When it comes to kitchen organization, having a handle on your cooking utensils is key. If you can reach for your favorite whisk or trusty spatula on the fly, this makes cooking infinitely more seamless. And the best part is that organizing your utensils doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all approach.
Meet our Expert
Caroline Solomon is a NYC-based Home Organizer. She works with clients to declutter and organize their homes, so they can thrive and flourish in their space. Perhaps unsurprisingly, her favorite room to organize is the kitchen–as behind any great cook is always a well-organized mise-en-place. She believes that anyone can become organized no matter how big, small or cluttered your home. When she’s not reorganizing pantries and closets, you can find her in the kitchen baking cookies, cakes or anything chocolate-related.
Depending on your organizing style and aesthetic preferences, you can keep them on display or tuck them away. The point is: you have options! Here are my favorite ways to organize your kitchen utensils:
The Utensil Rack Method
Visual organizers: this method’s for you! The utensil rack really highlights your kitchen utensils while freeing up valuable countertop space. Simply hang your most frequently used utensils on their own hooks (and avoid over-cramming for a streamlined look). This method is perfect if you need to reach for utensils quickly and efficiently (many restaurant kitchens use the utensil rack for this reason!). And if you’re worried about drilling into the wall, there are plenty of utensil racks that offer clamp or adhesive options instead.
The Countertop Crock Method
This method is exactly as it sounds. Simply grab a utensil crock in your favorite color, fill it with your most frequently used kitchen utensils (sorry, micro whisks), then place it near the stove for easy access. Not only does the countertop crock conveniently store utensils in one spot, but it also allows you to reach for that wooden spoon in a jiff. The only countertop crock caveat: keep *only* the utensils you use on a regular basis here to make access and retrieval a seamless affair.
Shop Utensil Crocks
The Drawer Organizer Method
Calling all countertop minimalists! If you prefer to keep your kitchen utensils out of sight and your counters clutter-free, look no further than the drawer organizer. Opt for ones made of durable, sustainable materials like bamboo, and make sure they fit the length of your drawer. Simply insert the organizers in the drawer, then combine like items for easy identification (e.g. spoons with spoons, whisks with whisks). Cooking utensil maximalists will also take a liking to this method, as you can really make use of drawer space by staggering your tools.
Bonus points: for an extra bit of panache, line your utensil drawer with cork before inserting your organizers––this will keep them from sliding around in your drawer.
How to Maintain Your Systems
While it’s one thing to create a well-organized system, it’s another thing to maintain it. Not that the two are leagues apart! If you’re adding new utensils to the mix, make sure they’re not cramping your style. You’ll want to keep the countertop crock, utensil drawer, and rack as roomy as possible for easy access and retrieval. This might mean donating the two extra vegetable peelers you rarely use, and responsibly disposing of other broken utensils. Overall, the best way to maintain these systems is also the easiest: simply put your utensils back in the same spot as before.
