The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, so it’s important to have a meticulous plan for how you set it up. The way in which you organize your kitchen can make or break its flow and workability. Every house is different and the way each family uses their kitchen is different, but there are certain tips to keep in mind to help you set your kitchen up in a way that works well for your family. Here are a few tips for setting up your kitchen so it is functional, organized, and comfortable.

1. Consider How You Use Your Kitchen

Before unpacking a single box, evaluate the way in which you use a kitchen. Are you someone who cooks frequently? Are you cooking for a large family or just one person? Are you a lightweight cook that doesn’t require a lot of prep space? Once you know what you plan to do with your kitchen, you can organize it accordingly. For instance, someone who cooks everything from scratch will need plenty of counter space for chopping and food preparation. Someone who absolutely loves coffee might require a more elaborate coffee setup. Think about your lifestyle and your kitchen and what would make you interact successfully.

2. Create a Pretend Meal

Before you start putting things in cabinets, stand in front of the stove and pretend you are cooking a meal. Consider what side you will naturally prepare food on and how much space you will need. Next, think about which utensils you will use most and how you can keep them within easy reach. Finally, consider anything else you might need on hand for specific cooking purposes. Put the most frequently used items closest to you and work outward.

3. Organize Things by Station

A kitchen will flow best when everything is in an organized station. For instance, create a baking drawer just below the countertop where you store your baking pans, rolling pins, and cake plates. Position your coffee maker in an easily accessible space on your counter and place mugs just above it. Designate a low cupboard as your child’s station with plastic dinnerware that they can easily reach. Designate one part of the counter for cooking and prep work and another for laying out hot dishes.

4. Place Glasses and Drinkware Near the Refrigerator

Ideally, you would want to place cups, glasses, and drinkware in a cabinet nearest the refrigerator. Since you will most likely be taking a glass and then a drink from the refrigerator, it only makes sense to have glasses located near the fridge. If you have young children, consider storing plastic cups, sippy cups, or water bottles in a lower cabinet near the fridge so they can easily access them.

5. Consider Placement of Dishes and Silverware

Since the most commonly used items in a kitchen are dishes, silverware, and drinking glasses, you want to be mindful of where these major items go. The placement of these items can save you time and make it easier to grab things quickly when you need them. For instance, it makes sense to store your plates and bowls in a cabinet closest to the sink and dishwasher. Not only will this make unloading your dishwasher much more efficient, but it keeps you from having to walk across the kitchen every time you need a dish. In the same way, store your silverware close to the dishwasher so that it makes it easier to grab utensils and put them away.

6. Keep Commonly Used Items Within Reach of The Stove

It makes sense to store your pots and pans close to the stove because the two will go hand in hand. You also want to keep things like pot holders, oven mites, hot pads, and trivets in a drawer near the stove so you can easily access them. It is also helpful to store the lids in the same cabinet as the pots and pans so you can easily find them. Finally, keep things like a cutting board, cookie sheets, and cooling racks within reach of the stove as well.

Your kitchen will retain a smooth flow when everything has a designated place and is set up in a  well-planned order. Take the time to arrange your items based on frequency of use so you can easily access those everyday items. Doing this will ensure your kitchen is not only organized, but functional for daily use.