How do you organize measuring cups and spoons in a drawer?

Having an organized kitchen can make cooking and baking so much easier and more enjoyable. When you need a specific measuring cup or spoon for a recipe, you don’t want to be digging through a jumbled drawer trying to find it. Implementing a system for organizing your measuring cups and spoons will ensure you can quickly grab the right tool for the job. Here are some tips on the best ways to arrange measuring cups and spoons in a drawer so they stay neat and accessible.

Sort by Type

The first step is to separate your measuring tools by type. Group all your measuring cups together and all your measuring spoons together. Measuring cups and spoons serve different purposes, so keeping them apart makes sense.

Within the measuring cups, you may have multiple sizes such as 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup. Keep each size together. Do the same with the measuring spoons, grouping together all the 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon spoons.

Arrange By Size

Once you have separated the cups from the spoons, organize them by size within their groups. For measuring cups, start with the 1 cup and work down to the 1/4 cup. For spoons, go from 1 tablespoon down to 1/8 teaspoon.

Arranging them from largest to smallest makes it easy to grab the size you need quickly. It also helps keep sets together. If you have multiple sets of measuring cups or spoons, each complete set should be kept together.

Use Interlocking Stacks

If possible, look for measuring cups and spoons that are designed to interlock and stack together. The cups will nest neatly, with the rims fitting into each other to prevent sliding. The spoons will stack with their heads fitting into the bowls of the larger spoons.

Interlocking stacking sets save space and keep each piece tidy. No more fishing around for the spoon that got separated from its matching size. Look for measuring tools made of lightweight metal or plastic for the best interlocking ability.

Divide by Material

In addition to separating by type and size, you may also want to divide your measuring tools by material. Many bakers prefer to use stainless steel or metal cups and spoons for dry ingredients, and glass or plastic for wet ingredients. The different materials provide better scraping ability and liquid measurement accuracy.

Designate one side of the drawer for metal tools and the other for plastic/glass. Keep each material grouped by size within its section. This prevents cross-contamination and makes it easy to grab the optimal tool.

Use Dividers

For ultimate organization, install dividers in your measuring cup and spoon drawer. Look for dividers designed for utensil drawers that can slide in to create customized sections.

Use dividers to separate measuring cups from spoons, materials, and sizes. The dividers neatly contain each group and prevent the tools from jumbling together. Labeling the sections makes locating the exact measuring tool even faster.

Try Drawer Organizers

If you don’t want permanent dividers, drawer organizers are removable options to section off your measuring tools. Silicone or mesh organizers have slots and compartments to neatly arrange stacks of cups and spoons.

Look for organizers that are adjustable or come in multiple configurations so you can customize as needed. Make designated spaces for each size of cup and spoon. Some organizers have lids to contain the items while keeping them visible.

Use Peg Rails

Install peg rails or a pegboard on the inside of a cabinet door near your baking supplies. Use pegs or hooks to hang your measuring spoons and cups vertically for easy access.

Arrange the pegs from largest to smallest so you can easily grab what you need. The hanging organization is great for small kitchens since it frees up drawer space. It also puts the measuring tools in plain sight rather than hidden in a drawer.

Add Labels

For quick identification, label your measuring tools and the storage compartments. Painter’s tape or removable adhesive labels allow you to easily update the labels if you rearrange things.

Label the sizes on the handles of larger spoons and cups. For spoons, tape labels to the back of the handles so sizes are visible when stacked. Label divider sections, organizers, peg rails, etc. with the contents for each area.

Store Extra Sets Separately

As your collection grows, avoid cramming too many duplicate measuring sets into your main drawer. The overcrowding can cause disorganization. Instead, store extra sets elsewhere like in a baking pantry or cabinet.

Keep just 2-3 go-to sets in your everyday measuring tool drawer to maintain the organization. Having multiples of rarely used sizes just takes up valuable real estate. Pare down to the essentials for that drawer.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly organize your measuring cups and spoons will provide long-term sanity to your baking endeavors. Use these tips to efficiently sort by type, size, material, and frequency of use. Take advantage of stacking, dividing, compartments, rails and labels to contain the tools.

With some simple drawer organization, you’ll be able to quickly locate the right measuring cup or spoon when a recipe calls for it. No more fumbling while your ingredients sit waiting. You’ll have an orderly, functional cooking space that makes baking a pleasure from beginning to end.

Tip	Benefit
Sort by type	Separates cups from spoons for different uses
Arrange by size	Creates organized sequence from large to small
Use interlocking stacks	Saves space and keeps pairs together
Divide by material	Groups best material for dry vs. wet ingredients
Use dividers	Designates neat sections for organization
Try drawer organizers	Provides removable compartments for custom sections
Use peg rails	Hangs tools vertically for easy access
Add labels	Allows quick identification of sizes and types
Store extras separately	Avoids overcrowding most-used drawer

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about organizing measuring cups and spoons:

How many sets of measuring cups and spoons do I really need?

One good quality stainless steel or metal set and one plastic or glass set is ideal for most home bakers. Having one of each material provides versatility for dry versus wet ingredients. More than two sets per material starts to create clutter.

Should I hang my measuring cups? What about spoons?

Hanging measuring cups takes up less space but makes them a bit trickier to scoop ingredients with. Nesting cups in a drawer is best for functionality. Measuring spoons are great to hang on hooks or pegs since you use them for leveling ingredients.

What’s the best way to store oversized measuring cups?

Oversized cups like 2-cup and 4-cup sizeswon’t usually nest together. Store them upright in a separate drawer divider or hanging on hooks. Group them by size so the capacities are visible.

How do I keep nested measuring cups and spoons from sticking together?

Make sure your cups and spoons are thoroughly dry after washing. Periodically separate nested sets to air them out and prevent sticking. You can dust them with a tiny bit of flour or corn starch to keep them sliding smoothly.

Should I store my measuring cups and spoons near my mixing bowls and prep tools?

Yes, keeping your measuring tools right next to your prep tools and baking dishes saves steps during the cooking process. Store them together in the same drawer organizer for efficiency.

What are some labeling options for measuring tools?

Painter’s tape, sticky labels, permanent marker on the handles, and engraved labels are all great options. Just pick a method that is durable and easy to update. Place labels on the front or back depending on how tools are arranged.

How often should I check that all my sets are complete?

Do a quick check that all your measuring sets contain the correct cups and spoons at least every few months. It’s easy for pieces to get misplaced over time. Regular checks ensure you always have the full set ready to go.

Should I buy more measuring spoons so I can leave ingredients measured out?

Pre-measuring ingredients can save time, but you only need one back-up set for this purpose. Too many extra spoons will overcrowd your storage. Reuse the same spare set as needed.

What’s the best way to store oversized measuring tools like tablespoon and cups?

Keep oversized measuring “scoops” like tablespoons and cups in a separate tall drawer or container. Arrange them upright by size. You can also hang them from hooks in order of size. Keep them separate from your standard nested tools.

Additional Tips

• Make sure your hands are clean before handling measuring tools to avoid transferring germs to food.
• To prevent warping, don’t put metal measuring cups and spoons in the dishwasher. Wash them by hand.
• Replace any measuring tools that are bent or damaged. Proper measurements require precision.
• Clean out your measuring drawer periodically to remove any food debris or dust.
• Use measuring spoons for small amounts and cups for larger amounts for efficiency.
• When measuring sticky ingredients like honey, spray tools with nonstick spray first for easy release.
• If you’re low on drawer space, use a peg rail or hanging hooks inside a cabinet.
• Buy measuring sets all in the same color so they don’t get mixed up.
• Use a permanent marker to label glass and plastic tools.
• Keep a few inexpensive plastic sets for kids to use when cooking.
• Designate a drawer near your prep area just for measuring tools.

Recommended Storage Products

Drawer Organizers

• OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Divided Organizer
• Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organizer
• Madesmart 2-Tier Organizer for Measuring Spoons and Cups
• SimpleHouseware Kitchen Utensil Organizer
• Talented Kitchenware Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer

Interlocking Measuring Sets

• Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set by Spring Chef
• Rsvp Endurance Measuring Spoons Set
• Good Cook Classic Nesting Measuring Cup Set
• OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set

Peg Rails and Hanging Racks

• Lipper International 8829 Bamboo Peg Rack
• Deco Brothers Pan and Pot Lid Organizer Rack
• Cuisinart Cup Hook Rack
• Mibote 16 Pack S Hooks

Dividers

• Lynk Professional Dividers for Kitchen Drawers
• YouCopia Crazy Susan Dividers
• Seville Classics Bamboo Dividers
• SimpleHouseware Kitchen Cabinet Organizers

Labels and Tape

• Sysco Metro White Removable Labels
• Hcinnci Removable Tape with Dispenser
• Avanti Press Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets
• Geesavers Multipurpose Super Sticky Post-it Notes

Conclusion

Organizing your measuring tools may seem like a trivial kitchen task, but it actually makes a huge difference in ease of cooking and baking. Taking the time to thoughtfully arrange your cups and spoons by type, size, material, and frequency of use will provide you with a functional, efficient system.

Invest in quality interlocking sets and use dividers, compartments, racks, and labels to create dedicated homes for everything. Maintain organization by periodically checking for missing pieces and restacking items that shifted. An orderly measuring drawer means no more fishing expeditions mid-recipe.