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Organising your kitchen: practical tips and solutions

13 settembre 2024

An organised kitchen makes meal preparation easier, reduces clutter and makes the environment more functional and pleasant to use. As a kitchen manufacturer with more than 50 years’ experience in the sector, Ar-Tre understands the importance of good organisation in order to make the most of this essential area. The solutions we have developed over the years can make a radical difference to the way you live and use your kitchen, whether you want to design a large contemporary kitchen or optimise a compact kitchenette.

In this article, our kitchen designers and planners will share their practical tips and innovative solutions, which are the result of many years of experience and continuous research in the field of modern kitchen furniture. From maximising workspaces to organising drawers and cabinets with smart solutions, we will show you how to make the most of every inch of your kitchen, just as we do when designing our product lines.

General kitchen layout guidelines: defining and organising working areas

After decades of designing and building bespoke kitchens, we know that effective organisation of this living space is based on a few key principles.

The best way to organise your kitchen: the first step is to assess the amount of space available

Assessing the space available is the first step in creating a well-organised kitchen. This is the starting point for our designers. They measure every centimetre and take into account the structural characteristics of the room. We advise you to do the same:

Make sure you measure the exact dimensions of your kitchen.
Make a note of windows, doors and other architectural features that may affect the layout.
Identify access points for electricity, gas and water, as this will determine the layout of your appliances.

Organise your kitchen by defining functional areas

Our kitchens are always designed to suit the different activities taking place there. This approach, known as the work triangle, is the basis for an efficient organisation. Here are the main areas to consider:

Cooking area: it is centred around the hob and oven.
Preparation area: a large worktop, ideally located near the sink.
Washing area: it includes the sink and dishwasher.
Storage area: it includes the fridge, pantry and storage cupboards.
Service area: for dishing up and serving food.

Organising your kitchen around these areas will make a huge difference to your workflow and efficiency. Visit our website for tips on how to organise your kitchen and optimise the work triangle.

The importance of keeping your kitchen clean and tidy

One of the things that we always stress to our customers is the importance of daily maintenance. An organised kitchen is easier to keep clean and tidy. Here are some handy tips:

Follow the ‘clean as you cook’ rule to avoid clutter in the kitchen.
Organise containers and storage systems for each item. This will make it easier to put everything back where it belongs.

Choose materials and finishes that are easy to clean, such as those used in our modern kitchens.

Organising a small or large kitchen: different sizes for different solutions

In over half a century of designing and building kitchens, we have learnt that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every kitchen is unique and its size plays a key role in determining how best to organise it.

Let’s explore specific approaches for kitchens of different sizes:

How to organise a small kitchen to make the most of every space

Effective organisation is essential for optimising space and efficiency in small kitchens. Here are some practical tips that we have perfected over the years:

Make the most of every inch of vertical space by installing tall shelves or wall units right up to the ceiling. Use vertical organisers for pots, lids and cutting boards to increase the amount of storage space available.
Make the most of the inside of your furniture with drawer dividers to organise kitchenware and cutlery. Add pull-out baskets to base units for easy access to items below. Read on for more information on how to organise your kitchen drawers.
Make the most of hidden spaces: use the inside of cabinet doors to hang small items or shopping lists, and add a pull-out shelf between the worktop and base units. Another interesting idea is the Magnetolab® magnetic back panel, available in a wide range of materials and finishes. It is a simple and effective way to attach and remove everyday accessories without drilling holes.
Keep your worktop clear by using magnetic wall holders for knives and metal utensils, and hang cups and ladles under the wall units with special hooks.
Get the most out of your pantry: use stackable, labelled containers to group items by function and frequency of use.

Remember that the aim is to have a place for everything and to keep it where it belongs. These tricks can make even the smallest kitchen functional and tidy.

How to organise a large kitchen to maximise tidiness

While large kitchens offer a lot of potential, they can quickly become cluttered if not organised properly. Set up your workstation with all the tools you need for preparing, cooking, baking and washing up, and keep them close by.

Make the most of your pantry by using full-height cupboards and deep drawers for pots and pans instead of shelves. Design a walk-in pantry with adjustable shelves and a food rotation system to help cut down on waste. Use a central island with drawers and storage on either side, and add appliances like an additional sink.

Finally, set up some functional areas, like a breakfast area and drinks corner, to keep everything organised and easily accessible, and to avoid having unused or cluttered spaces.

How to organise the worktop and other visible areas in your kitchen

The visible areas of the kitchen have a significant impact on both the visual appeal and day-to-day functionality of the room. The effective organisation of these areas can significantly enhance both the efficiency and enjoyment of using your kitchen.

These techniques, refined through extensive experience in kitchen design, will help you create a space that is as beautiful as it is functional. The aim is to keep all the essential items within easy reach, while making the space look less cluttered.

How to organise your kitchen worktop

The worktop is the functional core of the kitchen. Effective organisation of this space is essential for a functional kitchen. Here are some practical tips based on our experience:

Less is more: keep only the items that you use on a daily basis on the worktop, and store seldom-used appliances in easily accessible cupboards.
Create workstations with dedicated areas for specific tasks, such as food preparation and cooking, by placing the necessary utensils close to where they will be used.
Use spice racks for frequently used spices and decorative wall units for commonly used kitchen utensils.
To make cleaning up quick and easy, keep a small container handy for any leftovers when cooking. Use washable mats to protect the worktop and make cleaning easier.

Remember that the aim is to keep the worktop clean and functional, with all the essentials within easy reach, without creating clutter.

Space-saving kitchen organisation ideas: under-cabinet accessories

To make the most of the space in the kitchen, it is important to make use of every available surface, including the walls.

Under-cabinet accessories that can be adapted to the size and style of the kitchen – from retro-look to stainless steel, black or white – are an interesting idea. Available in a variety of styles and functions, under-cabinet accessories can be attached, removed and combined as required. Ar-Tre offers a wide range of accessories for organising jars, paper towels, ladles, napkins, spices, cutlery, dishcloths, foil and cling film and much more. They are all easy to wash, and some are dishwasher safe.

In the dining area, choose versatile solutions such as extendable or folding tables. They are perfect for accommodating additional guests without taking up space. Combine stackable chairs or space-saving stools for added convenience. Finally, consider incorporating storage elements into the dining area, such as benches with storage compartments or compact sideboards. This will maximise functionality without detracting from the style of your bespoke kitchen.

How to organise the under-sink unit, drawers and all kitchen cabinet interiors

Hidden kitchen areas offer considerable potential for optimising the use of space and improving overall efficiency. These areas, which include drawers, cupboard interiors, under-sink base unit and pantries, are really important for keeping your kitchen tidy and functional. You can transform these areas into elements that contribute significantly to day-to-day efficiency, by implementing targeted strategies and innovative solutions. In the following sections, we will look at how you can organise your kitchen cupboards, drawers and under-sink base area to make food preparation and storage easier.

How to organise kitchen drawers

Effective drawer organisation is a key factor in improving efficiency in the kitchen. Here are a few strategies:

Use adjustable dividers to create customised compartments for cutlery, utensils and other accessories, for easier access and better organisation. Ar-Tre kitchens can be fitted with drawer organisers in a wide range of materials, such as cutlery holders, foil holders, cutting board holders and rolling pin holders. We recommend our gourmet beechwood utensil rack, complete with stainless steel accessories to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen drawers.
For deeper drawers, use multi-level organisers, ideal for storing pots and pans. Ar-Tre kitchens offer a wide range of drawer organisers to maximise vertical space and protect kitchen utensils from damage. These include bottle racks, dish racks and glass racks, including glass containers.
Use a clear labelling system with removable or coloured labels to quickly identify the contents of each drawer. This optimises preparation time.

These solutions turn drawers into efficient storage spaces, significantly improving kitchen functionality.

How to organise the inside of kitchen cupboards

Organising the inside of kitchen cupboards is essential to maximise storage space and improve accessibility.

Make the most of every inch of space available by installing pull-out shelving systems to provide easy access to items stored at the back of cupboards. Ar-Tre offers pull-out mechanisms for base units from 15 to 60 cm, allowing easy access to even the most remote areas of the base unit.
Use vertical organisers, some of which can also be pulled out, to maximise the use of space and protect items from damage. Ar-Tre pull-out mechanisms turn a simple tall unit into the perfect pantry. They are easy to load and keep everything in view.
Use special corner solutions, such as pull-out trolleys or rotating shelves, to make the most of hard-to-reach areas. Ar-Tre pull-outs are also available for corner units.

In line with the principles of efficient design that characterise modern kitchens, these strategies aim to make each area of your kitchen furniture not only usable, but also easily accessible.

How to organise the under-sink base

The under-sink base can become a highly functional area:

Use container systems of different sizes to make effective use of the space available and to organise cleaning products neatly.
Use special organisers for cleaning products, to keep things tidy and to prevent spills from damaging furniture.
Integrate recycling solutions, such as separate waste bins, to encourage sustainable practices and to facilitate separate waste collection.

These solutions transform the under-sink unit into an organised and functional space, in line with the efficient design principles of modern kitchens.

How to organise the kitchen pantry

The pantry is an essential part of the kitchen’s food storage area. The efficient organisation of this space makes food storage easier and helps to reduce food waste.

We recommend the use of pull-out mechanisms to create the perfect pantry. They make it easier to store food and allow you to keep an eye on the contents at all times.

We also recommend the installation of an electric opening system in your Ar-Tre kitchen. This is very handy when your hands are busy. The mechanism opens the door by 44 mm with a light push, so that it can also be opened manually. When not in use, it closes automatically to keep your kitchen tidy. We can also supply electric flap opening systems.

Finally, to make the best use of the pantry, we recommend using a food rotation system based on the 'first in, first out' principle. Arrange products with the earliest expiry date at the front and those with the longest at the back. Check expiry dates regularly, at least once a month, to avoid waste.

Contact a retailer to help you organise your kitchen

In short, organising the kitchen is the key to making it the real heart of the home. The strategies and solutions presented in this article are the result of decades of experience developed by our kitchen company in Italy. They offer a starting point for creating a functional, efficient and personalised kitchen.

But each home and family have different needs. We invite you to contact one of our authorised Ar-Tre dealers. Our experts can advise you on the best solutions for your specific needs and help you design a kitchen that makes the most of the space available and fits in perfectly with your lifestyle.

Find your nearest Ar-Tre dealer.