Welcome to Day 12 of the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge! Today we’re focusing on the kitchen — decluttering, reorganizing, and creating a space that feels calm and useful. If you’re new to the challenge, you may want to start at the beginning to follow along. Notes about products mentioned: suggestions are shared for convenience.
Today we’re going to tackle the kitchen.
Over the years I’ve kept fairly consistent with kitchen decluttering. When an appliance or gadget sits unused at the back of a drawer or cabinet for a long time, it goes straight into my donation box. Clearing out excess has helped me simplify — we even gave away full sets of glasses and dishes we no longer needed. Honestly, how many plates and cups does a family of four really require?
I’ve done full room declutters before, and they work. I’ve cleared out everything under my kitchen sink and organized the spice cabinet, foil, and plastic wrap. That space has stayed tidy — although I eventually removed the bulky organizer I was using because it didn’t fit our habits. Instead, a simple tiered organizer for the cleaners I keep under the sink made the area far more usable.
One of my biggest kitchen struggles is keeping countertops clear. Anything without a home — toys, papers, loose change, emptied pockets, appliance boxes — frequently ends up on the counters. This year I committed to keeping counters cleared daily. It’s now part of my nightly routine: load and run the dishwasher, wipe counters, and put away anything left out. It takes less than 15 minutes and the visual difference is huge.
5 Smart Kitchen Organizational Tips
Create a functional kitchen that works for you
Below are practical habits and small swaps that have helped me keep the kitchen tidy and efficient.
1. Store cups and plates near the dishwasher or where you serve them
If possible, keep dishes and cups close to where you unload the dishwasher. In my kitchen the space next to the dishwasher is narrow, but we keep cups in the cabinet above it so they’re easy to grab for drinks straight from the fridge. The plates live above and to the right of the stove, which makes sense for setting the table. Arrange your everyday items where they’ll be used most to make routines faster.
2. Keep a magnetic notepad on the fridge for items you run out of
Write down groceries as you run out of them, then tear off the list before shopping. It’s a simple habit that saves time and prevents last-minute guessing at the store. A magnetic pad on the fridge makes it easy to capture needs the moment you notice them.
3. Decant frequently used baking ingredients and label them clearly
Keep sugar, flour, and brown sugar in clear, airtight containers with readable labels. I use glass jars with chalkboard labels on the counter so they’re easy to reach and visually tidy. Clear containers make measuring easier and help you spot when you’re low at a glance.
Having these essentials accessible speeds up baking and looks pleasant on the counter, too.
4. Pick one day each week to clean out the fridge
I clear out my fridge every Sunday evening before grocery shopping on Monday. Toss expired items, consolidate leftovers, and wipe shelves when needed. This routine prevents forgotten science experiments in the back of the fridge and makes room for new groceries. Even if you don’t deep clean every time, a weekly quick sweep keeps things fresh.
I’ve been improving fridge organization with storage bins and labels — it’s an ongoing project, but the weekly reset makes a big difference.
5. Use stackable, easy-find-lid food storage containers
Replace mismatched containers with a coordinated, stackable set so lids and bases stay together. I’ve used plastic for years and recently switched to glass for durability. Stackable sets keep cabinets tidy and prevent the avalanche of mismatched lids every time you open a cabinet.
Donate old, mismatched containers and invest in a set that suits your storage needs — your cabinets will feel more organized instantly.
I hope at least one of these tips helps you create a more organized kitchen. I’ll be sharing more about fridge, freezer, and pantry organization soon, plus meal-planning strategies I’ve refined over the past couple of years — stay tuned!
The Messy Work: Tackle a decluttering project today. First, take a box and remove everything from your counters that doesn’t belong there. Carry the box through the house and return each item to its proper place, or decide to donate or discard it. Next, pick the worst cabinet or drawer: empty it, sort what you truly use, and return items neatly while donating or tossing the rest. You’ll feel the difference immediately.
In the mess with you, Laura
More posts you may enjoy:
- How to Organize a Pantry
- Butler’s Pantry Ideas: 10+ Beautiful And Functional Designs
- Washable Kitchen Runner Rugs: 10 Favorite Pretty Floor Runners
- How to Decorate Kitchen Counters {Decorating 101}
- 7 Ways to Refresh a Kitchen