1. NON-KITCHEN ITEMS
Chances are a few items have made their way into your kitchen cabinets despite the fact they simply do not belong in the kitchen. From her own experience as a professional organizer, Amelie Saint-Jacques says far too many of us use our kitchen for non-kitchen items – things like crafting supplies, home office equipment, or miscellaneous papers. 'This is understandable if you don't have a dedicated home office, for example, but the problem is when those items spill out into the kitchen and get in your way when you are using that room for its designated purpose,' says Amelie. 'A pile of papers on the counter will only attract more clutter, and it is not a good home organizing system for dealing with the papers. It can work if there's a dedicated area, such as a family command center, to corral the items and if the papers stay organized and visible within it. 'Otherwise, the kitchen must serve its purpose as a functional place to prepare food.'
2. BUG KILLER
Kim Jones, a home organizer from Lock & Key Home says that while kitchen cabinets may seem a convenient location for bug killers, it's better stored away elsewhere. She says it's an item not to store under the kitchen sink because here it can be easily accessible to children and dogs. 'We recommend keeping these products higher in an area with less traffic, such as a garage, or basement. Also, do you really want bug-killer chemicals in the area where you prep and cook meals?' Kim asks.
3. ITEMS SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE
Charlie Victor from My Modern Cave advises against storing anything in kitchen cabinetry that might be affected by changes in temperature. 'Things like candles, spices, and certain types of oils can be affected by changes in temperature and may not last as long if stored in a warm or humid environment,' he says. Store spices and oils away from the stove where possible so they aren't exposed to extreme fluctuations.
4. CLEANING PRODUCTS
According to Jennifer Smith, a home organizer at Urban Home Corner, kitchen cabinets are not the safest place for cleaning products as they can be harmful if ingested or spilled. She even suggests putting them in a locked cabinet or closet.
5. PLASTIC OR PAPER BAGS
Whether they're paper or plastic, shopping bags clutter up kitchen cabinets like nothing else. 'They usually end up shoved in a space they don’t belong,' says decluttering expert Denise from Deecluttered. 'Keep these items organized in another area, like the laundry room or even your car.' She says you can also use a bag organizer, at Walmart, for under the sink.
6. UNNECESSARY CLUTTER
Finally, items that you tend not to use day to day should be cleared out and stored elsewhere. This could be cups and mugs that are sentimental but don't actually tend to be used for your morning coffee or a baking tray that only comes out at Thanksgiving. Professional organizer Gina Hardin from Orgnze.com recommends decluttering kitchen cabinets to avoid losing track of what you have and to prevent items from getting broken and dusty at the back of a cramped cabinet. 'Do not overstuff your cabinets. If you are ready to party at a moment's notice (and shouldn't we all be?) keep a few things handy like a serving platter,' she says.