Kitchen: Set in Order 整頓
A place for everything, and everything in its place.
Group by use, not by type. The pots near the hob. The coffee gear near the kettle. Frequency and workflow beat alphabetical order.
The zones to set in order
Prep zone
Cutting boards · Knives
Mixing bowls · Measuring cups
Colander · Peeler · Grater
Cooking zone
Pots · Pans · Oils
Salt · Pepper · Top 5 spices
Spatulas · Tongs · Spoons
Cleaning zone
Dish soap · Sponges · Brush
Towels · Trash bags
Under-sink: spray + refills
Storage zone
Containers + matched lids
Plastic wrap · Foil · Zip bags
Labels (if you're that person)
The counter rule: only items you use every single day earn counter space. Coffee maker stays. Stand mixer goes in a cabinet.
Set in Order tasks for the Kitchen
- Store items at the point of use: cutting board next to the knife, coffee gear next to the kettle
- Heavy items on lower shelves; lighter, less-used items up high
- Use drawer dividers for utensils — a divided drawer stays sorted, a loose drawer doesn't
- Decant pantry staples (rice, pasta, oats) into uniform containers with labels and fill dates
- Group the fridge: dairy together, leftovers visible at eye level, condiments in the door
- Use a turntable (lazy Susan) in deep corner cabinets to make everything accessible
- Reserve one drawer as a tools drawer: measuring spoons, vegetable peeler, tin opener
What is the Set in Order phase?
Set in Order (整頓, Seiton) assigns a specific, logical home to every remaining item. Items are placed at the point of use, at the right height, with the most-used items most accessible. The goal is a system so intuitive that anyone in the household can find and return every item without being told where it goes.
Common questions about the Kitchen
How do I keep my kitchen counter clear?
Apply the weekly-use rule: only items used at least four times a week earn counter space. Everything else lives in a cabinet. A coffee maker stays. A stand mixer goes in a lower cabinet. A bread maker that has been used twice this year leaves.
How do I organise kitchen cabinets?
Group by workflow, not by category. Items used together live together: cutting board next to the chef's knife, pots next to the hob, mugs next to the kettle. Store at the point of use and by frequency — daily items at eye level, monthly items up high or at the back.
How often should I declutter my pantry?
A quick expiry check monthly (5 minutes) and a full pantry-out sort quarterly. Most pantries contain 20–30% expired or abandoned items that built up without a regular purge cycle.
What is the best way to organise a small kitchen?
Ruthless Sort first — small kitchens cannot afford anything unnecessary. Then vertical storage: wall-mounted knife strips, hooks for pans, a shelf above the counter. The constraint of a small kitchen forces the clarity that larger kitchens let you avoid.
Common Kitchen mistakes
✗ Mistake
Too many gadgets on the counter
✓ Fix
Apply the weekly-use rule: if it hasn't been used this week, it doesn't live on the counter
✗ Mistake
Deep cabinets with no organisation
✓ Fix
Turntables, pull-out drawers, and stacking shelves make deep cabinets fully usable