According to the 2003 National Association of Home Builders Consumer Preference Survey, 85 percent of buyers of new homes surveyed said that a walk-in pantry is essential or desired, while 60 percent said special use storage areas are important. It is obvious, then, that kitchen storage and organization are priorities for builders and remodelers, as well as homeowners who just want to make a few simple changes.

Regardless of what you may think, you do not have to completely overhaul your kitchen or be an organization freak to have an organized kitchen. Kate Schwartz, editor of Kitchens.com, says, “The right cabinet interiors, space planning and kitchen accessories can do most of the work for you.” Common sense also goes a long way to making your kitchen clean and clear. Schwartz offers these suggestions for your kitchen:

• When you are sorting and organizing, continuously ask yourself whether you have used items you come across in the last two years. There is no need to toss everything in the garbage. If you come across that juicer you haven’t touched in a long while, consider moving it to a different room with more long-term storage or giving it away.
• If you are remodeling your kitchen and are getting new cabinetry, think about space. The standard dimensions of cabinets are decreasing, so check into adding 6 inches of storage to your base cabinets by making them deeper, or adding height or depth to upper cabinets. (If your new cabinets reach the ceiling, that is one less surface for you to clean!)
• Aesthetics are still important when getting new cabinetry. Don’t sacrifice beauty for more storage; wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor cabinetry is not always pleasing to the eye. Try breaking it up with some open shelving or frosted or screened cabinet doors.
• Consider buying appliances that come as drawer units, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and wine chillers.
• Think about adding open shelving. Not only is it an easy way to add color and character to your kitchen, but it is also easier to put items, such as cups and plates, away.
• When remodeling, place your cooktop on your kitchen island to free up wall space. You can add more cabinetry or shelving.
• Dedicate a specific area to spices (whether it is a rack, a shelf or a drawer) and alphabetize them for easy access.
• Pot racks are a modern trend and are also useful. Cookware is often big and bulky – think about how much space will be free if you install a pot rack!
• Use organizers for under-the-sink items such as cleaners and for junk drawer items like pens, keys, flashlights and coupons.
• Make sure always to have a good-size trashcan and an accessible recycling bin.

If you are truly dedicated to becoming more organized and storage-conscious in the kitchen, make sure you continue to make an effort to keep things clean and neat. If you and your family understand the importance of organization in the kitchen, it will be a more enjoyable and usable room for everyone!

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