Spring is the perfect time to declutter and organize your kitchen. A clean and tidy kitchen not only looks great, but also makes cooking and entertaining much easier. Follow these tips to refresh your kitchen for the new season.
Clear Out the Clutter
The first step is clearing out anything you don’t use or need.
Get Rid of Expired Food
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Check all shelves, the pantry, fridge and freezer for expired food. Toss anything that’s past its expiration date.
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Also look for food that’s been open for a long time or is no longer fresh. Throw away moldy, spoiled or rotten items.
Donate Non-Perishables
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Gather up canned goods, spices, baking ingredients etc. that you never use.
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Donate unopened, non-perishable items to a local food bank.
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This clears space and helps those in need.
Recycle Old Kitchenware
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Scan cabinets and drawers for chipped dishes, utensils, pots and pans you don’t use.
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Recycle or donate anything in poor condition.
Declutter Counters and Surfaces
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Remove everything from your counters and clean them thoroughly.
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Only put back the essentials like a knife block, fruit bowl, coffeemaker etc.
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Store the rest in cabinets, shelves or drawers to keep counters clutter-free.
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Also clear off the top of your fridge and stove.
Organize Cupboards and Drawers
Now it’s time to organize everything you’re keeping. Follow these tips for an orderly kitchen.
Use Containers
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Invest in clear plastic or glass containers to store loose items like pasta, rice, cereal etc.
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Uniform containers make your shelves look neat and tidy.
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Label each container so you can easily find what you need.
Install Shelf Dividers
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Insert adjustable metal dividers into cabinets to separate dishes, bakeware and other items.
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Dividers prevent items from toppling over and make it simple to keep things in place.
Add Drawer Organizers
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Use cutlery trays, compartmentalized trays and other inserts to arrange utensils.
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Organizers prevent clutter and tangles so you can instantly find the right tool.
Group Like Items
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Place items you use together in close proximity. For example, store coffee mugs near the coffeemaker.
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Put all baking essentials like flour, sugar and spices on a shelf by the oven.
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Logical grouping saves you time when cooking and baking.
Label for Easy Identification
Proper labeling ensures you’ll always know exactly what’s inside cabinets and drawers.
Use Labels on Shelves
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Place removable vinyl labels on shelves to identity contents. This makes it easy to put items back properly.
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For frequently used items like dishes, label the front edge of shelves. This lets you spot items without having to open cabinets.
Label Drawers and Containers
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Use peel-and-stick labels to identify utensils, pots and pans, storage containers and more.
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Match labels to the size of each drawer or container.
Create a Master List
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Stick a master list of all cabinets and drawers to the inside of a cabinet door.
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Check it whenever you can’t remember where something is located.
Maintain the System
Once your kitchen is organized, make sure it stays that way.
Put Things Back Promptly
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Return items to their designated spot as soon as you’re finished using them.
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Putting things away immediately prevents clutter from accumulating.
Review Storage Regularly
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Take a few minutes each week to scan shelves and drawers.
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Look for areas that need reorganizing and do a quick tidy.
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This helps you stay on top of clutter.
With these tips, you can transform your tired kitchen into a fresh, organized space. Decluttering and smart storage solutions make cooking and meal prep much more efficient. Use this spring season as motivation to tackle this important project. You’ll love the renewed look and function of your kitchen.
