3 min readYou might think that organizing your kitchen is a pretty straightforward process, especially when comparing it to another part of the home where you’re storing all kinds of items at once, such as the garage or basement. That said, experts find that whether your kitchen is large or small, it’s more than likely you’re making mistakes as it pertains to your current storage setup. By subscribing to certain myths, you’re probably preventing your cooking space from being as functional as possible.
As Hayley Anderson, the founder of Meraki Home Organization, puts it, “The kitchen is the most used room in your home, and it needs the least friction to be efficient!”
Wondering exactly where to improve and how to get started as you set your kitchen up for success? We spoke with three professional organizers, who outlined four myths that many people tend to believe about kitchen storage, but—in their expert opinions—are actually false. Here are the most common kitchen organizing myths that you should stop believing.
Myth 1: Thinking Everything Needs a Matching Container
A kitchen doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy to be well-organized, explains Jessica Litman, the founder of The Organized Mama. She notes that using coordinating containers isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
“When you spend money on matching bins, you are losing the function of the kitchen, because you’re trying to fit items into the bins and containers solely for aesthetic purposes instead of function,” Litman says. Instead, she recommends keeping practicality top of mind as you make your storage decisions. “How can you make your kitchen run smoother for meal prep or mornings?”
Myth 2: Your Counters Should Be Totally Empty
While no professional organizer is going to be a proponent of cluttered countertops, many, like Litman, understand that certain frequently used items are best left out on the counter for efficiency’s sake.
“Having to always put away the toaster oven just to take it back out for the next meal seems like a waste of time and is not serving a purpose,” she shares. “Instead, keep items you use daily on the counter—those occasional items can be stored.”
Myth 3: Like Must Always Go with Like
Many believe that every item within a given category must live together within the kitchen. However, Millie Naor, the founder of Bella Organizers, doesn’t agree.
“That’s not always realistic, especially when space is limited,” she says. As such, feel free to play favorites. “Keep the items you use regularly within arm’s reach, and store less frequently used items [within the same category] on higher or less convenient shelves.” Take spices, for example. “You might buy a specialty spice for one recipe and rarely use it again,” Naor notes. “Instead of crowding your main spice area, create an ‘overflow’ section in a higher cabinet or less prime location.”
Anderson agrees and notes that organizing items by category, rather than zone, can be detrimental. “For example, try a food prep zone, a baking zone, and a lunch packing station,” she suggests. “This saves you time when completing the tasks; having all of the items needed for your goal can make the process go smoothly.”
Myth 4: If It Fits, Keep It
Just because you technically have space for an item within your kitchen doesn’t mean that it’s one worth holding onto, Anderson notes.
“Overfilled and cluttered drawers and cabinets can get in your way, even when these areas are divided and organized nicely,” she says. “Donate duplicates or items you have not used in a year.”
