Best Kitchen Organizer
Whether you’re living with a tiny apartment kitchenette or a full-sized gourmet-worthy culinary domain, being well-organized means your favorite cooking gadgets are not only close at hand, but they have a dedicated space for tucking away at the end of the day. And it doesn’t require a major cash outlay to outfit your kitchen with space-saving features that will clear your counters and improve home efficiency. You just need to know what you’re looking for.
What Are the Benefits to Using Kitchen Organizers?
Where do we begin? Every kitchen can benefit from a little extra storage, but when space just isn’t there, you need to work smart and maximize every square inch of your cupboards, drawers, and counter surfaces. Today’s well-thought-out kitchen organizers are designed to suit every lifestyle and they eliminate the need to rummage through clutter-filled drawers or over-stuffed cupboards to find what you’re looking for. They maximize storage, keep frequently used items within easy reach, and allow you to quickly survey your pantry when prepping your shopping list. Best of all, they are affordable and can be adapted to meet most storage needs.
What to Look for When Buying Kitchen Organizers
Adaptability
While you’ll need to measure before shopping for your on-counter or in-cabinet storage organizers, many new designs are fully adaptable to work within your space constraints. Because your ultimate goal is to store excess grocery items or cleaning products versus display them, it’s time to revisit interior cabinet doors, under-stink cubbies, and even how your refrigerator is stocked, with an eye to identify wasted space. Prioritize frequently used items over those you pull out every few weeks (or less), then check out the variety of options that can be slid, stacked, or reconfigured into a size that meets your needs.
Quality
Nothing is more frustrating than setting up your newly organized kitchen to have storage components collapse, shift, or snap under the weight of your gadgets due to poor manufacturing. While the goal of kitchen organizers is to provide an affordable alternative to cabinet reconstruction, it’s still important to look for quality materials and designs that show attention to detail. Ask yourself if the organizer’s maximum weight capacity will be sufficient? If not (or if it’s questionable) keep looking. Is it easy to use/assemble? Simple to clean? Do the reviews support the manufacturer’s claims? A little homework will be well worth it.
Top 6 Kitchen Organizers
Bambüsi Set of 4 Natural Bamboo Drawer Organizers with Spring-Loaded Adjustment Feature
Best for De-Cluttering Junk Drawers
If you’re one of those people with a junk drawer filled with important gadgetry that you can never seem to find, this set of fully adjustable solid bamboo drawer organizers is the perfect solution. Designed for use in larger drawers, the spring-loaded end piece on each panel results in a firm fit and a solid divider that stays in place without shifting or collapsing regardless of how much you load up the drawer. Use one, two, or all four of these durable partitions in clutter-filled drawers for a customized method of stashing all your favorite utensils, small appliances, linens, or knives. The natural tones of this high-quality bamboo organizer work well with any kitchen’s décor and add a custom feel to your drawer spaces. Best of all, they work horizontally, vertically, or can be stacked for deeper storage. And they’re simple to install or remove when it’s time to rethink your storage needs.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
For drawers that need to do double- and triple-duty when it comes to storing cutlery, linens, and kitchen gadgets, this bamboo lock-in-place organizer is the perfect way to reduce clutter and keep important items close at hand.
Pros:
- Solid, natural-toned bamboo
- Adjustable dividers can be stacked
- Spring-loaded for a secure fit
- Wipe-clean finish
Cons:
- Natural wood can be scratched by sharp utensils
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Natural bamboo
Dimensions: 17.5-inches expands to 22-inches
Pack: 4 dividers per pack
Assembly required: Yes
SimpleHouseware Set of 3 Stackable Can Organizers with Plastic Dividers
Best for Easy-View Storage
For those that need a ready stash of tinned goods for family meals or last-minute entertaining, this stackable, chrome-plated organizer is about to become your new best friend. Designed to hold up to 36 standard-sized cans, this super handy unit takes up a minimal footprint in your cupboards, fridge or on your pantry shelves. And because it comes in 3 pieces that stack, you can choose to lay them side by side when height is a challenge. Slight angling allows all labels to be instantly visible, so no more rummaging through cabinets looking for your favorite soups and sauces. Best of all, plastic dividers let you adjust the spaces to suit your storage needs. And if you love to entertain, this sturdy organizer/dispenser is perfectly sized for fridge use, allowing for easy stocking and access to enough soft drinks, bottled water or beer, to keep a thirsty crowd happy.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
Whether you’re feeding a large family, entertaining, or simply enjoying the convenience of a full pantry, this multi-tiered organizer stocks and displays more cans than any standard cupboard shelf.
Pros:
- 3-piece set
- Stores 36 standard-sized cans
- Adjustable sizing
- Easy to assemble/customize
Cons:
- May need adjusting to fit cupboard shelves
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Chrome plated
Dimensions: 17-inches wide x 14-inches high x 5-inches deep
Pack: 3 separate racks per pack
Assembly required: Yes
GeekDigg Black Iron Pot and Pan Organizer with 8 Adjustable Tiers
Best for Pan and Lid Organization
When your love for cooking results in an excess of pots, pans, and lids being stacked one upon the other in a hard-to-reach under-cupboard cabinet, it’s time to reclaim your kitchen and get organized with this cleverly designed pan rack. This fully customizable storage unit is made from heavy-duty iron with an 8-tier design that allows you to adjust each bracket to meet your individual needs. Use this organizer upright with 4 brackets on either side to hold up to 9 of your favorite sauce pots, griddles, and even cast-iron pans. Or flip it on its side, tighten up spacing configurations, and turn it into easy-access storage for your pan lids, cookie sheets, cutting boards, and other flat kitchen accessories. A small rubber tube on each bracket keeps pans safely in place while the 16.6-inch height and 21.2-inch width of this organizer allow the unit to tuck into most base cabinets for convenient, out-of-sight storage.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
This is an ideal storage solution for the home chef that wants easy-access but out-of-the-way storage for their bulky pots and pans.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty iron construction
- Fully customizable
- Easy to assemble / no tools
- Stores up to 9 pans
Cons:
- May be too tall for some cabinets
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Iron
Dimensions: 21.2-inches wide x 16.6-inches high x 8-inches deep
Pack: 8 brackets
Assembly required: Yes
SimpleHouseware Set of Two Cupboard Door Organizers with Padded Hooks
Best for Behind-the-Scenes Storage
So, you’re short on space but have had to devote an entire cupboard drawer to kitchen wraps, tin-foil, and lunch bags that your family uses on a regular basis. If this sounds like your kitchen set-up, then it’s time to rethink your use of space and this versatile 2-pack of over-the-door storage racks can help. Hard-wearing steel construction and a slim, profile of less than 4-inches in depth, make these handy organizers the perfect back-of-scene solution to storing everything from kitchen cleaning products to foils and food wraps. And because they use screws to anchor the unit to the inside of your lower cupboards but rely on sturdy, over-the-door hooks for added strength, this set of organizers can even be used to hold heavier items such as cutting boards, cookie sheets, and muffin pans – keeping these items out of sight but within easy reach. Padded tops ensure cabinet doors remain scratch-free.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
When storage is at a premium, this over-the-door storage solution keeps frequently used items within easy reach, but literally behind closed doors.
Pros:
- Durable steel construction
- Out-of-sight storage solution
- Holds up to 5 standard cutting boards
- Padded, no-scratch hooks
Cons:
- Hooks visible over cupboard door
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 13.75-inches wide x 9.5-inches high x 3.7-inches deep
Pack: 2 pack
Assembly required: Yes
Favbal Stainless-Steel Broom and Mop Organizer with Heavy-Duty Clamps and Hooks
Best Storage Solution for Floor Care Equipment
Regardless of your storage situation, not much is configured to deal with upright floor care products such as brooms and wet-mops – until now. This wall- or door-mounted stainless-steel rack features 3 heavy-duty, rubber-clad clips that expand to a full 1.5-inches and hold up to 30 pounds in weight – instantly turning any door into a handy broom closet. Mop handles snap securely into place to keep all your household cleaning gear out of sight yet close at hand. When duty calls, just reach in, grab your device of choice, and when done, simply press it back into place and close the door. Because this durable organizer also features 4 strategically staggered hooks, you can hang everything from damp rags to micro-fiber dusters, or even bottles of cleaning solution. Best of all, it easily attaches to any indoor/outdoor surface using adhesive alone or in combination with screws.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
If you don’t have a dedicated broom closet to store your floor care equipment, this solidly built, door-mounted storage rack is the perfect solution to keeping those bulkier cleaning utensils out of sight.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction
- 4 heavy-duty clamps
- Holds up to 30 pounds
- Attaches to any surface
Cons:
- Clamps not sized for hoses
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 14.5-inches wide x 1.2-inches high x 1.6-inches deep
Pack: 1 pack
Assembly required: Yes
MAYER’S BEST 2-pack Plastic 3-Tier Spice Organizer with Non-Slip Surface
Best for Organizing Spices and Seasonings
Collectively, our bottles, bags, and pouches of spices can easily overwhelm a cupboard shelf and make looking for the right seasoning, a lengthy, frustrating process. And that’s where this set of two, 3-tier spice racks save the day – by eliminating the clutter and saving prep time in the process. Each tier features a generous 3-inch-deep ledge which is perfect for those commercial-brand bottles of spice or your own small jars of custom blends. The staggered heights mean that all containers are now easily visible and always accessible. And with each tier’s base having a light, non-skid padding, your spices stay in place and won’t tip or spill if jostled. Best of all, because this unit is designed for use on either countertops or in cupboards, you can keep your herbs and spices wherever you want them – beside the stove and within easy reach, or tucked neatly out of sight.
Who Should Buy This Kitchen Organizer?
For the cook that loves to flavor up their meals with a variety of spices, this handy 2-pack of spice organizers is ideal for keeping seasonings visible and easy to reach.
Pros:
- 3-tier design
- Non-skid surfaces
- 3-inch-deep tiers
- Durable plastic construction
Cons:
- Takes up entire shelf
Specs for Comparison:
Material: Plastic
Dimensions: 14.5-inches wide x 3.3-inches high x 9.5-inches deep
Pack: 2-pack
Assembly required: No
Bottom Line
Regardless of your kitchen size and storage capacity, running an efficient, well-organized household is not only easier than you think, but it can save you time, money, and the daily frustrations that happen when you can’t find the essentials you’re looking for. With the right kitchen organizers, you can monitor when you’re running low on your favorite foods, when it’s time to stock up on staple ingredients, and where your go-to culinary gadgets are kept. Rummaging is a word of the past, and when everything has a place of its own, you not only eliminate clutter from your counters but from your life.
Photo credit: Axtem/Shutterstock