This kitchen writer says this is the reason you should never store recipe books in the kitchen – plus, where to keep them instead

If you're a lover of cooking, there truly is nothing better than a beautiful recipe book to pore over.

Therefore, there's also nothing better than a bookshelf stuffed full of them. But, did you know you shouldn't store recipe books in the kitchen? I didn't either, but according to New York Times Wirecutter kitchen writer Michael Sullivan, who truly has the kitchen of my dreams, bursting with beloved vintage gadgets and tools, they're best kept elsewhere.

Here, I spoke to a professional organizer for her tips on how to organize cookbooks, while still celebrating their charm.

No, you shouldn't store recipe books in the kitchen

Michael Sullivan says, 'Okay, technically you should not keep your cookbooks in your kitchen, if you can avoid it.' But why?

Di Ter Avest, professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, explains, 'Cookbooks in the kitchen might seem like the obvious choice, but it's not always the most practical solution. In small kitchen ideas, space is at a premium and every cabinet or countertop counts,' which is why it's important to regularly take time to declutter countertops, which is one of the best ways to reduce visual clutter in the kitchen.

'Storing cookbooks there can make the area feel cluttered and take away valuable storage that could be used for essentials like pots, pans, or pantry items.'

Ter Avest also points out the issue of potential damage when storing cookbooks in your kitchen ideas, where heat, humidity, spills, and grease can ruin your beloved recipe collections over time, particularly with prolonged exposure.

Where to keep recipe books instead

On dedicated shelves

'If you're luck enough to have a spacious kitchen, storing cookbooks in the same room where you cook can work beautifully, as long as it's done thoughtfully,' says Ter Avest. This means that using dedicated kitchen shelving ideas can make a stunning feature, but only if away from the stove, sink, or dishwasher, to keep them protected from spills and moisture. For example, this will work in any kitchen diner ideas, where you have space away from the cooking area, or why not display them in your dining room, instead.

'Open shelving can double as stylish decor if you group books by color or size, and adding bookends or a cookbook stand, such as the bestselling wishacc Bamboo Book Stand available at Amazon, can make the setup both functional and visually appealing,' adds Ter Avest.

In a cabinet or drawer

If you don't have space elsewhere, tucking your cookbooks away in your kitchen cabinet ideas or drawers will keep them 'organized and safe' from damage, suggests Ter Avest.

Then, you can group by cuisine, or alphabetically, depending on how you prefer to stay organized.

In your home office

If you have one, making your recipe books part of your home office ideas 'ensures they stay accessible while freeing up prime kitchen real estate for the tools and ingredients you use every day,' says Ter Avest – and they look great too.

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