Organising Your Indian Kitchen Better: Smart, Stylish Fixes from a Designer

If you’ve ever had a pressure cooker topple from the shelf while reaching for a spice jar—or spent 15 minutes digging for the peeler (which, somehow, is always missing)—you’re not alone. Welcome to the glorious, chaotic reality of the Indian kitchen.

Let me give you a designer’s perspective, Indian kitchens aren’t just small. They’re dense. Full of history, hacks, and a whole lot of haldi. But here's the thing: the solution isn’t more space. It’s developing better systems.

So if you’re looking to create a kitchen that’s efficient, easy to use, and—bonus—pleasing to look at, this guide is your new best friend. We’re skipping the fluff and going straight to solutions that work (and yes, I’m linking Amazon finds you can actually order today).

1. Start With a Ruthless Reality Check

Before we organise, we edit. Ruthlessly. That drawer full of six chaklas in varying thicknesses? The four packets of kasuri methi, all half-used and long past their prime? Let it go. Most of our storage issues aren’t about space—they’re about holding on to too much. Start by questioning what deserves a spot in your kitchen. If you haven’t used it in the past six months (or forgot it even existed), it probably doesn’t belong.

Sort everything into:

• Daily-use: oils, pressure cooker, cutting board, chai fixings

• Weekly use: bakeware, extra grains

• Hardly-use: paniyaram pans, the giant kadhai from your grandmother's kitchen

Pro Tip: Prime real estate = space at eye level and waist level. Everything else can go high, low, or out.

Amazon picks:

Small Baskets: https://amzn.to/4ki1vFP 

Under Shelf Storage: https://amzn.to/4lgICoc

2. Decant Like You Mean It (No, It’s Not Just Aesthetic)

Uniform jars aren’t just for pretty pantry pictures—they're your front line of defence against chaos (and pests). They save space by stacking neatly, save time when you’re cooking on the clock, and help you catch intruders like weevils before they decide to throw a house party in your besan.

• Choose square or rectangular containers over round ones.

• Label in two languages if your kitchen has more than one chef.

• Use date stickers for the less-used stuff (custard powder, I’m looking at you)

Amazon Picks:

Airtight jars: https://amzn.to/44hs3m7

Organisers for the fridge: https://amzn.to/4kql9j0

3. Think Vertical. Always.

We tend to think of kitchen storage as a horizontal game—spreading things out, lining them up. But the real magic? It’s in the verticals. That awkward dead zone above your microwave? The six inches of air between two shelves? Untapped real estate, darling.

• Use shelf risers to double your cabinet space

• Wall-mounted rails for ladles, spatulas, even strainers

• Magnetic strips for knives and metal tools

Amazon Picks:

Shelf risers: https://amzn.to/4nxLJJJ (2 tier) https://amzn.to/4lEQNdI (3 tier)

Hanging organisers: https://amzn.to/4eL9r1h

Magnetic strips: https://amzn.to/45XuhZ6 

Wall-mounted rails: https://amzn.to/44DICrn  

4. Drawer Drama? Contain It.

No more dumping everything into that one overflowing drawer where the peeler, the lighter, and last year’s birthday candles are all tangled up like spaghetti. Break it down—literally. Every drawer needs a clear function, and within that, micro-zones. One for cutting tools. One for baking gear. One just for wraps, foils, and cling film. When everything has a place, even the smallest drawer works overtime without breaking a sweat.

• Cutlery organisers for daily tools

• Trays or bins for baking gear, cling wrap, trivets

• DIY hack: Use old boxes as drawer dividers (yes, it works)

 Amazon Picks:

Drawer organiser tray: https://amzn.to/4ksb19w 

Drawer organisers (Individual): https://amzn.to/44xEd9f 

Drawer divider: https://amzn.to/44OuLQ3 

5. Attack the Corners

Those deep, dark cabinets? You know the ones—where old mixer jars, mystery lids, and forgotten Tupperware go to die? They’re the Bermuda Triangle of your kitchen: stuff goes in, but never comes out. These spaces are criminally underused, simply because they’re hard to access. But with the right tools, you can turn them into the most hardworking corners of your kitchen. Total dead zones? Not anymore:

• Turntables/Lazy Susans for jars and sauces

• Pull-out trays for pans and small appliances

• Corner racks that swivel or slide out

Amazon Pick: 

Lazy Susan: https://amzn.to/44wiMoX (1 tier) https://amzn.to/4eGEXxC (2 tier) 

Lazy Susan for Fridge: https://amzn.to/403d6Bs 

Corner Racks: https://amzn.to/3If55Do https://amzn.to/3Gzgspb 

6. Build Stations/Zones (Designer Speak for ‘Baskets that Make Sense’)

Organise by task—not just type. Because honestly, it’s easier to have one basket for your chai routine than to open five different cabinets.

Try:

• Beverage Station: Group together everything you need for hot or cold drinks—masala chai leaves, green tea, coffee decoction, sugar, spoons, strainer, insulated flask, even your favourite mugs. Perfect for mornings, mid-day resets, or that 5pm caffeine fix without the chaos.

• Snack Station: Your grab-and-go hunger fix. Load it with family favourites—makhanas, khakhras, chikki, chai biscuits, and yes, that emergency chocolate bar. Keep it in a neat little basket you can pull out and serve anytime.

• Baking & Treats Kit: think beyond measuring spoons—include cupcake liners, piping nozzles, cocoa powder, vanilla essence, and silicone mats, all boxed together so you’re not rummaging through random drawers when inspiration strikes.

Amazon Pick: 

Tray/stand: https://amzn.to/44CYWsk https://amzn.to/4kljISX https://amzn.to/4ksc8WK 

7. Label Like a Lunatic (You’ll Thank Yourself Later)

Not just jars. Label shelves. Label baskets. Label your fridge zones. It saves time, saves arguments, and keeps everyone (read: family members) accountable.

Amazon Pick: 

Label Stickers: https://amzn.to/46rOBlh 

Here’s What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Organising your kitchen isn’t about achieving Pinterest perfection. It’s about building a space that works for your life—whether you’re making rotis at 7am or hosting an impromptu dinner for eight.

And remember: even the most chaotic kitchens can be transformed. One drawer. One label. One lazy susan at a time.

Found this helpful? Share it with someone who’s still storing atta in the original packet.

Happy organising and happier cooking!