When it comes to the kitchen, a big part of the problem is that many of us have accumulated a lot of things that we don’t use. From cabinets full of chipped plates to old appliances that no longer work, the first step to kitchen organization is to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/organize-kitchen-like-marie-kondo-1925853/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">make like Marie Kondo</a> and cull through what you have. Consider donating items that are still useful (just no longer useful to you), and recycle or get rid of anything that’s broken or no longer safe. Once you’ve cut back on the clutter, you’ll have more space to organize and clean what you actually use. <br><br> Related:<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/where-to-take-used-appliances-cabinets-by-province-1935990/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Where to Take Your Used Appliances and Cabinets, by Province</a>

You can’t deal with what you can’t see, so rethinking the vessels you use to store your food staples in can make a big difference in kitchen organization. <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/baking-supplies-cant-live-without/#!baking-supplies-expert-cant-live-without-containers" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See-through or glass containers</a> (don’t forget to label them!) make it simpler to see what you have on hand and access what you need. It’s easier to keep your pantry space in check if you aren’t constantly rooting around through boxes and bins, and swapping a mess of labelled packaging for clear containers creates a more visually pleasing feel. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/dreamiest-walk-in-pantries-1937154/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Dreamiest Walk-In Pantries That Will Make You Want Your Own</a>

Planning how to organize kitchen items can be extra tricky in a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/small-kitchen-design-ideas-1916131/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smaller kitchen</a>, but it’s not impossible. Maximize your storage space by making use of the backsplash and wall: try storing knives on a magnetic knife rack, or hanging your most-used pots and pans. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/our-favourite-storage-solutions-1943840/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Our Favourite Storage Solutions to Stash Your Stuff Around the House</a>

If your kitchen cabinets feel cluttered, take a step back and assess the space: are you using every angle of space to the maximum? Many people have deep cabinets or cabinets with a lot of vertical space that’s under-utilized. If that’s the case, try adding a wire shelf so you have two rows of plates, or installing a hanging system to the top underside of the cabinet so you can hang wine glasses at the top. A filing rack can also be used to help you store baking sheets on their sides for better organization and accessibility. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/how-to-clean-and-organized-under-10-minutes-1937776/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Make Every Room in Your Home Look Clean and Organized in Under 10 Minutes</a>

Even if you’re making an effort to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/reuse-food-scraps-reduce-food-waste-1941758/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cut down on food waste</a>, garbage and waste inevitably go hand-in-hand with kitchen mess. Having separate spots under the sink for trash, recycling and food scraps (like this pull-out system with four compartments) cuts down on clean-up time — making it easier to maintain a clean kitchen. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/innovative-ways-to-upcycle-plastics-in-home-1943978/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Innovative Ways to Upcycle Plastics in Your Home</a>

When <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/open-shelving-debate-1916005/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">considering the pros and cons of open shelving</a>, kitchen organization is often a big drawback — but open shelves in the kitchen can be a great way to stay organized if you carefully curate what you store on them. Using open shelving to display large items like beautiful serving dishes, dutch ovens or large pans makes it easy to keep them from looking cluttered, while freeing up space behind cupboard doors to store smaller, less display-worthy items. <br><br> Related:<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/20-gorgeous-kitchens-that-will-inspire-you-to-embrace-open-shelving-1896891/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> 20 Gorgeous Kitchens That Will Inspire You to Embrace Open Shelving</a>

When organizing kitchen cabinets, what goes where is a personal choice, but a good rule of thumb is to organize the things that you use most often at easiest reach and in your line of sight. If the constant in your life is your morning cup of coffee, for example, you’ll likely want to keep your mugs in an easily accessed cabinet next to your coffee maker (or better yet, create a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/coffee-making-stations-thatll-make-your-morning-cup-feel-like-a-cafe-experience-1941965/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dedicated coffee station</a>). <br><br> Related:<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/kitchen-updates-less-than-100-1922564/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Bryan Baeumler's 10 Simple Kitchen Updates That Cost Less Than $100</a>

Have your kitchen organization efforts touched everything but the kitchen sink? It could be time to rethink how you use your sink. While you want to keep your sink clear and clean so you can tackle <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/14-dishwashing-mistakes-youre-probably-making-1898483/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dishes</a>, a large sink might also offer multi-functional opportunities. We love how Dave and Kortney Wilson used a bamboo insert to multiply the functionality of the kitchen sink here on <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/standout-kitchen-sinks-1943651/#currentSlide=2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Masters of Flip</em></a> — giving an easy-to-clean food-prep space, while keeping counters clear. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/standout-kitchen-sinks-1943651/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Standout Kitchen Sinks That Will Make You Want to Rethink Your Counters</a>

Does looking into your fridge stress you out? Clear everything out and give the interior a good clean — and then get organizing. Organizing your fridge is about more than just aesthetics — it’s important to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/kitchen-pass-health-inspection-1935528/#currentSlide=6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arrange your food to avoid cross-contamination</a>. For example, you want to keep ready-to-eat foods (like salads and produce) separate and above (that is, on higher shelves) than raw foods (like uncooked meat or chicken) to avoid animal items from dripping down. Another tip? Using clear bins and baskets can help make items easier to access (and less likely to accidentally rot because they’re out of sight). <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/clean-dishwasher-other-dirty-things-1940420/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Clean a Dishwasher and 8 Other Things That Haven't Met a Sponge Until Now</a>

<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/door-decor-latest-home-trend-1932387/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doors</a> — whether they’re full-sized pantry doors or cabinet doors — are another area that can be used to keep your kitchen organized. Adding shelves for spices to the inside of doors lets you open up to easy-access items, while keeping them out of sight after dinner. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/simple-kitchen-organizing-ideas-1920348/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sarah Baeumler's 10 Simple Kitchen Organizing Ideas That Will Make Your Life Easier</a>