How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets: 15 Expert-Backed Tips for a Clutter-Free Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets are great; until they’re not. It starts with one extra mug shoved into the wrong shelf, and next thing you know, you’re rummaging through a chaotic mess of mismatched Tupperware, mystery spices, and appliances you forgot you owned. Whether you’re in a rental in Portland, OR, a home in Atlanta, GA or a condo in Chicago, IL knowing how to organize kitchen cabinets can instantly make your space feel bigger, calmer, and way more functional.

This Redfin guide rounds up expert-approved organizing tips for a tidy home, and help you cut the clutter to finally get your cabinets working for you—not against you.

How should you plan cabinet storage by zones?

“For kitchen cabinets, the most important tip is to prioritize function over style,” says Carla Moum of Woodharmonic Custom Cabinets in Los Angeles, CA. “Begin by organizing the layout based on how you use the space. Group cabinets into zones for prep, cooking, cleaning, and storage.”

She also recommends going with full-height cabinets when possible. “They maximize storage and create a custom look,” she adds. And when it comes to finishes, she suggests timeless materials like light wood or white with wood accents.

Do pull-out trays and drawer organizers help?

“If you love a clean, streamlined look with uniform door faces, we recommend interior drawers and pull-outs,” says Bel Muller of Greenfield, MA-based European-style cabinetmakers, Boxco Studio. “Pull-out trays and drawers make it easy to see everything in your cabinet at a glance, and pull-out trash and recycling cabinets keep waste out of sight.”

Jayme Seppala from Built Cabinets in Rindge, NH agrees, adding, “We suggest installing drawer organizers to declutter and optimize cabinet space. Pull-out shelves and stackable containers enhance tidiness and accessibility. Donate unused items to free up room.”

And if you want a customizable system, Stelian Cotovici of Craft Custom Cabinets, located in Snohomish, WA, recommends the Rev-A-Shelf system. “It lets you install pull-out trays at any height, with the flexibility to adjust over time as your storage needs evolve.”

How do you organize cabinets in a rental?

“If you’re living in a rental with cabinets that have doors instead of drawers, you can still maximize your space,” says home design blogger Shuly Anenburg at The Wall Whisperer. “Use the inside of cabinet doors to hang small kitchen tools like measuring spoons, scissors, or peelers using renter-friendly solutions like 3M Command Hooks. You can also tape frequently used printed recipes inside for quick access.”

Professional organizer, Catie Kelly of Sistamatic Organizing adds, “I love to use adhesive hooks to store things like potholders and strainers. Over-the-cabinet-door baskets are perfect for keeping attachments for small appliances from getting lost.”

Where should food go if your cabinets are deep?

“Don’t use the cabinets next to your fridge as your food pantry,” warns Christina Morton DesAuguste, founder of The Organizing Company in Denver, CO. “18–22 inches is too deep for food items. The stuff at the back just goes there to mold.”

She recommends using deep lower cabinets for small appliances (on pull-out shelves if possible), and the top third for cutting boards and trays stored vertically. “For your food, use a freestanding pantry that’s 9–15 inches deep. It’s worth the extra steps to actually be able to see and access what’s in your pantry.”

Are lazy Susans and risers worth it?

“Installing lazy Susan turntables in corner cabinets or deep pantry shelves makes it easy to access oils, spices, and cans,” says Westchester, NY-based professional organizer, Katy’s Organized Home. “They maximize tricky spaces while keeping everything visible and within reach.”

She also suggests using clear risers to create two-tiered displays for plates or mugs. “It keeps items organized and prevents fragile pieces from getting scratched.”

Kathi Burns, CPO at Organized and Energized in San Diego, CA, adds, “Large lazy Susans work great in super deep pantries. You can spin and find what you need, and heavy-duty ones can stack up to three cans high.”

What containers save the most space?

“When choosing storage containers for your dry goods, make sure to buy rectangular or square, preferably tall and narrow,” says Kathi Burns. “Round storage containers waste space. Taller containers hold more and take up less cabinet space.”

Lindsey Wilson, lifestyle blogger of Lindsey Lee & Co is also a fan of clear containers, especially for pantry items. “Two-tier clear pull-out organizers double your storage space, keep essentials visible, and make it easy to find what you need without the clutter.”

How do you keep food storage containers under control?

“You don’t need a million drawers to keep your Tupperware neat,” says Kathi Burns. “Use two Sterilite bins—one for lids, the other for bottoms. I keep my lids vertical and arranged by size so it’s quick and easy to identify what I need.”

Alice The Organizer adds a hot take; “I like to store plastic Tupperware with its lids on. Pot lids too. Glass Tupperware doesn’t really nest, so you’re not saving much space by separating them.”

How do you sort pots, pans and spices?

“To organize kitchen cabinets effectively, I first sort my kitchen items by category—pots and pans, plates and dishes, etc.,” says mom blogger Jacqueline Hernandez Lewis at Moments Of Musing Inc in Virginia Beach, VA. “I use pan protectors to prevent scratches, removable handles to save space, and organizers to tidy utensils in separate drawers.”

“One of the best tips for keeping your kitchen cabinets and drawers neat is to use organizers so you can see your foods easily,” says Kristin Hintlian, owner of Bonsai Kitchen and Bath from Leicester, MA. “Clear risers are great for food products, and I love using drawers to house spices with a simple tiered insert. It makes cooking so much more pleasant.”

What belongs in a kitchen junk drawer?

“I always like to keep a Ziploc bag filled with birthday candles and a lighter in the kitchen junk drawer, so it isn’t a scramble at cake time,” says Alice The Organizer. “Other useful items include scissors, pens, post-it notes, a utility knife, and eyeglass wipes.”

She recommends using drawer organizers in a mix of sizes to assign each item a home. “I use sticky tack or removable glue dots to hold them in place so everything doesn’t slide around.”

Where should heavy items be stored?

“Please don’t store your grandmother’s crystal punch bowl on the highest shelf,” says Alice The Organizer. “Heavy items—whether they’re used infrequently or not—should be stored no higher than chest height. It’s a huge safety concern.”

For deep cabinets, she also recommends using bins with lids for small items so they don’t get lost in the back.

Should you mix closed cabinets and open shelves?

“Include at least one or two closed cabinets to tuck away less-attractive items,” says Bel Muller. “Then pair them with floating shelves to display everyday essentials or decorative pieces. That way, your kitchen stays both stylish and functional.”

“Maximize organization by choosing cabinets with full-extension soft-close drawers and pull-out trays,” says Jason Stutes from Bartow, FL-based Ideal Cabinetry. “Roll-out trays and spice pull-outs help keep everything in sight and within reach—no more digging through cluttered shelves.”

He also suggests adding a tray divider or trash rollout to make your kitchen more functional and polished.

How do you keep cabinets organized long term?

“Labeling is an important, and often neglected, aspect of kitchen organization,” says Ward Melville, owner of Melville Remodeling in Hubertus, WI. “Once you have sorted your items, create clear labels for each section. This practice is especially useful if you share your kitchen with family or roommates. By making it clear where everything belongs, you can ensure that your organizational efforts last.”

Even the best organization system needs maintenance. “Once you have organized your kitchen, it is vital to keep it that way,” says Ward Melville. “Set a reminder to review your cabinet organization every three to six months. During these reviews, check for expired items and reassess your storage needs.”

The key is finding a rhythm that works for your household. If you prefer color-coded bins, go for it. Love a chalkboard label vibe? That works too. Organizing and upgrading your kitchen cabinets isn’t about following a strict formula; it’s about making your kitchen feel like it fits you and your lifestyle.

There’s no one-size-fits-all method for kitchen organization ideas. Knowing how to organize kitchen cabinets doesn’t mean aiming for Pinterest perfection. It means building a system that makes your daily life easier; whether that’s adding pull-out shelves, getting smarter about food storage, or just knowing where the birthday candles are.

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