4 Must-Have Items for an Organized Kitchen, According to NEAT Method Experts

If you turn to Instagram for kitchen organization inspiration, you’ve likely noticed common themes: coordinated clear containers, color schemes, and tailored storage systems. While these visuals can be aesthetically pleasing, the items that look great in photos aren’t always practical for everyday use. To get the real scoop, we consulted the experts at NEAT Method (who helped us organize the 2024 Mytour Home) to share their professional insights on what organizational tools are truly essential—and which ones fall short in keeping your kitchen neat and functional.

Essential Kitchen Organization Tools

Adjustable Cabinet Shelves

Maximizing storage in your cabinets is essential, and Murphy and Hagmeyer agree that adjustable shelves are a must-have for optimizing space. As Murphy explains, "To make the most of your cabinet storage, it’s crucial to be able to adjust the height of each shelf and add more shelves as needed." This flexibility is particularly useful for storing taller items like vases and bottles of olive oil.

Turntables

Have you ever emptied out your pantry just to find one item hidden at the back? Turntable organizers, also known as lazy Susans, can help you solve this problem. "We love turntables for their accessibility, especially in upper cabinets," says Hagmeyer. "They allow you to easily reach items at the back while preventing them from getting lost."

These organizers aren’t limited to the kitchen. As Murphy notes, "We often use them to organize oils, condiments, vitamins, and more."

Drawer Dividers

Without proper organizational tools, drawers can quickly turn into a disorganized mess. As Hagmeyer points out, "Providing boundaries to separate categories is crucial in any space, especially in a drawer where items often shift around." Drawer dividers are an excellent way to keep everything in order, whether you're organizing kitchen utensils or other miscellaneous items. According to Hagmeyer, "You can use drawer dividers to separate anything from long cooking tools to folded dish towels and pot holders."

Drawer Inserts

If you need even more structure for your drawer, Murphy and Hagmeyer suggest using inserts, particularly ones that can expand and adjust to fit your drawer perfectly. Much like drawer dividers, these inserts are versatile and useful for organizing a wide range of items—from your kitchen drawers to your home office supplies.

Kitchen Organization Items You Don't Need

Wire Shelves

"The primary drawback of wire shelving is that items tend to be unstable and smaller objects or those with feet may become lodged," explains Murphy. "Moreover, wire shelves are usually fixed in place, which makes it challenging to optimize space." Instead, consider using solid shelves that can be adjusted to better accommodate your cabinets.

Knife Blocks

While a knife block may look aesthetically pleasing on the counter, it can also occupy precious space. "Countertop clutter" is a widespread concern in kitchens, and a knife block is just another contributor to that mess, according to Hagmeyer. "If space permits, move your knives to a drawer organizer to reduce visual clutter and foster a serene environment." Alternatively, if wall space is available, a magnetic knife strip near your prep area is a great solution.

Spice Carousels

We understand that a well-organized display of matching spices can be tempting, but ultimately, they aren't the most practical solution. "These pre-filled carousels not only add to visual clutter when left out but also limit your ability to expand or customize your spice collection," says Hagmeyer. "Bringing home a new spice jar creates an immediate storage dilemma. Avoid spice carousels and instead buy spices individually, decanting them into matching jars if that’s your preference."

Too Many Custom Organizers

Custom organization can be a great choice in certain parts of the home (like your bedroom closet), but it's not always the best fit for the kitchen. "Organization isn't a one-time task," says Murphy. "As your needs evolve, so will your system. For this reason, we recommend avoiding pricey custom organizers for the kitchen. Instead, opt for adaptable products, such as springform drawer dividers, that can be moved and repurposed to fit your changing needs."