4 Ways to Instantly Tidy a Messy Kitchen

As the heart of the home, your kitchen should be an organized oasis that makes cooking simple and cleaning a breeze. If yours falls short, rest assured there are plenty of ways you can declutter, refresh, and repurpose.

These organizing tips will turn your kitchen into an easy-to-navigate and beautiful-looking space in no time.

Deep clean the space.

First things first, you’ll need to purge your kitchen of every item you no longer want or need. Take everything out of your kitchen drawers and cabinets and try the Marie Kondo method: does it spark joy? Or are you left with utensils that haven’t seen the light of day for a few years? If it’s the latter, it’s worth popping them in storage or getting rid of them altogether.

Next, attack your pantry and fridge — throw out everything that’s expired or you no longer need. Wipe down your cabinets and drawers and prepare to get organized!

Sort your utensil drawer.

If your utensil drawer is a mess, chances are it reflects in your cooking. If you spend precious time trying to find a particular utensil, you risk your meals being slow or over-cooked. An organized utensil drawer is the only way to stop this — and while it may seem tedious at first, it’ll be rewarding once it’s done.

To start, you’ll need to choose a dividing system.  So you’ll never have to question where your favorite utensils are again!

Put dry goods into clear jars.

This not only makes everything super-easy to find, but it also ensures you’ll never have to second-guess when your favorite muesli is about to run out. Best of all, it’ll keep things fresh and make you feel super-organized.

To start, buy a bulk of glass jars or plastic containers and label them with the name of the food you want to store and the expiry date. It’s best to buy jars that stack together easily if you need the extra room. Larger jars should be reserved for everyday items such as cereal, while smaller jars can house spices and herbs.

Storage

If your cabinets are a mess, try dividing them by how often you use certain kitchenware. For example, everyday cups and plates should be stored on the lower levels for ease of reach, while special-occasion pieces should be placed higher up. Group objects by purpose and assign them to specific cabinets, and you’ll never be left fumbling for plates just when the dinner is about to burn!

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love.