An organized kitchen makes all the difference at mealtime. Knowing where each item is and having a system that helps rather than hinders keeps things running smoothly.

And in a kitchen, less is sometimes better. If you have fewer items to rummage through, you’re more likely to be able to work quickly and efficiently. By clearing away unused items and incorporating systems of organization, your kitchen will become less chaotic and more user friendly, which is what we all need and love in our kitchens. But if you’re struggling with where to start with an organization system in your kitchen cabinets, we have that covered for you.

We’ve rounded up the top kitchen organizers to ensure cabinets stay organized, eliminating frustrations when cooking and helping you maximize your cabinet space. 

Copco Pro Non-Skid Pantry Cabinet Lazy Susan Turntable

View On Amazon View On Walmart A turntable is essential inside a cabinet for keeping items neatly organized, accessible, and visible. Simply place it in the cabinet, add items, and then give it a spin when you need to locate a specific item. 

“We love turntables for oils, jars, spices, condiments, or for truly any other smaller items,” says Taryn Cawyer expert organizer and co-owner of Simply Home Organizing in Birmingham.

This Lazy Susan does the hard work we need it to with a non-slip liner on the surface. It also has heavy-duty ball bearings for smooth gliding rotation, ensuring it can handle heavier loads such as larger cans or glass jars. And the raised edge keeps items from slipping off the side when turning.

DCA Drawer Organizer Trays

View On Amazon Trays inside a drawer can help keep small cooking utensils, bakeware tools, and flatware organized and in their rightful place. “Another benefit to these specific drawer trays is that you can mix and match them to fit any size drawer,” says Katy Richardson, co-owner of Simply Home Organizing in Birmingham.

Fourteen trays are in a set and come in various sizes, including two long trays, four medium trays, four small trays, and four extra small trays. You can mix and match the trays according to your drawer space until you get your desired fit. 

The organizers fit tightly against each other in a drawer. If you end up decluttering your cooking tools or culling items you don’t need, you can simply take extra trays out of the drawer, unlike a single connected tray containing multiple slots.

Ordora Pots and Pans Organizer

View On Amazon When we’re ready to begin preparing a meal, we need to be able to grab the cookware pieces we need, and fighting through a mess of pots, pans, and lids is certainly not how we want to spend precious time. With this pot rack organizer, you’re able to grab the exact pot you need and avoid having to rifle through pots stacked on top of each other. “I have this exact pan rack in my personal kitchen. I don’t have to nest my pots and pans and can get to them easily when needed,” says Cawyer. 

This organizer comes assembled and can be used in three ways: vertical on both sides, vertical on one side, and horizontal on one side. We love that this rack doesn’t require any tools for installation. Simply insert the dividers into the rack slots, and place the organizer inside the cabinet. Even the heavier items like cast iron remain stable in this organizer. Smaller pots remain secure as well due to the non-slip coated wire shelves.

SpaceAid Bag Storage Organizer for Kitchen Drawer

View On Amazon Sandwich baggies, snack baggies, and gallon-sized bags, oh my! A messy drawer of plastic baggies and broken bits of a cardboard box can be a headache in any kitchen. An organizer that helps you keep lunch and snack prep items handy is essential for the morning packing rush. 

This bamboo organizer can be conveniently labeled with gallon, quart, sandwich, and snack labels. It fits right into a drawer, keeping small plastic baggies neat in their respective spots until needed. Plus, it comes fully assembled with sticker labels that adhere to the organizer. Just pop in plastic bags each time they need a refill, then recycle the small cardboard boxes.

YouCopia Food Container Lid Organizer

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Target Most of us can identify with the frustration of being unable to locate that elusive lid of a food container. Fortunately, this common dilemma can be easily avoided with a dedicated space to house only the lids. 

Then, you can nest the glass or plastic containers without the lids, thereby saving space in a cabinet or drawer. “Having a specific place for food storage lids can make a difference in time during clean up or lunch packing,” says Cawyer. “This product contains them in a cabinet drawer, divides them for easy visibility, and provides a tidy appearance,” she says. No assembly is required, and the dividers within the lid organizer are adjustable.

Simplehuman Wall Mount Grocery Bag Dispenser

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart If you have an unsightly “bag of bags” that has been tossed under the sink or into the bottom of the pantry repeatedly, you’re certainly not alone. But this savvy bag holder organizes and dispenses bags, eliminating a messy bag area that might be taking up too much precious cabinet space. 

Two screws and adhesive tape are included, and it does require some initial installation when attaching to a wall or cabinet door. After installation just neatly recycle each bag by tucking each into the top of the organizer. Then easily access a bag when you need it through the front slot. The organizer can hold roughly up to 30 bags.

Akalol Stackable Water Bottle Organizer

View On Amazon We all have water bottles, and some of us might have too many of them if we sometimes find ourselves rifling through a boatload to find a favorite. However, it is vital to have them quickly accessible before heading out the door to work, school, or activities. 

A dedicated space to stash water bottles when they’re not in use that secures them from toppling over when storing can also help keep your normal cup area decluttered. With 16 water bottle slots, this set of four stackable water bottle racks is sturdy enough for wine bottles, fits easily under a cabinet, and is adjustable if you have fewer or more water bottles.

Simple Houseware Stackable 2 Tier Sliding Basket Organizer

View On Amazon This particular organizer works well under a kitchen sink. If you have lower cabinet space that is deep and tall, creating more levels is essential when trying to maximize space. This particular organizer maximizes the space you have by creating leveled space. 

With a top shelf, one deep pull-out drawer, and one small drawer, this organizer is ideal for cleaning supplies and sponges. The top level of the organizer itself creates yet another space to stow items.

Bambusi Adjustable Bamboo Drawer Organizer

View On Amazon There’s nothing worse than rummaging through a messy utensil drawer and being unable to locate what you need while cooking. There is good news: Messy utensil drawers and lost spatulas will become a thing of the past with these drawer organizers. 

“These drawer organizers help zone out drawers with utensils and other loose items in drawers,” says Clara Schoen, Birmingham-based professional luxury organizer and owner of The Home Organized.

The non-slip grips on each side ensure that they stay put once installed in the drawer. Simple to use and easy to install, these organizers allow you to organize and categorize cooking utensils that are otherwise too large to fit in a flatware tray.

Pougny 2-Piece Under Sink Organizer

View On Amazon Another ideal option for an under-the-sink kitchen organizer, the top level of this two-tiered organizer is stationary, but the bottom level does slide in and out. A unique feature that makes the organizer great for stowing items under the sink is the four hooks included with it. Store kitchen brushes and special cleaning tools on the hooks. There is no installation required, so you can simply place it under the sink immediately after assembly.

The Home Edit by iDesign 2-Tier Lazy Susan

View On The Container Store Double the kitchen organization fun with this handy two-tiered turntable. If you understand the convenience of a Lazy Susan, you’ll appreciate how this double-decker turntable handles twice the amount of work. 

If you have the space for two levels on a turntable, a second level allows you to categorize and order additional items. The clear material gives this functional organizer an upscale look, making it an ideal option for use outside of a cabinet as well.

mDesign Deep Bin Organizer Caddy Container

View On Amazon These plastic containers might seem like a simple item to use in a kitchen cabinet, but they can make all the difference and can contain a variety of everyday items needed in kitchen spaces. Place three side by side as snack bins for kiddos, corral cleaning products under the kitchen sink, or place small kitchen tools in a deep drawer. 

The clear plastic allows you to monitor supplies and know when it’s time to restock. If you need extra refrigerator space, place one on the shelf to keep food items or juice boxes from toppling off the shelf. With the handle on the bin, it’s easy to move around if your needs change.

The Home Edit by iDesign 3-Tier Shelf

View On The Container Store This three-tier shelf is a must for maximizing cabinet space while simultaneously keeping items neatly arranged and visible. Ideal for neatly stowing and elevating cans of food, spice jars, condiments, and more, this shelf is uniquely expandable. Unlike other step shelves that don’t have an expansion feature, this one can be adjusted up to 19 inches, making it an exceptionally versatile organizer depending on the need and availability of cabinet space. 

Once again, we love this staircase organizer's clear plastic and sleek design. The uses for this three-tier shelf are endless. Stack baby food jars, relish, canned food, craft room items, and more on this handy shelf.

YouCopia Adjustable Pot Lid Organizer

View On Amazon View On Target View On Macy's With the ability to hold even the heaviest of pot lids, this durable organizer keeps lids tidy. There are seven slots available, and the slots can be adjusted to fit larger or smaller lids. The days of searching for the right lid in the back of the cabinet are over with the simple assembly of this pot lid organizer. 

It takes mere minutes to unpack and assemble. Simply place the organizer in the bottom of a cabinet and attach the steel dividers. You might have to adjust a few for more or less slot space depending on the size of your pot lids, but this process is quick and easy with just a push of the steel dividers when moving them. A bonus is also that the non-slip feet on this organizer prevent it from damaging the bottom of the cabinet.

Bambusi Expandable Kitchen Drawer Organizer

View On Amazon View On Target With eight divided slots, this organizer is expandable from 13.5 to 19.25 inches, which is typically the size of a standard kitchen drawer. This organizer comes fully assembled, and since bamboo is naturally waterproof, spills and damp flatware will not damage it. 

Rev-A-Shelf Seasoning Organizer

View On Amazon A dedicated seasoning drawer complete with a tiered organizer can eliminate the headache of trying to find an elusive spice lingering just out of reach in the very back of a cabinet. This insert, made of natural maple hardwood, comes fully assembled and is ready to slip into a kitchen cabinet drawer. Seasonings and spices are accessible and visible each time you need them just by opening the drawer.

Lynx Slide Out Double Drawer

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart If you have a deep cabinet, then this organizer helps you utilize as much space in the cabinet as possible. This slide-out organizer has a double drawer, allowing double the storage space. It does have to be snugly secured to the bottom of the cabinet with four screws, so you might need a few tools.

After setting it up, stack pots, mixing bowls, and casserole dishes on each level. Although the silver chrome design does have a commercial-grade look, the sturdiness and functionality of this heavy-duty organizer outweigh the industrial look.

Cuisinel Heavy-Duty Pan Organizer

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot This heavy-duty pan and pot organizer can hold heavier items like Dutch ovens, frying pans, cast-iron skillets, pots, dishes, trays, and other cookware. The organizer can be used vertically inside a cabinet or placed horizontally in the base. 

One drawback to this organizer is that it is on the smaller side, so using two to house all pots and skillets might be necessary. It is simple to use and simple to install; just place it in the base of a cabinet to store pots and skillets.

YouCopia StoreMore Bakeware Rack

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Target Fully customizable so you can adjust it depending on the width of the pan, this organizer keeps pans, cutting boards, and trays neatly stowed and readily accessible. This organizer's setup is quick and easy: Simply pull out the pieces and place the wire dividers into the plastic tray.

　　 Tips for Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet Organizer

Size Checking the product's dimensions and measuring each cabinet is essential before you order or purchase an organizer. 

If you have smaller cabinets, then an organizer that maximizes every inch of the space is valuable. If you have deeper cabinets, you want to try to utilize the depth with organizers as much as possible when you can. “Using the proper containers that utilize the majority of the depth and slide in and out can allow you to see what you need and create less wasted space,” says Schoen.

Purpose Consider what you need in the cabinet or drawer space. “Cabinets are important to keep organized and use proper containment because it allows you to maximize the space and categorize based on your needs,” Schoen explains. 

This may be hard to think about at first, but as you continue to analyze your space, chances are you will land on exactly what you need. Researching and reading about different organizers for different spaces is helpful, too. Just be sure that you compare the cost with the item's durability. 

Material  Organizers made of acrylic and clear plastic are helpful if high visibility is necessary in your kitchen. Plastic is acceptable for lighter-duty containment, while more durable materials may be necessary when stowing heavier items. When storing heavy items like silverware and pots, you might consider a bamboo or metal to house these since they are both a heavier duty material. 

　　 Questions and Answers

Why are organized kitchen cabinets important?  Planning meals day in and day out is a labor of love many can relate to. Throw in picky eaters, a packed schedule, and a jumbled mess in your kitchen, and you’re in for another level of stress. “Having to dig for your favorite spatula, unpack a stuffed cabinet looking for that perfect pot to boil water in, or look for that specific spice you need (then end up finding four of them, three of which are expired) can be incredibly stressful and time-consuming,” says Cawyer. So, organization in a heavily used space is key if you’re trying to keep meal preparation running smoothly. 

What is the most efficient way to organize kitchen cabinets? Fortunately, there are organizational tools that can help. Clearing out the clutter in your kitchen is an essential first step in organizing kitchen cabinets. Cawyer and Richardson’s number one tip is to streamline what is kept in the kitchen and only keep your best or favorite items. “You just don't need eight spatulas, you know the one you always grab, and that’s best for the job, so consider donating the rest,” they say. An organized kitchen where you can grab a tool or gadget precisely when needed is essential.

“Creating zones and editing what you have is essential,” adds Schoen. Certain items tend to become more cluttered over time, so it’s important to be aware of that so that you can tackle any troublesome areas. 

“Coffee cups and drink cups tend to accumulate so pull out what you don’t use and truthfully, you’ll feel like you are less overwhelmed with the amount of things you have to clean,” she says. 

Continue to examine what you have from time to time and throw out or give away unused items. In that case, your kitchen and organization stations will feel less cluttered and work better for your daily needs. 

What should you store on a Lazy Susan? It’s certain: a Lazy Susan is anything but lazy. This hard-working kitchen spinning gadget pulls double-duty for storage and accessibility when placed in a kitchen cabinet. 

“I love using it for spices, oils, cans, or any type of jar,” says Schoen. One of the most significant benefits of using a Lazy Susan is that it allows more items to be more quickly accessed. “It allows you to maximize a tighter space,” she explains. With just a turn of a Lazy Susan, you can reach an item that might otherwise have been in the very back of the cabinet.  

　　 Why Trust Southern Living 

This article was written by Rebecca Jones, a freelance commerce, lifestyle, and parenting writer. For expert insight, Rebecca consulted Clara Schoen, Birmingham-based professional luxury organizer and owner of The Home Organized, as well as Taryn Cawyer and Katy Richardson, professional organizers and owners of Simply Home Organizing in Birmingham.