How to Organise Your Kitchen Storage Like a Pro

Forget rummaging through messy drawers in search of that elusive gadget or buying doubles of ingredients that you’d forgotten you already have – these expert storage solutions will transform your disordered kitchen into a haven of organisation.

A well-organised kitchen is more than just a tidy space – it’s the heart of a smooth-running home. From preparing school lunches to whipping up family dinner, having everything in its place streamlines everyday tasks and saves you time and hassle. Here, Carlisle Homes’ interior designers share practical tips for optimising your kitchen storage, so you can transform the chaos into order.

If you’ve chosen a Carlisle home, you’re already well ahead of the game. Every Carlisle home features a beautiful, designer kitchen that will wow your guests and make cooking a joy, with generous cupboards, drawers and bench space, and a large walk-in pantry with lashings of shelf space. Or there’s always the option to upgrade to a fully kitted-out butler’s pantry so you can create a haven of order.

Here’s how to take it to the next level.

Sort Your Drawer Storage

Good kitchen organisation begins with well-arranged drawers – because who among us hasn’t wasted time hunting fruitlessly for an elusive cooking utensil buried deep in a drawer while a dish threatens to burn on the stove?

Start by emptying all your drawers and sorting items into categories: utensils, cutlery, gadgets and miscellaneous items like bottle openers and thermostats. Invest in drawer dividers or compartmentalised trays to keep everything in a designated spot. Adjustable drawer dividers can be useful as they allow you to customise drawer space to suit your needs.

For utensil drawers, place frequently used items like spatulas and tongs at the front and lesser-used tools in the back. A standard cutlery tray will keep forks, knives and spoons organised. If you have deep drawers, consider adding a second layer with a sliding tray to provide extra storage. Use small bins or containers within the drawer to corral little bits and pieces like twist ties and rubber bands. Remember to label containers so it’s easy to find what you need.  

Do you and the family tend to charge your smartphones and tablets in the kitchen? Consider creating a dedicated charging drawer to keep your counters clear and your devices neatly organised.

Streamline Your Cabinets

Maximising cabinet space is essential for an organised kitchen. Start by adopting the ‘Sometimes, Rarely, Daily’ approach: items used daily should be easily accessible, sometimes-used items can go on the higher or lower shelves of cabinets, and rarely used items can be stored at the back or in harder-to-reach spots.

Keep items close to where you use them. This means keeping cooking oils and spices near the stovetop, plates and bowls close to the dishwasher, glasses near the fridge, and mugs and coffee pods by the coffee machine. This reduces the distance you need to travel in your kitchen and keeps everything in a logical place.

Want to get more from your cabinets? Cabinet risers and drop-downs will add a handy extra shelf in an instant. Meanwhile, swing shelves and pull-out baskets, which swing out towards you, are great for storing pots, pans and lids in hard-to-reach cabinet corners.

Maximise Your Pantry Space

A well-stocked and organised walk-in pantry not only helps keep your main kitchen pristine but saves you time and reduces food waste.

First step to kitchen pantry organisation – group similar items together, like canned goods, cooking oils, baking ingredients and after-school snacks, in open baskets or containers. This ensures items are readily accessible and easy to track before you hit the supermarket.

Save space and give your pantry a stylish aesthetic by decanting dry goods like breakfast cereals, rice, pasta and crackers into attractive glass jars or lidded plastic canisters, keeping the style of the containers consistent for a cohesive aesthetic. Label them so you know exactly what’s inside them.

Store items you use regularly, like cooking oils, tea bags and coffee beans, on shelves within easy reach, and those you use less frequently on upper and lower shelves. If your shelves are deep and it’s hard to reach all the way to the back, consider adding a Lazy Suzan – a turntable to hold sauces, tins or oils that spins around to bring items towards you.  

Dedicate a shelf or two to bulky appliances like food mixers, storing frequently used ones towards the front and seldom-used ones at the back. This makes it easier to grab what you need without cluttering up your benchtops.

Create Order Beneath the Sink

Under-kitchen-sink organisation is key to maintaining a clean and efficient kitchen. Neglect it, and this spot can quickly become cluttered with detergents, garbage bags and sponges.

Add pull-out drawers or baskets to store cleaning supplies like scrubbing brushes, dishcloths and washing-up liquid, grouping similar items together. You can optimise under-sink storage with an expandable organiser that fits around pipes to utilise every centimetre of space.

Install a tension rod to hang spray bottles, so you can free up under-sink shelf space and keep bottles within easy reach.

Stackable bins and containers are perfect for storing smaller items like dishwasher tablets, extra cloths and bin bags. Clear containers allow you to see what’s inside at a glance so you can keep track of supplies.

And if you need extra under-sink storage, look to the cabinet door. Use over-the-door caddies to store things like scrubbing brushes, bin bags and tea towels, so they are easy to grab when you need them.

If you're looking for inspiration or want to visualise exactly how your dream kitchen will look, visit Carlisle’s Interior Design Gallery. Here, you will get all the inspiration you need to create your dream kitchen, you can also select and save your favourite kitchen designs.