Moving is not fun.

No room in your house causes more stress than unpacking and organizing your kitchen. And if your kitchen is on the larger side, the stress is amplified. Figuring out the right way to unpack your kitchen is not an easy task

Regardless of the size of your kitchen, the space needs to be organized and functional for you and your family. It means unpacking smartly while ensuring usability and comfort in your new space.

How Should You Unpack & Organize Your Kitchen?

To make things easy for you after your move, here are some simple steps for you to follow:

  1. Prepare & Clean Your New Kitchen
  2. Gather All Your Boxes
  3. Start Unpacking
  4. Arrange Items Based on Frequency of Use
  5. Organize Fragile Items
  6. Organize Your Pantry Closet
  7. Revaluate & Rearrange

Let’s look into each step mentioned above in more detail so you can have your perfect kitchen.

Organize your kitchen while you unpack

Prepare & Clean Your New Kitchen

Before unpacking, clean your kitchen thoroughly. Focus on the areas where you will be putting your utensils, and hidden spaces you may never see again. You can create an easy-to-wipe surface for your drawers and shelves. Ensure your countertop and sink are also well-cleaned.

It is also a great time to move around your kitchen. Think about where you would normally reach out for your pots, knives, pans, pantry basics, and even cleaning supplies. It will give you a good idea of where some of the items should be stored.

Gather All Your Boxes

If you have already labeled your boxes when packing, you already know what items are contained in each of the boxes.

However, if you are unsure, unwrap the larger items first like the toaster and the coffee maker. These items have a fixed location in the kitchen near an outlet so they are easier to get out of the way.

Take stock of everything you see in the boxes along the way. Doing this will ensure that when you place items in your kitchen, you will not have to move them again.

Start Unpacking

You will probably use the sink and the stove area the most once you start cooking. So, assess the drawers and the cupboards closest to them.

Start unpacking the essential items that you will use every day. Put them in the accessible area around the sink and stove. You’ll use cutlery several times a day, so ensure you place them in the drawer nearest to the sink. Then place the cloths and dishtowels in the next drawer and so forth.

Arrange Items Based on Frequency of Use

The above sorting method can also be used for cupboard decluttering. Cups, plates, glasses, and bowls will be used every day and should be placed on shelves that are at your eye level.

Items less often used can be placed on shelves higher up and behind the most-used items. Store the pots and pans close to your stove.

The lower drawers below the stove can be used for items you do not need every day, such as roasting pans, baking sheets, or casserole dishes.

Store items you do not use daily in cupboards above your stove or refrigerator. If you have pets or children at home, store away the cleaning supplies like soap, detergents, and other cleaning agents high up, out of reach. If not, you can store them below your sink with a lock.

If you have children at home, keep the most used items in a drawer that is easily accessible. Keep the fragile items in cupboards that are hard to reach.

Organize Rarely Used Items

Store the special occasion items such as china and good dishes in a china cabinet or cupboards that are most difficult to reach. Many kitchens have special tall cabinets to provide storage that can be reached using a stepstool. Keeping them away will ensure they are safe.

Organize Your Pantry Closet

Store your dry food stock and canned goods in the pantry closet or a space that is separate from your pans, pots, and dishes. Keep the spices close to your stove; that will allow you to scan and access the spices you need when cooking quickly.

Otherwise, you can use a spice cart or racks placed on the counter. Ensure the spices are kept in a dry and cool place to maintain their freshness.

Revaluate & Rearrange

Once you have spent a few days in your new kitchen, you will establish a cooking, serving, and cleaning routine. It will give you an idea of how you unpacked and organized your kitchen and if it makes sense.

Reevaluate and rearrange as needed to ensure your kitchen is functional for you and your family. It means swapping the location of some items or finding another space for things you thought you would use daily.

Do not get stressed when unpacking your kitchen. While it may take some brainstorming to find the right place for each of the items, they will eventually end up where they need to be.