Unpack and Organize Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the most important area of the home when it comes to organization. From unloading groceries to food preparation, clean-up, etc.. the kitchen is the heart of the home. When Chaos To Order organizers unpack a kitchen, we think not only about being able to find things quickly but also about making the most out of every inch of space. Here are some things to consider when organizing or unpacking your kitchen:First, make sure all cabinets and storage areas are wiped down and clean before putting items in them. If you're not unpacking but only organizing, you don't want to pull everything out. Work on one cabinet at a time.Next, if you want to put shelf liner down, now is the time. Shelf liner is a good option if the inside of your cabinets are wood. If the cabinets have a laminated surface, shelf liner is not necessary. Consider the purpose of the shelf liner as there are many different types to choose from .Unpacking boxes. When moving in, it's always a good idea to ask the movers to load the kitchen boxes last so they are the first delivered into the home. We usually spend more time unpacking a kitchen than any other room, so getting a head start is a benefit. When items are organized prior to packing, the unpack happens much more quickly. It can save hours of unpacking time at the destination. Weeding out prior to packing up is essential, of course, our organizers are pros at coaching you through that process.
Dishes
Our organizers will need to know which dishes are used every day versus what is used only for special occasions. We will make everyday dishes most accessible and find an out-of-the-way place for infrequently used pieces. Moving Tip: Place a paper plate in-between each ceramic plate to protect them during the move. You won't waste a thing, you can still make use of both in your new place!
Glasses
How long has it been since you've weeded out your glasses cabinet? Have you noticed strange cups from movie theater promotions or restaurants make their way into your collection? Moving is the best time to clear out. You're forced to make decisions about what stays and what goes, so take advantage of that process and edit everywhere you can. Do you like your glasses facing up or down? I like to recommend glasses facing up so the part you drink out of isn'talways resting on the bottom of the cabinet, but it is really just a preference.
Pantry/Food Storage
Dry GoodsHaving good pantry space is definitely a bonus, but we also love to find creative ways to maximize space. There are so many great custom cabinet options as well as terrific organizing gadgets that can help make the most out of every corner and crevice of the kitchen. No matter how big or small your kitchen is, maximizing the space and optimizing its efficiency will help save time on a daily basis. In the pantry, think not only about the space on the shelves but every area. Vertical space on the wall and on the door can offer bonus storage. 
BakingKeep all of your baking goods together so you know exactly what you have. It's best to separate baking items from the other food storage so you'll be able to grab what you need quickly.Spices: Of course a nice custom spice drawer with alphabetized spices is ideal, but the best tip for organizing your spices is to know what you have and what you use. We see many spice cabinets that are filled with ancient spices, long past their expiration date. If your not sure how long to keep foods before they expire, check out this post on Still Tasty.
Pots & Pans
A nice big drawer below your cooktop is best, but other options include a hanging rack or in the smallest of kitchens, you can even use the oven to store some pots and pans.CookwareHow many casserole dishes does a kitchen need? Treat your bakeware like your clothes, if you haven't worn it in the past season, it's time to move on. If you keep some pans for special occasion use only, store them high up to make what you use often more accessible.PlasticwareTupperware and the like are usually the hardest items in the kitchen to keep organized. My son has tried (unsuccessfully) to refuse putting it away when he empties the dishwasher. Getting all like items together and lids stacked properly takes more than the 5 seconds he allows to empty the dishwasher. Keep only matching pieces. If you've lost a lid or a container is without one, it's time to eliminate it. Be ruthless with your plastic ware, especially the "disposable" ones that tend to linger on way beyond their disposable time.
Utensils. Separate utensils used every day with ones used infrequently. Those escargot tongs don't have to be accessible if you only use them once a year. The drawer you designate for flatware for should have appropriate dividers based on how many pieces you have. Use custom dividers if you have more than 10 pieces of each. Do you like to keep everyday cooking utensils in a container on the counter? If so, don't let it fill up with extras, keep it specific to what you're using most.Each and every space is different and how it is best used depends on your lifestyle. That's why your best bet is to get the professional advice from your Chaos To Order organizer if you are overwhelmed in your kitchen.