Have you ever opened a kitchen cabinet just to discover you'd never be able to actually find what you're looking for? For a family of any size, this is a common scenario. Plastic containers seem to be the biggest pain point for homeowners, but mismanaged cabinets can also get in the way of storing larger items like pots and pans.
Taking control of your kitchen starts by getting the entire family on board. Use a few of these tips and techniques to keep your cabinets perfectly organized so you can access what you need when you need it.
Sometimes, it's the cabinets themselves that need an upgrade to better fit your family's needs. Contact a kitchen remodeling contractor today for quotes from pros in your area, for free!
If you're overwhelmed with how kitchen cabinets are organized, getting everyone involved will make it easier long term. Develop a kitchen cabinet organization action plan and discuss it with your family. For younger children who may have just started participating in chores, such as drying dishes, this may be the best time to start.
Make it easy to create organization habits. You could name each cabinet to make it easier, such as the plates and bowls cabinet. This will make it easier for family members to remember what goes where. You may also want to ask in this meeting what would make it easier for everyone to work together in keeping the kitchen organized. Ultimately, you know your family best and what will work for them.
Often, cabinets become disorganized because kitchen items simply don't have a place or space where they'll fit. By investing in a few cabinet accessories that help with organization, you can significantly improve how everything fits.
Another great family-friendly way to organize your kitchen cabinets and drawers is with labels. On the inside shelf, label what item goes there. This is a great way for young children to practice their reading skills as well.
Kitchen and bakeware is not the only culprit when it comes to cabinet clutter. Schoolwork, old mail and menus and other papers can clutter cabinets and drawers easily if they don't have a place to go. Whalen suggests creating a space in the kitchen that helps you sort through it all.
This can be an easy system for kids to place items they need signed or urgent messages that need to be seen. That way, your cabinets will stay organized and nothing will be forgotten.
Of course, it's easy to make a mess of your cabinets when family members can reach commonly-used items. For plates, bowls and cups, keep them in a place where your child can reach them if needed. A stool nearby may help.
However, cabinet organization means better safety habits as well. Always keep knives, scissors and other sharp cookware out of reach for kids. For toddlers, you may even want to invest in child safety locks that prevent them from getting into cabinets and drawers.
Kitchen cabinet organization is an essential part of keeping everything functional for the family. Start by creating habits that everyone can follow and discuss what works best. Then make a clear set of rules to where everything goes and how all can pitch in to create an organized kitchen.
Looking for more ideas to improve your kitchen? Read How to Maximize your Kitchen Counter Space.