13 Smart Kitchen Organizing Ideas

1. Entryway

From work commutes to errand runs, you're probably on the go a lot. Why waste time getting out the door by dealing with a disorganized entryway every single day?

Think of your front door as a "launching pad." In other words, whatever you need to help make leaving and arriving home easier should be right there for simple access.

If you have a closet to work with, that's great. Otherwise, cubbies or even a utility shelf will work. Make sure your most used shoes, coats, and other accessories are neatly stacked, hung, or put away. You can take those heels you only wear for date nights or random extra scarves back to your bedroom.

Then, set up a space for your personal items, like your purse, keys, sunglasses, and any mail you grab on the way in. You'll know exactly where they are the next time you're running late, and you can add personal touches like greenery or artwork to make your launch pad more aesthetically pleasing.

2. Living Room

Next up is the living room, where you probably spent the bulk of your time with family and friends. This fact means it tends to naturally become the most cluttered room in everyone's home.

If you feel like you're lacking storage, don't forget to utilize vertical space. You can install shelving, for instance, or buy tall open-shelving cabinets that look like built-ins.

Either way, by adding decor pieces, books, or other commonly used items, like speakers and games, you'll infuse the room with more character and dimension while saving floor space.

Don't underestimate the functionality of baskets, either. They're great for holding everything from pet toys to blankets and even magazines or photo albums.

Plus, if you have kids and constantly feel inundated by their toys, say goodbye to the typical storage container solution. Even though it may work for some parents, these containers are still an eyesore and never really leave your line of sight in the living room.

Instead, you can transform an old or thrifted dresser into a toy storage area. Select one that matches your interior design style to keep your space looking clean and uncluttered while allowing your kids to easily grab whatever they want to play with.

3. Bedroom & Closet

Shared or not, the bedroom has a way of collecting clutter like nobody's business. That's why we have to get creative to save space and make our lives easier.

One of the most overlooked areas is right under your bed. You can store anything from hobby items, like art supplies, to seasonal clothing and less frequently worn shoes.

Search for storage containers with wheels under the bed. Or, if your bedframe needs an upgrade, look for one that has drawers!

Then, in your closet, make sure your clothing and accessories are arranged in a way that makes sense.

For example, if you work a corporate job, group all of your business attire, like slacks, blazers, and loafers, in one section to quickly get dressed and go in the morning. The same goes for casual wear, workout attire, and evening wear or pajamas.

Finally, if you have shelving, add labeled bins to store clunkier garments like sweaters and sweatshirts. Any remaining room can be used to hold extra clutter that you clear off horizontal surfaces, like your desk, vanity, or dresser, to make your bedroom feel more light.

4. Bathroom

Last but not least is the dreaded bathroom. This room of the house can become a dumping ground for all sorts of products and beauty tools.

Just like in your living room, you should use any empty wall space to your advantage. Hang up hooks to hold your towels and clothing while you bathe, or use an over-the-door organizer to give your extra towels and robes a home.

Also, if you live with multiple people, it can be helpful to give each family member their own designated cabinet. This will keep everyone's products separate and prevent any from becoming a "junk drawer."

Last but not least, our top tip for keeping your bathroom fresh and organized is to get rid of your personal items on a regular basis. Stop holding onto that old tube of toothpaste that's practically flat or accumulating multiple bottles of face wash.

Rather, go through your products once a month to purge anything that's expired or no longer used. This simple act alone will make a real difference.

How To Organize Kitchen Cabinets

The most important thing to focus on when organizing your kitchen cabinets is maximizing space. That just means making the most of the space that you have, because no matter how big your cabinets are, if they're filled to the brim with items that don't have a dedicated spot, it's going to feel cluttered.

Focus on keeping similar items together, using up vertical space by stacking where you're able (like with bowls or glasses) and making sure that every object has a dedicated space.

Kitchen Cabinet Organization Ideas

Use your cabinets to hold more than just kitchenware — display books and plants to bring some personality into your kitchen. You don't have to save all the fun for your bedroom and living room!

If you live in a small apartment, or just don't have cabinets, you can still take part in the fun. Use the space above your sink or your countertop to add your own shelves. This is a great option because when you're doing it yourself, you can customize the storage to your needs.

If you don't want to stack your plates (or you don't have the room for all the designs to have their own stacks), set them upright instead with a DIY plate rack. (via PMQ For Two)

Okay, so this one isn't technically cabinet organization, but it will definitely save you room in your cabinets. DIY this wine rack that will move your wine bottles from your cabinets onto the wall and add color to your room at the same time.

The Home Edit's organization tips are totally inspiring thanks to their efficiency and their color. Grabbing bins from somewhere like The Container Store or Target can help you contain your products so they don't end up spread across your shelf, and they also make it easier to stack your items since they won't fall over.

Don't underestimate the power of labels. When you buy your bins, tubs, and other organizers, write what you intend to store inside on all the containers and make sure that the corresponding product is always inside. That way, you'll have one bin of flour instead of multiple half-empty bags. Plus, it just looks prettier!

For a quick update on the system you already have, stack your plates so that like plates are together, with the biggest plates are on the bottom — this will ensure they sit together in a way that takes up the least amount of room.

Make sure all the rims of your glasses are touching when storing them in your cabinets, and when you're organizing mugs, face the handles toward each other so there's less empty space and more room for new mugs. Because let's be honest, we can always buy new mugs.

Don't forget to use up the space on top of your cabinets too! Grab some baskets to organize new bottles of olive oil, bags of coffee, or cleaning supplies that you get from the store. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Kitchen Cabinet Organizers

If you love to stay hydrated (ie: you have nine water bottles in your cabinet), then you should grab a product like this YouCopia UpSpace Bottle Organizer ($25+). It'll keep all your water bottle snug together so that you have more room for all your mugs. Speaking of...

The great thing about these Better Houseware Undershelf Cup & Mug Hooks ($10 for two) is that since they hook around the top of a shelf, they don't take up any room at the base.

One way to make sure you save room is to use up vertical space instead of horizontal space. That's why we love the Chrome Roll-Out Bakeware Organizer ($66), which stacks all your muffin tins and cookie sheets on their end. Trust us: this will save you tons of room.

Your fruit deserves a comfy spot to hang out in, so grab a Macrame Fruit Hammock ($30) that will keep fruit off the counter. Cute!

The great thing about a container like the Everything Organ Cabinet Depth Pantry Bin ($101+) is that it's clear because you know what you have at all times. You won't have to pull out the bins to see what's inside!

Use an Expandable Countertop Organizer ($38) in your cabinets — or use it on your counter to clear out your cabinets). We love that this pick's expandable because that means you can move it around to different areas, no matter how big the area is.

A pot organizer like this one from MUDEELA ($22) will keep all your pots and pans together, and you won't have to put up with the noise of when they're stacked on top of each other.

You can't forget about the spices! A rack like this Spice Rack($25) will keep all your spices together and make accessing them a whole lot easier.

Some mDesign Metal Pull-Out Baskets ($21) will create organization within your cabinet the way that cubes do. It's like a two-in-one storage space!

What is On Swift Horses about?

On Swift Horses Plot

Muriel begins a new life with her husband Lee when he returns to California from the Korean War. But the life they're building together — and their future — changes forever when Lee's brother Julius, a headstrong gambler, arrives. Julius is attractive, charismatic, and hiding plenty of secrets.

According to the official synopsis, "when Julius takes off in search of the young card cheat he’s fallen for, Muriel’s longing for something more propels her into a secret life of her own, gambling on racehorses and exploring a love she never dreamed possible."

The story explores LGBTQ+ identity and desire in the 1950s, but does so with a hopeful tone rather than a devastating one. “The first scenes that we filmed were the scenes we had together, so we got all of that done with—when we were apart, we had put the groundwork in,” Daisy tells Vanity Fair of working with Jacob, who adds, "I believe Taylor Swift calls it an invisible string.”

"I loved the connection between gambling and risk-taking, and pushing the boundaries of her desire and what she’s looking for,” Daisy adds. “Muriel’s rebellion throughout the film is quite quiet, in the small ways in which she takes back her power by concealing things. A lot of what’s happening is behind closed doors.”

Who's in the cast of On Swift Horses?

On Swift Horses Cast

On Swift Horses stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Sasha Calle, and Diego Calva.

"It's not hard to make chemistry with Jacob because he's just so charismatic," Daisy said during a Q&A, via People, adding that the script "felt almost like reading poetry and so much of what happens is in the subtext."

"This movie is just about love,” Calle added. “It’s important to just feel that — whoever that might be, where that takes you. It’s important to feel that and to feel safe in it.”

Has On Swift Horses been released?

On Swift Horses Release Date

On Swift Horses premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, and is currently looking for a distributor. Check back here for news on its release date!

Watch The Teaser Trailer For 'On Swift Horses'

As charming as Julius appears in the teaser trailer, his brother Lee tells Muriel they live differently than he does. "He's just not like us," he says before a scene cuts to Muriel exploring her own "passions." Based on this, On Swift Horses appears to blur the lines of love, lust, secrets, and recognizing one's identity.