Best is to put everything away, except maybe a nice knife block, a few canisters or a nice toaster. Keeping as much off is the cleanest look, but that’s not always possible. If you don’t have room to put everything away at least go for keeping out only the nicest looking and most useful everyday items. If you have utensils you use often or don’t have enough drawer storage space, utilize and nice looking crock for utensils — can be ceramic, stainless steel, metal — whatever look you have on your counter.
Put the things you reach for most often in the easiest spots, and reserve high, low or deep storage for occasional-use supplies. Group like items together so you can see what is running low before buying more.
My final check is practical: can you find what you need quickly, put it back just as easily, and see when the space is getting full? If not, simplify the categories or move the storage closer to where you use it. An organizing system should make life easier, not become another chore.
Mr. Organized's Answer
