YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Kitchen organization

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Kitchen organization https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:02:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2322236 Wed, 10 May 2023 17:47:44 +0000 April 2322236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So beautiful! Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2322006 Tue, 09 May 2023 18:38:35 +0000 Janet 2322006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ April, oh, the roof work! We had part of our roof reshingled, and construction of the kitchen included building a new dormer, so I hear you! That overhead noise is the worst! One day we had workers cutting countertop material at the same time someone else was sawing the brick hearth off our fireplace — OMG the noise level! We have been treasuring the quiet moments when workers leave for the day! I need to take more new pics of the progress. But here in pic 1 is the front of the house with all outside construction done and exterior paint in progress. Pics2-3 are our new place settings — dishes, napkins, and placemats from Pottery Barn, silverware from West Elm, and Tahari napkin rings from Home Goods! Pics 4-6 are the kitchen with the island and light installed! April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2321695 Sun, 07 May 2023 23:19:09 +0000 April 2321695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, you have the patience of a saint through all this.  We are entering Week 7 of a total roof-and-gutter replacement and the constant pounding and ladders at windows is driving me mad.  At this point, 7 weeks to you must sound like nothing! Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2321474 Sat, 06 May 2023 20:32:17 +0000 Janet 2321474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ April, that looks amazing! Very organized.  Our spices are mostly still at the storage unit. But we now have lights installed and all appliances are in, but the dishwasher is not hooked up yet, and the island appliances (freezer drawers, beverage fridge, wine fridge) need handles. So we are not fully functional or moved back in yet. Getting there though! April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2321446 Sat, 06 May 2023 16:09:36 +0000 April 2321446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Almost complete!  Or maybe completely complete.  And look - lots of room for new spices when I decide to tackle a new cuisine. April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2320825 Mon, 01 May 2023 14:10:48 +0000 April 2320825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did get a fair amount done in my spice cupboard yesterday - Photo 1 is the morning's hot mess (had moved some things out of the upper shelves the day prior, so they don't look quite as terrible as the lowers.) Photo 2 is how it looks right now, as I await my new jars and risers.   When all is said and done, my hope is that this cabinet will contain ONLY herbs, spices and perhaps extracts - not the motley assortment of condiments, sauces, sweeteners, dried mushrooms etc. it had before. The shame (or joy) of all this excess is that this cupboard isn't even the end of it.  I have a whole section of another cabinet that contains nothing but Indian spices and a small dedicated coffee grinder.   If you cook in more than one cuisine, it gets out of hand rather quickly.   Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2320809 Mon, 01 May 2023 11:40:32 +0000 Janet 2320809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such great solutions and suggestions here! This weekend we went to the storage unit and started bringing kitchen things back home to start putting away. I did some preliminary organizing. It was amusing to realize how many kitchen utensils we own, but when I sorted them out, I realized we really do use most of them, even some that only get used a couple of times a year. We went shopping for dishes and think we found what we want at Pottery Barn. Silverware from West Elm. Starting fresh with all new! I think I’m even giving away the 30 year old mixing bowls to start fresh. Again, the modern new space makes some of the old stuff look shabby. But some old things retain their charm! April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2320754 Sun, 30 Apr 2023 15:36:12 +0000 April 2320754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find myself with a shockingly disorganized and overflowing spice cabinet and have set myself the task of remediating that this week. I ordered some <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-Tier-Expandable-Spice-Rack-Organizer-Non-Skid-Container-Display-Shelf-for-Kitchen-Countertop-Pantry-and-Cabinet/1834399027">additional modular inserts</a> to corral the current hot mess.   Mr. A recently gifted me a rechargeable cordless label maker (swoon) so I plan to go nuts with labeling.  Nothing useful here for you, J, just chiming in to encourage others who may be dealing with a similar cabinet somewhere. Staysfit on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2320112 Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:36:32 +0000 Staysfit 2320112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, we cook a lot and we try to be very efficient.  When we designed our kitchen we put in many of the cabinet features you have added.  I love the vertical tray cabinet the most and find myself wishing I had added a second!  <div> </div><div>My best advice is to store items as close as possible to where you use them most.  I do not like lids on containers except for storing grains and dried legumes…(which we use frequently).  I keep most items in their original packages and then close them with chip clips and put them into clean and sturdy shoe boxes without their lids on my pantry shelves.  It looks neat and tidy, and I can see everything.</div> rebekahphoto on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2317310 Sun, 09 Apr 2023 22:45:49 +0000 rebekahphoto 2317310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ so exiting! love seeing your kitchen coming together. looking great.  we have limited storage in our 1955 mid-century. so every inch counts. I have vintage ball jars with dry goods in an open pantry, I can see what needs to be replaced, and the green glass is fab. We cook a ton, so basics are on the counter (knives, vitamix, utensil, salt) cutting board I do have these long narrow drawers for both refrigerator, (and some to hold lenses for my classroom they work great--the long ones go all the way to the back-great for yogurts, drinks, seasonings.  Both i-design and M-design are of good quality.  We also have the Cambro restaurant supply storage bins. Giant ones for flours, smaller ones for other things, and smaller ones.  Love they are square and stack well. The Online "webstraurant Store" has the best prices anywhere I found.  <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.webstaurantstore.com/restaurant-storage-transport.html">https://www.webstaurantstore.c.....sport.html</a> Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2317218 Sun, 09 Apr 2023 12:16:36 +0000 Janet 2317218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great ideas, Kyle! Thanks! Kyle on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization/page/2#post-2317182 Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:54:30 +0000 Kyle 2317182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When we downsized, my husband and I managed to find a smaller home with a bigger pantry (12x8 with a 9-foot ceiling) and I think even more kitchen cabinets than we had in our very spacious previous house. This is probably because we’re in a custom home, but with so much storage space we have not had to be super organized, so we’re not nearly as buttoned up as I normally prefer. Still, I’ll pass along a few things that do work:  -A lid organizer for food storage containers -Tiered shelving for canned goods -A drawer organizer for steak knives with an individual slot for each -Original spice bottles lay flat, in alphabetical order, in a large drawer next to the stove -I don’t like having a dish drainer on my countertop, so we have one that stays in one side of a double sink. It has holders on the side intended for glasses, and I slide my sponge behind one so it’s hidden away and can drip dry. Dish soap and hand soap are next to the faucet in decorative labeled dispensers. -Finally, we drink a lot of water and installed a special Pentair Everpure filtration system that dispenses filtered water from our kitchen faucet,  so there’s no standalone filtered water unit taking up floor space. anchie on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316929 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:38:23 +0000 anchie 2316929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet - one of the benefits of working for UN is that we have commissary at work stocked with american groceries (for colleagues that can’t live without familiar products;) ) and I shop there regularly because it is convenient. I haven’t seen it outside. Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316928 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:28:29 +0000 Janet 2316928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anchie, I love seeing my local speciality in your spice cabinet! I live in the home of Old Bay seasoning and had no idea it was available in Europe. anchie on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316923 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:16:04 +0000 anchie 2316923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We have very similar trash recycling drawer but I ended up using it in different way (it is under the sink and next to dishwasher so it made more sense) and we created recycling station outside the kitchen. We also have one pull out shelf that is useful for spices and I am thinking of adding more for other shelves. Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316756 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:23:51 +0000 Janet 2316756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mary, that’s such a great tip for those who forget things in drawers! We’ve joked about the drawer being where produce goes to die. My BFF keeps canned beverages in hers! We get Blue Apron kits too. I always bag up the ingredients for each meal in a separate storage bag in the fridge, and they get their own shelf. In our new kitchen we will have a wine fridge and a beverage fridge, and the freezer is separate from the fridge — it will be in the island with the wine/beverage fridges and is two freezer drawers. I’ll be curious to see how that works for organization, but I’m sure it will be better than our old tall side-by-side freezer, which always felt like things got easily lost in there. Indigoprint on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316746 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 23:47:48 +0000 Indigoprint 2316746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ MsMary interesting bits, thanks for sharing always fun to see how others do things! MsMary on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316711 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:29:54 +0000 MsMary 2316711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The best thing I have done is follow the advice of a Tik Tok-er and put the condiments in the produce drawers of my fridge, and put the produce (and pretty much everything else) in clear bins where I can see it. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@domesticblisters/video/6979758751741955333?lang=en&q=domestic%20blisters%20refrigerator%20organization&t=1680798548053">https://www.tiktok.com/@domest.....20blisters</a>  <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mischacrossing/video/7016444918361066757">https://www.tiktok.com/@mischa.....8361066757</a>  We get Blue Apron meal kits so when I unpack the Blue Apron box it goes in one or to clear bins so I know right where to look. And meat goes in the door where I can see it easily.  Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316710 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:25:30 +0000 Janet 2316710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ April, I love labeling things and will incorporate that into our new kitchen! I even taught this to my husband, who implemented labeling at the ranch, where all sorts of tools and feed and chemical routinely got shoved into random empty spaces on the shelves in the shop (the closed workspace, like a giant garage). He got organized one day and labeled the shelves with what should get stored in each section, and it really helped! ChristelJ on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316697 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:30:08 +0000 ChristelJ 2316697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is delightful to read! Vicarious thrills! Our kitchen is a small relic that will someday have an overhaul. Right now, I depend on those clear plastic bins like you have, Janet. A Lazy Susan, and a magnetic wall-mounted knife strip holder are indispensable. Our cabinets are dark, narrow and let's say not built for aging in place, so I'm looking for ideas here. Love the corner cabinet pull-outs. Your kitchen looks dreamy already! April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316691 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:53:22 +0000 April 2316691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have learned that labeling the shelves, drawers, door racks, and organizing bins inside the fridge is amazingly helpful - when one actually reads the labels and puts things away accordingly. Guess which "one" does that, and which one shoves whatever wherever he can see an opening.   The good thing about the labels is that it takes me three or four seconds to move the aioli back where it belongs (surprise - not in the chocolate syrup zone!) with zero thought or decision-making on my part.  ;)   Another tip from Deniece Schofield: whoever does the cooking can use the "red dot method" to flag any refrigerated item that is needed for an upcoming meal/recipe.  The red dot (office supply stickers) means hands off, all you snackers, lunchers, munchers, and grab-and-go types. Indigoprint on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316682 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:16:06 +0000 Indigoprint 2316682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a drawer for spices next to my stove, that works really well for me so I hope you like it too. My spices lie down so the labels are visible and I have learned over the years to either line the drawer or use some kind of tray that contains the bottles but is easily removed to wash. Celery and poppy seeds and tumeric always seem to leave a tell-tale trail. I also like bins in the fridge, especially for salad veggies. They keep the bits of broccoli.cailiflower etc contianed and also make it easier to prepare a salad as we can just pull out the salad bin. Works for clean up to as I can empty the tray into the compost while others help put the salad together. Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316677 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:24:38 +0000 Janet 2316677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Robin, those are from the Marie Kondo line at Container Store — discontinued so they’re only like $23 each! We are a little worried about our resident trash monsters trying to get into that trash cabinet. Our dogs are bad that way sometimes. I don’t want them scratching at the wood door to try to get into it. I think Sunny is the real culprit. She’s gotten into lower cabinets in our old kitchen, and one time she ate a package of chocolate chips, a package of peanut butter chips, and a package of sugar. Let’s just say the resulting disaster was part of why I ended up replacing the carpet in the basement storage room with LVP flooring! So we will be storing any food items that can be torn into up high above dog reach. Still, we don’t want them clawing at the cabinets, so we may have to do a training session with their training collars from when they were working at the ranch. RobinF on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316674 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:13:10 +0000 RobinF 2316674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love the storage you have already added! Honestly, the trash cupboard might be our favorite thing from our kitchen remodel :)  Now I want a diagonal utensil insert... Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316671 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:51:01 +0000 Janet 2316671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ April, those are great points, thank you! LOLing at the upper storage points. My husband is very tall and loves that this kitchen (the new doorway and the height of the range hood in particular) feel tall enough for him — it’s hard for those of us who don’t share that height to imagine how crowded a space must feel when your head is always in danger of bumping into things. Consequently he tends to go higher with everything than I would, as an average-sized person. Upper storage will likely be for exactly what you mention — paper towels, bulky but light bags of chips, linens, etc. It’s interesting how much we can be creatures of habit. Just because certain items have always lived in a certain spot in our homes, we tend not to see other possibilities! Like your mom’s dried flowers! There is something so satisfying about realizing the potential of a space. Our former kitchen was built around the needs of another couple who clearly did not cook much — two burners?? And a layout that dedicated half the floor space to an eating area, even though the dining room is wide open to the kitchen and the same number of steps away. We are quite surprised that the space actually feels *bigger* now, when we expected just the opposite. I think the dormer we added, and the new wide windows, are a big part of that. I suspect that perception may adjust a bit once countertops and the light fixture over the island is installed, but it’s still interesting how an efficient use of space makes it feel less cluttered and broken up, and more cohesive. It’s been quite the experience— the most intense renovation I’ve ever been part of! April on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316669 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:29:26 +0000 April 2316669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My kitchen is spacious and lovely and was clearly designed by a non-cook.  I would say the most useful things I've learned are: <ul> <li>If there are storage areas you can only reach on tiptoe, dedicate those to your Tupperware, paper towels, etc. - things that won't harm you or break if they fall out. </li> <li>Deniece Schofield taught me the useful concepts of "one, two, or three-motion storage" and "As, Bs, and Cs."  She says if you use it daily, it's an A and should get one-motion storage: it's not behind anything else, or nested under something.  If you use it once a week (the Bs), it's okay if you have to move one thing to access it.  Anything used less frequently (the Cs) should ideally be stored elsewhere but if stored in the kitchen, can be in an inconvenient place.</li> <li>Keep the storage nearest the dishwasher for things you dishwash every day.  When I re-organized my mother's kitchen 10 years ago, the single cabinet directly above her dishwasher was full of - I kid you not - seasonal dried flower arrangements that came out for like two weeks per year, while the daily dishes, glasses, and flatware were stored across the kitchen.  <eye roll></li> <li>Sometimes office supplies are good kitchen organizers.  I have an extremely sturdy metal "letter sorter" - like 4 vertical tiers - that holds Pyrex pans in a bottom cabinet.  </li> </ul> Suz on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316646 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:13:52 +0000 Suz 2316646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, your storage space looks amazing! It's going to work really well for you.  Angie, I LOVE your displays -- so pretty!  I'm an undersink expert. This house does NOT have a built in soap dispenser and putting one in would have been a nightmare because the sink is in an island and the countertop is one massive piece of granite. Very risky -- cracks a potential if we tried to install (which I dearly wanted).  Our solution was simple! We got a little undersink organizer -- not expensive -- but it holds our soap dispenser, our washing up brushes and sponge and various cleaners. It doesn't feel like too deep a reach to bend down and get them and it has worked a charm and kept the cleaning stuff off the counter and out of the sink except when in use.  Our wraps and bags are in a drawer near the fridge.  Angie on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316628 Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:03:25 +0000 Angie 2316628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Janet! I CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR NEW KITCHEN! It's going to be  Scandinavian. Light wood, lots of white, and splashes of saturated pastel turquoise and citron.  You will LOVE working in your new kitchen :)  - "good way to store wraps, foil, ziplock bags, wax paper — not sure yet if there will be drawer space or in a cabinet" - I use a shelf in a cabinet.  - "considering knife storage in drawer instead of a knife block, getting one more thing off the counter" - We have a special knife drawer. It's has a magnetic strip for the knives. Very handy! No knives displayed on the counter either.  Janet on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316619 Wed, 05 Apr 2023 20:46:52 +0000 Janet 2316619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, your display is charming! I love it. Yes to so many of those things! We will have two upper cabinets in the corners, that sit on the countertop, and each one has an electric outlet inside. My husband was like, whyyyy? But I explained that they can serve as a bit of an appliance garage. The toaster will be tucked into one, and there is space on the other side for, say, a food processor or blender if we start using those a lot. I expect we will become more frequent and more adventurous cooks than we have been up to now because we will be working with a beautifully outfitted kitchen for the first time in our lives! Sink cleaning stuff is going to be a little challenge. I didn’t plan for one of those little flip-down compartments in front of the sink. We had one in our old sink and it was broken so it used to flip down randomly, surprising us from time to time. I’ll figure something out. I do like that we are getting a built in soap dispenser, so that’s one less thing sitting on the counter. I ordered a drain rack from Dorai that is supposed to be very fast-drying and it’s modern looking so we’ll see how that works! Our new coffee maker also dispenses hot water for tea, so I think we’ll be able to give away our Zojirushi dispenser, and won’t need a tea kettle. But I am going to get myself a nice organizer for my various choices of tea! I’m not a fan of decanting a lot of things either because I like to see expiration dates too. We have a drawer near the cooktop that I expect will be used for spices. Another thing I don’t want to decant — I like keeping the original containers. I’m hoping to store them lying down so I can see the labels. Thinking about a few things: - good way to store wraps, foil, ziplock bags, wax paper — not sure yet if there will be drawer space or in a cabinet - considering knife storage in drawer instead of a knife block, getting one more thing off the counter - bins for inside the new fridge to help keep it more organized -stacking plates in corner cabinets or getting a rack for them to sit side-by-side So many little decisions! We need to shop for new dishes, glassware, and silverware too! Angie on "Kitchen organization" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchen-organization#post-2316617 Wed, 05 Apr 2023 20:24:03 +0000 Angie 2316617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WOW, Janet! SOOOOO Exciting, and looking KILLER AWESOME! Loving your storage spaces. Great storage ideas everyone! Our loft DESPERATELY needs a remodel - and hopefully it will be done within a year. There have been many setbacks . So our kitchen looks awful - literally falling apart! - but it's functional, organized, and uncluttered. I am very passionate about food, cooking, nutrition, zero-food-waste, and serving friends! I spend hours a day in the kitchen. So FWIW, here are some things that are very important to me in my kitchen. I do all the cooking, food management, and meal planning: <ul> <li>I don't decant anything except for the doggie kibble. I need to see the expiry date and info of the food on the original packaging. I have special closures for open packets that work very well. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>A pantry is a MUST! You will love yours. There is a lot more space than you expect. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Lazy Susans are my favourite way of storing spices. I have three. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>The food processor is NEXT TO the range because I use it a lot. It is not stored away.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Utensil holder in next to the range because those are the utensils that I cook with. So is course Himalayan salt.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The toaster is used daily and on the counter. Not stored away. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>The kettle is used MANY TIMES a day for making tea and not stored away. We have a very important tea making station!!! </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Two very important and nostalgic fruit bowls are on the counter. One is for tomatoes only. The other for fresh seasonal fruit we eat daily. (My late Mum gave the big one to me. She saw it 30 years ago, and said - that reminds me of you! Precious. I need to see it every day).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>For the rest, our counters are empty! We don't have many gadgets because an oven and a range is sufficient - and of course, I CANNOT store them in our small loft kitchen!</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Think of a way to keep the sink cleaning stuff out of site. You need a little hidden pocket by the sink. We had one in our old house, and I loved it. </li> </ul>