Your kitchen cabinets offer valuable storage, but they can easily become overcrowded over time. Knowing which items to eliminate will help create more space and make your cooking area a more enjoyable place to work.
Taking the time to declutter and organize your kitchen cabinets is always beneficial. Often, cabinets become filled with sentimental items that rarely see the light of day (like that travel mug from a past vacation) or outdated food packets and spices that you just haven't gotten around to using. And let's not forget the countless Tupperware containers that have lost their lids!
It's time to clear out the unused items and truly maximize your kitchen storage. Unsure of where to start? Here are expert recommendations on what to remove from your kitchen cabinets.
5 Kitchen Items to Purge Immediately
Follow these expert suggestions for an effective decluttering session in your kitchen cabinets.
1. Tupperware Containers
Organizing your Tupperware should be a top priority. According to Pamela Meluskey, co-founder of a luxury home organization firm: "If a container has no lid, it’s time to let it go."
She insists, "Get rid of any Tupperware without a lid—no exceptions. Many people form attachments to these containers and hold onto them longer than necessary. The space they occupy is far more valuable than the item itself."
She also suggests considering a switch to sustainable glass containers, which are a fantastic option.
After successful careers in merchandising and advertising, Pam (above right) joined forces with co-founder Larissa Bright (left) to launch Settled, which enhances clients' lives every day.
Additionally, Michelle Urban, founder of The Organized House, concurs: "People tend to have an overabundance of food storage containers, water bottles, and travel mugs."
She notes, "While we often hold emotional ties to our water bottles and travel mugs, it’s easier to part with food containers. It's time for a clean-out. Believe it or not, you only need enough containers for the leftovers from a full Thanksgiving meal. So, begin by discarding warped, stained, or cracked containers, along with lids that lack matching containers."
If your pot lids are getting disorganized, rethinking how you store them could also help.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Michelle Urban founded The Organized House to help people organize their spaces effectively. Her passion lies in simplifying everyday life for others.
2. Damaged Items
If you see any chips or cracks in your kitchen items, be decisive and dispose of them.
Michelle Urban advises, "Even tiny chips or cracks in your plates, bowls, or mugs can harbor harmful bacteria and pose a risk with sharp edges. Toss them out."
Consider investing in shelf organizers from The Container Store to keep your ceramics organized and damage-free.
3. Expired Spices
Did you know that expired spices lose their flavor? Outdated seasonings take up valuable space without adding anything to your dishes. It’s time to reconsider how you organize your spices.
Michelle explains, "Spices lose potency over time, so if they’re expired, there’s no reason to keep them. As you toss them out, make a list to replenish your collection during your next grocery run."
And if you're discarding nearly full jars, don't fret; you likely don't use them enough to justify the space they occupy.
Pull-down spice racks from The Container Store are great storage solutions, and shelf wire spice racks that attach to cabinet doors are also excellent space-saving options.
4. Product Manuals and Guides
Don't let product manuals consume valuable cabinet space. This principle applies when figuring out how to organize your kitchen drawers as well.
Michelle suggests, "When clients ask about appliance manuals, I always recommend discarding them if they pertain to products they no longer own, for simple devices, or if the information is accessible online."
5. Duplicate Items
Chances are you don’t need multiple can openers, ladles, or wine openers, as Michelle points out.
“Many of us buy duplicates because we forget what we already own or can’t find it—not because we genuinely need more. Purging excess will create more storage space and allow you to keep only the tools you actually use.”
FAQs
What should you avoid discarding when decluttering kitchen cabinets?
During decluttering sessions, Michelle emphasizes, "If an item truly brings you joy, there’s no need to part with it. Keep the things that genuinely make you happy and let go of items you’re holding onto out of obligation."
