Simple Ways to Reorganize Your Kitchen

On this Technique Tuesday, Abigail at The Soul of Health and I want to share ideas for reorganizing your kitchen – no matter how small the space. And we’ve got a fun giveaway with this post that can help you stay organized on the go!

I’ve moved around quite a bit over the last few years, and every rental kitchen has a different design. There’s never enough space to lay every dish, oil, pot, pan and storage container in the perfect Martha Stewart manner, so I’ve had to find creative ways to make room.

Today, I’d like to show you my two favorite Type A space-savers, and both use one of the handiest tools ever invented: The Label Maker. A label maker is like a magic wand – you basically point it at a messy area of your home, print out a few labels, and voila: instant Container Store-level organization.

Type A Space-Saver Part 1: Spices

 

If you have tall cabinets: Don’t waste that vertical space – it’s kitchen gold! Try tiered organizers like this one from The Container Store. Label the front of each spice container so you can clearly see what you have. Stack two half-size spice bottles on top of one another.

If you have narrow drawers: Label the top of each spice container and line them up in the drawer. That’s what I did in my kitchen, and it’s saved me time and money (I always know what I have so I don’t accidentally buy a duplicate!)

 

Type A Space-Saver Part 2: Dry Goods

Store dry goods like rice, oats, small pasta shells, and granola in canning jars. They look pretty, they’re stackable, and they’re perfect for storing goodies from the bulk section. Add a label so you know what’s in there. When I switched to jars, I poured the food from their messy bags into the canning jars and threw the bags away. When I’m not sure how to prepare something, I just Google it! You can also cut out the directions and tape them to the back of the jar.

Abigail and I are giving away two fully-stocked messenger bags from Subway that help you stay healthy and organized on the road. The bags even have a built-in insulated pouch that fits a large sub (perfect for sharing with a friend!) Plus: a $20 gift card to Subway, a water bottle, a copy of Self magazine, a headband, a notebook, a Moleskine pen, and a travel sewing kit.

How can you win?

You get one entry for each of these things:

1. Comment on this post and tell us your favorite spice and the dish you love it in!

2. Comment on our Facebook posts: mine or Abigail’s

3. Share our Facebook post

4. Share this on Twitter

We’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, November 11th.

Thank you to Subway for providing our winner with a Subway messenger bag!

*Disclosure: Subway gave me a Subway messenger bag and is providing bags for this giveaway. I did not receive any money or goods in return for this post. I do not work for Subway.