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Space saving solutions: How to organise your kitchen like a pro

Say goodbye to kitchen clutter.

There’s no doubt that we’ve all been guilty of turning a blind eye to a less than pleasing fridge or pantry.

What if we told you that you could say goodbye to the cluttered chaos? Yes, it’s true. You can indeed banish the chaos in your kitchen with some simple, smart organisation and kitchen storage solutions that will not only look great, but will save food wastage, money and time.

The kitchen organisation products we’re loving in 2024

To keep your space in order, here are our recommended kitchen storage solutions.

Tupperware Ultra Clear Oval Set

Ultra clear oval set, $175 at Tupperware

These gorgeous clear containers look like glass but are shatter-resistant, perfect for keeping your pantry looking tidy. Not only are they long lasting, but they also help preserve your panty staples for longer.

“I really love the look and design on these containers,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars. “As always they seal very well. The larger container is bigger than I was expecting, it’s been a bonus. We use them as the biscuit and snack containers.”

Key features:

  • Airtight seal maintains freshness and keeps humidity, dust and bugs outside
  • Stackable for maximising kitchen space
  • Customisable to your storage needs
  • Completely transparent and looks aesthetically pleasing on any countertop
  • Incredibly resistant and durable (virtually unbreakable)

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Joseph Joseph Surface Tiered Stainless Steel Utensil Pot

Surface tiered stainless steel utensil pot, $35.97 (usually $59.95) at Myer

Tired of rummaging through a messy drawer for your favourite spatula? Joseph Joseph’s stainless steel pot features a sleek, angled design with dividers, keeping your utensils neatly separated and readily accessible.

Key features:

  • High capacity for storing all types of utensils
  • Tough stainless-steel body with fingerprint-proof coating
  • Angled top for easier access and dividers for organised storage
  • Non-slip feet
  • Dismantles for easy cleaning

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the-baskets-mustard-made

The Baskets, $69 at Mustard Made

These super-cute storage baskets come in a trio of three different sizes, and are available in 12 different colours.

Colours: blush, berry, poppy, mustard, butter, sage, olive, navy, ocean, lilac, chalk and slate.

Key features:

  • Designed to fit beautifully in your space
  • Great for maximising storage space
  • Easy to build

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ikea-shaker

365+ IHÄRDIG spice mil, $34.69 at Amazon

Love the idea of matching spice jars? Of course you do! Complete with their own sprinkling/pouring lid, these are the perfect pantry organisers.

“We bought our first one years ago in IKEA,” wrote a five-star reviewer “When it broke ( it was dropped!) we tried a few other that were awful and didn’t grind properly, so you had big lumps of salt on your dinner. We found the exact one here and quickly bought it! It arrived the next day and is as perfect as the original one. So happy we found it here…”

Key features:

  • Ceramic grinding mechanism is harder and more durable than steel grinders
  • The glass jar and the detachable plastic cover are dishwasher-safe
  • Easy to change spices

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Joseph Joseph FridgeStore Clear Shelf Divider

Joseph Joseph FridgeStore clear shelf divider, $13.99 (usually $19.95) at Robins Kitchen

Does your fridge resemble a chaotic avalanche of groceries? Regain control with the FridgeStore shelf divider from Joseph Joseph! This handy divider helps you effortlessly organise your fridge shelves, making it easier to find what you need and prevent food waste.

Key features:

  • Divides shelf space for better organisation
  • Easy to install and safely secured with suction cups
  • Designed to fit standard fridge shelves
  • Easy to remove and clean BPA-free

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Wuciray Kitchen Storage & Organisation

Wuciray kitchen storage & organisation under sink storage, $23.79 (usually $39.99) at Amazon

Tired of overflowing cabinets and messy under-sink areas? The Wuciray two-tier storage shelf is your one-stop solution for maximising space and keeping things organised.

“I think this a great storage system for the loads of cleaning items I have accumulated over the years,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “I don’t need to purchase anymore because they’re all organised and I can easily access them! The storage system comes in pieces – it’s simple to put together and rather stable.”

Key features:

  • Two-tier design for maximised storage space
  • Multi-Functional: Can be used in kitchen, bathroom, or under sink
  • Durable construction
  • Two cups and four hanging hooks for extra storage
  • Hollow design for drainage and air drying

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How do you keep your kitchen organised?

We also spoke with home organisation expert, Steph Pase, to discover her best tips, tricks and hacks to leave your kitchen in tip-top shape.

Tupperware

“This is probably one of my most asked questions,” says Steph, acknowledging the universal struggle of how to organise Tupperware and giving us some tips:

  1. Stack container bottoms together by size and type. This nesting approach maximises space and keeps similar containers organised.
  2. Buy a budget-friendly file holder and vertically store the lids. This clever hack saves space and keeps everything neat and easily accessible.

Under the sink

“Wooden drawers are the perfect size to fit under most sinks and also have storage for items like dishwashing tablets, cloths, sponges and cleaning products.”

Steph uses ones from Kmart, but there are plenty of wooden drawers on the market from retailers like Amazon, Etsy and more, too.

Cooking tools

You’d be surprised how many cooking utensils you don’t actually need or use. Steph advises culling unwanted items and buying a cheap drawer organiser or drawer dividers to keep everything where they belong.

As for pots and pans, it’s no secret they can become a mess very easily. “There are tonnes of tray and pan racks out there you can use to keep this organised. Three-tiered pan holders and rack trays can be found online or at stores. You can also use a cheap file holder to store your cooking trays.”

The ‘junk drawer’

Let’s be honest, most households have one of these. It’s that ‘dreaded’ drawer…the one where all the odds and ends seem to accumulate, creating a cluttered mess.

But don’t worry, with a little bit of organisation and some clever storage solutions, that chaotic space can be transformed into a functional and tidy area that actually serves its purpose.

Steph recommends these simple steps to keep it organised:

  1. Take everything out of your junk drawer and decide whether you want to keep, throw or donate them.
  2. Sort everything into categories.
  3. Measure the space of the drawer.
  4. Purchase a drawer organiser to keep items organised.

The fridge

“The fridge is a focal point of the home,” says Steph. “It’s where you go multiple times a day and it’s how we plan our meals and food for the day. It can be tricky to keep organised.”

Without a good system in place, you’d be surprised how much food can go to waste. In addition to investing in some good fridge Tupperware, here’s how you can stay organised:

Fridge labels

Invest in a label maker or some reusable labels and designate sections for different food categories such as dairy, fruits, vegetables and leftovers. Not only does this help you find what you need quickly, but it also ensures that food items are stored properly and reduces the risk of spoilage.

Condiments

“The perfect solution for condiments whether they are in the pantry or the fridge is a Lazy Susan,” says Steph, explaining that you can access things quickly without having to move anything around.

“For any chopped up fruit or veggies I like to store them in the Oxo Greensavers, as they last a lot longer. You can get these on Catch sometimes. On the second shelf I keep any other veggies that I don’t have Greensavers for, and put them in glass containers. Kids’ yoghurts and squeeze foods I keep in a long clear tub. I also put any premade baby bottles here.”

‘Use me first’ shelf

A ‘use me first’ shelf ensures items with approaching expiration dates (or those that have been opened) are eaten promptly.

“There have been so many times where I would go and open a new kids’ yoghurt or packet, and then realise there was one already open,” Steph says. “The shelf has helped reduce a lot of waste. We put any items that need to be used before others after they have been opened; like deli meats, kids’ yoghurts and sauces etc.”

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