Organizing the Indian Kitchen: Smart Storage for Masalas, Matkas
Organizing the Indian Kitchen: From Masalas to Matkas
The Indian kitchen is a vibrant, sensory-rich space where family traditions simmer beside the spice box. But amid the fragrant tadkas and sizzling curries, there’s often a silent culprit stealing your peace: clutter.
Between the never-ending jars, pressure cookers, kadais, and the ever-expanding masala dabba, organizing an Indian kitchen can feel like a full-time job.
Don’t worry—we’ve cooked up a guide to help you bring order (and joy) to your most-used space.
1. Master the Masala Zone 🌶️
From jeera to garam masala, Indian cooking uses dozens of spices daily. Storing them right is key.
Decluttering Tip:
Toss out old, expired spices—if it doesn’t smell strong anymore, it won’t flavor your food.
Organizing Tips:
- Use stackable spice jars with clear labels in English and your regional language
- Group everyday spices separately in a pull-out tray or tiered rack
- Store lesser-used whole spices in a labeled container at the back
- Avoid buying bulk unless you cook in large quantities
👉 Bonus: Magnetic spice racks on the fridge or wall can free up shelf space beautifully.
2. Contain the Containers 🏺
Matkas, tiffins, steel dabbas—our kitchens are full of them. But are they being used wisely?
Decluttering Tip:
Recycle lids or boxes that don’t have matching pairs, and pass on excess plastic containers.
Organizing Tips:
- Nest similar-sized dabbas to save space
- Store matkas or water pots on sturdy floor-level stands
- Use baskets to group lunchboxes, lids, and tiffins
- Keep serving bowls separate from storage containers
- 👉 Try clear containers to see contents at a glance—and label everything.
3. Optimize Your “Everyday Use” Shelf 🍽️
We all have that shelf we reach for constantly. Make it efficient.
What to include:
- Pressure cooker
- Everyday tadka pan
- 2-3 most-used spatulas and ladles
- Oil, salt, and chili powder containers
- Rice box and daily lentils
How to organize:
- Use a deep drawer or a dedicated open shelf
- Place taller items at the back, shorter in front
- Rotate items every few months to keep the layout functional
4. Hack Vertical Spaces & Corners 📐
Indian kitchens often have narrow layouts—make every inch count.
Vertical Organization Ideas:
- Hang ladles and pans on a mounted rod
- Install shelves above the sink for dish soaps and scrubbers
- Use corner racks for pickles, papads, or smaller jars
- Hang measuring spoons and kitchen scissors on command hooks
Decluttering Tip:
If something’s gathering dust in the corner, ask yourself: Do I really use this?
5. Tame the Towel, Tray & Thali Zones 🧺
These items tend to multiply—and sprawl.
Decluttering Tip:
Retain only as many thalis, trays, and towels as needed weekly. The rest? Store or donate.
Organizing Ideas:
- Stack trays vertically using a file sorter
- Use cloth baskets for clean kitchen towels
- Place thalis upright in racks to save shelf space
👉 For better hygiene, rotate towels every 2 days and wash trays weekly.
6. The Dry Grocery Section: Less Chaos, More Chana
From atta to poha, we all store dry goods in bulk. But that doesn’t mean it has to be messy.
Organizing Tips:
- Use uniform jars/containers for grains and pulses
- Label with name and purchase date
- Store heavy items on lower shelves
- Keep light snacks like murmura or sev in airtight jars at eye level