Cupcakes and Cashmere

Kitchen Confidential

January 19th, 2012

{Before}

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, so you’d think that my cabinets would be meticulously organized. Not so much. I heave things back onto shelves while cooking, which means that I can never find what I need, I accidentally buy doubles of items, and am constantly left with a giant mess.

Last year I hired heather|brookes interior organization to get my closet and office in order and I finally decided to do the same thing with my kitchen (after I bought my third box of baking soda). I now have beautifully organized cabinets that display all of the contents in a way that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Since I find it fun to peek into other peoples’ kitchens, here’s a glimpse of mine along with a few simple tips.

{After}



Instead of lining up your sauces and spices in a row (making them impossible to see), put them on a Lazy Susan (I use this one for spices and this one for sauces).

Use containers (I have these) to corral items you reach for the most (for me, that includes a lot of baking supplies) and use a label maker to easily identify them.

I used to have a massive bin with all of my packaging supplies loosely floating around. I now keep them in separate containers organized by category (ie decorative ties, cupcake liners, and bags).

My favorite new addition is the tiered shelving that allows me to stack items so I can see what’s in the very back.

I traded in my wire utensil holder (that was about 8″ too small) for one (here) that now fits perfectly and doesn’t wiggle around every time I open the drawer.

My various types of flour now line the top shelf. Since I use them often, but not on a daily basis, they didn’t need to be front and center on the bottom shelf.

Perhaps the smallest change that had the biggest impact: lined drawers. My old drawers suddenly feel new with sweet dotted liners.

Sprinkles, glitter, and food coloring now have a home in one, easy-to-grab basket.

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  • http://ooothatsshiny.wordpress.com/ Nicole

    I am the same way in my kitchen…thankfully the boyfriend puts everything back in their original spot hehe

  • http://www.MyHauteCloset.com MyHauteCloset

    Emily! So funny you mentioned Heather because after moving into our new home I had naively planned on turning our spare into a guest bed/showroom/office. Never happened… it’s a mess of storage + my computer desk, I was totally about to dig through your old posts then you mentioned her again! It’s a sign! Looks fantastic the type A in me is totally jelly of your perfectly organized kitchen!

    http://www.myhautecloset.com

  • http://www.callme-jo.blogspot.com Joana Caldeira

    Wow all so organized! Love that you have so much sprinklers and glitters :)

    http://callme-jo.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.busyworkingmama.com/ BusyWorkingMama

    I have a giant pantry that gets messed up so easily.

  • http://www.thetastyalternative.com/ Amber

    Hi There Emily,

    For me, organization is pure eye candy! Great job!!

    Looks like we have something in common in the kitchen organizing department! :-)

    http://www.thetastyalternative.com/2011/08/for-love-of-jars.html

    Be Well,
    –Amber

  • http://welcometothelaundromat.blogspot.com/ Christina

    My kitchen drawer looks like your “before” cabinet. I have also purchased multiple seasonings that I already owned. Thank you for the pictorial pointers. Looks like I have a weekend project : )

  • http://cappuccinoebaguette.wordpress.com Cappuccino&Baguette

    Lovely blog!
    I like much to organize home, thank you for sharing your useful tips! ;-)

  • http://stayhungry-foolish.blogspot.com Caddy

    Tiered shelving! Simple idea but I never would have thought of it! Brilliant.

  • http://cjvzheartsyou.blogspot.com/ Chloe

    Wow! What a difference! I know every once in a while my kitchen needs a total clean out because I do the same thing! I always end up with doubles of things!

  • http://inspirationsandcelebrations.blogspot.com Christina-Lauren

    I love organizing – it’s empowering, calming, and invigorating all at the same time. Cheers!

    Christina-Lauren
    Inspirations & CELEBRATIONS
    http://inspirationsandcelebrations.blogspot.com

  • http://www.lenasblend.blogspot.com Lena

    Wow…pretty impressive. I don’t think my pantry has ever looked that organized. Well, except for the day I moved in maybe cause it was empty lol.

    http://www.lenasblend.blogspot.com

  • http://www.wheremyheartis.net Jess (Where My Heart Is)

    Oh there is nothing better than having an organised pantry. I finally got the energy and motivation last year to get mine into shape. Unfortunately they never stay so perfect!
    If you are wanting a little more pantry eye candy – this is my butlers pantry when it was newly organised http://www.wheremyheartis.net/?s=pantry

  • http://littlemissshoeshine.blogspot.com/ Little Miss Shoeshine

    Looks great, I wish I was so organised!xx
    María
    http://littlemissshoeshine.blogspot.com

  • http://luvvleighb.wordpress.com/ Leigh

    I love the lazy susan idea! Perfect! I can’t wait to have a bigger kitchen, but I’ve been pretty impressed at how accessible I have kept everything in my little, teeny one!
    Happy weekend!
    Luvv, Leigh B

  • http://inherentstylela.com/ Angela De Felice

    Gorgeous! I love clean and organized! I spent an entire day cleaning out and organizing my bf’s closet a few weekends ago and it was sheer pleasure. Glad to know I am not alone in my need for order…

    http://www.inherentstylela.com/

  • http://www.cherjoyblog.blogspot.com Cheryl

    Isn’t it wonderful to de-clutter and get organized? I love it! You did a great job!

  • http://thingsoflovely.blogspot.com/ torina

    i need to do this like there’s no tomorrow!…actually, i need to do this like there’s a million tomorrow’s – cause why would i do it if there was no tomorrow…?
    i’ve been trying to organize my kitchen for the past two weeks – so this is the PERFECT post for me right now – THANK YOU!

  • http://www.asliceofglam.com Amberly

    OMG! That looks amazing. I love when my apartment is organized! It makes everything so much easier.

    Amberly,
    http://www.asliceofglam.com

  • http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com Maria @ Cheeky Pink Tulip

    We’ve just moved in to a new place so we’ve started off with a well organized kitchen. Although I’ve noticed that I too have 3 boxes of baking soda. Woops! We also now have all of our goods on show (like yours here) so it’s easy to see what we have available to cook with!

    Maria xx
    http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com

  • http://www.thingsthatmakemesmiledaily.blogspot.com Annie

    I’m doing that to my kitchen! Amazing!! x

    http://www.thingsthatmakemesmiledaily.blogspot.com

  • http://www.tulipsandtulle.blogspot.com/ Tulips&Tulle

    Great tips – love these kind of posts!

    It’d be great if you came by Tulips&Tulle soon!

  • http://oliveobserver.blogspot.com/ Heidi

    I desperately need to do this to every room in my house. Any tips for getting started? I think my closet is the first place I should tackle. Maybe I’ve missed it, but have you ever posted a picture of yours?

    http://oliveobserver.blogspot.com/

  • http://CreatedByStorm.Etsy.com Sarah R Storm

    LOVELY! Thank you so much for sharing!!

  • Kay

    Wait am I the only person that ready you HIRED someone just to organize your kitchen? Why aren’t they writing your blog instead?

  • http://likeyourteeth.com Lilya

    This looks great, may even motivate me to organize my kitchen!

  • http://www.melodygranger.com Melody Granger

    GORGEOUS JOB! I’m sharing this on my FB page. Come say “hello” to everyone! http://www.facebook.com/MelodyGrangerEliminatingClutterSimplifyingSpaces

  • http://containerstore.com Red

    Ok…this turned out great….but…I work for the Container Store and you don’t have to pay someone to do this. Just come to a Container Store near you and we will be happy to help each person solve their organizational issues in the pantry or anywhere else in the home. This is what we do and we love to help people. We do sell all of the products you show and have a lot more to share….so come on in!

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  • http://www.wowgoldjournal.com/ Waylon Hopple

    Hello! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent work!

  • http://thelifeofclaree.blogspot.com The life of Clare

    I absolutely love the lazy Susan idea! That’s fantastic! Thanks for sharing! (and you’re right, everyone loves a little peak into someone else’s life/kitchen!)

  • http://dagnybjorg.blogspot.com dagný björg*

    Great organization! I am just about to organize my kitchen today also!:)

  • http://www.living-thesuite-life.blogspot.com Shawna Walker

    What great ideas and links I too have a goal to get more organziated so I can live a better and suiter life! Thanks for the leg up.

  • http://foliorose.blogspot.com Lindsey

    This has inspired me to organize my kitchen – and makeup!

  • http://keithpitts.net/blog/ Melissa – Keith Pitts Weddings

    Wow, do I need to do that to my pantry. Well done!!!! and yes, to the comment above, the makeup is next!