Bring order to a chaotic kitchen: seven expert tips from an interior redesigner

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the household, which helps explain why it can so easily become a dumping ground for everything from keys to letters and all those random “bits” that never seem to quite find a home. And while achieving a permanently clutter-free kitchen is a near-impossible task, there are some practical steps you can take to transform this room, your headspace and your habits.

Professional organiser and interior redesigner Katherine Blackler, of sortmyspace.co.uk, says: “If we make the kitchen more welcoming and easier to use, we are so much more inclined to entertain and use it to prepare good, nutritious meals, because it doesn’t feel overwhelming.”

And with so many of us still working from home (often, let’s face it, from the kitchen table), it has never been more important to get a handle on this integral space. Follow these seven tips to get started:

1. Declutter from the inside out
It might sound counterintuitive, but start with the insides of cupboards and drawers, rather than what’s on the surfaces. “In doing so, you create space for the items that need to be housed,” says Blackler.

Empty the contents on to your dining top or counter so that you can easily see duplications, and give the cupboard or drawer a good clean. “That way, you’ll see the full potential of the space and make a conscious choice about what items you put back in.

“Take the time to establish a place for everything – ideally behind a cupboard door or in drawers or on shelves, so that only frequently used appliances and items remain on countertops.”

If you’re tight on kitchen space, Joseph Joseph has a range of clever under-shelf storage solutions that allow you to neatly store away items such as chopping boards and coffee pods. Its kitchen drawer organisers, meanwhile, mean every utensil or piece of cutlery has a home, so you’ll never find yourself hunting around for that pizza cutter again!

2. Focus on zones
“Work out your ‘prime property’ – these are all the areas that you don’t have to crouch down or overstretch to reach, so the upper shelves of under-counter cupboards, the countertops and the lower shelves of wall-mounted cupboards. These areas should contain the items or food products that you use most frequently,” suggests Blackler. (Think: oils, onions, spices etc).

“Next, move food products that you use a little at a time, such as packets of rice and pasta, to an easy-to-reach-and-return zone. And then, move ‘one way journey’ items such as tins to cupboards and spaces that are more out of reach.”

3. Stacking is your friend
“Being able to stack and store is brilliant for optimising space, so keep your eyes open for brands and ideas that maximise storage opportunities,” says Blackler. Pan storage is notoriously tricky, however, Space, the new, sleek range of cookware from Joseph Joseph has been specifically designed to address this problem. The range has folding stainless-steel handles that save 50% more space than standard cookware, and stacks neatly away, bringing an end to chaotic cupboards. There’s no compromise on quality, with the durable, professional quality cookware built to last. Plus, the brand’s handy lid holder solves another storage problem, too.

4. Designate a clutter collector
“Identify the items that typically gather on your countertops, and allow yourself one tray, bowl, or small receptacle to hold the itty-bitty-bits that would normally be strewn across these surfaces,” says Blackler. That way, it’ll be obvious when the bowl is full and you can start rehoming or throwing away what’s lingering. Rather than allow a stack of papers to develop, Blackler suggests adding a magazine file to your kitchen counter, as this has a smaller footprint and looks tidier.

5. Use containers
Do you wince when you open your kitchen cupboards, worried that their contents are about to spill straight on to the floor? Then invest in some simple boxes or containers to act as makeshift drawers. “You could create a box for all your breakfast stuff so that you can, in one motion, pull down all your spreads and make a choice without ending up with 12 individual jars and bottles on the countertop.”

Transparent containers can help you see when you’re running low on something. This five-piece storage container set, for example, is ideal for items such as breakfast cereals and pulses, creating tidy, organised cupboards.

Blackler also advises keeping the various accessories for any big gadgets, such as food processors, in one box to make locating what you’re looking for that bit easier.

6. Reduce countertop congestion
“Don’t forget about the space under your wall cabinets,” says Blackler. “This can be a great spot for hooks for teacups or a kitchen roll holder.” Also remember to think vertically – items such as cookery books and chopping boards are all better stored upright.

7. Be smart about bulk-buying
Sometimes the sheer amount of stuff you’re trying to accommodate can make a kitchen feel chaotic so be savvy about bulk buying. “Create a ‘shop’ elsewhere in your house for duplicates that are clogging up cupboard space and make sure you check it before doing an online food order or supermarket shop,” says Blackler.

Similarly, you could team up with a friend to get the best value on food offers – that way you both benefit from the discount without needing to store so much in your kitchens.

Shop now

Take a look at Space, Joseph Joseph’s first cookware range – designed to bring style, function and order to your kitchen