Where should items go in kitchen cabinets? The best spots place frequently used items at eye level or within easy reach (between your waist and shoulders). Heavy items, like small appliances or stacks of plates, belong on lower shelves or in deep drawers for safety and ease of lifting.
Making the most of your kitchen storage is a big job. Good kitchen cabinet organization helps you find what you need fast. It also keeps your kitchen neat. This guide shares the best ways to place items in your cabinets. We will look at how to set up drawers, high shelves, and deep storage areas. Let’s dive into optimizing cabinet space for a smooth cooking life.
Mapping Out Your Kitchen Zones
A smart kitchen layout uses zones. Think about how you use your kitchen most. Group items by their use. This system makes your kitchen work better for you.
The Prep Zone
This area is where you chop and mix food. It is often near the main sink or a large stretch of counter space.
What Belongs Here?
Keep items you use for preparing meals close by.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting boards
- Small prep tools (peelers, graters)
For maximizing small kitchen cabinets, use vertical space in this zone. Stack cutting boards on their side using tension rods or dividers.
The Cooking Zone
This zone surrounds your stove or cooktop. You need quick access to cooking tools here.
Ideal Placements for Cooking Gear
- Storing cookware in cabinets should happen directly below or next to the stove. Heavy pots and pans do best in lower cabinets or deep drawers. This makes lifting them safer.
- Oils and spices should be near the stove, but not directly above it where heat and grease can build up excessively.
The Cleaning Zone
This area is centered around the dishwasher and main sink.
Items for the Cleaning Zone
- Dish soap and cleaning supplies (usually under the sink).
- Trash and recycling bins (often in a pull-out cabinet below the sink).
- Daily dishes and glasses.
The Serving and Storage Zone
This is where you keep plates, glasses, and food items that do not need refrigeration.
Strategic Placement: The Golden Rules of Cabinet Storage
When deciding where to put items in kitchen cabinets, think about height, weight, and frequency of use.
Rule 1: High Shelves (Above Eye Level)
These spots are hard to reach. Only put things here you use very rarely.
- Holiday dishes (e.g., large serving platters used once a year).
- Specialty small appliances (e.g., ice cream maker, meat grinder).
- Extra paper goods or paper towels.
Cabinet shelf placement here should prioritize lightness. Avoid stacking heavy items high up. This lessens the risk of drops and injuries.
Rule 2: Eye Level (The Prime Real Estate)
The shelves you see easily when you open the door are the most valuable. These should hold items you grab every day.
- Everyday plates and bowls.
- Mugs and common drinking glasses.
- Frequently used spices or cooking oils (if not stored near the stove).
When organizing dishes in cupboards, stack plates in the center of the shelf. Use shelf risers to double the space for smaller bowls or mugs underneath.
Rule 3: Waist Level (Easy Reach)
This level is great for medium-weight items that you use often but not every single time you cook.
- Food storage containers (Tupperware).
- Baking supplies (flour, sugar, if not in the pantry).
- Mixing bowls.
Drawer organization tips work well at this level for tools that don’t stack easily. Think whisks, spatulas, and serving spoons.
Rule 4: Low Cabinets (Below Waist Level)
These areas are for the heaviest items. They are sturdy and safe for lifting heavy loads.
- Small heavy appliances (stand mixer, blender base).
- Cookware (pots, pans, lids).
- Serving dishes that are heavy (casserole dishes).
For storing cookware in cabinets, consider using deep drawers instead of standard lower cabinets. Drawers let you pull the entire contents out to see everything, which is much better than digging in the back of a dark cabinet.
Rule 5: Below the Sink
This space is tricky due to plumbing. It is often best used for cleaning supplies that can handle moisture or spills.
- Dishwasher pods.
- Spray cleaners.
- Extra sponges or cleaning cloths.
Use tiered sliding shelves or under-sink organizers to work around the pipes.
Specializing Storage: From Dishes to Doodads
Kitchen cabinet organization gets easier when you plan for specific item types.
Organizing Dishes in Cupboards
Dishes should be stored near the dishwasher or the dining area.
- Plates and Bowls: Stack them neatly. If you have tall cabinets, use vertical plate racks. This keeps stacks manageable and stops them from leaning precariously.
- Glasses and Mugs: Store them near the top shelves in the “eye level” zone. Group like items. All wine glasses together, all coffee mugs together.
Table: Optimal Dish Storage Placement
| Item Type | Ideal Location | Key Organization Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday Plates | Middle Shelves (Eye Level) | Shelf Risers |
| Drinking Glasses | Top Shelves (Easy to reach) | Felt pads to prevent chipping |
| Serving Platters | High Shelves or Deep Drawers | Vertical Dividers |
Storing Cookware in Cabinets Effectively
Pots and pans take up a lot of real estate. The goal is to keep them accessible without creating huge piles.
- Pots and Lids: Deep drawers are the best solution here. Use pegboard systems or specialized inserts to keep lids separated and upright. If using standard cabinets, use stackable racks.
- Frying Pans: Store these vertically using a pan organizer rack in a lower cabinet. This prevents you from having to lift three pans to get the one you want at the bottom.
Pantry Storage Solutions
The pantry, whether a dedicated closet or a cabinet bank, needs smart systems. This falls under the larger umbrella of kitchen cupboard layout.
- Bulk Items: Store heavy sacks of rice, flour, or pet food on the very bottom shelf or in low, sturdy drawers.
- Canned Goods: Use tiered can organizers (stair-step shelves). This ensures you see items in the back. This is vital for food rotation.
- Dry Goods (Cereals, Pasta): Transfer these into clear, airtight containers. Label them clearly. These containers stack neatly on middle shelves.
For pantry storage solutions, think clear and accessible. If you cannot see it, you will forget you own it.
Maximizing Small Kitchen Cabinets: Vertical and Deep Solutions
If you are maximizing small kitchen cabinets, you need tools that help you use every inch. Standard shelves often waste space above and below shorter items.
Utilizing Risers and Expandable Shelves
These are game-changers for standard shelving.
- Shelf Risers: These add a second level within a single shelf area. Use them for stacking mugs under wine glasses, or for placing spices above dried pasta boxes.
- Stackable Bins: Clear plastic bins help corral loose items like foil, wraps, or small snacks. Pull the whole bin out instead of reaching in.
Drawer Organization Tips for Success
Drawers are superior to lower cabinets for accessibility. Make sure they are deep enough for what you store.
- Utensils: Use expandable bamboo dividers. Keep like items together (all wooden spoons, all measuring spoons).
- Linens: Fold tea towels and placemats flat. Use file dividers or small boxes to keep stacks neat so they do not sprawl when the drawer opens.
- Gadgets: Store oddly shaped gadgets in dedicated small bins within the drawer. This prevents them from migrating.
Corner Cabinet Strategies
Corner cabinets are notorious “black holes.” They consume space but are hard to access.
- Lazy Susans (Turntables): These are the best defense against dead space in corner cabinets. Use them for oils, vinegars, spices, or baking ingredients.
- Blind Corner Pull-Outs: If budget allows, install specialized hardware that pulls the inner shelving unit completely out of the cabinet opening. This is the ultimate solution for best practices for cabinet storage in tricky corners.
Deciphering the Kitchen Cupboard Layout for Efficiency
The flow of your kitchen cupboard layout impacts your cooking speed. Think about how you move during meal prep.
Placement by Usage Frequency
We already touched on high vs. low, but let’s refine this based on the frequency of use (the 80/20 rule). 80% of the time, you use 20% of your items.
- Daily Use (Top Priority): Coffee mugs, dinner plates, frequently used pots, cutting board. Placement: Eye level or waist level.
- Weekly Use (Secondary Priority): Baking sheets, specialty serving bowls, seldom-used gadgets. Placement: Slightly higher or lower shelves.
- Yearly Use (Lowest Priority): Holiday decorations, specialized canning equipment. Placement: Very high shelves or far back in the pantry.
Grouping by Task
Instead of grouping by item type alone, group by the task performed. This is key for optimizing cabinet space in a small kitchen.
- Baking Drawer/Cabinet: Keep all flours, sugars, sprinkles, whisks, and measuring cups together. When you decide to bake, you only need to open one area.
- Coffee/Tea Station Cabinet: Store filters, teas, favorite mugs, and sweeteners all in one spot near where the coffee maker sits.
Utilizing Vertical Space: The Unsung Hero of Cabinet Organization
When dealing with deep cabinets or standard-height ones, wasted vertical space above shorter items is a common problem.
Pegboard Systems for Accessibility
Installing a pegboard inside a cabinet door or on the back wall of a deep shelf allows you to hang items vertically.
- Lids: Hang pot and pan lids vertically on the inside of the cabinet door above the corresponding pots.
- Measuring Spoons/Cups: Hang these on the side wall of a drawer or cabinet.
Door Storage
Don’t ignore the back of the cabinet door! This is excellent space for thin, light items.
- Wraps and Foils: Use over-the-door organizers designed for spice jars or slim storage racks.
- Small Trays or Cutting Boards: Slim cutting boards can fit vertically using tension rods screwed into the door frame.
Best Practices for Cabinet Storage: Maintenance and Longevity
Organization is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing maintenance. Following these best practices for cabinet storage will keep your system running smoothly.
Consistency is Key
Once you decide where the spatulas go, they must always go there. Inconsistent placement leads to clutter returning quickly.
Label Everything (Especially Clear Containers)
If you use clear bins for pantry storage solutions, label the exterior of the bin, not just the lid. This lets you identify contents without pulling the bin down or opening it. Use simple, large fonts.
Declutter Regularly
Schedule a quick 15-minute tidy session every few months. Check expiration dates on spices and dry goods. If you haven’t used an item in a year (and it’s not seasonal), consider donating or repurposing it.
Respect Weight Limits
Do not overload shelves, especially in older cabinetry. Heavy items stress the joints and can cause shelves to bow or break. Distribute heavy loads evenly across the cabinet base or use robust drawer systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I store plastic food containers (Tupperware) in drawers?
A: Yes, drawers are often the best place for food storage containers. Use deep drawers near the prep zone. Place lids vertically in a separate divider or bin within the drawer, nest the containers, and stack them by size.
Q: What is the safest way to store heavy baking sheets and cooling racks?
A: The safest way is vertically, using sturdy metal dividers mounted inside a lower cabinet. This prevents having to lift a heavy stack from a low position. Avoid stacking them horizontally, as the weight can damage the bottoms of lower pans.
Q: How high up should I place my everyday drinking glasses?
A: Everyday glasses should be at eye level or just slightly above (the prime real estate). This minimizes stretching or bending, making daily use effortless. Use shelf risers if you have tall cabinets to create two levels for glasses and mugs.
Q: Should I keep spices above the stove?
A: Generally, no. While convenient, the heat and steam from cooking rise and degrade spices quickly, dulling their flavor and color. Best practices for cabinet storage recommend keeping spices in a cool, dry spot, like a dedicated drawer or cabinet near the prep area, but away from direct heat sources.
Q: How do I deal with awkward, oddly shaped kitchen gadgets?
A: Group all small gadgets together in a designated drawer. Use adjustable drawer dividers or small interlocking trays to create custom “cubbies” for items like pizza cutters, can openers, and melon ballers. This stops them from rolling around and making noise.