There’s an art to creating a space that’s neat but not sterile. Here’s how to achieve organization in the kitchen without sacrificing style, courtesy of our Remodelista editors.
1. Curate your collection.
Above: Before you even start to organize the contents of your kitchen, you need to declutter and pare them down. It’s an especially critical step if you have open shelving. You’ll find tons of inspiration in this week’s Kitchen of the Week: A Communal Kitchen/Library at the Jennings Hotel. Photograph by and courtesy of Greg Hennes.
2. Compartmentalize and conquer.
Above: Designer Emily Henderson’s Mountain House kitchen has a ton of storage, but she knows it’s not enough to just throw everything in a drawer and call it a day. Go the extra step and compartmentalize the drawer for easy-to-maintain organization. Photograph by Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson Design, from 10 Smart Storage Ideas to Steal from Emily Henderson’s Mountain House.
3. Decant and display.
Above: For so many reasons—both aesthetic and vermin—it’s a good idea to decant your grains, flours, and other dried goods. This pantry does it right. Photograph by Delbarr Moradi, from Steal This Look: The Modern Farmhouse Pantry.
4. Go with a grid.
Above: If it’s good enough for star chefs Margot and Fergus Henderson, it’s good enough for us. Behold: the new pegboard. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House, from Aha! Hack: Margot and Fergus Henderson’s Clever Grid System.
5. Last, but not least, add life.
Above: Don’t forget to add signs of life after you’ve decluttered and organized your kitchen. We love plants in the kitchen! Photograph by Alexandra Ribar, courtesy of Captain Whidbey, from Captain Whidbey: The Pioneer (and Communal) Spirit Revived at a New Old Resort.