3 simple steps to organised kitchen cupboards (2024)

Hooray – things are finally starting to feel a bit more normal. Restrictions are easing, we can have guests round and we find ourselves transitioning back into using our home in a more ‘regular’ way once again. But after a year of staying in, working from home and no need for quick pre-guest tidy-ups, you might have found clutter creeping in.

So, with things opening back up, now’s the time to take stock and tackle the build-up. Kitchen cupboards especially are often a mess; there are so many different items that need storing in this room and, without proper organisation, it can get stressful quickly. But don’t worry – there’s no need to feel overwhelmed at the thought of a clear up. Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn suggests starting small and going from there. “Just tackle a few cupboards at a time – or even just one – depending on what you have time for,” she says.

Step one: Decluttering

First things first: make sure that you’re only keeping items in your cupboards that really need to be there. Lower units should remain free for heavy appliances and cookware while its best that food cabinets are at eye level. For those items that you don’t really use, consider whether it’s time to let them go, or label them up and move them to the loft or under the stairs instead.

“If you have loads of items you only use very occasionally, like for dinner parties, Halloween or Christmas, I would highly suggest storing them somewhere out of the way – on top of the cabinets, for example, or see if there’s anywhere else within your home they could live,” says Vicky. “Just by removing those huge Margarita glasses and extra 20 plates, you'll probably find you've got so much more space to work with.”

Kitchen storage baskets

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John Lewis & Partners Water Hyacinth Storage Basket

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Croft Collection Rattan Basket

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Wayfair Seagrass Basket (Set of 4)

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Dunelm French Cane Basket

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Matalan Wire Storage Basket

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A+Selected Rectangular Storage Baskets, Pack of 5

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Iris Ohyama Stackable boxes, set of 3

Step two: Ordering

Now you’ve narrowed down everything to your essentials, it’s time to put them back in the right place. Oils, vinegars and spices should go in one cupboard, along with anything that you use very frequently, says Vicky. “Look at your cupboard shelves. Do you need to move them up or adjust them?” she says. “Will it work better if you put those items in a bigger cupboard or one with double doors?”

If you haven't got a pantry, put food items in a cabinet with double doors so you get a really good visual of what you have. “Ideally, items should be almost ordered like a shop,” says Vicky. “That doesn't mean everything needs to go in baskets, but labels should be faced forward with new items at the back, so you're using them in order and creating less waste.”

Little packets and treats things can go in a basket, but don’t implement any system that you don’t think you can commit to continuing, suggests Vicky. “Don’t worry about lining up packets of crisps perfectly in a box; just pop them in a rummage basket. That’s much easier to stick with,” she says.

Pantry ideas

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Oil and Vinegar Bottle Set

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Personalised Olive Oil Pourer

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PrintTailors Pantry Labels

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Custom Vinyl Storage Labels

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Spice jars

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by iDesign Kitchen Countertop Tidy System

Step three: Organising

Once you’ve nailed down what goes where, it’s time to arrange it all properly. Make sure the items you use most are at the front of each cupboard, so you’re not moving five things out of the way every time you need to grab that sauce you use three times a day. “Categorising is key here,” says Vicky. “Categorising what's where will help us know exactly what we have to work with. This helps us be more sustainable too – and reduce the amount of food waste in our kitchens.”

It’s the same with the fridge. “I don't use that drawer at the bottom for fruits and vegetables – I keep those at eye level in the fridge because that's where I see it,” says Vicky. “It means I reach for them more, too. Then I keep the bottom trays for condiments and jars.”

Think smart when it comes to appliances, too: “Is the deep fat fryer at the front and the juice maker at the back?” asks Vicky. “Wouldn’t you rather encourage yourself to use a juice maker more?”

Some inexpensive organisers you can pick up from John Lewis or Amazon can also transform the way you use your cupboards. Use a turntable for oils, vinegars and soy sauces, and a stepped organiser for your tins and spices. Plate racks and mug trees also make these items much more easily accessible than precariously stacking them up and risking breakages or chips.

“I love OXO Pop containers,” says Vicky. “They’re stackable and they have a good airtight seal at the top. Brabantia also has a fantastic range called the Tasty Plus range, where every utensil has two purposes, which is great for space saving. InterDesign also has plenty of inexpensive containers for inside your cupboards and you can get them on Amazon.”

Kitchen cupboard storage ideas

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CREST Glass containers, 10 pack

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mDesign Kitchen Bakeware Organiser

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OXO Good Grips POP Container

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Semlos Spice Rack Organiser

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AISHNA Lazy Susan Turntable

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simplywire Plate Rack

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BearinMind Kitchen Towel Holder, Pack of 2

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OBOR Expandable Home Organiser

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