Kitchen Organization: 10 Ways to Create the Perfect Space

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How to keep your kitchen tidy and have everything at hand? Where to store spices, coffee and tea, bulk foods, vegetables and fruits, as well as oil and vinegar? Simple tricks will make your kitchen perfectly organized. Read more in this article.

Why do you need organization in a small kitchen: what is it?

Organization in a Small Kitchen
You don't need a big kitchen to cook delicious meals. Many people are the owners of a small kitchen space, the sight of which makes their heads spin – where to put all the accessories, how to arrange the cabinets to make it convenient, etc. Remember - even food storage in a small kitchen can be perfectly organized!

Organizing space is when all utensils, products, and furniture are arranged in such a way that they are as simple and convenient to use as possible.
In a small kitchen, this is needed in contrast to a large space, so that there is no clutter, and it is convenient for the hostess and all household members to have breakfast or drink tea.

Don’t be upset if you have a small kitchen, the main thing is proper organization and then you will be pleasant and comfortable cooking in it and even hosting guests for tea. To help control the clutter that can quickly appear in your kitchen, here are 10 ways to keep even the smallest kitchen organized to a high standard.

Organizing spices in the kitchen of a house or apartment: ideas, photos

Any housewife cannot imagine cooking without spices. Fragrant seasonings are the basis of dishes. Salt, sweet and hot peppers, Provençal herbs, curry, lovage, marjoram and much more enrich the taste and aroma of dishes. Among the large collection of spices, it can sometimes be difficult to find the right one. How to organize spices in the kitchen of a house or apartment? Here are ideas and photos:

The plastic container is very convenient for storing spices in bags.
The name of each seasoning is written at the top.
In such a long organizer you can store both unpacked and opened spices.
Sort the bags into the indicated categories. Do not place them between compartments to prevent the bags from tipping over and the spices from spilling.
A spice organizer like this is ideal for a kitchen drawer, but you can also place it on a countertop or in a cabinet.

Organizing spices in the kitchen of a house or apartment

Rotating plastic container for storing spices - convenient and properly organized.
This organizer can be used to store only some of the spices that you use most often.
Special glass jars retain their aroma for a long time.
Multi-colored spices in transparent jars look very beautiful. The result is a natural decoration for your kitchen.
Ideally, all jars should be the same, but labeled with the names of the spices so you can quickly find them.

Organizing spices in the kitchen of a house or apartment

Another type of plastic container for storing spices.
Special clasps with an inscription will help you quickly find the spice.
Open packages should be closed with these clips.
Such fasteners not only keep things organized and prevent spices from spilling out, but also help you quickly find the right seasoning.
Thanks to the written names, you will quickly find what you need at the moment.
This simple organizer allows you to store spices in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Organizing spices in the kitchen of a house or apartment

Proper organization of the kitchen - where to store coffee or tea: ideas

Every day, several times, we brew coffee or tea. Almost every person loves these drinks and cannot imagine a morning without coffee and a day without tea. We also often prepare such hot drinks for our guests. That’s why it’s so nice when coffee beans and tea leaves or bags are stored in beautiful and aesthetic containers. According to the correct organization of the kitchen, coffee and tea should be stored in special jars.

They make organizing containers in your kitchen cupboards and drawers even more beautiful, and make your guests more inclined to reach for a mug to brew up a delicious hot drink. A glass coffee jar can also be used to store other foods such as cookies or breakfast cereals.

Organizing the kitchen - storing coffee or tea correctly

How to store coffee or tea? Here are some ideas:

The ceramic tea container is resistant to the sun and other factors.
Airtight coffee containers and colorful tea containers, in addition to their aesthetic value, have another advantage - they retain the freshness and aroma of the drink very well.
They protect the grains from light, air and moisture.

Organizing the kitchen - storing tea correctly

If you store tea bags or tea leaves in a glass or plastic transparent jar, then place the container in a closet so that the sun's rays do not enter and destroy the dry raw materials.

Organizing the kitchen - storing coffee or tea correctly

This practical jar is suitable for storing other products.
If you don't want to keep your coffee and tea in the cupboard, containers made from other materials that are resistant to the sun and other factors are a good solution.

Organization of the kitchen - how to properly store coffee or tea
Such aesthetic containers are simple, but they are a very practical solution in the kitchen, which should be used to properly organize the space.

Dimensions in kitchen ergonomics

When choosing a layout option, you need to put personal needs first, not imposed ideas. It is important that the location of the kitchen unit and other furniture corresponds to the specifics of the room. For example, if the width of the kitchen is at least 1.7 m, you can choose a linear layout. If there are two rows, the distance between them should be at least 1.2 m. The maximum value is 1.65 m.

Optimal distances

According to the basic principles, access to everything should be free, the path of movement from the work surface to the stove, sink and refrigerator should be minimal. The resulting working triangle “cooking area – sink – stove” should have a sum of sides of no more than 6 m. The minimum distance between the stove and the sink should be at least 50 cm.

Free opening

This applies to the lower tier of modules, drawers, oven, and dishwasher. Opposite drawers and cabinets, the distance should be at least 90 cm, from household appliances to the opposite surface - 110 cm. In general, the total width of the headset and free spaces should be at least 170 cm.

Safety first

Due to a number of thermal processes, we must not forget about the safety of both the person who cooks and other household members and guests. The hob and oven should be located away from the main passage so that you cannot get burned on hot kitchen utensils. There should be a distance of at least 35 cm between the refrigerator and any heating equipment, from the hob to the window or door - from 45 cm. The height between the hood and the stove is 70-80 cm (depending on the type).

Convenient cooking

If you incorrectly determine the height of the countertops, you may experience back problems. Each level of furniture is selected depending on the height of the person who most often cooks. The average height of the working surface is 85 cm. The height from the floor of the upper drawers is 45 cm. Heavy, bulky items are stored only in the lower modules.

As for the ergonomics of an island kitchen, the height of the working area can be 90 cm. If one of the edges is raised to 125 cm, you get a classic bar counter that can be used as a place to eat.

Organizers for bulk products for proper organization of the kitchen

Bulk foods are one of the main ingredients we use to prepare homemade meals. Various types of cereals, oatmeal, flour, pasta, breadcrumbs, etc. If you store such crumbly products in the bags in which they are sold, you will almost always have the same result - a kitchen mess. Such products will begin to crumble. It is also difficult to keep cereals, pasta, etc. fresh in unsealed bags. Organizers for bulk products for proper organization of the kitchen:

Organizers for bulk products

Plastic food dispenser Branq. Such food containers allow you to quickly pour the right amount of flour, rice, pasta and other products, which is very convenient.
These boxes keep food fresh longer than open packaging.

Organizers for bulk products

Due to the fact that the container is transparent, you can quickly find the product you need.

Effective organization of kitchen cabinets is guaranteed. These dispensers are so aesthetically pleasing, neat and beautiful that you can store them on the kitchen counter to have quick access to the products you need.

Organizing and storing fruits and vegetables: organizers for the refrigerator

When organizing your kitchen space, you should not lose sight of such an important appliance as the refrigerator. There should also be order there. If you store vegetables, fruits and other products correctly, then you will not waste food.

You can learn more about proper food storage “How to store fruits and vegetables so that they remain fresh for a long time?” .

Organizing and storing vegetables and fruits
To maintain order in the refrigerator, it is enough to have ordinary plastic containers for food. Each of them can store different types of products. And the containers can be placed on top of each other so that they do not take up too much space. It's best to dedicate a specific shelf to one type of product so you can get the products you need faster.

Organization and storage of vegetables and fruits

Keep food organizers with shorter shelf life closer to you so you can get them out when you need to.

Worth knowing: Fruits and vegetables stored in separate containers do not absorb odors and remain fresh longer.

Keep foods that have a fairly strong odor (onions, garlic, lemon) completely separate. But instead of finding a separate place for them away from other foods, use a small container for onions and a separate container for garlic. Thanks to this, other products will not absorb strong odors.

Organization and storage of vegetables and fruits

In the kitchen of every experienced housewife there is also a place where there is a glass container with lemon. You can store it in the refrigerator or in the kitchen cabinet.

Organizing and storing lemon

Proper storage makes the kitchen a pleasant place with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, rather than rotten and spoiled food.

Design ideas

If you encounter difficulties organizing space in the kitchen, we recommend that you seek help from specialists.

Designers offer many original, stylish and ergonomic ways to design the kitchen area:

Pantry . It is not necessary to dedicate a whole room for this - one wall is enough. A spacious closet-pantry will help you store a lot of useful things. Its pull-out shelves and baskets can accommodate canned goods, cereals, jars and much more. The design is convenient because it is built into the wall, so it takes up virtually no space.
A drawer in the wall above the tabletop. This recess is intended for storing small household appliances. The niche frees up the work surface, which makes the cooking process more comfortable. The box is equipped with a door that hides blenders, coffee grinders and toasters from view.
Kitchen cabinet. It is a small recess in the wall with a folding desk and shelves. In such a corner you can retire and work without interrupting the cooking process.
Window sill shelf . A standard window sill can easily be turned into a comfortable tabletop by making an overlay made of stone, plastic or wood. It is not difficult to improve the window opening by placing open shelves in it. Plants from the windowsill will smoothly move a little higher and the working surface will expand.
Hanging cabinet for greenery . A multifunctional piece of furniture will allow you to place not only plants, but also jars of seasonings. The cabinet looks stylish, especially if it is wooden. You can plant healthy herbs in it: parsley, lettuce or mint.
Multifunctional sink. To get the most out of the device, it was equipped with additional accessories: a cutting board, a dryer for vegetables and dishes. Sometimes the sink is complemented with a tall mixer with a sprayer. It will not only bring benefits in everyday life, but also add sophistication to the interior.
Built-in technology. Such devices look stylish and save space. They add modernity to the interior, making the work area more advanced and ergonomic.

Oil and vinegar dispensers: proper organization of space and storage in the kitchen

Dispensers for oil and vinegar
In the kitchen of an experienced housewife there are always dispensers for vegetable oil and vinegar made from natural materials. These are the rules for properly organizing space and storage in the kitchen. These containers certainly look better than store-bought plastic bottles with labels.

Oil and vinegar are best stored in a dark glass or ceramic bottle to prevent the food from spoiling when exposed to light.
It is better not to expose such liquids to the sun or refrigerate them. They should simply be stored in a cupboard or on a table, away from a hot stove.

Oil and Vinegar Dispensers

It’s convenient when these “bottles” have additional dispensers, thanks to which you can measure out the required amount of product.

Oil and Vinegar Dispensers
A clear glass bottle is also a good option. Through its walls you can see a beautiful oil shade, which will further decorate your kitchen. However, remember not to expose clear bottles to light, otherwise the product will quickly deteriorate.

Arrangement of storage space

So, how to properly organize storage in the kitchen. Initially, it is worth remembering the basic principles, one of which is the following - everything you need should always be in front of your eyes.

In the best case, the work area should be located between the stove and the sink for washing dishes. A suitable surface length is approximately 90 cm.

In turn, dishes, cutlery, spices and cereals should be located above and below in relation to the work area.

The more necessary a kitchen item is, the closer it is placed to the functional surface. Moreover, the tabletop needs to be cleared of unnecessary items.

Organization of things in the kitchen: the best ways to store knives

Many housewives favor the classic storage of cutlery in a drawer. On the other hand, it is very convenient to have kitchen knives on hand when preparing food. Every day you use different knives - some for making sandwiches in the morning, others for slicing vegetables, others for slicing meat, etc. It is worth using another rule for organizing things in the kitchen so as not to look for knives that are mixed in the kitchen drawer with spoons and forks. Below are the best ways to store knives in the kitchen.

Organization of knives in the kitchen

A special knife block hides the blades, making the kitchen safe and tidy. Here's another idea for storing knives:

Magnetic tape that is attached to the wall:

The magnet attracts the iron blades.
This strip is suitable for a set of knives of the same size, but with different types of blades.

If your kitchen has knives of different sizes, with handles of different colors, then it is better to use the first storage method - a block, as in the picture above. It will be convenient for you to put knives in it. The blades will be completely hidden, making the kitchen completely safe, neat and aesthetically pleasing. When large, sharp knives have their place, organizing drawers and cabinets is much easier.

Traditional and new storage systems

The decisive factor for convenience is not how many cabinets you have in your kitchen, but how everything is organized in them. There are systems that will help you arrange various containers and kitchen utensils as compactly as possible. At the same time, they make it very easy to access the things you need. Modern headsets use the following systems:

Roll-out boxes and baskets . Their advantage is that they allow you to view all the contents at once. They can be of different shapes and heights - cutlery and cooking utensils are stored in low ones, tableware in high ones, and even pots can fit in the largest drawers. You can store both food and textiles in the drawers. The main thing is that they slide out without much effort on your part. Dividers that are easy to make with your own hands will help organize storage inside the drawers.

IMPORTANT . Drawers need space not only inside the unit, but also outside - so that they can be pulled out completely and still stand next to them. This principle is true for hinged cabinets, ovens, and dishwashers.

"Carousels". Useful devices that make it easier to access the most hidden places in corner cabinets. These are movable shelves strung on a rod inside the module. “Carousels” can be semicircular or round. The semicircular ones slide out on their own when the door is opened. The round ones are inside the cabinet. They are usually located in the lower sections. On such shelves you can store quite heavy items - large frying pans, pancake pans, pots and lids, canned food in jars.

ATTENTION. “Carousel” cannot be installed under the sink, as there is a drainpipe located here.

Cargo, or bottle holders. Narrow, but at the same time tall, retractable metal baskets. They can be installed where there is not enough space for wide sections. Bottle holders are convenient for storing bottles with vegetable oils, sauces and drinks, and groceries in jars.
Stationary drying, consisting of racks and a tray. If the cabinet does not have a bottom, a pallet is not required. This, on the one hand, is more convenient - the dishes dry faster. On the other hand, drips from dishes falling into the sink can be annoying.

Storing things in trays and containers: organizing storage space in the kitchen in cabinets

Storing things in trays and containers
Use trays and containers to store things. This will help you better organize your kitchen storage space in your cabinets. Be sure to label all drawers and trays. This way you can quickly find the products you need. In cabinets, when designing furniture, provide many shelves and pull-out systems with dividers.

Storing things in cabinets with dividers

Wall cabinets above the sink

It is better to organize the storage area for small dishes (glasses, mugs, cutlery) above the sink. Most often, wall cabinets are equipped with a grid of metal rods with a tray for collecting water. Hooks and magnetic tapes for knives can be located on the doors and walls of the cabinet.

Note!

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Storing things in rows rather than stacks: organizing your kitchen with your own hands

Storing things in rows, not stacks Store and stack things not horizontally on top of each other (stacks), but vertically - one after another (rows), then you can easily find and get the necessary items without disturbing the established order in the closet.
This organization of order in the kitchen can be done with your own hands. To keep things upright, use dividers, trays, boxes and hooks.