A Simple Guide to Organize Your Kitchen by Zone

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your use of these links is greatly appreciated!

Last updated on August 3rd, 2023 at 07:16 am

Last week, we talked about how to declutter your kitchen. This week let’s talk about how to organize your kitchen by zone …in other words, in a way that totally makes sense. You know, so you don’t have to search for things as you’re trying to cook an elaborate meal. Or cross to the completely opposite side of the kitchen to find a drinking glass.

Having a small kitchen is no excuse for not having it organized to work for you. My mom’s kitchen is really small but extremely effective. In fact, her dad was a professional cook and he loved small kitchens. They’re efficient and easy to work in since you don’t have to move far to do the next thing. The key is to organize it in a way that makes sense.

Here’s how to organize your kitchen by zone so it’s efficient and intuitive.

Organize your kitchen by zone

No matter how your kitchen is laid out, you can figure out where things should go based on the types of tasks you do in the different zones. I’ve broken up my kitchen into several zones:

1. Sink and dishwasher
2. Dishes and serve ware
3. Range, oven, microwave, cookware, and utensils
4. Fridge and drinkware
5. Kitchen Island
6. Counters
7. Pantry
8. Oven and microwave

This has taken a couple of modifications over the last couple of years. As I’ve realized that it made more sense to store things in other areas, I’ve rearranged them.

For example, I used to store the glasses and cups on the other side of the kitchen near the dishwasher but far from the fridge. I got tired of crossing the kitchen to get a drink of water, so I moved the glasses.

Here are a couple of examples of how to zone a kitchen:

How to organize each zone

1: Sink and dishwasher

If you rinse and peel veggies and fruits in the sink, keep those things right next to the sink.

• Towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Paper towels
• Drying rack
• Colanders
• Fruit and veggie tools
• Salad spinner

2: Dishes and serving dishes (Located near the dishwasher and sink)

In this zone, any items that come out of the dishwasher should be stored nearby for quick unloading.

• Dishes
• Flatware
• Serving dishes
• Food storage containers

3: Range, cookware, and utensils

Depending on how your kitchen is set up, keep your pots and pans close to your range. I like to keep specific cooking utensils, oils, and spices within reach for efficient cooking.

• Pots and pans
• Wooden spoons
• Spatulas
• Cooking spoons
• Spices
• Tongs
• Spoon rest
• Oils
• Oven mitts

4: Fridge and drinkware

Keeping the drinkware, coffee pots, and kettles next to the fridge makes for quick water refills. Store k-cups and tea bags in a drawer or cabinet close to your beverage-making appliances.

• Coffee maker
• Mugs
• Glasses
• K-cups & teas

5: Kitchen Island

In this zone, I like to store my lesser-used small appliances on the far end of the island.

Since this zone is a work area, I keep all my working tools like measuring cups and mixing bowls in the island.

• Waffle maker
• Rice cooker
• Slow cooker
• Pasta maker
• Blender/food processor
• Small cutting boards
• Knives
• Measuring tools
• Mixing bowls
• Baking dishes

6: Counters

Here, limit the counter space to only the essentials and corral items together with a tray. Heavier and frequently used appliances like the toaster oven, coffee maker, and stand mixer are more convenient to use on the countertop. (Here’s a post about keeping your kitchen counters clutter-free.)

• Essentials
• Frequently used appliances

7: Pantry

I tend to separate the pantry from the rest of the kitchen because it is a lot to organize. Here’s an entire blog series on pantry decluttering & organizing:

• How To Organize an Overcrowded Pantry: Step-by-Step Pantry Makeover Guide, Part 1
• The Best Way to Organize a Pantry with Categories: Step-by-Step Pantry Makeover Guide, Part 2
• 4 Tips To Organize a Pantry & Keep It Organized: Step-by-Step Pantry Makeover Guide, Part 3

8: Oven and microwave

• Baking sheets
• Cupcake pans
• Pizza pans
• Paper plates
• Oven mitts

For me, breaking up the kitchen in this way makes the most sense. If something isn’t working, I adjust and rearrange.

Simple kitchen organization

Think about how you can break up your kitchen into zones based on the tasks you do in each area. If you haven’t already go back and read about how to declutter your kitchen, then check out my favorite ways to organize your kitchen so it stays organized.

Do you want this guide in a printable format? Download the FREE Kitchen Organizing Guide below.