How to Organize Efficient Kitchen Storage: 6 Secrets from a Designer

The kitchen is a place where there's a lot of different storage needs. It's very important to arrange it as efficiently, intuitively, and individually as possible for specific actions and tasks you're solving at the moment. Well-organized storage helps maintain order and comfort while cooking or setting the table. Together with interior designer Anastasia Soldatkin, we reveal the secrets of effective storage organization — take them to heart.

Anastasia Soldatkin is an interior designer. With over 10 years in the profession, she has created and implemented more than 90 projects in 10 cities. A certified specialist who constantly improves her qualifications and learns new skills. She conducts educational lectures and webinars on design for beginners and practicing designers.

Define Zones on the Kitchen

There are usually four zones — storage, sink, prep, and cooking. These zones should be arranged according to the flow of your movement. In each area, you perform specific actions — when organizing storage, you should base it on these actions. For example, in the cooking zone, there's not only convenient access to the cooktop and oven, but also to necessary dishes, utensils, and spices, as well as the comfort of placing ingredients you're cooking with.

Photo: Rinterest

Arrange the Kitchen Cabinet Considering the Work Triangle

The optimal placement of three key kitchen zones — cooking, sink, and food storage. The ideal arrangement of zones roughly forms an equilateral triangle: when standing in the center of the triangle, it's easy to move between zones without extra effort.

When planning the kitchen, ensure that the distance between zones isn't too large: the optimal range is from 1.2 to 2.7 meters. It's also important to keep individual needs and preferences in mind when organizing workspace.

Photo: Rinterest

Plan Vertical Storage

Fill drawers in all directions: in zones of quick access — items you use constantly, and the harder to reach — the less frequently used.

Design: Oksana Oleynik

Don't overlook the top drawers: they can be used to store holiday tableware, spare dishes, glasses, hide Christmas gifts, store documentation and tech boxes, keep a two-year supply of buckwheat. In short, everything you might need in rare cases.

Design: Oksana Oleynik

Plan Drawer Contents

There are many functional accessories you can use to organize kitchen drawers — utensil organizers, pot and pan holders, knife trays, lid holders, and other items that can help you use drawer space to the maximum and simplify finding what you need.

Photo: Anastasia Soldatkin
Photo: Anastasia Soldatkin

Organize Storage in the Kitchen Corner

Use all available space to its fullest: turntables, corner shelves, pull-out shelves, sorters and storage boxes, open shelves, appliances behind doors. If there's enough space, you can even set up a utility block.

Photo: Rinterest

Use the Backsplash Space

You can mount hooks or magnetic strips on the backsplash to hang kitchen tools — spatulas, forks, spoons, whisks, towels.

Design: Irina and Alexey

You can also place baskets and shelves for spice jars, gloves here. Don't forget about a holder for the cookbook or tablet — it makes cooking much more convenient.

Design: Irina Bebeschina

Photo on cover: project by Svetlana Pahomova.