Moving into a new home can be a lengthy process that requires lots of organization. So, when your boxes and belongings have been delivered to your new house, it may take a few days to unpack and organize before it starts to feel like home. With the kitchen being the heart of the home, many homeowners like to unpack and organize this space first. You want your kitchen to be functional, organized, and comfortable, so we’re here to make unpacking your kitchen as seamless as can be. Here are 6 tips to help you unpack and organize your new kitchen!

1) Before the Move: Sort and Declutter

Many people tend to believe that it’s easier to pack all of your belongings and deal with sorting everything when you have moved into your new home. However, bringing along unnecessary stuff that no longer serves a purpose in your life will only add stress and inconvenience when it comes to unpacking and organizing your new kitchen. So, before you start packing all of your kitchen belongings, take some time to declutter your kitchen so that you only move the things that you need. A new home means a new chapter in your life, so get rid of the old stuff and have a fresh, clean start in your new home.

Decluttering your kitchen can sometimes be a hard task to take on, so think about each item carefully – is it necessary, does it work, and do you love it? Also be sure to keep your goals for your new kitchen in mind – do you need more functional space, do you want to have empty countertops, will these items help with your kitchen wants and needs? It can be helpful to separate your stuff into 3 piles – a keep pile, toss pile, and donate pile.

2) After the Move: Prepare Your Kitchen

You want your kitchen to be as clean as possible before your start unpacking and putting your stuff away. Because all of your cabinets and drawers will already be empty, this is the perfect time to give everything a deep clean. Wipe down all of your countertops, shelves, and storage spaces, and pay close attention to the areas that will contain food, dishes, cutlery, and appliances. You’ll be surprised at how good it will feel when it comes time to put everything away.

If you haven’t already done so, spend some time moving around your kitchen space and imagine yourself doing daily activities and chores. By getting a proper feel of the space, you’ll get a better idea of which items should go where.

3) Get Organized and Define Your Zones

A new kitchen is a blank slate that offers a fresh start on the lifestyle you want to live. You have endless opportunities to organize your kitchen exactly as you please. A helpful trick is to organize your kitchen space based on different zones and the frequency of use. Below is an example of what that could entail:

Zone 1: Everyday Use

• For easy access, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, and cutlery that will be used every day should be placed at eye level or lower, and close to the sink or dishwasher if possible. Items that are used less often can be placed behind the items that are used more often or on a shelf higher up.

Zone 2: Cooking Supplies

• Pots, pans, cutting boards, spatulas, and other cooking utensils should be stored close to the oven. You can also use the drawer below the stove for larger items like baking sheets, roasting pans, and serving dishes. Spices can be stored close to the oven as well. It may be helpful to label the top of your spice jars so you can quickly scan for the spices you need.

Zone 3: Pantry

• Dry food, canned goods, and larger kitchen supplies can be stored in a pantry closet or a similar space away from your dishes, pots, and pans.

Zone 4: Accessories and Storage

• Tupperware, food storage, food wraps, ziploc bags, and tin foil, etc. should be stored near the fridge if possible. This will become handy when packing and putting your food away.

Zone 5: Sink Area

• Cleaning supplies, soap, garbage bags, and dish towels can go under the sink for easy access.

Zone 5: Special Items

• Serve ware such as special dishes, pottery, and china that is typically only used when you are hosting guests can have their own section separate from everything else. These items can also be placed in cabinets higher up as they won’t be used as often. We also recommend storing the items that are rarely used in another area of the house such as the dining room or basement.

4) Position Your Items Based on Frequency

As mentioned above, the items that are most frequently used should be placed at eye level or lower for easy access. The items that aren’t used as frequently can be stored further away or higher up. Your kitchen should be functional for everyday use, so place your kitchen items strategically based on access and frequency of use. Remember, the harder it is to see or access something, the less likely you are to use it.

5) Be Creative

Want to bring your kitchen organization to the next level? Here are some creative ways you can add to the functionality of your kitchen space:

• Free up cupboard space by installing hanging racks for your pots, pans, and cooking supplies
• Utilize drawer organizers and dividers to keep your utensils and supplies neat and tidy
• Make use of your wall space with hooks and shelving
• If you have a pantry door, hang a clear shoe organizer for more storage options
• Purchase a spice rack and organize your spices in alphabetical order

Your kitchen will likely be one of the most used spaces within your home, so be creative and have fun with it!

6) Reorganize As Needed

Set a follow-up date to re-evaluate your kitchen organization. After you have spent a few weeks in your new kitchen, you’ll likely have established a routine for cooking, serving, and eating meals. This will be a good time to re-evaluate and determine if your first round of organization works well for your routine and your needs. Do you have easy access to everything you need? Should your silverware be moved to another drawer? Are your drawers large enough for your cooking utensils or are things overflowing? Define your problem areas and reorganize as needed. Try to stay on top of organizing and do a declutter every so often to ensure your kitchen is functional for both you and your family.

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Here at Deluxe Moving & Storage, our team of professionals can take the packing and unpacking stress off your shoulders. We offer Full Pack and Unpack services which include packing all of your belongings and unpacking them in your new home according to your instructions. Walk into a fully functional new space without any boxes! Need more information about our Packing, Moving, or Full-Service Moving services? Head to the Deluxe Moving & Storage website for more information, or contact our team to get started on your seamless and stress-free move. We look forward to working with you!

Want more moving tips and advice? Don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions you may have regarding the moving process. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a brand new city, choosing Deluxe Moving & Storage for your next move is the best thing you can do to ensure a safe and healthy moving experience for you and your loved ones. Don’t forget to fill out our FREE, no-obligation quote form, and leave the work to us!