Kitchen organization tips and tools

Spring always makes me want to freshen things up—and the kitchen is usually at the top of that list. If you’re in spring cleaning mode or just craving a kitchen reset, I wanted to share a few organizing tips and tools that have genuinely helped me. Kitchen organization is something I’ve always struggled with, but after working with a professional organizer when we moved to Bend, I picked up some simple systems that made a big difference.

Here are a few key things I took away:

• Clear out the clutter. If you have kitchen tools you never use and they’re just taking up drawer space, donate or toss them.
• Do a full pantry clean-out. Take everything out, wipe shelves down, and get rid of anything expired—or anything you realistically know you’ll never use. If it’s been sitting there for a year untouched, it’s probably time.
• Organize your pantry by category. Group similar items together—grains, pasta, legumes, canned goods, snacks, flours, sweeteners, baking items, etc. Bins and stacking shelves can make a huge difference in maximizing space.
• Refresh your spices. Spices don’t necessarily “go bad,” but they do lose flavor and potency over time. If you’ve had something for years and never reach for it, clear it out.
• Keep lids with their containers when possible. Whether it’s pots and pans or food storage containers, storing lids with the base keeps everything much tidier (and saves you from the dreaded lid hunt).
• Invest in matching food storage containers. Having one or two matching sets makes stacking easier and keeps cabinets from becoming a chaotic mess. I love these glass containers (these are the plastic version).
• Purge the random containers and jars. If it doesn’t have a matching lid—or you never use it—it’s clutter.
• Store heavy items where they’re easy to reach. Dutch ovens, cast iron pans, and bulky appliances should live somewhere accessible so you’re actually encouraged to use them.

Kitchen Organization Tools

Once you clear out the clutter, the fun part begins—setting up simple systems that help keep everything organized. Figuring out how to organize drawers, pantry shelves, and cupboards can feel overwhelming, so I wanted to share a few tools that I use in my own kitchen and genuinely love. These small upgrades make a big difference in keeping things tidy, functional, and easy to maintain.

The links!

• Spice jar rack: this is the rack I’ve used in the past and it’s great if you have a larger spice collection. If you only keep around 10–15 everyday spices on hand, the acacia turntables (linked below) are a simpler (and prettier) option.
• Tall latched jars: perfect for short pasta shapes, sugar, grains, beans, nuts, or pantry staples you reach for often. I love being able to see exactly what I have at a glance.
• Jar set with bamboo wood lids: these are both functional and beautiful. I use the tallest size for spaghetti, and the other sizes also work great for grains, oats, flour, nuts, and other pantry staples.
• Acacia Turntables: one of my favorite pantry tools. I use them for spices and for my countertop oil/salt/pepper trio. You can organize anything on them—oils, vinegars, spices, etc… Because they spin, you can actually see and reach everything—no forgotten bottles hiding in the back.
• Shelf trays/organizers: great for keeping pantry shelves or drawers tidy. I use them in drawers for things like Stasher bags, wraps, and small kitchen tools that otherwise end up scattered everywhere.
• Stackable kitchen organizer: these little shelves are perfect for creating vertical storage space. I use them in my pantry for canned goods, jars, and pantry staples so shelves don’t become one big pile.
• Expandable utensil organizer for drawers: this is what I use for silverware, but the larger compartments are also great for spatulas, serving utensils, knifes, and other everyday kitchen tools.
• Interlocking drawer organizers: these are amazing for customizing larger drawers. I use them for measuring spoons, gadgets, kitchen tools—and the small compartments are perfect for little things like clips, twist ties, or rubber bands.

I hope this gave you a few helpful ideas for making your kitchen feel less chaotic and more functional. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that less really is more—keeping only what you use and love makes cooking, cleaning, and staying organized so much easier. Happy spring cleaning!