With school back in session and the holidays fast approaching, many families find their kitchens becoming the busiest and most cluttered room in the home. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune on new containers and organizers. Good Housekeeping Home Design Director Monique Valeris explains three straightforward strategies that rely on repurposing items you already own, making it easier to find everyday essentials while keeping spending in check.

1. Keep Frequently Used Utensils Within Easy Reach

Valeris suggests starting with the tools you reach for most often. Instead of letting wooden spoons, spatulas and other utensils crowd a drawer, pull the most‑used items out and place them in a decorative crock on the countertop. “Keep those out in a crock and they’re easy to access when you need it,” she says. A simple vase or decorative bowl you already have can serve this purpose, freeing drawer space without adding another purchase.

2. Repurpose a Wine Rack for Reusable Water Bottles

Reusable water bottles often become a source of kitchen chaos, especially when different sizes are stacked together. Valeris recommends an unexpected solution: a wine bottle rack. By placing each bottle in its own slot, families can keep the bottles organized and readily available. The rack, typically made of gold‑plated iron, fits neatly on a tabletop or countertop, turning a wine‑storage item into a practical water‑bottle organizer.

3. Use Clear Bins When an Organizer Is Worth Buying

While repurposing works well, there are times when a purpose‑built organizer makes sense. Valeris advises evaluating whether an item will truly streamline a space, save time and reduce waste. In the refrigerator, for example, clear bins can group similar snacks together, allowing you to see inventory at a glance. This visibility helps you use what you have before buying more, ultimately cutting grocery costs. Clear bins are widely available on Amazon and at many retailers.

The overarching message is simple: start with a high‑traffic problem area—whether it’s an overflowing utensil drawer, a cabinet full of water bottles, or a cluttered refrigerator shelf. Take stock of what you already own, repurpose household items when possible, and consider purchasing organizers only when they solve a specific need. By following these steps, families can enjoy a tidier kitchen without spending hundreds of dollars on matching containers.

For additional ideas, Valeris co‑authored a Good Housekeeping story that outlines 18 clever ways to organize a kitchen and eliminate clutter.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.