Your kitchen serves as the heart of your home. When it’s messy, it can make the entire household feel chaotic. Similarly, labeling everything in your kitchen adds a layer of organization that resonates throughout your entire home. When every ingredient, utensil, and container has a clearly marked place, it minimizes confusion and promotes a sense of orderliness. Plus, it eliminates the frustration of searching through cabinets and drawers, saving you time and energy during weekly cooking. Having a plan to keep things in order is necessary, and these simple kitchen hacks can help by saving you precious time and limiting stress.

1. Implement cabinet storage solutions.

Tired of sifting through chaotic cabinets in search of elusive items? Stackable shelves are a miracle, maximizing vertical space and granting easy access to seldom-used items, and tension rods are not just for curtains—you can use them to hang cleaning supplies conveniently within reach. Take it a step further and install hooks inside cabinet doors to corral unruly pot lids, getting rid of clutter once and for all.

2. Label everything (yes, everything).

3. Streamline meal prep with a weekly menu.

Cautionary Tuesday night tales always begin with the question, “What’s for dinner?” No more, with the advent of a weekly menu. This tactic saves time and mental energy, and it also helps with seamless coordination with your grocery shopping trips. If you have a family, you can involve them to help craft the menu. Let each member contribute their favorite dishes and create a rotating menu everyone can enjoy.

4. Get multi-functional kitchen tools.

For example, you can choose a blender that doubles as a food processor, or a cutting board equipped with built-in storage compartments. By minimizing the number of single-purpose gadgets cluttering your space, you’ll pave the way for streamlined cooking sessions and a tidier kitchen aesthetic.

5. Embrace the power of drawer organizers.

Don’t underestimate the transformative impact of drawer organizers. Whether it’s for utensils, cutlery, or miscellaneous odds and ends, these nifty contraptions keep chaos at bay, ensuring everything remains neatly in its place. No more tangled messes—it’s time to enjoy effortlessly locating precisely what you need, precisely when you need it.

6. Implement the one-in, one-out rule.

To stem the tide of clutter, adopt the simple yet effective one-in, one-out rule. For every new addition to your kitchen—be it a gadget or a pantry staple—get rid of an existing item. This minimalist mantra promises that your kitchen remains a sanctuary of order and organization, free from unnecessary clutter.

7. Create a command center.

Transform a neglected corner of your kitchen into a command center dedicated to all things organizational. Install a chalkboard or whiteboard for jotting down grocery lists and reminders, hang a calendar to keep track of appointments and meal plans, and designate a designated basket for incoming mail. A well-appointed command center serves as the nerve center of your culinary domain so that you can stay on top of your hectic schedule with ease.

8. Declutter regularly.

Last but certainly not least, make decluttering a regular ritual in your kitchen repertoire. Set aside dedicated time each month to purge expired pantry items, donate unused kitchen gadgets, and tidy up any areas that have succumbed to clutter’s insidious grasp. A proactive approach to decluttering ensures that your kitchen remains a bastion of tranquility and efficiency, free from the burden of excess baggage.

9. Optimize under-sink storage.

It’s easy to forget about this area, and it can evolve into a crazy mess. But, stackable bins and caddies can help keep things together. Organize your cleaning supplies in one, along with tools, trash bags, and other miscellaneous items in others. This space can also benefit from adjustable shelving units to accommodate various-sized items and maximize vertical space efficiently.