How to Declutter Kitchen Cupboards So They Actually Stay Tidy, According to a Cleaning Pro

There are a number of factors that contribute to cluttered cabinets, from holding onto items that are never actually used to storing things improperly. The following nine expert-recommended tips will show you how to declutter kitchen cupboards, create an organizational system that makes sense for you and your lifestyle, and maintain organized and clutter-free cabinets.

Read on to learn how to declutter kitchen cupboards like a pro—and how to keep them that way.

Discard Things You Don’t Use

Simply having fewer items in the kitchen makes it easier to keep cabinets organized. Evaluate the contents of your kitchen cupboards based on what you use regularly, your current lifestyle, and the kitchen activities you enjoy.

“Your things should help you live your actual lifestyle, not a past or dream one,” Laura Cattano, a professional organizer and founder of Laura Cattano Organizational Design, says.

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Group Items By How You Use Them

Organize kitchen cabinets based on your cooking habits and daily routine.

“Group items in the cabinet based on how you cook or bake,” Jessica Litman, a professional organizer and owner of The Organized Mama Co, recommends.

For example, if you do a lot of baking and use mixing bowls and a hand mixer with all its parts together, consider grouping them in a cabinet.

“Store those items together to make it easier on you to start baking and clean up because you don’t have to hunt for items in many different cabinets,” Litman says.

If you are not sure whether you use an item or what category it belongs in inside a cabinet, Litman says that may be a sign it’s time to get rid of it.

Assign Zones

Once you’ve assessed what you have and discarded what you don’t use, Leslie Lehr, a professional organizer, lifestyle expert, and owner of Leslie Lehr Living, recommends that you assign zones within the cabinets.

“Identify your most commonly used items and place them in the most accessible spots,” she says.

As for less frequent items such as holiday dishes, Lehr suggests relocating them to another area of your home to free up the space for daily essentials.

Make Regular Edits

Take inventory of what’s inside your kitchen cabinets every couple of months to see if items have been misplaced, if anything is broken, or if you’ve collected new pieces that don’t have a designated home.

Cattano advises doing what she calls “easy edits” and discarding random mugs that have accumulated, Tupperware containers with no lids, water bottles that aren’t used, and kitchen gadgets that don’t make cooking easier or more enjoyable.

Invest in Storage Solutions

To make your kitchen cabinets both functional and visually appealing, take Lehr’s advice and invest in new storage solutions or repurpose items you may already have.

“Some of my favorites include clear plastic storage containers, decorative baskets, and storage drawer inserts with multiple compartments,” she shares.

To maximize space, remove items from their original, often bulky, packaging.

Move Cabinet Shelves to Suit Your Needs

One of Litman’s best tips and one she says is such an easy organizing fix is simply moving shelves in your kitchen cabinets. She notes it’s something most people don’t do, yet it allows you to accommodate what you have and tailor kitchen cabinets to your needs.

Litman explains how you can get more shelves cut from your local hardware store to create more storage to meet your cupboard needs better.

Edit When You Return From the Grocery Store

To maintain decluttered cabinets, Lehr’s recommends editing them when you return from the grocery store.

“Discard expired items as you restock with fresh ones and consolidate storage solutions when bringing in new groceries,” she says.

Make this step part of your regular grocery routine to prevent overflowing cabinets.

“By tidying up during this transition, you will maintain an organized kitchen with both style and function”, Lehr adds.

Return Items Where They Belong

Cattano explains how people often make the mistake of not putting things back the same way they were after arranging their cabinets. This creates clutter over time as misplaced items may not fit properly and pieces can get chipped, damaged, or be forgotten in the back of a cabinet.

Her tip for remembering where everything goes and making sure every household member knows where to place things? Taking a picture or drawing a diagram and putting it on the inside of a cabinet door.

Use Sticky Notes When Reorganizing Cabinets

If you have successfully decluttered your cabinet shelves and created a new organizational system, Litman shares her trick of using sticky notes to get used to the new system. This will help you get in the habit of returning items to their new homes for a neat and organized space.