Easily Reduce Stress The Old Fashion Way – Part V: How To Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets!

How To Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets:

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, decluttering and organizing parts of your home can actually help manage stress and anxiety. In fact, a study in 2009 concluded a cluttered or messy home may even effect us physiologically. In this post, we’ll talk how to organize your kitchen cabinets, in specific.

Did you know, according to the study referenced above, women with higher stressful home scores (ones whom described their homes as “messy” and or “cluttered” (in the study), actually had higher “unhealthy” cortisol levels. Meaning they did not show a “normal, healthy decline” (curve) throughout the day.

The fact is clutter can cloud our minds with too much stimuli, and make it more difficult to relax, according to an article posted on Psychology Today.

Think Simple Thoughts!

Let’s begin by discussing some rules of thumb when it comes to organization in the home. In truth, some of these ideas may pertain to one part of the home more then others, as they are general tips.

For instance, try these ideas on for size:

• Empty It:

First things first, empty it all out. Don’t leave anything in it’s original place. You need to have a clear visual of the space(s) to better figure out how you’re going to re-create your new dream look.

• Clean like Nobodies Business:

This holds true for any part of the home. In the case you are emptying-out spaces, reorganizing, or redesigning, it’s imperative and logical to start with a good cleaning

• Have a Plan:

Prior to beginning or once cleaned out, it’s time to devise your plan.

Be cognizant of feelings you may have, including:

• Overwhelmed
• Anxious
• Lost

You may even ask yourself, “What do I do now, and how am I going to organize these spaces?

Breathe, take a moment and think…

Consequently, begin to ask yourself these basic questions:

• How can I make this area more functional?
• What items do I use the most?
• Which Items do I barely ever use?
• What items have I not touched in 10 years?
• Which items can I donate?
• What items do I have the most of?
• Big items vs. smaller items?
• What are items I use only during the holidays or get-togethers with family and friends?

Thus, beginning to define or designate your spaces! These questions can help get you closer to your end goal.

Still not sure?

Step away from the space for a moment. Alternatively, start by simply going through all of your stuff. What’s junk and what’s not?

Then, see where this takes you. Sometimes, it’s just about starting somewhere and letting things fall into place.

• Line them up:

A great way to add some protection to your kitchen cabinetry, drawers or pantry shelves, is to use adhesive liner(s).

These are a must have addition, as many of them are now stylish, water resistant and easy to clean.

• Make it Easy on Yourself:

This is a concept we’ve discussed on several of our posts on organization. Additionally, it holds true when disusing how to organize your kitchen cabinets or how to organize your pantry.

We are referring to things that are used often. Make these items easy to reach and/or eye level. This may include everyday accessories, or items such as; glasses, plates, coffee, and spices.

Have these items easily accessible.

Ideas on How to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets

Don’t Risk It/Safety First:

We simply mean, anything like pots, pans, appliance items, large mixing bowls, cutting boards or large serving dishes, make sure you store these items on a low shelf.

To this end, don’t risk trying to pull a heavy item from the top shelf while your are on your tip toes. Organize & declutter safely!

Lazy Susan Is In?:

Some may make the case that a lazy susan is outdated. In reality, we believe they can still serve an amazing purpose.

Specifically for things such as spices. With such a large variety these days, they’re not just built-in to you cabinets anymore. Portable ones now exist, in all shapes and sizes. One of our favorites is using them for cleaning supplies.

Additionally, they exist in a multitude of materials from; marble, wood, even bamboo!

Towel Bars in the Kitchen?:

No way!

On the contrary, use a towel bar and place it on the inner portion of a kitchen cabinet door. Making it quite easy to store and hang items from.

As a result, you begin to see how to truly utilize space.

You can find these at Home Depot and Lowe’s that actually hang right over the door. Consequently, no hardware, screws or holes, required.

Wine Racks:

Do you yourself have a wine rack, or at least know someone who has invested in one? Probably so!

The varieties in wine racks are truly endless. Handmade stores like ETSY have something for anyone. This includes hundreds of styles, shapes, and materials.

With that said, you can even DIY one yourself with little knowledge of woodworking.

Wood Wine Rack

The idea here is not just to become more organized and functional, but also to give your kitchen the look and feel that is unique to you.

Hooks, Hooks and More Hooks:

Hooks are great. They are easy and affordable. Even Command Hooks can be used for many projects with the non-stick adhesive backings.

Similarly, they can make storing items a breeze. Place them on the inside of you kitchen cabinets and easily hang; measuring spoons, measuring cups, mixing spoons and accessories. The options can be endless.

Organizing and arranging your kitchen cabinets has never been easier. Although sometimes, the real challenging part is the amount of choices you have.

Vertical Space = Your Friend:

In previous posts we’ve discussed the idea of “going vertical”.

For example in the post, “How to Organize your Closet” and “How to Organize your Bedroom“, we discussed how vertical shoe racks not only helps you organize, but saves space. This idea allows you to utilize and take advantage of every square inch.

With that said, when organizing kitchen cabinets, this concept holds true. You can purchase really cheap risers for your cabinets that allow you to utilize more vertical space.

Pull-Out Organizers:

Another great options when arranging kitchen cabinets is thinking about pull-out cabinet organizers.

Again, these range from extremely simple, (no hardware needed), to a little more detailed and pricey, so do what works for you.

These are great for cleaning supplies, spices, a hidden away trashcan, Tupperware and Tupperware lid organization. Another great idea we’ve seen is purchasing a cutting board organizer and then placing that in one of these pull-outs.

You can even purchase two tiered pull out cabinet organizers so to more effectively use all of your horizontal and vertical spaces.

In short, the ideas are endless!

Use Every Space:

Even talking about small, awkward spaces in kitchen cabinets. Find something, or a group of items that you may not use often and place them in this space.

Utilize a basket in that area and store medicine or extra baby food (not together, of course!), etc.

How To Organize Your Kitchen Pantry:

Remember the basics that we’ve discussed above. There are also some ideas that are similar to that of arranging kitchens cabinets that can apply here as well. Including using vertical spaces, safety tips for heavy bulky items, as well as using a hook here and there for some added hanging storage.

But we’ll focus more on the pantry, specifically, in the next few tips:

Cohesiveness:

The first point deals with design, more then storage or utilization of the space.

Whether you’re dealing with a walk in pantry or you simply have a closet-type pantry, try and maintain your kitchen design within the pantry as well.

Use similar items, adhesive liners, bins, baskets, containers, therefore maintaining a cohesive feel in both places. This will help provide a better flow in the overall design of the kitchen.

Use of Baskets/Bins:

Secondly, get the most out of this storage space. One of the best ideas when you have smaller, but similar items, is to use a basket or multiple baskets of similar design and function.

Check out the image below, see how the bins are arranged, it makes the space seem less cluttered and more organized because of the consistency of items used throughout the kitchen pantry.

Labeling, an Essential Step:

In addition, some have a rather large pantry with tons of items.

Of these, some are used every day, while others may be used weekly or even monthly.

As a result, it’s a great idea to get accustomed to label use. Inexpensive label makers exist. Alternatively, baskets or bins with pre-made labels are available for purchase.

How about containers that come with the ability to write with chalk on them or ither type of stenciling.

This allows for ongoing changes to be made when needed to the containers with ease. Be creative, but have a method to your madness, and a purpose with everything you do.

In conclusion, inevitably making things more organized, helping with the flow of everyday life in the home and kitchen, specifically.

Keep it Air-Tight:

Purchasing air tight containers is a must.

Keep things fresh and air out! Coincidentally, these containers also come in easy to stack designs, therefore adding to your organizational tactics.

The last tip on how to arrange and organize your pantry, pertains to a cool little trick…

Corral Canned Goods with A Magazine Rack:

This is a cool little trick I picked up from cutediyprojects.com. You can go to the dollar store and pick up a magazine rack and place canned goods in it. It keeps them neat and orderly.

Final Thoughts!

Thanks so much for coming to visit us at RN to Zen. We hope this has been another fun and equally helpful post for you!

Please feel free to share any of our post and material on any of your social media platforms.

Hope to see you again soon!

Resources:

• https://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/496/docs/pubs/2009noplace.pdf
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies
• https://cutediyprojects.com/organizing-ideas/36-dollar-store-kitchen-organization-hacks-you-can-pull-off-like-a-childs-play/