining order is crucial for preventing food waste. As the temperature inside varies, it’s recommended to store food as follows:

• Top shelf: Prepared foods, such as jams and sauces
• Middle shelf: Dairy products, meat, and fish
• Bottom shelf: Vegetables and fruit
• Door shelves: Bottles, butter, eggs, mustard, and small jars

If you would like to read more expert-recommended round-ups, check out our household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations and guides, including our declutter your home checklist, how to tidy your wardrobe, and the best drawer organisers.