If you’ve got one drawer stuffed with random chargers, rubber bands, soy sauce packets, and takeout menus, you’re not alone. That drawer has a name—“the junk drawer”—and it’s the symptom of a bigger problem: your kitchen storage isn’t working. You don’t need a massive remodel or fancy organizers to turn things around. You just need a smarter setup that fits how you actually use your kitchen. This post walks you through how to upgrade kitchen storage quickly and without overcomplicating anything.
Start With What Doesn’t Work
If your drawers and cabinets are overflowing, it’s not because your kitchen is too small—it’s because your storage hasn’t been set up to keep up with your routine. The goal isn’t to become a minimalist or get rid of everything you own. The goal is to make space for the things you use all the time, and give the rest a better place to live.
Take five minutes and open every drawer and cabinet. If something is just sitting there with no real use—or if you forgot you even had it—that’s your starting point. You don’t need to organize the clutter; you need to remove it.
Fix the Flow
Think about how you move through your kitchen. Where do you prep food? Where do you make coffee? Where do you pack lunches or grab snacks? Once you break it down like that, your storage needs to line up with your daily moves.
If you prep on one side of the kitchen, your knives, cutting boards, and mixing bowls should be right there. If your coffee maker’s on the counter, keep mugs, filters, and beans nearby—not across the kitchen in a random cabinet. Group things by function, not by where they’ve always been shoved.
Make Drawers Work Smarter
Deep drawers are great until they become black holes. Add shallow bins or adjustable dividers to give everything a clear spot. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about visibility. If you can’t see it, you won’t use it.
For utensils, ditch the overflowing catch-all and divide tools by type. Keep the stuff you use daily—spatulas, tongs, peelers—within easy reach. That weird avocado slicer or backup garlic press doesn’t need front-row access. Give it a backup zone in a drawer farther out of the way.
Rethink Cabinets for Kitchen Storage
Most cabinets waste vertical space. Stackable shelf inserts, under-shelf baskets, and pull-out trays let you actually use the height you have. This keeps items from piling up into unstable towers that fall apart every time you need one plate.
Put heavy items down low and things you rarely use up top. Baking sheets, cutting boards, and trays can slide into vertical dividers instead of being buried flat in a pile.
And if you’re still stacking canned goods five high and playing Jenga with your pantry items, a few risers or a lazy Susan can make all the difference. You don’t need more space—you need smarter access.
Get Stuff Off the Counter
Cluttered counters make the whole kitchen feel messier. If something doesn’t get used daily, it shouldn’t be living on the counter. That goes for small appliances, too.
Use wall space to your advantage. A magnetic knife strip, mounted spice racks, or hanging rail with hooks can quickly clear out a lot of drawer or cabinet space. Inside cabinet doors are another spot most people forget—you can add a slim rack for foil, plastic wrap, or even a paper towel roll.
Keep Kitchen Storage Simple
This doesn’t have to be a one-time overhaul. Once you fix the layout and remove the daily friction, you’ll notice what’s working and what’s not. Make adjustments as you go.
The key is staying out of “junk drawer” territory. Everything should have a clear home, even if it’s just a plastic bin or a labeled box on a shelf. If you’re digging for something every time you cook, it’s not stored properly.
Kitchen Storage FAQs
What’s the best way to start organizing a messy kitchen?
Start by clearing one drawer or one cabinet. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Focus on what you use every day and build around that.
How do I keep clutter from coming back?
Assign everything a spot. If it doesn’t have a home, it becomes clutter. Periodically check your drawers and cabinets to remove stuff you don’t use.
Do I need to buy organizers to fix my storage?
No, but basic tools like drawer dividers, shelf risers, or bins can help maximize space you already have. Use them to give items boundaries.
Where should I put things I use once in a while?
Store less-used items in harder-to-reach spots—higher shelves, the back of cabinets, or even a storage tote in a nearby closet if space is tight.
Is it worth adding pull-out drawers or shelves?
If you have deep cabinets or trouble accessing things in the back, yes. Pull-outs can make a big difference without a full renovation.
Porch Light Home Inspections offers home inspections to customers in central Oregon. Contact us to schedule our services if you’re buying or selling a home.