Arrange Your Kitchen Tools Like a Pro
Having an organized kitchen can make meal preparation much more enjoyable. But when utensil drawers become chaotic catchalls for loose whisks, tangled spatulas and a multitude of mismatched lidless containers, it can be anything but fun to cook and bake.
By implementing some professional strategies for drawer organization, you can transform that jumbled mess into a highly functional storage solution. From tailoring compartments to the contents, to labeling for quick identification, these tips will have your cooking tools arranged like you've got your very own kitchen pro on staff.
Take Inventory of Drawer Contents
As with any organizational project, the first step is assessing what exactly you're working with. Remove absolutely everything from the kitchen drawer, gathering the scattered contents into one spot for evaluation.
Thoroughly sorting through the accumulation of tools allows you to make some objective decisions about what should stay versus go. Weed out any duplicate items, keeping only your go-to favorite. Assess gadgets and niche tools that never seem to make dinner rotation for their necessity. Is the avocado slicer taking up prime real estate for the twice yearly application? Maybe it finds a better home elsewhere.
Group Utensils by Usage
Once you've pared down the utensils to those you regularly rely on for meal prep, you can start separating them out into usage groups. Having related tools together makes tasks more efficient.
Designate compartments for measuring implements, baking equipment and prep accessories. Seek out natural divisions based on function and frequency of use when cooking. Place daily use pieces like slotted spoons, tongs and spatulas in the most readily accessible section of the drawer. Relegate specialty seasonal cooking equipment like turkey lifters to the back.
Design Drawer Inserts
With your utensils now neatly divided into usage groups, it's time to customize storage options. Consider the drawer's dimensions and create organizers perfectly sized to each category. This tailored approach reduces wasted space and prevents wayward tools from slipping into the wrong area.
Expandable cutlery trays, mesh compartments and modular storage bins offer customizable divisions for the drawer space. Secure deep stacking organizers in place with non-slip liners to neatly contain contents. Integrate vertical storage with tiered drawer inserts or mounting wall racks on the inside of cabinet doors to fully utilize available real estate.
Strategic Layout for Efficiency
When designing your utensil drawer organization, think like a chef in a sleek commercial kitchen. Placement of particular tools and preparation implements matters, with everything having a designated storage spot for seamless cooking workflow.
Most Reached For Items Up Front
Position most frequently utilized cooking utensils within closest reach. Everyday prep helpers like rubber spatulas, wooden spoons and silicone brushs should be up front. Keep specialty utensils further back in the compartmentalized sections. Create a dedicated area for most used measuring cups and spoons right inside the drawer for easy access.
Knife Storage Solutions
Unlike other kitchen tools, knives require special consideration for safe keeping. Storing loose blades amongst other utensils poses both organizational and hazard issues. Use individual blade guards or saya sheaths to contain each knife.
Magnetic knife strips allow easy access to necessary cutlery while keeping edges covered. In-drawer inserts with protective slots specifically sized for each knife keep points covered. Consider installing a mounted magnetic strip inside a nearby cabinet door for frequently used knives to keep most accessible.
Contain Small Utensils
Itty bitty kitchen tools like cherry pitters and strawberry hullers can end up lost in a sea of cooking implements. Use small containers to corral tiny gadgets together. Mini colanders, stainless ramekins or prep bowls contain these specialty doodads into one tidy spot.
For ultimate organization, label the small gadget containers. Etched stainless steel or ceramic bowls add a nice decorative touch while clearly designating contents.
Visible Labels Prevent Searching
When frantically prepping family dinner after a long workday, rummaging through a chaotic drawer for a simple vegetable peeler is anything but ideal. Save yourself hunting time by clearly labeling storage compartments.
Label Major Categories
Use drawer organizer labels to identify the main utensil categories located in each divided section. Consider color coding inserts for quick visual spots -- blue for prep tools, green for baking equipment. Just be sure colors correspond to those on labels.
Designate Individual Items
For ultimate organization, consider labeling oft-used individual pieces like spatulas, tongs and whisks. Painter's tape makes removing labels simple when replacing worn out tools. Engrave names into wood handles for a more permanent solution.
Placing labels along the inside compartment fronts makes for easy drawer access. Just be cautious of over-labeling -- an organizational system requiring five minutes of drawer scanning to find the right label kind of defeats the purpose.
With your cooking utensils now neatly filed into their rightful home, establishing some habits will help maintain the organizational bliss long term. After meal prep, take a moment to return stray pieces into their assigned compartments -- it only takes a minute at the end to prevent a mess.
Do an occasional purge of seldom used appliances banished to the back. Reassess if they earn their storage spot. For longevity of your customized layout, incorporate room for adding necessities like a new pastry brush or avocado slicer. Integrate a few empty organizers to accommodate novel tools.
A properly arranged kitchen utensil drawer makes cooking more enjoyable and efficient. Just a bit of prep work channeling your inner organizational guru will keep your meal prep running as smoothly as the pros.