As a busy mum, keeping your kitchen organised can feel like a never-ending challenge. Between meal prepping, snack time, and everything in between, clutter can quickly pile up. The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be one of the most chaotic spaces—especially when you have little ones to care for. Finding ways to keep things neat while still having everything you need within reach can make a huge difference in your daily routine.
The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune or spend hours reorganising. With a few simple and budget-friendly storage hacks, you can create a more functional kitchen that saves you time and stress. Here are some practical and affordable ideas to help you maximise space, reduce clutter, and streamline your kitchen for a smoother day-to-day experience.
1. Use Clear Containers for Dry Goods
Say goodbye to half-empty pasta boxes and messy flour bags! Investing in clear storage containers from discount stores can help you keep dry goods neat and visible. Label each container so you can easily find what you need. This trick also helps keep food fresh for longer and minimises spills.
2. Maximise Vertical Space with Stackable Shelves
If your cupboards feel cramped, make use of vertical space by adding stackable shelves or wire racks. These are great for storing plates, bowls, or even pantry items like canned goods and spices without overcrowding your cabinets.
3. Use Tension Rods to Create Dividers
A simple and affordable trick is to use tension rods inside cabinets or drawers to create dividers. These work well for storing baking trays, cutting boards, or even cleaning supplies under the sink. No more messy stacks falling over every time you grab one!
4. Hang Utensils and Mugs on Hooks
Free up drawer space by hanging frequently used utensils, mugs, or measuring cups on adhesive hooks or a pegboard. You can attach these under cabinets or inside cupboard doors for a clutter-free countertop.
5. Repurpose Baskets for Quick Grab-and-Go Storage
Baskets from dollar stores or thrift shops can be a lifesaver in the kitchen. Use them in your pantry for snack organisation, in the fridge for grouping similar items (like dairy or condiments), or even on the counter to store fresh fruit.
6. Turn a Magazine Holder into a Cutting Board Organiser
A simple magazine holder can be mounted inside a cabinet door or placed upright in a cupboard to keep your cutting boards organised and easy to access.
7. Store Plastic Bags in an Empty Tissue Box
Instead of stuffing plastic bags into a drawer, store them neatly in an empty tissue box or a repurposed wipes container. This keeps them compact and easy to grab when needed.
8. Use a Lazy Susan for Hard-to-Reach Items
A rotating tray (Lazy Susan) is a game-changer for deep cabinets, refrigerators, or even countertops. Use it for condiments, spices, or canned goods so you can quickly grab what you need without knocking everything over.
9. Label Everything
A simple label maker or even handwritten labels on washi tape can make a huge difference in keeping your kitchen tidy. Label jars, baskets, and containers to make meal prep faster and more efficient.
10. Declutter Regularly
Lastly, one of the best storage hacks is to declutter! Take a few minutes each week to toss expired items, donate unused kitchen gadgets, and reorganise as needed. A clutter-free kitchen makes cooking and cleaning so much easier.
11. Invest in Bento Boxes and Feeding Sets for Meal Prep
One of the biggest challenges for busy mums is keeping meals organised, especially for little ones. Bento boxes and feeding sets are a great solution for storing pre-portioned meals and snacks. These sets help save space in the fridge and make meal prep effortless. Plus, they’re perfect for school lunches or on-the-go snacking!
12. Utilise Over-the-Door Organisers
Don’t overlook the back of your pantry or cabinet doors! Use an over-the-door organiser to store snacks, spices, or even kitchen wraps like foil and baking paper. This keeps essentials within reach without cluttering up your shelves.
13. Install a Hanging Fruit Basket
A hanging fruit basket is a great way to free up counter space while keeping fresh produce visible and easily accessible. It also prevents fruit from getting squashed in the fridge!
14. Store Measuring Cups Inside Containers
Tired of losing measuring cups? Store them inside the ingredient containers they belong to! Keep a scoop inside your flour, sugar, or rice container so it’s always on hand when you need it.
15. Use Drawer Dividers for Small Items
Small kitchen tools like measuring spoons, clips, and bag sealers can easily get lost in cluttered drawers. Use drawer dividers or repurpose ice cube trays to keep these items neat and easy to find.
16. Stack Lids with a File Rack
Pot and pan lids can be tricky to store without creating a mess. A simple file rack from an office supply store works perfectly to keep lids upright and easy to access in a cupboard.
17. Store Spices in a Drawer
Instead of cluttering up your cabinets with spice bottles, lay them flat in a drawer and use small dividers to keep them in place. This makes it easier to see and grab what you need while cooking.
18. Use Shower Caddies for Extra Storage
A shower caddy with suction cups can be repurposed for kitchen storage. Attach it to the side of your fridge or a cabinet to hold small items like herbs, seasonings, or kitchen sponges.
19. Repurpose a Shoe Organizer for Snacks
A hanging shoe organiser can be a great way to store individually packed snacks for kids. Hang one on the pantry door and fill the pockets with granola bars, fruit pouches, or crackers for an easy grab-and-go snack station.
20. Rotate Items in Your Pantry Regularly
To avoid wasting food, place new items at the back of your pantry and bring older items forward. This “first in, first out” system helps ensure nothing gets forgotten and expired.
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