Fix Your Messy Kitchen—For Good This Time

Let’s be honest—your kitchen is working against you. The counters are a dumping ground, your pantry is a black hole, and you’ve got at least three drawers that qualify as junk drawers (even if one of them technically holds utensils). You want a kitchen that flows, one where you’re not playing Tetris with your Tupperware every time you put dishes away.

I get it. My kitchen isn’t massive, but I make every inch work. And that’s the secret—it’s not about space, it’s about strategy. Organizing your kitchen once isn’t enough; you need a setup that actually sticks. No gimmicks, no Pinterest-perfect nonsense—just real, functional systems that make your life easier.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: SORT—Face the Chaos One Cabinet at a Time

Before you can organize, you have to face reality. And by that, I mean take everything out—yes, all of it. Pick a cabinet, drawer, or even just one shelf to start. The key here is progress, not panic—so if the thought of doing it all at once makes you want to cry into your coffee, take it one section at a time.

Once it’s out, sort by category:
✔ Baking supplies
✔ Meal prep essentials
✔ Spices
✔ Kid snacks
✔ Mysterious kitchen gadgets you don’t actually use

When you see it all laid out, you’ll quickly realize how much of it is just… there.

Step 2: EDIT—Because You Don’t Need 37 Mismatched Coffee Mugs

This is where we get ruthless. Ask yourself:

• Do I actually use this? (If you forgot you owned it, you don’t need it.)
• Is it worth the space? (That oversized air fryer collecting dust? Maybe not.)
• Do I have duplicates? (You don’t need five spatulas. Pick the MVP.)
• Can I live without it? (Yes, you can survive without the 2004 fondue set.)

Common Kitchen Clutter Culprits:

• Single-use gadgets (Goodbye, avocado slicer.)
• Stuff you keep "just in case" (If "someday" hasn’t come yet, it never will.)
• Gifts you don’t even like (You don’t get a gold star for keeping it—let it go.)

Where to Donate:

✔ Local shelters
✔ Veteran organizations
✔ Community groups that actually need it
✔ (And if all else fails, yes, Goodwill—just check what they accept first.)

Pro tip: Stick to the 80/20 rule—your cabinets and drawers should be 80% full, 20% empty. That space isn’t wasted; it’s breathing room, so things don’t get cluttered all over again.

Step 3: CONTAIN—The Right Tools (So You Only Have to Do This Once)

Now that you’ve actually pared things down, it’s time to set up zones and storage that works long-term.

Best Organizing Products (That Are Actually Worth It)

✔ Clear Bins for the Pantry – Because if you can’t see it, you won’t use it.
✔ Drawer Dividers – Keep utensils from becoming a tangled mess.
✔ Lazy Susans for Deep Cabinets – Say goodbye to lost jars of sauce from 2018.
✔ Stackable Bins & Shelf Risers – Maximize vertical space like a pro.
✔ YouCopia Lid Organizer – Because nobody has time for a Tupperware avalanche.

Kitchen Zones That Make Life Easier:

• Dishes & Glasses – Near the dishwasher for easy unloading.
• Pots, Pans & Cooking Utensils – Right by the stove.
• Spices & Oils – Close to where you cook (turntables work magic here).
• Pantry Staples – Categorized so you can actually find things.
• Meal Prep Tools – All together, so you’re not hunting for that one cutting board.
• Kid Snacks – Low shelf = fewer interruptions.

***And for the love of all things organized—LABEL EVERYTHING. ***
Labels aren’t just cute—they keep everyone in your house from asking, "Where does this go?" for the millionth time.

Step 4: MAINTAIN—Because You Don’t Want to Do This Again

A kitchen system that falls apart in two weeks? Useless. Here’s how to make yours stick:

✔ Stick to the 80/20 Rule – Your kitchen should have room to breathe.
✔ Shop Your Pantry First – Before you hit the store, check what you already have.
✔ Stop Over-Buying – If you don’t have space for it, don’t bring it home.
✔ Be Realistic – If it’s been untouched for six months, it’s time to reassess.

Up Next: Solving the “What’s for Dinner?” Crisis

Your kitchen is finally under control—now let’s tackle meal planning. Because the hardest question of the day shouldn’t be “What’s for dinner?”

Next week, I’ll break down the exact system I use to meal plan without losing my mind. Until then—start with that pantry. You’ve got this.

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#KitchenDeclutter #OrganizedHome #NoMoreChaos