Organized Kitchen Secrets: 4 Reasons Why Yours Feels Messy and How to Fix It
The kitchen — a place everyone uses for just a few minutes that you clean, declutter and wipe down repeatedly, but always feels disorganized and chaotic. The counters are always occupied, drawers are full and difficult to close, and spices disappear into the abyss of cabinets. If yours is in constant disarray, you’re not alone, but the problem often isn’t how it’s used — it’s the layout and routines that cause the chaos.
The kitchen is the heart of your home—but if it always feels messy, you’re not alone. Even with constant wiping and tidying, an organized kitchen often requires better layouts, routines, and storage solutions. This guide will help you understand why your kitchen feels chaotic and show you how to fix it step by step.
1. You Have Too Much Stuff
One of the most significant issues in any disorganized kitchen is having more items than the space can hold. You don’t need several spatulas, a waffle maker you haven’t used in ages, an abundance of cups and pots you keep because they belonged to your great-grandmother.
Old cooking items can start flaking their plastic coatings into your food or provide an uneven heated surface, affecting the quality of your meals. If some of these hold sentimental value — like the pots — you can pack them in storage if you’re not using them.
How to Fix It
- Pick your necessities: Consider everyday-use items like the sugar container, kettle, and toaster. The rest of the items can be stored away.
- Prevent duplication: If you have several spatulas, keep one and store or pass on the rest.
- Maybe box: Keep appliances and cookware you’re unsure about keeping in a box, and donate something if you haven’t used it for over 30 days. Less on countertops means less visual clutter and more room to prep your meals or keep necessities.
2. Your Pantry Is a Black Hole
Look at your kitchen design. Part of why your space seems chaotic is that it wasn’t created to accommodate the layout of your items. Some cabinets are deep and dark, drawers get crammed, and some items go on the top shelf that’s too high to reach.
Imagine your kids needing the salt on that high shelf. When they’re done using it, they may leave it on the countertop because of convenience. Understand and accommodate your kitchen design to prevent safety hazards and accidents for your family.
How to Fix It
- Clear organizers: Replace your dark trash can with a transparent one so nobody forgets to take out the trash. If your drawers are made of see-through plastic, you can see what spices you have to avoid buying duplicates.
- Group items: Group items to improve order in the kitchen. Keep all coffee supplies together and baking items in another area. While you’re grouping things, place unused items into the maybe box.
- Dividers: Use drawer dividers to separate tools and keep each category of supplies visible.
3. You Don’t Have a Cleaning Routine
Even with the best organization, your kitchen will still be chaotic if you don’t develop a cleaning routine. Countertops remain dirty, and a lack of upkeep turns any space into a mess. When something doesn’t go in the right place, more items start to pile up, and if you don’t clean, the kitchen becomes disruptive again.
How to Fix It
- Clean the countertops regularly: Make it a daily habit to clean the countertops. White vinegar and water works as a disinfectant on almost any surface.
- 10-minute rule: Dedicate 10 minutes daily to cleaning a part of the kitchen. Set a timer and choose a part to clean. You can turn this into a family effort so everyone takes responsibility for their part.
- Clean the floor: Cleaning the floor is as important as cleaning the countertops, drawers and fridge. Use water and apple cider vinegar to do so without harsh chemicals.
4. Items are Inconveniently Stored
Children aren’t the only ones who don’t put items where they belong. When you need a spatula while cooking, placing it anywhere convenient after you’re done seems easier. This adds to kitchen clutter, especially if you have several spatulas and eventually can’t find any because none went back in the drawer.
How to Fix It
- Choose convenient spots: Consider everyone in the house. If your kids like making cereal, ensure the cereal boxes and milk are in easy-to-reach places so they can put them back once they’re done.
- Minimize items: If you only have one spatula, you’ll be a little more cautious about where you place it — rare items carry value.
- Dedicate a box: Your kitchen countertop isn’t the place for everything to stay. You should have a box on the countertop for essentials like house keys, sunglasses and school notices.
Get Your Kitchen to Work With You, Not Against You
Your kitchen doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress and chaos. With some decluttering, zoning and finding the right spot for items, you can create a much more cohesive space.
The secret is it’s not about making it perfect — it’s about making progress. Start making small changes and staying consistent in your cleaning routine because 1% of progress will help you get better at cleaning your kitchen every day.
Your kitchen shouldn’t be a constant source of stress and clutter. With smart decluttering, clear zones, and a consistent cleaning routine, you can enjoy a truly organized kitchen that works for your whole family. Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about small, steady progress that transforms your space over time.
Clutter affects more than just how your home looks. Clutter interferes with how you live and how others feel when they visit your space. This blog will explore five often-overlooked reasons clutter is hurting your home and some of the benefits you’ll experience from decluttering your space.
