Easy ways to organise your kitchen

You don't always need a pricey remodel to make your kitchen work for you. Here are some budget-friendly tips on how to better organise your kitchen

Having a clean kitchen is one thing, but an organised one is something else entirely. If your guests have ever gushed over your gleaming countertops and freshly painted walls, completely unaware that opening a single overstuffed cupboard will bury them in a mountain of hidden utensils, then it's time to take back control. This need not mean investing in entirely new cabinetry. Simply rethinking the layout of your kitchen can save you time, money and needless stress. Here are some cheap sure-fire ways to make your kitchen work better for you.

Consider your daily routine and organise accordingly

This is all about time management. The items you use daily, such as crockery, cutlery, glasses and mugs, should be kept within easy reach. They should also be kept close to where they will be needed, for example, mugs should be near the kettle, and glasses should be in a cupboard near the tap. All those items that you use less often, like the coffee grinder you get out at the weekend, can be stored further back in your cupboards, while those items that you use once in a blue moon should be stored well out of the way, or even in their own 'special occasions' cabinet. It might seem like a big job to reorganise your kitchen cupboards, but a day's work can save you years of hassle.

Be merciless

Look, we're all human, and hoarding is a perfectly normal human trait, but having overflowing cupboards of never-used appliances and out of date spices can make navigating your kitchen an obstacle course. So clean them out! Check for duplicates, 'spares', and things you never use. Even if they're good quality, get rid of them by donating them to friends or charity shops. You'll feel lighter in no time.

De-clutter your countertops

Cluttered countertops make kitchens feel claustrophobic, so take all the things that needn't sit on them, and put them in a drawer or cupboard, whether it's the toaster, kettle or washing up liquid. If you don't have the cupboard space, group them together in their own specific area (for example, washing up liquid, brush and hand soap next to the sink) so that it looks purposeful and organised.

Dispose of packaging

Rather than stuffing your cupboard with tall packets of dry goods, empty them into glass jars and put them on the shelf or window sill as soon as you get home from the supermarket. At a glance you will know how much cereal, pasta and flour you have, and it looks more attractive than a collection of cardboard.

Organise your drawers

As with cupboards, empty your drawers of anything you don't need, and then get a drawer organiser to keep your knives, spoons and forks neatly separated. If you have 'every day' and 'best' cutlery, consider putting them in separate drawers to save you rummaging around every meal time.

Is it time to remodel?

Sometimes though, there comes a point when you have to admit defeat. If you've tried your hardest to sort out your drawers and cabinets to no avail, it may be time to consider remodelling. New cabinets have smarter storage solutions than ones purchased fifteen years ago, and could answer all your prayers. Try some of our budget-friendly tips first, and if they don't work, get excited about finally getting the kitchen of your dreams!

There are dozens of ways to reorganise and revamp your kitchen, and if you want more inspiring ideas, take a look through the EKCOcollection.