Moving into a new home signifies a fresh start, a clean slate, and for many, an opportunity to implement long-desired organizational systems. After years of navigating a compact, 700 sq ft apartment where true organization felt like an impossible dream, our move in May 2019 into a significantly larger house, particularly one with a spacious kitchen, felt like turning a new page. The previous space had become so unmanageable that by the end, we had simply given up on the idea of order.
The moment we stepped into our new house, with its expansive kitchen, I knew it was time for a complete overhaul. My goal was not just to unpack, but to proactively design a highly efficient and aesthetically pleasing kitchen environment. Before even moving in our belongings, I made multiple trips to The Container Store, my newfound best friend in organization, to acquire every essential piece needed to whip our kitchen into shape. The transformation was dramatic—a night and day difference from anything I had experienced before. Having a meticulously organized kitchen, where every item has a designated home, brings a sense of calm and clarity akin to purging a cluttered closet. The ability to instantly locate both food items and small appliances reduces stress and genuinely influences my mood, encouraging healthier food choices, mindful consumption of what we already own, and a commitment to maintaining order. After all, the kitchen serves as the heart of our home, often doubling as my workspace, so keeping it in pristine condition is paramount.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through my step-by-step process for achieving ultimate kitchen organization. We’ll delve into specific storage solutions, highlighting where and why they work best, and explore how The Container Store became an indispensable resource for this project. Their extensive range of products truly caters to every organizational need, big or small. (Keep an eye out for their annual kitchen sales for fantastic deals!) Furthermore, I’ll elaborate on the profound connection between an organized kitchen and the cultivation of healthier eating habits—a benefit we can all embrace.
Let’s begin this journey to a more organized and inspiring kitchen, shall we?
The Pantry: A Masterclass in Organized Storage
Our walk-in pantry is undoubtedly one of the features I cherish most about our new home, a luxury many properties in our area lack. It offered an incredible canvas for creating a truly functional and beautiful storage space.
Initially, when we first moved in, my focus was purely on functionality – simply finding space for bins and containers. The aesthetic took a backseat, resulting in a somewhat monotone gray color scheme throughout. While I personally adore gray in many aspects of my life, a pantry filled exclusively with it quickly became rather bland and uninspiring. It was functional, yes, but lacked personality and warmth. This “before” state, while seemingly organized to an outsider, was a missed opportunity for a truly inspiring space.
Earlier this week, I embarked on a mission to infuse new life into the pantry. By introducing a mix of blacks, natural wicker baskets, clear bins, and elegant jars, the space underwent a remarkable transformation. The immediate improvement in atmosphere was palpable; it now feels infinitely more inviting and cohesive, a space I genuinely love to use.
Key Strategies for Pantry Success:
- Start Fresh & Declutter Ruthlessly: The first and most critical step is to empty your pantry completely. This allows you to truly take inventory of what you possess. You’ll likely be surprised by the sheer quantity of items. This is also the perfect moment to discard anything expired, stale, or unused for an extended period – those forgotten bags of chips or obscure ingredients can finally go.
- Categorize and Group: Once everything is out, begin grouping similar items together. Think cans, nut butters, cereals, baking supplies, oils, seasonings, snacks, and so on. This logical categorization forms the foundation of an intuitive and easy-to-maintain system.
- Strategic Visibility: As you organize, consider which items you want to keep visible and which are better stored away. For instance, I prefer to keep my extensive tea and coffee collection in opaque wicker baskets, preventing visual clutter. Conversely, items like condiments, marinara sauces, frequently used seasonings, and everyday snacks are placed in clear containers or on open shelves to ensure I can easily see what I have and avoid purchasing duplicates or forgetting to use them.
- Embrace Breathing Room: A common mistake is to cram every available inch. Look at my “before” photos – items were packed tightly together. Leaving a few inches of space between bins, stacks, and sections makes the pantry feel less crowded, more intentional, and significantly cleaner.
Starting from the top shelf, I decanted various flours—almond, coconut, cassava, and arrowroot starch—into elegant, large glass jars. This not only maintains freshness but also adds to the pantry’s refined aesthetic. To the left, a dedicated section holds treats and extra food for our dog, Ellie.
Moving down, you’ll find my beloved tea stackers from The Container Store. These ingenious organizers have revolutionized how I store tea bags, eliminating the messy piles of boxes that once monopolized cabinet space. With three of these, I can neatly arrange tea bags and easily see them, making selection effortless. I honestly wonder how I managed without them!
Adjacent to the tea stackers, wicker bins discreetly hold additional tea supplies and coffee essentials. This illustrates my tip about choosing what to display, keeping less frequently accessed or bulkier items neatly tucked away.
The shelf below is a haven for snacks and treats. A black bin on the left is dedicated to all things chocolate, primarily dairy-free, keto-friendly options from Evolved Eating—a delightful weakness we happily indulge in. Large glass jars house various bars and Smart Sweets, perfect for a quick, grab-and-go option. In the corner, you’ll find our selection of crackers and chips, including Simple Mills, Siete chips, brown rice crackers, Lesser Evil puffs, and beef jerky, all easily accessible.
On the bottom shelf, I’ve organized our less frequently used seasonings, with favorites from brands like Primal Palate and Simply Organic prominently featured. All our nuts and seeds are stored in clearly labeled glass jars. While some are kept in the refrigerator for extended freshness, the majority reside here in the pantry, sealed tightly to maintain their quality.
Turning to the right side of the pantry, the top shelf is dedicated to extra immune support supplements. Below that, you’ll find an array of marinara sauces, canned goods, and organic chicken broth, alongside glass Ball jars filled with dry staples like organic sprouted oats, sprouted brown rice, and chickpea pasta. Next to these, a generous stockpile of condiments, various nut butters, and ghee ensures we always have plenty of options. The very bottom shelf is reserved for essential baking supplies, honey, and our collection of avocado and extra virgin olive oils, as these are high-usage items in our kitchen.
Finally, the floor space of the pantry is optimized with smart storage solutions. A matching black wire stacking bin holds overflow or stock items, while our indoor grill has its designated spot. A large, braided storage cube with handles elegantly contains all our free-floating protein powders, collagen supplements, and pre-workout mixes, keeping them organized and maximizing the vertical space. This thoughtful arrangement adds both character and immense functionality to the pantry, making every visit a pleasant experience.
The Fridge: A Canvas for Freshness
While my fridge organization might not be as dramatic as the pantry, opening it up to a clean, crisp, and colorfully arranged interior brings immense satisfaction. An organized refrigerator is paramount for several reasons: it significantly reduces food waste by ensuring everything is visible and accounted for, promotes better hygiene by preventing spills and cross-contamination, and streamlines meal preparation. To maintain this level of order, I invested in practical, pre-made labels from The Container Store. These labels are a game-changer, designating specific zones for different food categories, which not only keeps things tidy but also makes it easy for everyone in the household to put items back where they belong. Clear bins further enhance visibility and contain potential messes, ensuring our produce, dairy, and leftovers are always fresh and accessible.
Kitchen Cabinets: Maximizing Vertical Space
Without a doubt, my favorite organizational innovation within our kitchen cabinets is the 9-inch lazy susan. This seemingly simple item is a true game-changer, transforming cluttered corners and deep shelves into easily accessible storage. It’s one of those products you never realize you needed until you experience its unparalleled utility. Lazy susans make items far less cluttered, incredibly easy to reach, and visually appealing, and their versatility extends beyond cabinets—they are equally effective in the fridge and pantry.
In the upper cabinet to one side of our stove, a lazy susan holds the seasonings we use daily, along with matcha, ghee, and our supplements on the top shelf. This ensures that frequently accessed items are always within easy reach during cooking. On the other side of the stove, another lazy susan organizes the majority of our smoothie boosters: cacao powder, chia seeds, various nut butters, camu powder (packed with Vitamin C!), manuka honey, and all the cooking and baking oils I regularly use, plus some dairy-free chocolate chips. The open space created by these rotating organizers is truly remarkable, demonstrating their power in maximizing cabinet functionality.
My second favorite addition to our kitchen are these ingenious pull-out cabinet drawers. They are perfect for storing bulkier items like blenders and skillets that would otherwise require bending and rummaging beneath fixed shelves. The ease of pulling out a drawer to access exactly what you need not only saves time but also protects your cookware. What’s more, they are incredibly simple to install—I managed to put them in myself in under ten minutes!
Kitchen Drawers: Precision and Accessibility
After years of contending with a tiny kitchen, I am incredibly grateful for our new home’s extra-large and deep drawers. They offer vast potential for organization. Upon moving in, I immediately stocked up on stackable bamboo drawer organizers, which have proven to be exceptionally durable and functional over the past year. In the drawer next to the stove, all our cooking and baking utensils are neatly arranged. I’ve categorized them by material—stainless steel, wood—and function—measuring cups, specialized tools, and “other” utensils. The varied shapes of the bamboo organizers are perfect for creating custom compartments for each item, ensuring a snug fit and preventing clutter.
Our daily utensils drawer holds a mix of silver and matte black cutlery, along with essential tools like cheese knives and bottle openers. This keeps our most frequently used items readily available and beautifully presented.
For our deeper drawers, one is entirely dedicated to protein powders, boosters, and workout supplements. I installed an expandable divider in this drawer, which is incredibly useful for separating items and easily distinguishing between mine and Bridger’s. The drawer directly below houses all our food storage essentials: tupperware, extra jars, containers, and their corresponding lids. This systematic approach ensures that finding the right container is no longer a chaotic search.
Lastly, a recent yet significant addition to our counter space are these black Vertica Wire Stacking Bins for produce storage. This is a vast improvement over our previous wooden bowl, where produce often went bad because it was out of sight and easily forgotten. The wire bins provide excellent air circulation and visibility, allowing us to see exactly what we have and encouraging us to use it before it spoils, thereby minimizing food waste.
Living Organized: The Path to a Healthier Lifestyle
Revisiting my earlier point about the profound impact of visible pantry staples and ingredients on cultivating healthier routines—this concept is foundational for me. When your kitchen is meticulously organized, you gain a clear and immediate understanding of your culinary resources. This clarity not only streamlines meal planning but also fosters a desire to spend more time in your kitchen. The psychological benefit of a clean, well-ordered space is undeniable; it reduces mental friction and makes cooking feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable, creative activity. This newfound motivation naturally encourages the preparation of simple, nutritious meals. Instead of resorting to unhealthy takeout, you’re inspired to whip up dishes like my 20-minute Honey Sesame Chicken, a refreshing Simple Greek Salad, or even a comforting Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet for a wholesome treat to round off the day.
An organized kitchen serves as a powerful catalyst for healthy living. When fresh produce, whole grains, and healthy fats are visible and easily accessible, you’re more likely to grab them. Conversely, when unhealthy snacks are hidden or hard to find, their temptation diminishes. This conscious design of your kitchen environment directly supports your dietary goals, making healthy eating a seamless part of your daily life rather than a constant battle. It minimizes decision fatigue, allowing you to focus on cooking nourishing meals with joy and efficiency. The investment in organization truly pays dividends in both your physical and mental well-being.
Your Dream Kitchen Awaits
Ultimately, the moral of this story is that The Container Store empowers you to transform ordinary kitchens into dream spaces. Their unparalleled selection of organizational solutions means you can find everything you need, and more, to tackle any project, regardless of its scale. I wholeheartedly encourage you to take advantage of their sales and embark on your own kitchen organization journey. Maximizing your space isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about creating a harmonious environment that supports your lifestyle, reduces stress, and inspires healthier choices every single day.
Thank you to The Container Store for Sponsoring this post!
xxRachael