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Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a time-consuming and messy endeavor, whether the feast is for 6 people or 16. An organized kitchen, however, can go a long way to serve you better during big cooking days and make the process more streamlined and manageable.
“The kitchen is a place where you store all your cookware, utensils, gadgets, and food, and with so many items, it’s easy for it to become cluttered to the point where it’s no longer functional,” says Mark Feldman, the chief home officer at Riverbend Home.
But worry not, we tapped Feldman, along with Ryan Eiesland and Brandie Larsen, the founders of organizing company Home Sort and brand representatives for mDesign, for their top tips on decluttering your space, so that holiday prep is easier—and maybe even fun.
Add a “command center” to your kitchen
Feldman says that creating a central location for holiday shopping lists, schedules, and calendars will add order to your kitchen. Try incorporating a chalkboard, whiteboard calendar, hooks for keys, or a magnetic board to hang lists. In addition, wall-mounted organizers keep counter space clear of papers, pens, and knickknacks, so that they’re free for meal prep.
Get purging
The best way to get organized for the holidays, according to Eiesland and Larsen, is to purge. Make space in your fridge and pantry for larger quantities of foods and leftovers by getting rid of anything expired, empty, or that you’re unlikely to use. This is easy to do, free, and a great starting point.
Conquer drawer clutter
We all have a kitchen catchall drawer stocked with odds and ends that’s packed so full it barely opens, and a drawer stuffed with utensils (we’re looking at you, spatulas). Conquer the mess by separating drawers into compartments with dividers or inserts that organize items, so that you can easily access them while preparing dinner.
Invest in a lazy Susan and utensil holder
Eiesland and Larsen say that when your “things” are contained, it creates order. “You always know where your items belong and can find them quickly,” Larsen says. They recommend the lazy Susan for its versatility. It can hold just about anything from cans to spices and oils and is also perfect for higher cabinets when you need quick access.
Feldman is a fan of a utensil holder. “Move the tools you use the most, like spatulas, tongs, and mixing spoons out of drawers and onto the counter where they are ready at a moment’s notice,” he says. “No more searching through drawers.” There are many stylish designs to choose from to also add a nice decorative touch to your kitchen.
Limit items on the counters
Most people struggle with where to put countertop appliances like coffee makers, blenders, and toasters. For a truly efficient kitchen, you should only keep out the items that you use every day. The same can be said for pots and pans, and an overhead pot rack is a great solution. Also, if you have space, a corner rack or étagère is a functional way to store and display lesser-used items.
Utilize hooks and racks
Cabinet doors can do double duty, if you install hooks, racks, or bars on the inside or under upper cabinets. They’re the perfect place to hang mugs, pans, dish towels, and more. “Your stuff stays out of sight but easily within reach,” Feldman says.
Go vertical
You can save an incredible amount of space by stacking some items vertically, according to both sets of experts. Use dividers to store sheet pans, cookie sheets, and pot lids upright in cabinets, and line up kitchen towels and table linens vertically in drawers instead of stacking them horizontally. A riser in cabinets also creates an extra shelf for more storage.