A kitchen is a lot like a closet. Items get pushed back and hidden under one another so that they often go unused and take up valuable storage space, and many times we will hold onto things that we think we may use sometime in the future but we haven’t actually needed in months or years. This stockpiling and disorganization not only makes it more difficult to find what you really need, it can make your entire cooking and dining experience more overwhelming than it should be. Here are three steps that will help you make your kitchen more practical and useful so you can actually enjoy cooking again!

Step 1: Purge

Are you holding onto old jars of jam that were gifts that no one really wants to eat? Do you suspect that those canned goods are dented? It’s ok to throw away food that your family does not want to eat, or you can donate items that are still in good condition and someone else may like more than you do. It’s good practice to take stock once in a while to make sure that you don’t have any expired items in your refrigerator or pantry, and any spices that are older than 3-4 years probably need replaced as well. But don’t stop there! Look through your cabinets and see if there are any appliances that don’t work any more or dinnerware that is chipped and unusable. You might be surprised by how much space you have once you get rid of things that you don’t need or can’t use any more!

Step 2: Organize

Make sure that the things you use most often in the kitchen are easily reachable. Pans and spatulas should be near the stove, and knives and cutting boards should be close to the sink so you can easily clean your produce before chopping. Appliances that aren’t used everyday can be placed in the top shelves of your cabinets, while plates and glasses should be lower so everyone can easily grab what they need. Sorting pantry shelves into backing goods, canned goods, and dried goods will help you find exactly what you’re looking for without digging through layers of miscellaneous boxes and cans. You’ll be amazed how much less time it takes to prepare a meal when you know exactly where everything is!

Step 3: Replenish

Make a list of uncommon goods that you always forget to add to the grocery list and appliances or dinnerware that you don’t have and would make your life easier. A well stocked kitchen with things like mustard, olive oil, baking powder, and balsamic vinegar will make meal planning easier so that you can spend time with the family cooking healthy meals. And when you have dinnerware to accommodate guests it will make you want to invite people over for dinner parties or cocktails before going out. You may not be able to buy all the appliances you need right away, but if you have a wish list it will be easier to set aside money and get what you need one thing at a time.