The Simplest Way To Make Your Kitchen Look Organized Without Spending A Dime

A perfectly organized kitchen is often an elusive beast. Not only can things like ingredients, snacks, and cooking supplies require storage and organization, but everyday essentials can build up on counters and tables. This means keeping an organized space requires extra work that busy lifestyles don't always accommodate. If you are looking for a way to keep things looking organized in your kitchen without spending money on costly storage systems or hiring professional help, consider dedicated drawers and similar organization solutions. These can help keep your kitchen looking tidy and organized. Even better, most are free or can be created on the cheap, using things you already have and upcycled materials. 

One of the easiest tactics for keeping things tidy is having a place for everything. This means that your racks, cupboards, and drawers need to have space, and are not overflowing or stuffed to the gills. Careful periodic weeding and curation is a good tactic to do every so often, even for areas that are hidden out of sight. Designate certain drawers to hold baking supplies, spices, or silverware and utensils. Or, keep a drawer that holds everything you need for your daily coffee like filters, Keurig pods, straws, and stir sticks.

There are also several DIY organization tools that work wonders to keep your space looking neat for little expense. A pot rack is a wonderful way to display your cookware in a designated spot and not just littering counters and stovetops, with a hook for each piece. Add magnetic hooks to the side of your fridge, the side of the stove, or along existing metal shelving for a low-cost alternative to expensive wall racks. This also saves you some room for other items in the cabinets or drawers. Similarly, knives can be kept on a cheap magnetic strip hung on the wall. Not only is this a great way to free up the counter space otherwise taken up by bulky knife blocks, but is much safer than storing them in a drawer (just make sure to hang them out of reach of pets and young children).

Organization bins and baskets can make both visible and hidden storage more neat and efficient. Try adding bins created from milk jugs, berry baskets, upcycled plastic fruit containers, and mason jars for items in your fridge or cupboard to prevent rummaging. Make useful and affordable DIY drawer dividers from simple cardboard pieces wrapped in peel-and-stick paper. Boxes, baskets, and bins painted or wrapped in fabric or paper to match your décor can also help to organize your stuff out in the open, and keep smaller items hidden away to avoid visible clutter.