If you have found yourself searching endlessly for that Tupperware® lid, sifting through countless spice jars, and shoving pots and pans back into the cabinets, then it might be time to reorganize your kitchen. The kitchen is one of the most important spaces in your home but also tends to get cluttered easily. This can lead to frustration when you are trying to prepare meals for the family. The good news is that you don’t need an enormous amount of space to have a functional kitchen. With proper organization, you can maximize space in your kitchen and find enjoyment in cooking and meal planning. Here are a few easy tips to help you get started.

Clean Out and Purge

The first step in reorganizing your kitchen is to literally take everything out and assess the situation. Organization is easiest when you are working from a blank slate. Once you pull everything out of your drawers, cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator, give everything a good clean and wipe down. Now it’s time to go through your items and purge anything you no longer want or need. Start by throwing away any expired food or spices along with broken utensils or appliances. Next, make a pile of items you wish to keep and those you want to donate. Think about each item and ask yourself: Is it necessary? Does it work? Do I use it?

Group Like Items Together

After you have decided which items to keep, it’s time to sort though and group your items. For example, sort all of your bake ware together. Sort your everyday dishes together. Group your cooking utensils together. Do the same with pantry items such as baking mixes, cereal, canned goods, etc. This is a critical stage of organizing and will make it easier to find the items you need.

Gather Organizing Materials

Before you begin placing items back into your kitchen, gather some materials that will help you stay organized such as small baskets, canisters, plastic bins, and drawer dividers. This will help you fine-tune your kitchen organization. Rather than filling drawers, cabinets, and your pantry with loose items, these materials will help you find the perfect place for each item. You can also label these bins and baskets for added convenience.

Store Items Logically

As you return items to the kitchen, think about where they will be most convenient. Assess the entire kitchen and group cabinets and drawers into zones. For example, Zone 1 will be everyday items that you use most often such as plates, bowls, glassware, cups, and cutlery. These items should be easy to access and close to the dishwasher and sink. Zone 2 could be your cooking items such as pots, pans, cutting boards, measuring cups, and baking sheets and these should be located close to your oven and stove. Zone 3 could be your accessories and storage such as plastic baggies, food wrap, aluminum foil, and tupperware and these could be close to your refrigerator. Do the same for items in your pantry, under the sink, and in beverage areas.