Kitchen: Sort 整理
Remove everything that doesn't belong.
The kitchen accumulates more than any other room. Sort removes the expired, duplicate, and misplaced before anything else.
Understand the zones before you sort
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.
Sort tasks for the Kitchen
- Remove all items from every cabinet and drawer — sort on the table, not in the cabinet
- Toss expired pantry items, spices older than 2 years, and anything opened but abandoned
- Purge duplicates: one good chef's knife beats three mediocre ones; one wooden spoon is enough
- Remove appliances unused in 6+ months — store or donate
- Clear the counter of everything; return only what is used at least weekly
- Remove anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen (paperwork, keys, chargers)
- Empty the junk drawer and keep only items with a clear purpose
What is the Sort phase?
Sort (整理, Seiri) is the first phase: remove every item that doesn't belong in the space. Expired products, duplicates, broken items, and things used elsewhere all leave before any organising begins. You cannot set up a good system around things that shouldn't be there.
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