We Asked 4 Professional Organizers the Secret to a Tidy Kitchen—They All Said the Same Thing

Nobody enjoys cooking in a messy kitchen. Whether it’s tackling stacks of dishes or drawers bursting with things you forgot you even had, getting organized is a must for bringing back the joy (and calm). But knowing where to start can be tricky—unless you happen to be a professional organizer, like the ones we tapped to find out their must-have kitchen organization tool.

The Kitchen Organization Set Pros Can’t Live Without 

There are thousands of products available that are designed to make your kitchen more organized, but according to four professional organizers, there’s one that stands out because of its efficient, sustainable and versatile qualities.

“An organizer like this 5-Piece Bamboo Drawer Organizer Set gives everything a home and not only looks great but makes it more functional too,” says Jill Koch, founder and owner of Jill Comes Clean. “Now, instead of sorting through all the items loosely tossed into the drawer, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.”

Royal Craft Wood 5-Piece Bamboo Drawer Organizer Set

The pro pick features multiple box sizes, making it a versatile set that can be used to store everything from knives to toothpicks. And because it’s crafted from responsibly sourced organic bamboo with a smooth finish, it’s an eco-friendly and durable option that’s a good choice for storing even delicate items. Plus, Koch notes that the wood construction gives it a custom look that blends in with many kitchen cabinetry designs.

Kristyn Ivey, virtual clutter coach at For the Love of Tidy, says this bamboo drawer organizer set is essential for avoiding chaotic spaces. “When you divide a wide-open drawer into more manageable segments that align with the size of your kitchen tools, you immediately infuse it with intentionality. Nothing is swimming. Everything has a sense of place and order in your kitchen.”

While the bamboo set can also be used for junk drawers, and even to organize office and bathroom spaces, Kayleen Kelly at Kayleen Kelly Home Organizing says she prefers to reserve the elevated set for cooking utensils and food-prep items and uses a plastic alternative for non-food-related items.

When it comes time to use this set in your kitchen, the founder of The Thoughtful Home, Smita Parikh, has a philosophy and method that will come in handy. “Once we’ve decided what will be stored in a drawer, we play Tetris with the inserts, arranging them to maximize space and create a perfect fit.” She added that her team groups similar items together within the same drawer to keep things extra orderly and explained that measuring drawers carefully before purchasing—paying close attention to the height—will ensure proper clearance and a good fit.

Common Kitchen Organization Challenges (& Solutions)

Even seemingly perfectly designed kitchens can pose organization challenges, including hard-to-reach cabinets and limited storage in heavily used areas, like around the stove and sink. Here are the most common kitchen organization challenges and some practical solutions for solving them.

• Insufficient storage can make organizing a kitchen extremely challenging. Small spaces can quickly become cluttered and cut into much-needed work surfaces. Unless adding on to your kitchen is an option, the most effective and immediate solution is getting rid of infrequently used items. Remember that you can always borrow items, like a roasting rack or muffin pan, from neighbors or lending libraries, as needed.
• Disorganized cabinets and drawers can be a result of insufficient storage, but they can also be caused by treating these storage spaces as catchalls. Instead, put things back where they belong after each use, which first requires tackling the root of the problem: undesignated spaces.
• Undesignated spaces make it difficult to properly store and find items. Assign categories of kitchen items a space, and avoid mixing non-food-related products and tools with those you consume or use for meal prep. In other words, batteries and disinfecting wipes don’t belong in your utensil drawer.

Why an Organized Kitchen Is Key

As tempting as it may be to cram things into cabinets and drawers when you’re short on time, you may regret it when looking for a specific item later on. As it turns out, there are several reasons that keeping your kitchen tidy pays off in the long run.

• Make meal prep more efficient by keeping kitchen tools and foods in designated areas whenever possible. This way, you’ll always know where to find items that you need, cutting down on frustration and wasted time. To streamline meal prep even further, consider laying out all the ingredients and tools needed before you begin. 
• Save money by keeping track of your kitchen inventory. Organized spaces make it easier to readily see what you have on hand, helping you avoid food waste and purchasing unnecessary duplicates.
• Quicker cleanup is another perk of an organized kitchen. Uncluttered countertops and drawers are less of a hassle to clean, especially when items are stored neatly in baskets and bins that can be effortlessly moved and replaced when wiping down surfaces.
• Create peace of mind in the kitchen by limiting overwhelming messes and preventing potential accidents that can be caused by improper storage of heavy and sharp items.
• Increase your home’s value when it comes time to sell by showing off well-maintained spaces free from buildup, scratches and stains. 

The Bottom Line

Maintaining an organized kitchen can require more than one solution, like getting rid of infrequently used items and avoiding cluttered countertops, but the pro-recommended drawer organization set is a must for creating designated spaces for all of the little things that can add up to a big mess when left untamed.

At the time of publishing, the price was $33.