The kitchen can bring immense joy and creativity—but it can also bring a lot of frustration. We’ve found the biggest culprits of annoyance to be a lack of inspiration and a disorganized space. The first is a given: We all have a shortage of ideas sometimes. But disarray? That can be remedied. Our strategy is these five kitchen habits. Some require daily effort, others weekly, but their payoff—a happier time in the kitchen—is worth it. 

Habit #1: Put Everything In Its Place 

Think of your hardworking kitchen tools—your blender, chopping knife, cutting board, grater—as your sous chefs. You want to treat them with respect so they continue to make cooking easier and better. The best way to do this is to hand wash and put away every tool immediately after you’ve used it. This avoids counter clutter and prevents food crust from building up on parts. It’s also safer, as knives and blades should be clean and away when not in use (especially when kids are present).

Habit #2: Pamper Produce

It’s both frustrating and heartbreaking to toss bunches of wilted vegetables at the end of the week. Instead of throwing away food (and money), create a new storage system to keep produce fresher, longer. This requires variations of cutting and soaking depending on the vegetable, which we outline here, but every hack is simple—and helps to cut way back on unnecessary food waste.

Habit #3: Invest in Good Containers

We’re often left with stems, quarters, and small cuts of things. The best goal is to freeze leftover pieces of vegetables and meats, as well as bones and stems, to use for stock or bone broth. But even if you’re unsure of what to do, aim to save things neatly in containers (ideally glass or stainless steel) that stack well.

Habit #4: Keep a Clean Fridge

Nichole waxes on about the case for keeping the refrigerator tidy: It saves money. Reduces waste. Boosts meal inspiration. The list continues. It takes a little more effort to get started, but once you’ve cleared out the wilted lettuce and outdated dressings, the space created makes for a much happier occasion when you open the fridge doors. Follow our step-by-step clean-out guide here.  

Habit #5: Have Linens on Hand

Watch any seasoned chef and chances are they have a cloth towel over their shoulder or on the counter. This makes cleaning up spills, drips, and sprays an easy feat. It also cuts down on paper waste. Invest in some sturdy kitchen towels, ideally linen. It’s pricier than cotton but a better investment as linen is heartier and naturally antimicrobial.   

When you’re ready to go deeper, follow our guides on organizing the pantry and clearing out the refrigerator.