What Goes Where: How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets for Daily Ease
A well organized kitchen isn’t just about how it looks it’s about how it works. When everything is in the right place, cooking becomes smoother, cleanup takes less time, and daily routines feel less chaotic. At Home Codify, one of the most common questions we get during kitchen sessions is, “What should go in each cabinet?” And the truth is it depends on how you use your kitchen. But there are tried and true principles that help create flow, ease, and efficiency, no matter the size or layout of your space.
We always begin with the basics: assigning zones based on how you move. Think of your kitchen in layers. What you use most often should be within reach. What you use occasionally can go higher or lower. And what you rarely use seasonal items, specialty cookware can be stored in harder to reach places like top cabinets or deep drawers.
Seasonings and spices should live close to the stove, but not directly above it. A nearby cabinet or drawer works best for quick access while cooking especially when they’re organized in risers, turntables, or labeled jars. If you use oils, vinegars, or cooking sprays often, we usually group them together in a lower cabinet near the stovetop or inside a pull-out next to the range for safety and function.
Glassware belongs near the dishwasher or sink for easy unloading and fast access when setting the table or grabbing a drink. Water glasses and mugs go lower if you have children who help themselves. Wine glasses or occasional use glassware can live on a higher shelf, still visible but safely tucked away.
Plates and bowls deserve a cabinet near your prep or eating area. We often recommend placing everyday dishes in the lower shelf of a cabinet directly above or near the dishwasher—making unloading faster and reducing back and forth during meal prep. If you use open shelving, stacking dishes by type and keeping things minimal can add beauty and function at the same time.
Pots and pans do best in lower cabinets near the stove. If you have deep drawers, even better—nesting pans with dividers and storing lids upright saves space and cuts down the noise of clanging cookware. Mixing bowls, measuring cups, and baking essentials also do well in the same zone if you’re a frequent home cook.
Pantry style dry goods like rice, pasta, canned items, and snacks usually belong in a designated pantry, but if you’re working with cabinet storage instead, group these items by type in clear bins or labeled baskets. Place the items you use daily at eye level. Breakfast supplies, coffee and tea, and grab and go snacks often earn a dedicated cabinet of their own—especially when organized with bins or pull out trays.
Containers and food storage items are best placed near the fridge for meal prep and leftovers. Keep lids and containers paired together to prevent the dreaded avalanche of mismatched plastic. If space allows, designate a drawer or single cabinet just for food storage systems, and only keep what you truly use.
Less used or seasonal items think serving platters, holiday dishes, or backup appliances can go in upper cabinets, deep corners, or even relocated to storage if they’re only pulled out a few times a year. These items deserve a home, too—but not at the cost of daily convenience.
When your kitchen is set up with intention, everything becomes easier from the first cup of coffee in the morning to the final dish at night. Cabinets stop being random catch alls and start becoming purposeful zones that support your rhythm.
At Home Codify, we don’t just organize we help reimagine how your kitchen can work for you. Whether you’re starting fresh, downsizing, or simply tired of digging through cluttered cabinets, our kitchen organization sessions are designed to bring clarity, order, and calm to the heart of your home.
If you’re ready for a kitchen that flows just as beautifully as it functions, we’re ready to help.