Keeping a collection of cooking utensils neatly stored has often been a challenge for me. I want them within easy reach when I’m cooking or baking, but I don’t want them cluttering up all of my kitchen drawers. I have one potato masher in particular that gets snagged and makes it almost impossible to open that drawer! And don’t get me started on the pastry cutter! Do you struggle to organize cooking utensils too? You open a drawer and here’s what you see: Spoons! Spatulas! Tongs! Whisks! Ladles! More spoons! I knew there had to be way to get things under control.
Well, I had finally had enough and I went in search of ways to get all those essential but bulky tools both tidy and easy to get to. Luckily, I was able to find some brilliant ideas to help us keep our kitchen utensils organized and a lot tidier. I’m even able to get to that potato masher now! Today, I’m sharing some of the best ideas with you!
Getting Your Cooking Utensils Under Control
1. First And Foremost, Declutter!
Go through your utensil drawer and put everything on the counter or table. Next, get rid of any duplicate items and things you don’t use. Then, while your utensils are sitting out, divide them into piles. Group items together based on how you use them. Visualizing the items like this will make it easier to decide which of the following method(s) is/are best for you.
2. Pegboard
If you just can’t seem to figure out where to store your larger or oddly-shaped kitchen items, why not try pegboard? It’s functional, customizable, and looks great! You can even frame it and paint it so it looks like your utensils are a work of art! Here are some genius ideas for using pegboard.
3. Command Hooks
While I love my KitchenAid stand mixer, finding a place to store the big attachments can be a pain! I tried keeping them in a drawer for a while, but they would often cause the drawer to get stuck as I was opening it. Now, I hang them on Command hooks in the pantry or cupboard where they’re out of the way but easy to get to.
4. Utensil Crock
This is a classic option for a reason. A utensil crock on the countertop keeps your most-used items at the ready. It can also be a good place to store those larger, more awkward utensils that are clogging up the drawer (I’m looking at you, potato masher!), and a nice crock can complement your kitchen decor as well. Now if I can just get my husband to remember which utensils go in the drawer, and which go in the crock!
5. Diagonal Organizer
The Eco Kitchenware Bamboo Drawer Organizer is only $25, but it can do away with wayward rolling pins or spatulas getting tangled up in your whisks. The diagonal design is genius, letting you store extra-long items (up to 16 inches!) as well as small and oddly-shaped items. This organizer can help you turn a cluttered mess of kitchen utensils into a tidy, organized drawer that makes it easy to find what you need. Why didn’t I think of storing my utensils on an angle?!
6. Layered Organizer
And speaking of angles, this compact cutlery organizer has angled slots that make it easy to store all of your silverware in even the most narrow drawers. It will utilize more of the vertical space inside your drawer while keeping your cutlery separate and easy to grab. Sometimes it’s the little things that end up making the biggest difference! The Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Organizer Tray For Cutlery is less than $12, but it’s one of the cleverest ways to store silverware I’ve ever seen! As a matter of fact, check out their entire line of organization helps. They are all beautiful and functional!
7. Magnetic Knife Strips
Knives can get dulled or banged up in a drawer, not to mention the danger of reaching into a drawer full of sharp knives! Instead, store your knives on a magnetic knife strip to keep them safe and close at hand. The inside of a kitchen cupboard is a good place to install one. Magnets are actually a great way to organize a lot of things!
8. DIY Utensil Wall.
If you have a bit of empty wall space in your kitchen, you can make an absolutely beautiful DIY Utensil Wall with towel bars and a few bamboo utensil caddies. It’s easy to do, functional, and did I mention it’s BEAUTIFUL? It will store a ton of utensils, and you can even add some plants or flowers and make it an attractive focal point of your kitchen!
9. Mason Jar Caddy.
Mason jars are a classic that will never go out of style, and this Mason Jar Caddy is the perfect way to be prepared for eating outside all summer long — one of my favorite things to do in life! Just put a few mason jars in a small caddy or organizer and fill the jars with forks, knives, and spoons. You can also tuck a few napkins or straws in if you like. It also makes a great silverware caddy for when you have guests. The caddy makes it so easy to carry all the necessities to the table (whether outside or in!) As a bonus, check online for hundreds of ways to decorate mason jars for any season or any decor!
Have you got any great ideas for organizing kitchen utensils?