Organizing Kitchen Cabinets Efficiently: My Nashville Kitchen Taming

18 min read

Okay, let’s talk kitchen cabinets. If you’re anything like me, they can quickly become these mysterious voids where Tupperware lids go to disappear forever and spices from 2018 linger judgmentally. I’m Sammy, by the way, writing for Chefsicon.com from my home office here in Nashville – usually with my cat Luna attempting to ‘help’ by sitting on my keyboard. Moving here from the Bay Area was a culture shock in many ways, but one universal truth remained: kitchen cabinet chaos knows no geographical bounds. For a while, mine were… let’s just say ‘creatively stored’. It wasn’t until I faced the avalanche of mismatched mugs during a frantic search for my favorite coffee cup one morning that I decided enough was enough. We’re talking about organizing kitchen cabinets efficiently, not just shoving things in until the door closes (my previous method, admittedly).

Why bother, though? Isn’t a little chaos part of the charm? Maybe for some, but as someone who loves to cook and frankly, needs things to make sense (it’s the marketing analyst in me), disorganized cabinets are a major drag. It wastes time, creates stress, makes cooking feel like a chore, and sometimes you end up buying duplicates because you can’t find the original. Remember that third jar of paprika? Yeah, me too. Efficient cabinets mean smoother cooking, less frustration, maybe even saving a bit of money, and honestly, a calmer headspace. It’s amazing how tidying a physical space can clear out mental clutter too. Or maybe thats just me?

So, over the next few thousand words or so (grab a coffee, maybe?), I want to walk you through the process I used, the pitfalls I hit, and the strategies that actually stuck. This isn’t about achieving sterile, magazine-perfect cabinets overnight – unless that’s your jam, no judgment! It’s about creating a system that works for *you*, makes your daily life easier, and helps you actually *enjoy* being in your kitchen. We’ll cover everything from the brutal decluttering phase (brace yourself) to choosing the right organizers and, crucially, how to maintain some semblance of order long-term. Ready to tame the cabinet beasts? Let’s dive in.

Tackling the Cabinet Chaos: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. The Great Emptying and Ruthless Declutter

First things first, you gotta face the beast. And the only way to do that is to empty *everything* out. Yes, every single cabinet and drawer you plan to organize. Pull it all out and lay it on your counters, your dining table, the floor… wherever you have space. It’s going to look overwhelming. It’s *supposed* to look overwhelming. This visual chaos is step one in understanding the sheer volume of stuff you own. Seeing it all laid bare prevents you from just shuffling things around. You need to confront the three spatulas you didn’t know you had and the chipped bowl you keep meaning to glue back together (spoiler: you won’t). Seeing it all helps you make realistic decisions.

Now comes the ruthless part: declutter. Be honest with yourself. Pick up each item and ask: Have I used this in the last year? Is it broken or expired? Do I have duplicates I don’t need? Do I even *like* this thing? Get rid of expired goods – spices, canned foods past their prime, questionable oils. Toss chipped or broken items unless you are *actually* going to repair them this week. Donate or sell usable items you no longer need – those duplicates, the weird gadget you bought from an infomercial, the extra set of holiday-themed plates you never use. This is often the hardest part, sentimentality can creep in. I found a ridiculous number of coffee mugs I’d collected over the years. Did I need twenty? Probably not. Letting go is liberating, trust me. The goal isn’t emptiness, it’s intentionality.

2. Sort and Categorize Like a Pro

Okay, deep breath. The decluttering is done (mostly). Now you have piles of things you’re actually keeping. The next step is to categorize them. Group like items together. All your baking supplies in one area (flour, sugar, sprinkles, baking pans), everyday dishes (plates, bowls, glasses) in another, pots and pans together, food storage containers, spices, coffee and tea supplies, small appliances, cleaning supplies (if stored in the kitchen). You get the idea. Think about how you use your kitchen. What items do you reach for together? Does it make sense to keep oils and vinegars near the spices, or near the stove? Maybe both?

This step helps you visualize how much space each category actually requires. You might realize your ‘baking supplies’ category is enormous, while ‘small appliances’ is just a blender and a toaster. This informs where things will eventually live. Don’t worry about *where* they’ll go just yet, just focus on creating logical groups. I spread everything out on my living room floor (much to Luna’s curiosity) and used sticky notes to label the piles. It looked a bit mad, but seeing those distinct groups – drinking glasses, plates, baking pans, spices, oils, etc. – was the first moment I felt like I could actually create sensible zones in the kitchen itself. It’s about breaking down a big task into manageable chunks.

3. Assess Your Cabinet Real Estate

Before you start putting things back, take a good hard look at your empty cabinets and drawers. I mean, *really* look. Assess your space. Measure the height, width, and depth of shelves. Note the location of fixed shelves versus adjustable ones. Are there awkward corner cabinets? Deep, dark recesses where things get lost? Super high shelves you can barely reach? Understanding the physical limitations and potential of your storage is crucial. Consider accessibility: frequently used items (everyday dishes, silverware, cooking oils, salt, pepper) should go in the easiest-to-reach spots – typically waist-to-shoulder height, near the area where you use them most (dishes near the dishwasher, spices near the stove). Less-used items (holiday platters, bulk supplies, that fondue pot you use once a year) can go on higher shelves or in lower cabinets.

Think about vertical space too. Most cabinets have a lot of wasted air between shelves. Could you add an extra shelf? Use shelf risers? This assessment phase is also when you should give those empty cabinets a good cleaning. Wipe down the shelves, vacuum out the corners. Starting with a clean slate feels good and gets rid of any lingering crumbs or dust bunnies. I realized during this phase that one of my cabinets next to the stove was much deeper than I thought, perfect for larger pots, while a shallower one near my prep area was better suited for spices and oils where I needed to see everything at a glance. Don’t forget about the backs of cabinet doors – potential prime real estate for vertical storage solutions like spice racks or lid holders.

4. Choosing Organizers: Friend or Foe?

Ah, organizers. The siren song of the home goods store. It’s tempting to rush out and buy every bin, basket, divider, and turntable imaginable. Resist! At least for now. First, use your assessment from the previous step. Based on your categories and your cabinet dimensions, *then* think about what organizers might genuinely help. Will shelf risers effectively double your storage for mugs or glasses? Could a turntable (Lazy Susan) make that awkward corner cabinet usable? Are drawer dividers necessary to stop utensils from becoming a jumbled mess? Maybe pull-out drawers would make accessing the back of deep cabinets less of a pain?

The key is to buy organizers to solve specific problems you identified, not just because they look neat. Measure carefully before buying anything! There’s nothing more frustrating than getting home with a beautiful set of bins that are half an inch too wide for your shelf. Consider materials too – clear plastic bins let you see contents easily, wire baskets allow for air circulation (good for onions/potatoes if stored in a cabinet), wood or bamboo can look more aesthetically pleasing. I’m personally a fan of clear, stackable bins for pantry items and sturdy shelf risers for plates and bowls. For spices, I debated drawer inserts versus wall racks… ultimately went with tiered shelves in a cabinet near the stove for visibility. Is this the absolute best approach for everyone? Probably not, it depends so much on individual cabinet layout and personal preference. But thinking function-first prevents you from just buying more clutter.

5. Creating Functional Kitchen Zones

Now we start putting it all back together, but strategically. Think about creating kitchen zones based on activity. This concept, borrowed from commercial kitchen design, drastically improves workflow. You want to store items close to where you actually use them. For example:

  • Prep Zone: Near your main counter space. Store cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups/spoons, commonly used spices, oils, vinegars.
  • Cooking Zone: Near the stove/oven. Store pots, pans, lids, cooking utensils (spatulas, spoons), pot holders, baking sheets.
  • Baking Zone: If you bake often, group flour, sugar, baking powder/soda, mixing bowls, electric mixer, baking pans, decorating supplies together in one cabinet or section.
  • Dishware/Glassware Zone: Ideally near the dishwasher for easy unloading. Store everyday plates, bowls, glasses, mugs.
  • Food Storage Zone: Pantry items (cans, jars, boxes), maybe food storage containers.
  • Coffee/Tea Station: Mugs, coffee maker, coffee, tea, sugar, etc. grouped together.

Assign areas deliberately. This might mean breaking up a category – maybe everyday mugs go near the coffee maker, but fancy teacups stay with less-used glassware. The goal is minimizing unnecessary steps while you’re cooking or making your morning coffee. It felt a bit weird at first, not having *all* the mugs together, but functionally? It makes so much more sense. It transforms the kitchen from just storage into an active workspace.

6. Maximize Every Inch: Go Vertical!

One of the biggest mistakes in cabinet organization is ignoring vertical space. Most standard cabinets leave a significant gap between shelves, or between the top shelf and the cabinet ceiling. This is wasted potential! Think upwards. Stackable containers are your best friend, especially for pantry items like pasta, grains, or snacks. Using uniform, stackable containers not only looks tidier but maximizes shelf height. Invest in shelf inserts or risers – these simple wire or plastic shelves essentially add another layer of storage, perfect for plates, bowls, mugs, or cans. You can effectively double the usable space on a shelf.

Don’t forget under-shelf potential either. There are wire baskets designed to slide onto a shelf, creating a small drawer underneath – great for storing things like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, dish towels, or packets. Even the back of cabinet doors can be utilized with over-the-door racks for spices, lids, or cleaning supplies. I was skeptical about under-shelf baskets at first, seemed a bit flimsy? But the ones I got are surprisingly sturdy and perfect for tea boxes. It’s about looking at every surface, every empty space, and asking, ‘Could something go here efficiently?’ Sometimes the simplest additions make the biggest difference in reclaiming lost space.

7. Conquering Pots, Pans, and the Dreaded Lids

Ah, pots and pans. Bulky, awkward, and often accompanied by an army of mismatched lids. This is a common cabinet nightmare. First, try nesting pots and pans where possible – smaller ones inside larger ones. This immediately saves space. Store them near the stovetop for convenience. Now, the lids. Oh, the lids. They slide around, get lost, and generally cause chaos. There are several strategies for lid organization. You could use a dedicated lid rack mounted on the cabinet door or wall. Another option is using tension rods vertically within a deep drawer or cabinet to create slots for lids to stand upright. Deep drawers are often better than low cabinets for pots and pans if you have them, as you can see everything from above. Pull-out shelves in lower cabinets can also make accessing pots stored in the back much easier.

I experimented with a few things. The door-mounted rack seemed promising, but my cabinet door wasn’t deep enough. I ended up using a simple, inexpensive wire rack that sits on the shelf *next* to the stacked pots, holding the lids vertically. Is it the most elegant solution? Maybe not, but it works, and the lids are finally contained. Some people swear by storing each pot with its lid upside down on top, but I find that takes up more vertical space. Ultimately, the ‘best’ method depends on your specific pots, pans, and cabinet configuration. The goal is simply easy access and preventing lid-related avalanches. Whatever keeps them wrangled and accessible is a win.

8. Spice Storage Strategies for Flavorful Efficiency

Spices can easily descend into chaos – dozens of small jars, varying sizes, duplicates hiding in the back. Efficient spice storage is key for enjoyable cooking. The primary goal? Visibility. You need to be able to see what you have easily, otherwise, you’ll never use that sumac hiding behind the oregano. Common solutions include tiered shelves (risers) inside a cabinet, drawer inserts that hold jars horizontally or at an angle (label the tops!), wall-mounted racks, or magnetic containers on the fridge or a metal strip. Decanting spices into uniform containers can look incredibly neat and save space, especially if your original spice jars are all different shapes and sizes. Make sure to label them clearly!

Choosing *how* to organize them is another question. Alphabetical? By cuisine? By frequency of use? I started with alphabetical, felt very organized, but quickly realized I was always reaching for the same 5-6 spices. So, I shifted to a hybrid system: most-used spices on the most accessible tier/front of the drawer, less-used ones behind or on higher tiers, still roughly grouped. Is decanting worth the effort? I’m torn. It looks great, but it’s an extra step. For now, I’m using tiered shelves with the original jars, supplemented by a few uniform containers for bulk spices. Maybe I should clarify… the absolute *best* system is the one you’ll actually maintain. If decanting feels like too much work, find a visibility solution that works with the original jars.

9. Wrangling Food Storage Containers and Wraps

The bane of existence for many: the food storage container cabinet (or drawer). A jumble of plastic and glass, with lids that seem to multiply or vanish entirely. First step, as always: declutter. Match all lids to containers. Get rid of any containers without lids, and any lids without containers. Recycle stained or warped plastic containers. Consider switching to a nesting set of glass or high-quality plastic containers to save space. Store containers nested (smaller inside larger) and store the lids separately but nearby. Options for container lids include: storing them vertically in a narrow bin or basket, using a drawer divider to create a dedicated lid section, or utilizing a plate rack standing on its side.

For wraps (aluminum foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper), storing them vertically in a magazine holder or a dedicated wrap organizer inside a cabinet or pantry door can save drawer space and make them easier to grab. Alternatively, a deep drawer with dividers can keep the boxes tidy and prevent them from rolling around. I use a deep drawer next to my prep zone for this. I have one section for nested containers and another section, created with adjustable drawer dividers, for the lids stored vertically like files. It’s not perfect – sometimes lids still try to escape – but it’s leagues better than the previous jumble where finding a matching set felt like an archaeological dig.

10. The Secret Ingredient: Maintenance and Regular Tidying

Okay, you did it! Your cabinets are organized. High five! But… how do you keep them that way? This is where maintenance comes in. An organized kitchen isn’t a one-time project; it requires ongoing effort. The most crucial habit? Put things back where they belong *immediately* after use (or after washing/drying). Took out the paprika? Put it back in its spot. Emptied the dishwasher? Put the plates directly into their assigned zone. This sounds simple, maybe even patronizing, but it’s the #1 reason systems fall apart. Just five minutes of regular tidying each day or every other day – quickly straightening spice jars, re-nesting pots, matching a stray lid – can prevent chaos from creeping back in.

It’s also wise to do a quick seasonal re-evaluation. Maybe once every few months, take 15-30 minutes to peek into your cabinets. Are the zones still working? Has a new type of clutter emerged (looking at you, reusable shopping bags)? Have your needs changed? Maybe you’ve taken up baking and need to expand that zone. It’s not about rigid adherence, but mindful adjustment. Is this level of upkeep realistic for everyone, all the time? Maybe not perfectly. Life happens. But building the *habit* of putting things away and doing periodic check-ins makes a massive difference. It prevents the need for another massive overhaul down the line. It’s about making the system sustainable for *your* life.

Keeping the Calm: Final Thoughts on Cabinet Zen

So, we’ve journeyed through the depths of cabinet chaos and hopefully emerged into the light of organization. Decluttering, categorizing, zoning, optimizing space… it’s definitely a process. It takes time and effort, no doubt about it. There were moments, especially when my entire kitchen contents were spread across my apartment, where I thought, “What have I done? Maybe the chaos was easier?” But pushing through, making those tough decisions about what to keep, and then creating logical homes for everything? It’s genuinely transformative.

The payoff isn’t just aesthetically pleasing cabinets (though that’s nice too!). It’s the ease of finding the colander when you need it, the smooth flow when you’re cooking dinner, the lack of frustration searching for a matching lid. It’s reclaiming mental energy previously spent battling clutter. My challenge to you? Don’t feel like you have to tackle the entire kitchen at once if it feels overwhelming. Start with one cabinet. The spice cabinet, maybe? Or that one drawer that drives you absolutely nuts. Experience the small win, feel the difference it makes, and let that motivate you to continue.

Will my cabinets stay perfectly organized forever? Probably not. Luna might decide a stack of nesting bowls makes a great nap spot, or I might get lazy after a long day. But having the *system* in place makes getting back on track so much easier. It’s less about perfection and more about creating a functional, less stressful environment for yourself. How will reclaiming this space change the way you feel about your kitchen, and maybe even about cooking itself? It’s something worth pondering, possibly over a cup of coffee… now that you can easily find your favorite mug.

FAQ

Q: How often should I declutter and reorganize my kitchen cabinets?
A: A major declutter and reorganization like the one described might happen every few years, or when you move. However, maintenance is key! Aim for quick tidies daily or weekly (putting things back in their place) and a mini-declutter/re-evaluation seasonally (every 3-4 months) to catch expired items, assess if the system still works, and prevent major clutter build-up.

Q: What are the best organizers for really small kitchens with limited cabinet space?
A: In small kitchens, maximizing vertical space is crucial. Focus on stackable containers, shelf risers to add levels within cabinets, under-shelf baskets, and organizers that use the back of cabinet doors (like spice racks or lid holders). Turntables (Lazy Susans) are great for making corner cabinets accessible. Prioritize items you use most and be extra ruthless about decluttering things you don’t truly need.

Q: I’ve decluttered a lot of usable kitchen items. What should I do with them?
A: Don’t just trash usable items! Consider donating cookware, dishes, utensils, and small appliances in good condition to local charities, thrift stores, shelters, or community centers. You could also try selling higher-value items online (Facebook Marketplace, eBay) or giving things away through a local Buy Nothing group. Check local recycling guidelines for items that can’t be donated or sold.

Q: My family members keep messing up the organization system. How can I get them on board?
A: This is a common challenge! First, involve them in the initial organization process if possible, so they understand the ‘why’ behind where things go. Clearly label shelves or bins, especially in the beginning. Make the system intuitive – frequently used items should be easy for everyone to reach. Most importantly, communicate! Explain briefly why the system helps (e.g., “It saves time finding things!”) and gently remind them where items belong. It takes time to build new habits for everyone.

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@article{organizing-kitchen-cabinets-efficiently-my-nashville-kitchen-taming,
    title   = {Organizing Kitchen Cabinets Efficiently: My Nashville Kitchen Taming},
    author  = {Chef's icon},
    year    = {2025},
    journal = {Chef's Icon},
    url     = {https://chefsicon.com/organizing-kitchen-cabinets-efficiently/}
}

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