In the average household, family members visit the kitchen two to three times more frequently than any other room, yet kitchen storage ranks as the top pain point in home.

Jason Thompson, founder of J.Thom Design and Cabinetry in Philadelphia says many homeowners struggle with space allocation and organization in their kitchens. Jason and his team of talented designers carefully consider flow and ease of use when updating kitchen spaces for their residential design clients.

“At its best, design is quiet dialogue between space, the materials and the intent. In the kitchen, we want the space to flow with you as you complete daily tasks. In many instances, the footprint of the space is working against you. This makes it almost impossible to organize and enjoy your kitchen,” says Jason. He laughingly adds, “It’s not your fault.”

When you see kids off to school, prepare a meal or entertain, you want the tools and items you need to be at your fingertips as you move through the space. J.Thom designers spend their time learning how a client lives in their home. Thy are then able to incorporate the right storage and built-in organization solutions based on how they live in their space.

“We always recommend allocating a small portion of your budget for built-in organization. It’s one of those investments you never regret,” says Jason.

Many J.Thom clients are renovating historic homes or walk-ups that are notably short on kitchen storage. One designer commented, “It’s surprising how much stress occurs when your kitchen isn’t functioning well. If someone finds themselves frustrated or struggling to organize kitchen tools and supplies, it’s time to update the space.”

We were able to convince Jason to allow us a glimpse of his own kitchen where he and his wife spend time with their two young children. They also love to cook and have their kitchen organized in a fashion we find inspiring. Jason’s recommendations include:

( Note to Jason: A family candid would be a nice touch here. Also, who likes to cook? Do you two enjoy entertaining?)

Organizing Cutlery and Utensil Drawers

Consider one drawer for essential flatware and another for cooking utensils such as tongs and long-handled cooking tools. Other frequently used items like the juicer and grater that have similar handle length are stored here.

In the second image, the built-in knife block frees up counter space. Whisks, measuring cups, kitchen shears and tongs are also used often and are easy to keep handy with the built-in separation.

Kitchen Food Prep Drawers

This prep drawer includes prep bowls, spices, a notepad for recipes, scrapers and a mortar and pestle.

Jason designed his own kitchen with the Mobalco cabinetry line. In the second image, we like the front panel of the pullout drawer because it gives a nice, clean appearance when closed. When you pull out the “drawer” you find split pull-out shelving where the Thompson’s store small kitchen appliances and other cooking essentials.

Pan & Skillet Dividers

Organize baking sheets, muffin tins and other shallow pans in a cabinet with built in dividers. While often seen in a base cabinet with a door, dividers function even more effectively in a deep drawer. Mobalco cabinetry features stainless steel panels to support heavier items like the stock pot shown adjacent to the skillets.

Spacer Bars for Drawers

Spacers allow division of the drawer into compartments. For instance, one might include sauté pans and frying pans in one portion of a drawer while the other portion of the drawer is dedicated to related essentials like oils and vinegars. In this photo, Jason has kitchen staples separated by bars eliminating the need to sort through a pantry shelf in search of one item.

Bars are also great for organizing deeper pans and large lids. It is amazing how each item is easy to see and reach.

Create A Kids Drawer in Your Kitchen

Children’s supplies in a bottom drawer their young children can easily access. It contains their dishes, cups and utensils plus a few other kitchen items divided by spacer bars. This allows the children to be a part of preparing meals plus they learn organizational skills from an early age.

Storing Everyday Dishes

We love this peg system. The stainless-steel drawer base can support heavy items. The pegs hold the dishes in place to prevent sliding and breakage.

Organizing Spices: The Bane of Every Kitchen

Jason recommends purchasing spices in containers that are similar in size. He also finds a drawer far more effective than a lazy susan or cabinet pullout because one can see the labels more easily. The top tier of this pullout is houses spices while the second image shows spices in matching jars that are part of the Mobalco system.

The Lagniappe: Finishing Touches for Your Kitchen

Jason loves to discuss extra touches that elevate your kitchen experience. “Interior cabinet lighting that turns on and off automatically adds a touch of functional luxury,” he says. Other solutions are:

Commercial-Grade Storage Containers: Perfect for organizing onions, potatoes, or other produce near your prep area.

Integrated Cutting Stations: Include pull-out trays with built-in cutting boards and space for waste disposal to streamline meal prep.

Hidden Appliance Cabinets: Store frequently used appliances like toasters or coffee makers out of sight but within easy reach.

J. Thom offers two lines of cabinetry. Mobalco, is a contemporary cabinet line, is known in Spain as “kitchen furniture.” J.Thom Signature cabinets are made locally with a traditional look and feel. Both lines of custom cabinetry offer custom organization and storage solutions.

At J.Thom, we believe great design helps you connect more deeply with your home. To request a consultation with a J.Thom designer, click here.