Kitchen Cupboard Organisation: How I Created a Calm, Functional Kitchen (Step-by-Step)

Every new year, once everyone heads back to work and the house feels quiet again, I always feel the pull to reset.

To declutter.
To organise.
To make everything feel calm again.

And without fail, the first place I start is the kitchen.

There’s something about kitchen cupboard organisation that makes me feel like everything is right in my world 😂

This year, though, it wasn’t just a quick tidy. It was time for a proper clear-out—a full kitchen organisation reset.

My Top Tips for Kitchen Cupboard Organisation

Over the years, I’ve found that simple, practical systems work best—especially when you cook often and love to entertain.

1. Store “Like With Like”

This is one of the easiest ways to organise kitchen cupboards and make your space feel intuitive.

For example, I keep:

• Coffee mugs
• Tea, sugar, and hot chocolate

all together in the cupboard above the kettle.

It means anyone can walk in and make themselves a cuppa without needing to ask—and that’s exactly how I like my home to feel.

Simple. Welcoming. Easy to use.

2. Plan Your Kitchen Storage Before You Start

Before pulling everything out, take a moment to think about how your cupboards need to function.

Do your current storage solutions actually work for you?

If not, it’s worth purchasing a few key items beforehand so the process runs smoothly. There’s nothing worse than being halfway through organising your kitchen cupboards and having to dash out to the shops.

A little tip—stores like Kmart will allow returns on unused items, so you can buy a few options and return what you don’t need (just keep your receipts).

If you’re using labels, order these ahead of time as well so everything is ready to go.

3. Take Everything Out (Yes, Everything)

This is where the magic happens.
I remove everything from the cupboards—but I don’t do the pantry or fridge at the same time. That just feels overwhelming.
Working cupboard by cupboard keeps things manageable.
And here’s the key:
When everything is out, it’s much easier to be ruthless about what goes back in.
If I try to reorganise in place, I rarely throw anything away. But this way, only the items I truly use and love make it back into my kitchen.

Here’s what I used:

Bamboo storage boxes (small, medium, large) – from Kmart
Small spice jars with bamboo lids – from The Pretty Store
Food storage containers with bamboo lids – from Kmart and IKEA
Personalised kitchen labels & spice labels – from The Pretty Store
Glass spray bottles with custom labels – from The Pretty Store
Clear handled baskets – from Kmart
Pull-out storage shelves – from Kmart
White storage containers – from IKEA
A quick tip—always measure your cupboards before purchasing storage so everything fits beautifully.

If you’d like to recreate this in your own kitchen, you’ll find all of my favourite organisation pieces linked in my Shop My Favourite Things.

Putting It All Back Together (The Best Part)

This is where it all starts to come together—and honestly, it’s the most satisfying part.
I worked one section at a time, only putting back the items I truly wanted to keep.
That’s the secret to an organised kitchen:
you have to let go of what you don’t use.
I decanted pantry items into my new containers and added the labels, which made everything feel instantly calmer and easier to find.

Creating Practical, Everyday Systems

I also made a few simple changes that make a big difference:
Entertaining drawer:
I gathered all my placemats, napkins, and table runners into one large drawer near my crockery and cutlery. Setting the table is now quick and effortless.
Custom cutlery insert:
My husband made a cutlery insert to fit our different sets (and yes… I do have a few 🤣). It keeps everything neatly organised and easy to access.
Utility cupboards:
These have now been sorted and labelled, making it easy to find what I need without digging.
Pull-out shelves for appliances:
I have two of these, and they are brilliant. Being able to slide appliances in and out easily makes such a difference, especially for heavier items.

Was It Worth It? Absolutely.

I won’t pretend it was a quick job—it took around 7 hours, not including the planning and shopping beforehand.
But it was completely worth it.
The kitchen now feels calm, functional, and easy to maintain—which, for me, is what a well-organised home is all about.
Not perfection.
Not picture-perfect cupboards.
Just a space that works beautifully for everyday life and makes entertaining feel effortless.