Nine kitchen organization ideas

Let’s face it: An organized kitchen can make life a lot easier for those of us who spend a lot of time in the most-used room in the house.

Of course, it’s not always so simple, because most kitchens hold a number of items that don’t always fit together. But there are a number of clever items and simple tips to make your kitchen great again.

Beyond cleaning and re-organizing your kitchen to get rid of all the items you never use, here are nine additional organizational ideas for your kitchen:

The Lazy Susan – Yes, it’s an old-school idea, but they’re still around for a reason. Whether it’s as a built-in lower cabinet or a smaller counter-top version, they’re the ultimate space savers.

Drawer Organizers – When your drawers are full of things you can’t otherwise find or don’t use, it’s time to organize. From customized to removable, they come in a variety of sizes and materials that should be easy to clean. See these examples on Pinterest.

Sliding Shelf Organizers – Divide what you keep in your lower cabinets and organize them on sliding shelves like these, which provide easy access for items you use often.

Clear Containers – Group together similar, smaller items that come in packets or small boxes that are scattered about into clear containers like these. They can be stackable and are also great to keep cereals, spices and baking items fresh.

Stemware Racks – Free up your valuable cabinet space by installing stemware racks below the cabinets to hang your wine glasses. Plus, some can hold other items like wine bottles.

Hanging Pots and Pans – Anything you can hang somewhere else frees up cabinet space. Try wall-mounted pot racks or larger versions that hang from the ceiling to hang your biggest cooking items in easy-to-reach places.

De-clutter the Counters – Get rid of all the items that clutter your counter with wall-mounted basics like mail slots, magnet boards, key holders, shelves and spice racks to maximize your wall space.

Knife Storage – Storing your expensive knives on wall-mounted magnetic strips not only keeps them sharp, but makes them accessible when you need them and easy to reach without accidentally cutting yourself.

Door Storage – Whether it’s simple hanging hooks inside cabinet doors under the sink ormore elaborate systems on the back of a pantry door, utilize the backs of doors to organize otherwise cluttered areas.